I think "country french" is maybe not the right terminology... a little googling and it seems what she likes is more a mixture of french and "bohemian". If that means anything to you all!

I cringe at the thought of spending a bunch on a 13 yr old. You are right. What happens in 2 years? It is never too early to understand that family finances apply equally to everyone in the family.

Since it has only been 2 yrs since you bought her new furniture, I'd probably test her a bit on how much she really wants a new look. My DD wanted black trimwork in her very large room when we moved in. I said, " Nope, unless YOU want to paint it back to white when you're bored with it or go off to college." She said laughingly, "Well, guess I don't care THAT much!" It was just a passing whim as it turned out....a few years later she couldn't believe she'd wanted to do that.

Although you're asking her to spend her own money, (even CL could be a bit for a 13 yr old's purse) why not teach her how to sew vs doing it for her? I think sewing is one of the most successful ways of getting a custom look on a dime. I can't imagine spending the money so many people do on purchased or custom drapes etc! (Sis is in that biz....she doesn't make much off me lol!) Even when I could afford to finally hire out I normally made my own drapes whenever I could...duvet covers, table skirts, pillows...it's all pretty simple sewing normally.

As far as decor "style" in a kid's room? It doesn't matter to me how it works with the rest of the house.

But again...sometimes this stuff is just fleeting. If she wants to paint the walls, teach her how to paint properly and have her do it. I also find IF they put the work in (not just the $$) they tend to take care of things a bit more.

Why not start with a CF looking bedding and a few accessories before going all out with new furniture? It doesn't matter if the style is different then the rest of the house. ;o)

Well...the original question was whether country french is trendy and IMO country french is one of the most enduring styles. It's comfortable, eclectic and still beautiful which fits the lifestyle that many of us lead today.
French country pieces can be mixed with traditional, shabby chic, sometimes modern, etc. so they can be great pieces to mix with others. That said, I don't think DD's style mixes well with the modern esthetic that you have in your house...but if she keeps her door closed that seems harmless?

Whether your daughter will tire quickly of the look she is after...it's hard to say. But, if you can indulge her design wishes within the family budget allowed, then I think that's a good thing. As a young person it's nice to have a say in your own surroundings. My bedroom was extremely important to me as a refuge as a teenager so I can understand where your DD is coming from.

But I would say it defintely has to be done within the budget allowed. Perhaps your DD can pick up some extra chores or neighborhood jobs to earn extra money?

All of the beds you showed have a curvy headboard. Maybe make an upholstered headboard out of some vintage fabric. Add a fluffy down comforter which all the pics also have. Then make the bed higher so she can slip some storage boxes under her bed for "stuff." (O gosh do I understand a child liking stuff!)

Smiles:)

I've got all different styles all over the house - and the 3 BRs are *totally* different (natural cherry Shaker in MBR, early European Victorian/A&C weird stuff in DD's room, and heavy pine "This End Up" furniture in DS's room). Let her do what she wants in her room as long as it's just paint and furniture, not major renovation you'll have to pay for now and then do over when she moves out.

Sounds like it really won't cost much, if you (two) do the sewing and your mom will give her a bed. Does she have a dresser at all right now? Does she need one? Get the bed, then maybe a nightstand and/or vanity to coordinate. If the bookcases can be painted (and then repainted) try that - maybe add a little trim from HD or Lowes for interest. And replace the modern lamp.

Yes, her style will change - she's a teenager! But you can accommodate that w/o breaking the bank.

I think with some creativity (and a lot less $$$) you might be able to take what she has and soften it, for example, research a way to add a more romantic, detailed headboard/footboard to the bed there now, and what about some fancy crown molding around the bookcases maybe with a floating desk in between (made from a small interior paneled door)

A coat of paint wouldn't break the bank probably, have her shop the oops paints at Walmart, Lowes or Home Depot, if you want to really be on a shoe string. There almost ALWAYS seems to be a soft pastel or ivory color in the mix whenever I look.

Pick up some vintage side chairs, maybe thrift store or CL the ones that are easy to reupholster and add some frenchy fabric, trim etc. paint them pink or light blue, paint her existing night stand a pastel color again, soft pink or ice blue?

Pretty easy to install a cornice above the bed, with some flowy fabric to mimic the one in the picture. (our walmart has $1 a yard fabric tables, and LOTS to chose from)

and a new bedding set or if not the whole set, a few colorful (coordinating of course) throw pillows, a soft fuzzy throw etc., handmade (easy to do) curtains, and you have about transformed the room, using the "bones" of what you already have.

Just an idea.

It's possible that you have a child who simply doesn't like clean, modern lines. It happens. Your house is beautiful, but the rooms are furnished in a very distinct style. There's nothing wrong with your daughter for not liking that style. And I've always felt that children's rooms should reflect the child. There's no need to have them "flow" with the rest of the house. You may not have intended it, but you do sound a little bit as if you really don't want such a frilly room in your house.

Country french has been around a long time. Like toile, it's always there, just sometimes it's in the foreground and sometimes it recedes to the background. But it's always around. Mostly because enough people like it that it's become a classic.

Just looking at her room, I had the following ideas. You could put some molding on the edges of the Billy bookcases, painted the same color, to "fancy" them up a bit. You could sew a bedcover for her existing bed, with a ruffly skirt attached, to hide the platform. You could swap out the hanging light fixture with a small chandelier. Add some window treatment and a rug. It shouldn't be too hard to find a suitable nightstand and chair on Craigslist that you can paint white. Possibly do one of those half-moon canopy things on the ceiling, with gauzy white curtains hanging down to disguise the hard lines of the headboard. Or slipcover the headboard in a quilted fabric.

Then have her live with that for at least 6 months to see if she really likes it before you go out and put any real money down on expensive furniture.

This is about waaay more than money. If she has some money of her own and you can sell the pieces she really dislikes it may not disturb the family finances at all. IMO it's a wonderful way for your daughter to learn many valuable lessons. Help her set a budget for the project.

I remember when my parents let me plan and furnish my bedroom in our new home. I made curtains, bedspread, and a fitted cover for an old trunk. I was in preteen heaven even tho all the furniture was pre-owned. I learned to sew on my DM's treadle Singer when I was 7 so sewing straight lines was no problem. This was almost 60 years ago and a cherished memory.

IMO the style of children's bedrooms does not have to match that of the rest of the house.

If you keep the bookcases you might use tension rods and curtains over the lower shelves.

French Country style, in France, varies from region to region. Outside of France it's really varied. It's as enduring as any other style for a teen and always in style for many.

If you choose wisely from Craigslist I'm sure you can create a nice collected look. Whatever you buy can be sold the same way later. Who ever said raising kids would not entail work? ;-) I think this will be a fun project for Mom & Daughter.

Link below is a site from France which may provide inspiration.

Here is a link that might be useful: from France

Hey, thank you so much for your thoughtful posts! There are some great ideas here and it's really nice to have the support, too.

A few things:
This project will be all on DD's (meager) budget, so yes, she will have to make careful choices. Today we found two perfect dressers on CL, one is $100 and one is $30. We're going to go look at the $30 one tonight :) She put flyers around the neighborhood in the fall for leaf-raking jobs, and I am sure she'll do more of that sort of thing in the spring... she also just started babysitting so she'll have some $$ from that.

Budget-wise, I foresee the bed linens being the priciest part of this project! Here's the plan:
Keep existing billy bookcases (maybe with moldings added) and change their location so that they form the backdrop to a library-like "sitting area" with a (CL, re-upholtered) comfy chair and small side table and/or ottoman for reading & surfing zone. Move existing (white Ikea bland modern) desk to the corner of the room where it won't be so prominent. Maybe later add a vintage chair and replace the modern legs with some old wooden ones? Some bed changes, to be determined... cheap. New bed linens. Possibly keep existing floor-length curtains but add more decorative tie-backs, etc. CL white "french" tall dresser. I think she could get away with not spending more than $200 if we can find affordable bed linens...

Great ideas about using the existing bed, thank you. She really likes the idea of adding a headboard we upholster (if Granny does not give her the other bed).

And, yes, her heart's desire is a chandelier!!! That might blow the budget, but she can save up for it. She wants a "real" old one, of course, not a new Target version :)

I do feel like its important for her to have her own space she enjoys. Our house has been in a constant state of really crummy, stressful renovation since last March, with a big move directly preceding that, so things have been tumultuous around here. I would love to feel like she has a sanctuary. Maybe that's why I am so willing to put the energy into this project, when I haven't even begun to finish the kitchen , bathroom, or living room!

Thanks so much!!! Wish us luck with the CL dresser tonight.

So glad to hear you're rolling with it Stacey -- It sounds like such a fun project!

Also check Craigslist and eBay for chandaliers, and look for simpler shiny brass fixtures you could 'tart up' with paint and crystals.

What a great mother. Every girl needs her own little world.

I read your blog and it was quite amazing! I'm so glad that all is well and you have such a great attitude about life.

Thanks for sharing your stories.

Aw, you guys are so nice over here! I will have to hang around more often. Last spring I was a kitchen forum resident, then switched to bathrooms....

We got the dresser! DD loves it. It's one of those, what, 1950's (??) "french" things. I think she may whitewash it, or at least the lighter parts, as it's a little yellow-y. But for $30, I think its great. I'll take a better photo, but here's the craigslist ad photo:

Great buy, for $30! I think she will love it. Consider looking in the "antiquey" stores for a chandelier. Their prices are usually pretty good, & with the recession, many are willing to dicker/barter/give discounts. Also check the chandeliers on Ballard Designs. Many are scaled for a smaller room, prices are reasonable, & they have a yearly lighting sale, though I don't recall when it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard Designs chandeliers

Haven't read everything else but:
1. I love your style. I am usually not so into modern, but you bring such warmth to what you do. LOVE it!
2. I had the same issue as your DD. I picked my own furniture out (same age) and got similar furniture (pre-IKEA . . .but it was Scandinavian). Once I had it, it felt too cold. When we moved (I was 14), I got the smallest bedrm., so my mom said I could give my sister my old furniture (she did not care) and I'd get new. I picked out all antiques. To this day (I'm 36 now) I still love the set I picked out.

Oh, wait- just saw you are going for it! Good!

Ohhh, that dresser is a CUTIE! What a great deal for
$30. Looks like the project is off to a great start!

The chest is adorable, great start for 30 bucks!

I think the bed is the biggest difference in your daughter's inspiration images. All of the images depict a larger than twin size bed, and frankly, your daughter's bed looks uncomfortable to me (this from someone who has 2 twin beds in their guest room, LOL!;-). In every inspiration image, there is a comfy, cozy quality; your daughter's room says nothing of that. I'd invest the most $$ in a new bed and frame (FC is way better than mod/pod), but that's just me.

FCs been with us for a while. As to whether it will endure? Sooner or later, it all will ;-)

Blink, and Texas Stars will be "in" again, BWAHAHAHA! (OK, that may be a regional thing ;-)

Thanks folks...
greenthumbfish, I think you hit the nail on the head with this, "In every inspiration image, there is a comfy cozy quality..." That's exactly what she's articulated that she wants. Something more cozy and casual, AND that doesn't rely on bare dresser tops and open space to work. Her room now (and I will add that SHE picked out all the details. I was pretty skeptical of the wall art and bedspread when she chose them, though they worked in the end) anyway, her room now is never as neat as in that photo, and the piles and collections just look plain old messy in that room. I'm hoping (!) that in a more casual, cozy room, it won't be as bad.

anele, our living room and dining room furniture is high-end designer teak from Denmark in the 40's/50's (Hans Wegner, etc) and I love that look, personally. The really good stuff has curves and a handmade quality that actually IS rather friendly and cozy... and "natural" in a way that Ikea (or even the later 70's teak) isn't. But- I understand my daughter's feelings. I grew up in a house with a fair amount of "modern" (my dad is an architect who went to college in the mid 60's) and at 13 I, too, wanted a more feminine and cozy room. I have a feeling it is partly to do with, at this age, starting to define yourself as a woman, and wanting things more feminine, and also wanting to define yourself as different from your parents. I stayed interested in vintage-y antique-y furniture till I was in my mid-late 20's and then found myself drawn back to the style I'd grown up with. Funny...

I think you are a great mama for allowing and encouraging to define her own own style, even different from your own. :) Wonderful! Have fun!

I can see why she might want something more feminine and less utilitarian. Have her check out some DIY blogs, and see if she can do some of the makeover herself. I've linked to an upholstered headboard how-to that might not be easy for a 13 yr old, but it's not terribly hard.

Here is a link that might be useful: Upholstered Headboard

Country french has been around forever. I like the last pic with the white bed and love upholstered headboards.