Room of the Day: Girl’s Bedroom Blooms With Creativity
A hand-painted wall treatment makes a pretty backdrop in a room decorated with vintage pieces in coral, green and white
Laura Gaskill
January 23, 2017
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Creating a dreamy, whimsical space for a 3-year-old girl that would still work right up to her teen years is no easy task — and that was the goal for interior designer Mollie Openshaw of Design Loves Detail. “By the time it was finished, I kinda wished it was my room, so I think we accomplished the mission of creating a space that was appealing to girls of all ages,” Openshaw says. The budget-friendly bedroom is filled with creative, vintage and upcycled touches, including a wall treatment hand-painted by the designer.
Photos by Travis J Photography
Bedroom at a Glance
What happens here: A girl and her friends use this space for tea parties with stuffed animals, daydreaming and sometimes a little jumping on the bed, of course!
Location: Just outside Salt Lake City
Size: 154 square feet (14.3 square meters)
Designer: Mollie Openshaw of Design Loves Detail
Bedroom at a Glance
What happens here: A girl and her friends use this space for tea parties with stuffed animals, daydreaming and sometimes a little jumping on the bed, of course!
Location: Just outside Salt Lake City
Size: 154 square feet (14.3 square meters)
Designer: Mollie Openshaw of Design Loves Detail
At the start of the project, this was an empty room in a new build — a far cry from the cheerful haven it is now. To create a sense of history, Openshaw shopped mostly at estate sales and vintage markets, using her creative eye to find opportunities for upcycling. “I’m a big believer in repurposing items and making something new from something old. It’s good for the planet and also the pocketbook,” says Openshaw, who chose paint in a cheery shade of coral to revive this wooden dresser.
Dresser paint: Coral Isle, Krylon
Dresser paint: Coral Isle, Krylon
The focal point of the room, though, is certainly the hand-painted wall treatment. “When I envisioned this room, I wanted a large-scale floral that was fresh, bold and reminiscent of springtime,” Openshaw says. “Since I couldn’t find a wallpaper that was large enough scale, I decided to create it myself.”
Background wall paint: Springtime Peach, Benjamin Moore
Background wall paint: Springtime Peach, Benjamin Moore
The mural also informed the color scheme for the space, with shades of peach, coral and green repeated throughout. Here, a green metal bed is dressed with layers of fresh white and peach bedding, with a whimsical butterfly garland adorning the headboard.
A ladder bookcase provides easy-access storage for extra blankets, plus display space for a rotating selection of favorite treasures.
A hanging macramé chair in the corner provides a comfy spot for sitting — and boosts the fun factor. “Children’s rooms are one of my favorites to work on,” Openshaw says. “I always love to interview the kids whose rooms I’m working on to get their perspective on the space and what they want.”
Hanging chair: Hang A Hammock, Etsy
Hanging chair: Hang A Hammock, Etsy
A sweet typographic print hangs above the dresser alongside a unicorn “bust” and a butterfly, motifs that are dotted around the room to add to the whimsical feel.
The great vintage pieces help bring age and character to the room, and kept costs down. “The light fixture was $10 from an estate sale,” Openshaw says.
Though the space is sure to evolve over time as its occupant grows, the pieces in place now are ones she can use for many years to come.
See more stories about design for children’s rooms and play areas
Though the space is sure to evolve over time as its occupant grows, the pieces in place now are ones she can use for many years to come.
See more stories about design for children’s rooms and play areas
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Super cute!! I love the ladder shelf that was pictured!! The wall art was beautifully designed, and the head and foot boards of the bed show a nice dark color to balance out the cutesy girly room.
love it! wish my daughter’s room looked this cute!
Even though I’m older, I would sleep there!