Thursday, April 12, 2007

One Last Look at the Pink Palace !

Crooked Halo has gotten sooooo grown up that she wants all the pink to go away!!!We affectionately dubbed her room "the pink palace" named for the rather pepto walls and bubblegum furniture that reside there.
Ah me, I guess its time for a re-decorating project!I must admit ,though I am excited about the creative possibillities, I am also sad my baby feels a need to leave this rather younge look behind.She was 5 when we changed the room from the mostly yellow and red furniture with cowgirl accents,that had been her nursery theme,to the more girl-i-fied version you see before you now.
Since Jungle Dream Pagoda,is also a chronicle of my families life and times ,I wanted one last detailed look for posterity....plus its a great before shot(right?).Come with me as I walk down memory lane and wax poetically about a room that was even featured in, The Dallas Morning News,when my baby was profiled for her personal style!
I love this tulle window treatment!If you click and enlarge,you will see that there are actually 2 colors of tulle draped ever-so easily in this simple treatment. The thrifted plaster angels are the same hot bubblegum pink that I painted the furniture in.Her vintage troll doll collection line the windowsills.
Every girl(big or little) needs an inspiration board. This one I covered with a thrifted fuschia Hawaiian print.
We tend to use vintage clothes as artwork here at the Pagoda,and this asian pajama outfit in her blue accent color fit the theme perfectly.What is to become of Trixie ,Dixie,And Dell?This painting is a treasured item,that I don't think will fit the new look(to be revealed presently).
More vintage clothing as artwork,ready to be wore right off the wall(and of course a messy pile of CD's).
This metal vanity is one of the few pieces we will keep,along with the ironwork shelves. Ofcourse they will NOT be pink anymore.
Heres the desk area/closet/nook(Hi Julius,I see you hiding in the corner!). This will be filled with pillows and will take on more of a conversation pit function.
Gee whiz was this desk hard to paint(and just look at the sweet blue rose knobs from Anthro!). I remember rushing to finish it before school started that year. Do you think thats where she does her homework? No,that'd be the bed!
Her closet is actually quite organized,and ofcourse also pink with pink hangers(we will be using lots of primer!)The beaded curtain seemed like such a great idea at the time,ugh,but what a pain it was! 2 weeks ago ,The Little Blossom and I heard a crash and guess what it was? It must have known its time was up,after this shoot it made it to its final resting place, the trash!
Now for the big reveal! Crooked Halo wants a more sophisticated look,something loftish and arty.She wants to use a nice taupey brown for the wall color and has chosen Sherwin Williams ,Meadowlark. I heartily approve of this color! This vintage gown was worn by my daughters Grandmother as she was named runner-up to Miss Indiana in the 60's. It will figure heavily in the design inspiration.
This loft bed from Ikea is actually the jumping off point for us(lets hope we ONLY use that term figuritively!).We will be doing an industrial and lacey vintage feel. With lots of brushed aluminum,lacey vintage clothes ,browns taupes and ecrus. Sort of a ... warm, monochramatic, victorian boudoir meets the set from Madonna's "Express Yourself " video.Wouldn't something like this look great beneath the bed,I love the juxtoposition of styles!

I believe a re-design every few years is great,and find the philosophy of "pick a design they can keep through college" to be absolute horseradish! A child needs to be able to express themselves and reinvent their living spaces, even if its something as small as choosing a new bedspread and curtains. Here at the Pagoda ,we say "lets try it" !

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my...sob sob on the growing up but I'm excited to see the new look! Sounds like the two of you are going to come up with something fabulous. And I'm totally with you on the redecorating...I redid my room every 2-3 years growing up and I would highly recommend it to any kid! (Although I didn't get new furniture every couple years...just paint, fabric and art supplies!) Waiting breathlessly for the next installment!

Sarah and Jack said...

Ah the room change. Always bittersweet isn't it?

But look at how tall she already is holding up that beaded curtain!

Jennifer W. said...

Please tell Ms. Crooked Halo that though I appreciate the desire to redecorate and try something new, The Felt Mouse, a 32-year-old woman, totally covets her current bedroom! I know, though, that what you two come up with will be equally charming.

stilettoheights said...

she's got a great eye already....if only she realized that once she is older she will fall back in love with pink...it happens to the best of us.

xoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh how FUN!!!! Redecorating! I'm a sucker for that stuff! And her style is oh so chic, so I just know her new room is going to be gorgeeuzzz!

Thriftin' Gal @ Junk In My Trunk said...

That pink room is such a treat to look at, I love it and especially that pink metal vanity!! The new look will be so different, but it sounds like it will be totally gorgeous - of course, if anyone can pull it all together, you can! Can't wait for the updates! :)

eb said...

oh my - although I bid a fond farewell to the "pink room" - heaven knows I understand this need for change - I am also going into a neutral place - so much the better for color pop - were those TROLL dolls that o spied on the window sill?

xox - eb.

Heidi said...

What a great attitude you have about this. I'm sure your daughters will also feel comfortable expressing their creativity. Cool!

Anastasia said...

you're such a cool mum! - love the 'lets try it' attitude!! Awww your little girl is growing up...the new room is going to look awesome...cant wait for the 'after' pics!

Victoria said...

I'm glad you took photos of that sweet room before it undergoes it's big change. Will love to see the next stage!

gilfling said...

Oh what a wonderful project!! And my...isn't it going to be grown up with taupes and ecru....so refined! It will be wonderful and I can't wait for the big reveal!

Michelle Legler said...

You Go GIRLS!!!!!!!! I can't wait for the new re-do!!!

cindy said...

i love the pink room! but the dress as inspiration is wow! i think it already sounds very elegant and grownup! ( i loved the trolls too! i had lots of trolls...o.k, i STILL have my trolls!)

Anonymous said...

How exciting! I can't wait to see this re-design! :)

miss vintage love said...

That couch is to die for!!!!

Peta said...

Well, you know me, pink is perfect! And turquoise is my third fave colour! But the new scheme sounds gorgeous and very grown yp for crooked halo :)

Anonymous said...

Oh My goodness!!!! So so so much to do, but what fun! Oh, good-bye pink? I feel the same actually. Done with pink for a while. I am sick of it. I love it, but i need a break. Ya know? I am so with crooked Halo, although I really adore how the pink furniture looks! And look at how tall she is.. Oh, to have been blessed with a tall body. Although short ain't so bad. But, how can I even say that? It is all I know, so it's not like I have a choice.. hee hee.....Change is happening a lot more than I thought! Yippee! I don't feel soooo alone.... xxxo, Vanessa

Anonymous said...

I have to say the pink room is fabulous, but new surroundings inspire new creativity. I can not wait to see the finished room!

Emma said...

vintage as decor?
brill!

Gina said...

Wow, that is a really cool space, love it!

calamitykim said...

Can't wait to see the finished room! It will be another step in the journey of her life...towards womanhood...I say hang up some bunting and bake some more cupcakes- maybe not in the easy bake oven, but, whatever works! I wish I had some girls to dress up and play with- all I have is a bunch of stinky boys and they live way too far away! boohoo! My Blog a versary is just a drawing for 6 prizes...6 chances to win: doll, doll quilt, paper rose, bipolar becky make do, bunting and a crown.Tomorrow will be the sign up the drawing won't be until May 1st. You have plenty of time. and besides, I would add your name to the hat as one of my faithfull few... I do read all the comments, even though I am a filthy slacker sometimes about emailing back... :) k anti robot verification word is: skamg...what it feels like when the books never come that ya bought from the door to door salesperson...

Anonymous said...

I love the asian pajama outfit and pink metal vanity. Wow, what a wonderful room for little girls and I can't wait to see the new look with so many great ideas, and interior designers in the family :) have fun!

Rebecca said...

How exciting! I remember when I wanted to change to a "grown up" room. Have fun Crooked Halo!

Holly Hall said...

What a cool mom you are! My Mom was always supportive of my ever-changing tastes and decorating moods, as well. Such a gift to allow a child to express themselves. I am really looking forward to watching my little girl's tastes develop. Her nursery is red/turquoise and vintage western themed, too, but I can't wait to see what she'll choose for herself when the time comes.

Christine Emmick said...

So I must know what type of hooks or loops you hung on the corners for that tulle window treatment. I had the same idea at the fabric store, bought the fabric and now do not know how to hang it without snaging it. Also, did you consider roman shades for privacy? where would you put those?

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin