Dear Genevieve,
I have a 6-year-old daughter who wants a full-blown fairy-tale-princess bedroom, but I'm not sure we should go that far. What are some quick ways to "girly up" her room without committing too much time or money?
—Annie, Brooklyn
You are so smart to question this—themes are for theme parks, not bedrooms, and, as we all know, our children's tastes change by the day. One day, it's all about princesses; the next day, it's panda bears. So how can you keep up with her likes of the moment and not break the bank at the same time? Accessories, accessories, accessories are what it's all about. Think throw pillows, lampshades, area rugs, throws, and wall decor. Sit down with your daughter and really dissect what it is she loves at the moment. If it's one particular princess, break down the colors of her dress and bring them in on the throw pillows and bedding. Purchase another copy of the book her princess is in and frame some of the pages as wall decor. These simple accents will make a little girl swoon—and cost a lot less than a branded princess bedroom set.
Dear Genevieve,
How do you create an artful central-command and calendar area to keep track of everyone's schedule when you don't have room for a desk in the kitchen?
—Jodie, Allentown, Pennsylvania
I hear you! I wish I had room for a desk myself, but necessity breeds creativity. If you have a little wall space to spare, you can create that central-command center easily. If you're so bold, take this small piece of room and paint it liberally with green chalkboard paint (This shade is so sentimental for all of us who grew up before the dry-erase board, but black chalkboard paint is always an option, too.) By defining the space with color, you create a focal point in a room that is already chaotic and busy. With a focal point, people will pause and, hopefully, help you in your mission to keep the house together. Besides paint, what I'd like to you include in this space from the ground up are the following:
• a small bench with storage
• wire baskets hung from the wall, side by side for each child
• a wall-mounted shelf for keys and mail
• a large calendar, or one drawn directly onto the chalkboard-paint wall
• corkboard strip along the width of the calendar, for posting notes
You're basically making an organizer sandwich on the wall. This lineup will give you a place for family members to check in on what's going on, and it provides a simple system that works for everyone.
Dear Genevieve,
We're looking for cheap, creative alternatives to regular headboards for our kids' rooms. Any ideas?
—Carrie, Minneapolis
Thank you for thinking outside the box! Here are some alternative headboard ideas—all affordable, fun, and ridiculously easy:
Homasote
This lightweight, eco-friendly fiberboard can be purchased and cut to size at most lumberyards. Wrap it with batting, staple on a fabric or quilt your kids like, and screw it into the wall.
Framed Prints
Cluster several small frames or hang one large one above the bed. Fill them with pictures of animals (try etsy.com) or maps (antiquemapgallery.com). The images can be switched out as often as your children's tastes change.
Vintage Letterpress Drawers
Hang these (sold on eBay for about $35 each) on the wall with the inside turned outward. With all their compartments, they're beautiful shelves for the treasures our kids collect.
Send Genevieve your design questions!
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