An Eye on Decorating (Sponsored by Habitat Restore)

An Eye on Decorating by Jessica Duce (Sponsored by Habitat Restore)

Meet Lexi.  A beautiful, kind of shy, very smart eight year old, who attends West Dodge Station Elementary.  I recently met with Lexi to discuss the decorating project for her room.  Lexi and I discussed her likes and dislikes and looked at pictures of different bedroom styles I found from magazines and online.  She told me she would like to incorporate mirror peace signs, wallpaper, zebra print, pink, black, and white in her room design as well as a chandelier.  By the way, Lexi’s bedroom has a 15 foot ceiling and we need to work with the existing bedding and curtains.  I asked Lexi if she would be open to items that were repurposed so we could stay on budget (for Mom) but still give her the look she wanted.  She hesitated, probably a bit unsure of what that meant, but being the very sweet girl she is smiled and said yes.

My first objective: how to incorporate the wish list.  I found wallpaper that worked at a local paint store.  I only wallpapered one wall to save cost but chose a high impact print so that you still feel the weight of the design in the room.  Next, a bold paint color.  To coordinate with her existing bedding and curtains, I worked the pink walls color directly from the existing palette.

Now the really fun part for me was finding the lost treasures I could manipulate to suite her room.  Of course, I began my journey at the Habitat ReStore.  At the ReStore, I purchased a cupboard door, an old dirty bronze chandelier, a bag of crystal pendants, extra chain, and vintage looking handles. 

The remaining items I needed were found at local stores like Gordmans and Marshalls.  I did make a trip to Goodwill and found miscellaneous frames I could spray paint for additional art in the room.

While I waited for the professionals to paint and wallpaper, I had time for repurposing.  After cleaning the chandelier from dust and grime, I spray painted it a high gloss black.  A lot of light fixtures that are removed have their electrical cords cut very short.  This is a simple fix by rewiring the fixture to the length you need.  This cord can be found at any home improvement store.  Because I added length for Lexi’s very high ceilings, I also spray painted chain and added it on so it would look as if it was always a part of the chandelier.  I would install the crystals to the chandelier after it was hung.

I salvaged some of the leftover wallpaper to use for Lexi’s vanity tray.  I spray painted my cupboard door first in the same high gloss black.  After it was dry I drilled holes to install my vintage handles and glued in the wallpaper as a center.  I finished off the edges with fabric cord trim. 

My Goodwill frames were all spray painted the same gloss black including a cardboard peace sign I found.

Finally, the day of the install.  This is where it should all come together.  After the electrician hung the chandelier, I installed the crystal pendants.  I hung the painted frames around the room incorporating other things I had found and utilizing Lexi’s mirrored peace signs.  The tray rested on her vanity, tying in the wallpaper wall, and the zebra, pink, black, and white was spread about the room to help it all tie in.

After the room was done, the real test was Lexi’s approval.  I just wanted this lovely girl to adore her room.  When Lexi came home to see her room she said “I am never leaving home! I love it!”  I would have to say that is a great compliment.  I think Mom was okay with that too.  Thank you Lexi.