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Want to play D&R again?
At about 2:30 Sat afternoon I decided I didn't want a guest room any longer. We just never use it, especially after having Ethan. It was wasted space, that we could actually USE! So, we spent the rest of the day cleaning out the closet and taking the bed out of there.
We decided to use that room as a playroom/craft/work space. I need ideas for toy, craft, and book storage. I'm willing to invest in a new storage unit or whatever will work.
I think I'll keep the paint color the same b/c I love it. Terrible pic of it but it's an antique, very light blue.
I may keep this table as my desk. I'll put a matching chair rather than the big, black office chair. I think about painting it but if I do that it will have to wait until Spring. I'm not opposed to a smaller desk if I find a deal. It is really big. What do you think... keep it and paint it or find something smaller?
We're also thinking about keeping this sewing machine table in there. It was Matt's grandmother's so we're hesitant to say goodbye to it. It's in terrible shape. We no longer have that lamp on it. If we kept it in the play room we'll put a small LCD tv/dvd player on top of it.
Any suggestions for what to put on the walls? I'm not sure if I should go for a kid room look or more simple/neutral since it will be shared space. Thoughts? Feel free to be honest b/c I'm not leaning one way or the other.
Thanks for any ideas!!
Re: Want to play D&R again?
I am procrastinating so I will play! I like the wall color.
Storage - the Ikea route - you could paint this or go with the white. They look like something Ethan can slide in and out. I think every child needs this chair!
PB - Check out the outlet, I find good buys there. I like this storage unit and these book racks remind of elementary school.
I would keep the desk, big is good for crafts. I wouldn't paint it unless you go with a painted storage unit. The wood tones do tie into the sewing machine table (which I would keep too). Are you going to get Ethan a little play table?
Do you like wall decals? You could do a playful/grown up wall decal. Maybe a family tree surrounded by animals.
For a storage unit, I've always liked IKEA Expedit units (I don't own any, but would def. go that route if I had the room):
They come in various sizes/configurations and colors/finishes as well, plus these can be attached to the wall so they won't topple over. You could fill some of the cubes w/ bins or baskets (which IKEA sells too) and then leave others for open storage. They also sell doors and drawers for the cubes if you think you'd like to have some closed storage too. The huge unit pictured above is $159 so the price is good, and if you've ever seen these in person, they're pretty sturdy units. Hopefully this link works to all the Expedit items: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=expedit&pageNumber=0
There is a desk that will attach to the above unit if you'd like one whole storage unit/work space, or I think keeping the table you already have would work too - great as a desk or craft table.
The sewing table I would keep as well and use as you mentioned: to hold a tv/dvd player. They do sell a liquid (Old English makes it I think) that you rub into knicked or scratched areas and it will help it to look a bit better. We use a dark version for our woodwork upstairs and it does a great job at hiding imperfections.
I like Denise's idea to maybe add a kids table & chairs for Ethan if you have the space. IKEA has a ton of inexpensive options as well.
I love the wall color too and would be hesitant to paint over it. I like Denise's idea to look for a fun wall decal...or what about painting one wall or section of the wall w/ chalkboard paint? I think you can even get a version that you can stick magnets to, what a neat place to showcase all of Ethan's crafts and artwork that will soon start to fill your home! Or maybe just find some really big cork boards to hang stuff on too? I think it's best to keep it simple since all the toys will add a lot of color already, maybe just a framed print or two? I love this etsy seller: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OrangeInk While her prints are geared towards kids, I don't think they're too harsh or themey.
I definitely think you can make this into a fun, useable room for all of you!
I don't have much to add but wanted to say I have always loved the chalk board idea. I planned on painting a section of Jack's big boy room in our next house and framing it out with molding as a chalk board - I think I've seen this in PBK catalog. My only concern is can you paint over chalkboard paint on the wall?
I also love that etsy seller too and those alphabet prints had been saved in my favorites since I got pg with Jack.
We have two of these from IKEA, and they work really great. Caleb can now slide the bins out and get whatever he wants. I highly recommend them.
Here they are in our house along with a different IKEA bookshelf in the middle.
At work...nesting is illegal, so I'll have to make it quick!
We purchased Closetmaid Cubicles in Expresso from Target and love them. We use half the slots for bins of toys and the other for books. They aren't too expensive and look great!
I'm trying to rush (again...doing something illegal!) so I hope the link works!
http://www.target.com/s/ref=in_se_pagelist_btm_next?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Ctarget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchNodeID=1038576&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=target104545&keywords=closetmaid&searchPage=2&field_browse=1038576&searchSize=30&field_keywords=closetmaid&field_availability=-2
Thanks for all the great ideas!! I think I need to make a trip to Target, the PB Outlet and Ikea to get this figured out.
I like the chalkboard idea but I'm not sure about repainting and I've heard they're pretty messy. They look so great though.
I can't wait to get this started!
TTC since Jan 07. Dx with PCOS Jan 08