Room of the Day: Ready for a Bold ‘Big Girl’ Room
A designer creates a bedroom for her daughter using DIY and budget-friendly ideas
When interior designer Beth Barden’s youngest child was ready to graduate from a nursery to a “big girl” room, Barden couldn’t have been more excited to take on the project. “The game plan was to go all-out decorating for a girl, since I had two sons before her,” Barden says. “I was ready to add the fun, feminine touches and, of course, gold!” Lots of creative budget-friendly and DIY ideas are ahead.
The cozy chair is a glider from Harper’s nursery that Barden had reupholstered in an abstract watercolor-look fabric. “It was a little more expensive than I was planning but just tied everything together so well,” Barden says. Bolsters on the new daybed repeat the pattern.
Roman shade fabric: Secret Gate, Braemore; chair and bolster fabric: Mill Reef by Madcap Cottage in indigo, via Calico
Roman shade fabric: Secret Gate, Braemore; chair and bolster fabric: Mill Reef by Madcap Cottage in indigo, via Calico
Wall hooks and baskets keep dress-up clothes and accessories neat, and a new campaign-style vanity provides a grown-up touch.
Campaign vanity in white: Target
Campaign vanity in white: Target
The sloped ceilings and nooks in the room, which is an addition that was made to the house before Barden purchased it, were awkward to decorate at first. But these little spaces eventually became Barden’s favorite parts of the room, providing lots of fun places for a child to play — like this sunny nook, which includes a play kitchen and window seat.
Since Harper’s room does not have a closet, Barden had to come up with a creative way of handling clothing storage. Her solution? This clever (and budget-friendly) industrial garment rack, which Barden made from plumbing supplies.
Slim, wall-mounted acrylic bookshelves hold a rotating collection of Harper’s favorite storybooks without taking up valuable floor space.
Clear flat shelves: Clear Solutions
Clear flat shelves: Clear Solutions
While browsing a fabric store, Barden noticed a white faux-fur fabric that reminded her of the lush look of a flokati rug, so she scooped up several yards. Since Harper’s room is already carpeted, Barden was able to create a cheap and chic DIY rug simply by laying down the faux fur on the floor.
Harper’s big-girl dresser is topped with special family photographs and a baby portrait of herself painted by a friend of the family.
Barden and her daughter are both thrilled with how the space turned out. “My favorite element, and Harper’s too, is definitely the trundle daybed,” Barden says. “I love the color navy, so I was happy to have this as a centerpiece — and she loves the idea of having sleepovers one day!”
Sophia upholstered daybed and trundle: DHP Furniture
See more stories about children’s rooms
Sophia upholstered daybed and trundle: DHP Furniture
See more stories about children’s rooms
Bedroom at a Glance
What happens here: The designer’s daughter, Harper, uses this room for all things make-believe. She spends hours playing with her dollhouse, cooking pretend meals, taking care of her baby dolls and reading books.
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: About 250 square feet (23.2 square meters)
Designer: Beth Barden of designPost interiors
The bold stenciled walls set the tone for the room, and are often the first thing people comment on when they see the space. “I really like the look of wallpaper, but it can be hard to factor in when working on a budget,” Barden says. “I didn’t want to scrimp on any of the accessories and fun details, so we decided to use a stencil to create a vintage wallpaper look.”
Wall stencil: Royal Design Studio Stencils