{Project!} Making Progress in The Princess Palace

I’m quickly learning that moving with children means their rooms will look picture-flipping-perfect before the master bedroom is even out of boxes. Especially since my daughter has been a little emotional about the move (it’s not just me!), I have really focused on creating a space she LOVES. Following the installation of that amazing pink ribbon trellis wallpaper, I’d say we’re 85% of the way there. Here’s a peek:

The classic Jenny Lind bed gets a sophisticated touch with these stunning custom pillows we dreamed up with our decorator. I’m *obsessed* with the watercolor printed pillow, and the pink bolster is made to last in a Perennials indoor-outdoor twill (which I’m considering monogramming, because, of course.) I don’t love how the guardrails look on the Jenny Lind, but safety is always more important than pretty. The underbed storage trundle, however, has been a terrific addition: toy storage for now and a cozy bed for sleepover guests in several years.

Dormers have proven to be less of a design challenge than an opportunity for a little whimsy. This dormer will eventually be the location of a built-in homework station for my daughter, but for now a sweet little Ikea “Agen” armchair topped with an Ikea “Rens” sheepskin makes a comfy place to sit for a spell. (Or at least her favorite blabla doll thinks so!) The botanical print is actually a relic from the shabby chic studio apartment of my law school days, and a sentimental part of me loves that it has found a new home over a decade later.

A full-fledged Ikea hack? Not exactly, but a few coats of Farrow & Ball “Pink Ground” and some green glass knobs added much-needed personality to this Ikea “Tarva” dresser. I topped it with a sweet little watercolor I found on Etsy and an antique silver tray stocked with hairstyling essentials. The boxwood hair bow wreath I told you about a few weeks ago hangs next to it for convenient bow-to-outfit matching.

Of course, my daughter’s (and my) favorite element of her room is the new reading nook. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia-style reading area at her former preschool, I filled the dormer floor with four euro-sized pillows and a white matelassé coverlet (all of which I already owned) and topped it with several inexpensive throw pillows I picked up at Home Goods. But the magical touch? A gauzy white “Bryne” canopy from Ikea that cost a third of the near-identical one I’d been eyeing at Pottery Barn Kids.

It feels like we’re just a few details short of something magical. A gallery wall is in the works (featuring this charming scooter print from Rifle Paper Co.), which will necessarily include replacing all frame glass with toddler-safe acrylic. (The Little Lady is prone to mischief during quiet time.) Another wall will feature one of those uber-popular Land of Nod white-and-gold wall mounted shelves with several of their charming (and also extremely popular, aka backordered) golden bow hooks beneath.

Like I said, this room is SO close to being really special. I’ll keep you posted at it nears the finish line!