New Space

I read a blog and got an itch to convert our dining room into a playroom.  We weren't utilizing the space so it was really begging to be used!  I was also very tired of the (pretty) plum/burgundy color we had for ten years.  Staying home with the kids makes me grow tired of things around the house and I must make changes!  Andy loves when he comes home from work and I have a new "plan."

I decided I'd try to do the room on a very small budget and use things we already had starting with the paint.  We had leftover yellow from our kitchen and family room but not a lot left.  We added white paint to make it a lighter yellow and to give us more paint.

First I had to prime since the red was so dark.  Fun.  Not.

 I then went to Ikea and bought and assembled shelves to turn into benches.  I bought MDF board and had it cut at Home Depot then bought 2 inch thick foam at JoAnne Fabrics.  We had one drape that Oliver tore when we were away at the beach so we used that for the fabric.  Andy wrapped it all together and stapled it to create our new playroom seating!

 New affordable Ikea curtains to bring all the colors together.

 We took down the chandelier and added a simple white light.

 I bought milk crates at JoAnne Fabrics and Andy cut them in half with a table saw for book baskets.

 The start to the reading corner!

 I love this sign I had at the top of our stairs.  I miss it up there but it works in the playroom.

 This was in Lilly's nursery.  Found it in Ella's closet.

 I bought these letters at Michaels and painted them blue.  They spell "CREATE" and that's exactly what the kids have been doing since the playroom was completed.

 I even repaired some holes and indentations myself!  I tried not to bother Andy with this project of mine as he has enough on his plate.

 I searched for the perfect cabinet doors at the Habitat For Humanity Restore and finally found them for $1 a piece.  I was sooo excited!  My poor kids.  I dragged them all over the place.

 I spray painted them white and then rolled blue on the center raised part.  I am not patient at all and didn't wait for the white to to dry.  We'll call them Shabby Chic...

 Screwed in magnetic clips to hold artwork and a metal plate to hold their name and age.  I'm not done putting up the metal placards but will get around to it this week.

Here's a video of the playroom in as it is today.  The kids love it and I find the girls in it daily drawing and creating.  I also love how the space brightened and encourages creative play.  Such a happy place now!