Friday, May 7, 2010

Percy's New Room

Well not a new room, but made over.  


As I mentioned here, my son was blessed with a lilac room for the first 3 years of his life.

This is what it looked like.  You can see the almost fluorescent purple walls.   Someone told me once it was like something they had as a child in the 1970s and I got the feeling that they didn't mean that in a good way.




Of course there was nothing inherently wrong with the room, although the almost white carpet was one of the more stupid decisions I have made in my life, and was completely filthy after 7 years of baby related activity.

My decision to give him more of a little boy's room coincided with the gift of a sewing machine at Christmas, so I decided to make as much as I could.  I can't make carpet or paint, so I got the professionals in for that.   The walls were painted white, and I had deep chocolate brown carpet put in, which I know is an extreme overreaction to the white carpet but I couldn't help myself.

The old chair, which I used for feeding and still use for reading stories, looked like this: 





I recovered it using my trusty sewing machine.  I bought some red spotty Kokka fabric from Kelani, and pinned the fabric to the existing cover to get the right shape and fit and sewed a slip cover.  It ties underneath but I had to velcro the side sections so that I can get it off for washing.    I then made a cushion cover, which was quite hard because of the rounded shape and those odd indents where the chair arms are.    It worked out reasonably well in spite of that.  

It now looks like this:



You can see in the chair photo that the curtains were taffeta lilac and cream stripe.  Quite amazing and just like a ballgown. My mother is looking forward to taking them off my hands.  

Because the curtain rod requires curtains which slip on tightly, rather than rings, I decided to make the curtains myself, which I did using a Warwick fabric, which photographs badly but looks like this close up.  It is worth mentioning that due to high ceilings, these curtains are 3.7 metres in height and 2.1 metres each across: 


I figured it had a lot of different colours in it, enough to last few years for when my son wants a brown room for his Bionicle stage.  

I then put some shelves up, Ikea Lack (of course) and they are shown above.  The main issue with this room is that it has two doors (one to our bedroom - I think it was originally - and mark my words, will become again, a separate wardrobe room) and one to the hallway.   It then has a casement window and so only one untouched wall. My idea was to get as much off the floor as possible.   

Then came the bed.  I bought this from Parenthood after much price comparison.  I wouldn't go so far as to say children's bed sellers run a cartel but it is certainly amazing the way they all seem to be pretty much the Same Price.   












A little word about the blanket.  The idea for this came from Kelly Doust's The Crafty Minx.    It is a woollen patchwork.  I got a whole pile of old jumpers, mine, and the children's  (Seed shoppers will recognise that blue and grey stripey one), cut them into squares and patched them together with some backing.   Sounds easy, but took weeks and weeks and weeks, to pin and sew and pin and sew.    It is a lovely blanket though, very soft and pre-loved, with a lot of cashmere in it.  I am so grateful for this idea as it enabled me to save so many jumpers with holes and tears in them.   

So that's it.   

It felt pretty good to do this myself.   BUT two things I now know I am never ever doing again - making curtains (too much fabric!!!  Too high risk!!!) and making a woollen patchwork blanket (arrggh, the time, the time).

One last thing to do is to put somewhere the compass decal which I won from the lovely A-M a couple of months back.......



16 comments:

Unknown said...

It looks fantastic. Much more boyish :)
You've done a great job, it's so rewarding to decorate yourself isn't it! The compass decal will really suit the room too!
Jxx

brismod said...

Wow, everything looks wonderful. The curtains would've been a mammoth feat - so much fabric! I love that patchwork of jumpers - like a sophisticated version of my patchwork of Hawaiian shirts...!! I also love that Percy sleeps with a rodent. Cool kid.

Tina said...

Jane, your little guy's room looks fabulous! I love it all, the chair, the curtains and most of all that gorgoeus quilt! How special for him to have a room that you have put so much personal effort into, I love that!! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ~ Tina x

Home-style Hodepodge said...

aawww. so cute. so big boy!

Unknown said...

What a great job - I'm in awe of anyone who can use a sewing machine... and for seat covers too. Gorgeous collection of boy stuff on the shelves. The blanket is divine.

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

Fabulous job Jane. Your patchwork jumper quilt is really cool. I can understand your not wanting to repeat that project too soon but you must feel pretty chuffed at the result. Xx

Mise said...

Wow, Jane, I'm so impressed. I'd have had to stop blogging for a month to accomplish all that. The blanket is beautiful and looks deliciously cosy. I may have to ignore your dire warnings and have a go at one myself. And the shelves are so orderly that they bring a tear to my eye for fear someone might move something. And upholstery too, double wow!

Debra said...

What a great little boy's room! The colors could last in there until he goes off to college! Don't you feel this wonderful sense of pride and accomplishment! I bet Percy adores his new room.

Monika said...

It looks amazing, Jane! You did a really good job and I am sure it feels good that you did everything yourself!

Laura said...

My my, your talent never ceases to amaze me...the room looks professionally done! And I love that blanket, even if it did take up loads of time. Maybe I should stop throwing out my old sweaters...

karen said...

The room looks amazing. What a lucky little guy.
Happy Mothers Day! xo

Millie said...

Jane a masterful renovation. You were so brave tackling the curtains, I would have ended up almost strangling myself with all those metres of fabric! I'm sure it received the Percy stamp of approval big time.
Millie ^_^

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Jane
Well I agree with Millie.. I don't know how you managed to make those curtains.. but it paid off.. they look fab and wonderful bright colours for the kids...

You know that teddy on the bed looks so much like my baby teddy.. which I still have!! haha poor old teddy... Have a lovely Mothers Day tomorrow!!! and congrats on the win from A-M.. fabulous!! xxx Julie

Devon said...

Absolutely lovely. My youngest guy sleeps in a purple room as well. How does that happen? Oh well, at least I now have inspiration to take him forward when he reaches the age where he demands a cool boys room...

Engracia said...

That quilt is amazing. Perfect room for a little man Jane, well done I bet Percy loves it.
Engracia
xx

Ange said...

Oh Jane, I remember sewing curtains that size for a house I lived in in NZ. I have never ventured to make curtains again. Mine were stripey verticals too by the way.
What a fabulous room and I'm keeping the quilt idea in spite of the fact I can't sew. Must say though - loved the initial fabric on your chair and may have been tempted to keep it and buy a new chair for Percy's room!
Your handiwork is just gorgeous - especially for the lamp in your daughter's room a couple of posts up!

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