Thursday, January 26, 2012

Bunkroom Redo

I finally got round to taking photos of our bunk room.  It takes a long time to fix up these rooms when you are only doing it on the weekends, with lots of breaks for rest.   It also took weeks for this wallpaper to arrive from the UK, as they had to do a new print run *. 

 (Ralph Lauren Great Harbour from the Family Places Collection) 


Remember when we bought the house this room looked like this:


Because I don't know what I am doing I didn't use a proper undercoat so ended up painting the walls about 5 times.   But that was good because it gave me enough time to spot the gaps where the insects and spiders come in (there are many cracks unfortunately, and because it is kind of a basement room the creepies love to come in and sleep.  Not mentioning that to the children.) 

You may recall the many problems this room has: very low ceiling, funny shape, structural pole in middle of one side, and that triangle window.

They had painted the wall around it to look like Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon cover, so I felt a bit bad painting over it but needs must. 


I got some great advice for this window, including a square blind and plantation shutters.  Here is what I have done.

(Curtains come from Pottery Barn, they are a lovely sage green) 

That's right, nothing.   The reason for this decision is that once I had painted the room and wallpapered this wall I thought it would just be better to leave it as is, with clean lines.  It is not a room which gets used all the time, and the light is not an issue. 

There was also a financial reason.  Because of the shape the plantation shutter would need to be custom made (the window is 1 metre each side).  The quote I got was $1650.   For one shutter.  (I sent it to my husband to give him a nice fright and he emailed me back 'No.  For the avoidance of doubt, no.'  I love that expression.)


So it is just going to be a nudie window for now. 

(this rug is from Freedom Furniture) 


Here is a detail of one corner, note gaps, and corrugated iron ceiling which I love, it is very Australian). 



At the other end of the room I have put in a 'low line' 3 bed bunk.   Here is my son demonstrating the top level.   The bunks work pretty well, although you can see it is a slightly awkward fit.  I found some green ticking linen from Provincial Home. 



Here is the other end of the room.  So far no furniture, I need a side table or something here.  

The chairs are temporary. 


And in case you are wondering, this is the view from triangle window.  The driveway, some gumtrees, and a bit of ocean.   


This is actually the very first room I have painted and redecorated from scratch!  It felt good.  

Happy Australia Day!


* if you live in Australia you will know that a lot of websites will say 'Cannot be shipped to Australia' or some such, because the supplier has some tie up with a business in Australia.  This wallpaper had the same prohibition but I thought I would order it anyway.  And it must have slipped through their systems because it did eventually arrive!

22 comments:

Makeminemidcentury said...

It looks fabulous! You've done a great job. I love the carpet and the bunk. Can you tell me where you got that?

I also love the fact you ordered wall paper from OS. To avoid all doubt, it makes what you purchase all-the-more interesting!

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Jane,
You really put me to shame.... your bunk room looks brilliant ( especially under the circumstances with your joint pains and tiredness) and I'm glad the UK wallpaper arrived because it's perfect.
I'm so glad that you're getting the Revitalash. It is expensive ( I buy mine on the internet a lot cheaper too ) but, it does last a long time and it really does work better than Talika. You obviously have to persevere and it does take a couple of weeks for it to kick in. My sister took a photo of me at a family wedding on New Years Eve with our grandson and I'm looking down at him and, even though I say so myself, my eyelashes look really long !! After waxing lyrical about it I really hope that it works for you. If you saw an improvement with Talika, I'm sure you will find that it works.
Finally....jealous, jealous, very jealous that you are going to the Open twice !! Who have you seen play ? I can't wait for Raffa and Roger Federer tomorrow morning ( for us). Trouble is, I have to go out so will have to record it. Will be up to see Andy Murray though on Friday. Enjoy every minute and think of me , watching in the early hours !!
Hope that all of your home remedies are kicking in. I'm already nearly halfway through my first bottle of ACV. I've got the one with added Manuka honey. XXXX

Mise said...

A huge improvement. For the avoidance of doubt, a HUGE improvement.

brismod said...

That looks great Jane - from junk room to bunk room! That wallpaper is very cool too. I'm completely jealous of course that you have a place near the sea. Enjoy. xx

Jane said...

hi MMMC - Bunk came from 'Bunkers' Great name, right? That was mostly why I chose them. !!! They have outlets all round Australia and a website, very good service.

Jacqui - I saw Andy Murray play yesterday! I was 6 rows back it was amazing. A client took me. Have to say the crowd was mostly behind the guy he was playing (Kishimoro?) because Australians love an underdog. Am seeing maybe the men's semis tomorrow night. !

Glamour Drops said...

Looks fabulous - it's a very calming atmosphere - beautiful soft colours - but with lots of interesting detail. And a view like that - gorgeous! Enjoy the tennis. So intimate watching courtside, isn't it? TV is good, but real life is so much better.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

WOW Jane,
That match of Andy Murray's was really good, even though it was only 3 sets and, whatever semi you see , it will be fantastic. Goodness knows how they play in that heat.....I could hadly get myself to the kitchen for an iced drink, let alone play for hours in the scorching sun !!!!
Have a wonderful time.....I shall look out for you on the tele. XXXX

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

looks fab jane, and that paper is brilliant - well worth the wait! xx

Faux Fuchsia said...

Nice work.

I wish nice homewares weren't so 'spensive.

I saw a tablecloth I liked yesterday for $2500. For the avoidance of doubt that's $2500 for some fabric that might get things spilled on it. 'spenny.

Happy Aust Day. If I eat one more steak burger or anything bbq-ed I will pass out. x

Sarah B said...

It looks great. The wallpaper is fab! Good tip on the ordering overseas, though a smidge scary! I wouldn't worry about the window either ;)

Amanda said...

Looks great Jane and I like the window as it is as it is a real feature. Fantastic wallpaper!

Rebecca said...

the wallpaper is definitely a winner! love the light-wood bunks, too! and your little boy is a real cutie!
x

JMW said...

Great job! Love that wallpaper - how fun for a bunkroom! Your little guy is adorable - I'm sure he's going to love that room. :)

Just Martha said...

You could always cover the window with that frosted film sticky stuff. Maybe in a pattern so wou coils still see out a bit? Might be a tad cheaper than the blind

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

Hi, Jane! This is such a great transformation. I love all the choices you made here. Thanks for sharing it with us and thanks so much for the sweet note yesterday!

Jane said...

Fabbo, Jane! And I'm smitten by that wallpaper, of course. You clever minx for finding it! J x

Elsa May said...

A really rathe lovely transformation - the wallpaper is great. I do feel a bit forlorn that the Pink Floyd wall was papered over though...
Re your shipping to Australia note - I've had a fair bit of success by emailing the company/shop/brand and asking if they'll ship to me - more often than not they happily will.

Slim Paley said...

Looks great! Love the wallpaper and your little son is so cute!!

Samantha said...

What a great little space.

Anonymous said...

Wow this is going to be a great kids room. That window is so gorgeous and unusual, and I love your wallpaper choice. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together!

The House That A-M Built said...

How clever are you!? A-M xx

Anne said...

SO sweet! Your blog is just lovely; I'm a new follower! ♥
Anne

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