I’m learning quickly that it’s a bittersweet thing when kiddos grow up! But I’ve also learned that putting a brick on your child’s head doesn’t keep them from getting big! Just kidding. I haven’t tried that yet. (Does it work?) My friend Stephanie‘s daughter Paisley just turned four, and was reminiscing about when she got her first big girl bedroom makeover for her third birthday. She was so excited, and can you blame her?  She especially loved her pretty Ikea bed, and it looks like her stuffed friends do too!

Stephanie did a few of easy little projects that really add character to Paisley’s room, I thought you’d all be just as inspired as I am! Maybe I won’t be as sad as I thought I would be when Lucy turns three.

I wondered if the Swiss cross wall in Paisley’s room was a stencil job, but it turns out Steph hacked a decal idea she had loved by cutting little strips of black electrical tape and just sticking them to the wall! Genius! The tape hasn’t peeled after a year on the wall, so I’d say this DIY idea was a success.

The prints on Paisley’s wall are from Etsy artists and also Boom Boom Prints, a site where you can customize artwork for your exact needs. Check out that whale! I Love how the washi tape holding up the art adds the perfect quirky touch. Maybe not great for living room art, but perfect for a kid’s room! And because of the tape, the art can easy be moved around for a fresh look without worrying about holes in the wall.

I love that everything Stephanie and Noah selected for Paisley’s room is so affordable- the dresser is from Walmart, you guys! (Stephanie sanded and painted it.) The bedding and bed is from Ikea, the rug from Urban Outfitters, and the elements I particularly love are all handmade.

The idea of using a rugged, painted wooden chest as a night stand seems really special for a little girl to hide her treasures inside. Stenciling Paisley’s initial on the front is an added dose of cute! The hanging rod for clothes is a great use of vertical space and along with the tassel garland on the other side of the room adds an unexpected element of whimsy.

Great job, guys! Paisley’s such a blessed little girl. Check out more of Stephanie’s life at her blog Love, Life, Babies.

Wall arrangements are the easiest way I become bored these days. Nail holes? I’m really not worried about them. They’re easily covered up by new art arrangements, and by the time I leave my apartment, I’ll slap a coat of drywall compound over them and sand away.

Right now I’m torn between finding some classic neutral colored art that will let my funky floral sofas and pillows shine, or even taping up lots of colorful, unframed postcards and magazine clippings. The wheels in my head are spinning!

Images: 1 2 3 4 5

Today I’m excited to share with you a little peak inside of Ana‘s very groovy pad. She’s collected and decorated her way into a posh, bohemian home worthy of note taking.

Having lived in an open-plan apartment of my own for the past year, I can appreciate the challenges Ana faces in the configuration of her own home. Spaces tend to become lost amungs the chaos of furniture, clutter, and shelves if you’re not a carefuly planner. I noticed Ana has anchored each space with tight gatherings of furniture to create zones. Even the art on the walls helps each living area feel separate from the next.

I D E A S   TO   B O R R O W :

Want to make your television less conspicuous?
Try arranging a variety of large and small art around your television set. This trick keeps the eye from settling on your big black moniter. Instead, your television will seem more like just another part of the art on the wall.

If you’re in need of large statement art pieces on your walls, but can’t afford one, try hanging tapestries or quilts instead.
They are great graphic pieces that can really anchor an entire area of your home. I love how Ana has hung a tapestry over her bed, where a headboard would normally be. I’ve been living headboard-less for a while, and tried something similar. I loved the way it made the space seem cozier.

M O R E   I D E A S   T O   B O R R O W :

Don’t be afraid to mix decades!
This is my favorite decorating technique. It keeps a space from feeling stale, and is an easy way to mix lots of meaningful objects. If you are worried about everything not meshing well, just be sure you are only including very beloved pieces and balance each space with a little bit of each style. Rearrange things frequently, until you get it just right. And in my opinion, you’ll never get it just right. But that’s the joy of making a home! It’s all about the process.

If you need a little more bohemian coziness in your home, try hanging portieres, or curtains, in doorways.
I’ve been contemplating doing this in my own home. You can use pieces of fabric, actual curtains, or even large scarves. It’s also a great way to visually separate spaces that are open to one another.

If you like color, but are afraid of getting too crazy, stick with mainly neutrals for your walls and furniture.
Then, you can mix in colorful art, rugs, and pillows to brighten up the space. This is also a great idea if you’re the kind of person who changes your mind a lot. Changing out a rug is typically a lot more feasible than purchasing a brand new sofa or console table.

If you’re in need of even more inspiration for your weekend, check out other Inspired By: Fridays posts here. If you’re looking for home related inspiration, feel free to browse Here’s Lookin’ at Me, Kid‘s home decor archives. You will find lots of inspiration from around the web, links to other great blogs, and even some images of my own home-in-progress.

Thanks, Ana, for letting us into your beautiful home!

Images courtesy of Ana aka Threadbare on Flickr. Click photos for original links.