Decorating kid's rooms with clouds.

I've sat and watched the rain fall all day...but the good news is that it's inspired me to consider using 'cloud' images when decorating a kid's room....

farg and form

This cloud print  bedding was designed by Gunilla Axen...and is available from Farg and Form...
Not too twee or easily dated, the design will work with lots of decorative styles.

 spoonflower

Take a piece of fabric as an inspiration for the overall design...

etsy

These handmade cloud mobiles would make a delightful decorative feature by hanging two or three over a cot...and are a great idea for using up fabric scraps.

petit home

If you're concerned about over-doing the theme...keep the walls plain and add a few cloud wall stickers...

             le petit papillon                                                                                                                               cake with giants

 Beautiful illustrations hung in simple frames are another subtle way to use a theme without over-kill...

 elsy and vine

Cushions, cushions and more cushions...Such an easy way to make a statement in interior design...

Compliment your design with practical storage and display ideas in cloud shapes....

Use cool muted blue greys for large areas such as floors and walls...and to give the room a bit of a lift try adding a few spots of vintage yellow...

To start off your 'cloud' project, follow this simple craft idea.

Rainy days will seem so much better from now on...

Midcentury style seating for your nursery.

A new nursery is not all about baby!

As a new parent, you'll be spending quite a bit of your time there too...and it pays to invest in a little comfort!

Dreams and Wishes loves this mix of modern and Midcentury inspired armchairs that would look good in a baby's room...and beyond!

housetohome

Keep an eye out for bargains at vintage and antique fairs...or online auction sites.....

 salvo

 ebay

roomu

trovit

With midcentury design so popular at the mo...some furniture makers are enlisting popular designers to create new 'classics'...

 sofa workshop

SCP

Some have been making great pieces for years....

laura ashley

glimpse of style

Invest in something that you love...pay a little extra for long-lasting comfort...and stick to a classic design that will adapt to new decor over the coming years....

Weekend makeover...chest of drawers for a kid's room.

Take one rather uninspiring piece of furniture, paint, some Cath Kidston wallpaper....and, in a weekend, create a show-stopping addition to your kid's room.

Simple pine chests are easy to find in furniture charity shops, newspaper ads, Ebay, etc...

To transform your chosen piece....you will need...

Sand paper

Wood primer paint

Satin wood paint, white is a widely available option.

Paint brush.

Some wallpaper off-cuts, we've showcased Cath Kidston's 'cowboy' wallpaper here.

Wallpaper paste and brush.

PVA glue.

Scissors or craft knife.

Firstly, remove drawer knobs and sand down all the treated surfaces of your chest of drawers, including the drawers...dull and time-consuming I know, but essential for a professional, long-lasting finish.

Apply a couple of coats of the primer all over, leaving the required drying time between coats...you may need to sand lightly after each coat to maintain a smooth finish.

Apply the top coat all over...you'll need to decide how many coats you need depending on the finish you want. Leave the drawer fronts if covering completely with wallpaper....

To cover the drawer fronts, measure the surface area and transfer to the back of the wallpaper...try to use the same piece of surface pattern for each drawer to ensure a 'professional' look.

Using the wallpaper paste, apply the wallpaper pieces to the drawer fronts and when dry go over the top with a watered down PVA mix to protect from knocks.

The example below...photographed by Penny Wincer and featured in the book Homemade Home by Sania Pell has been decorated using a decoupage technique...small pieces of the overall pattern have been carefully cut out and stuck on to create an original scene.

As before, once your wallpaper pieces are attached, use a light mix of PVA to secure...

Paint the drawer knobs to match before reapplying.

That's it...a weekend well spent creating a useful, unique storage item in your kid's room...
Have you revamped any furniture in your home?
How did it go...got any tips you'd like to share...?

Kid's room display shelving.

Despite all our best efforts to keep the clutter at bay, children like to be surrounded by their favourite things...even though those 'things' sometimes look like junk to us...!

Adding a simple wall shelf in their room gives kids a space to show off a few bits and pieces to make the room more homely.

 gap interiors

 gap interiors

 ferm living

 dreams and wishes

 cox and cox

Win Green closes down this Summer.

We got a note in the post at the Dreams and Wishes office this week...telling us that Win Green was closing it's doors for the last time this Summer...
I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling a little sad about this news...their imaginative designs have been a popular addition to kid's rooms for ten years now and will be sorely missed...by stockists and customers alike I would suggest.
I don't know the reasons behind this decision...and don't want to speculate, but I wish everyone connected with the company the very best for the future...

 Just a small example of what we're going to miss out on....

Our first Dreams and Wishes craft idea.

Inspired by so many clever crafters online, I've put together instructions on making a little mouse in a cheese house...
All you need are a few basic sewing items, a couple of pieces of felt and a little stuffing!
Perfect for the kids on a rainy day in the holidays...

As a novice at this type of thing, it would be lovely to hear what you think of my efforts...
You can download a copy of the instructions here

Go wild with wallpaper in a kid's room...

Forget about harmonious decor ideas...go all out with colour and pattern just like the wallpaper ideas in these kid's rooms....

gap interiors

This room belongs to the daughter of Petra Boase.



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Five tips for creating a kid's study area.

I know we're only a few days into August, but it won't be long before the new school year is upon us and the return of ...homework!!
Here are a few tips from Dreams and Wishes to help you plan and prepare an inspiring space for your little mastermind.
Start with the basics...a desk, a chair and some simple storage is all that's needed to start with.
Adapt existing furniture if you can, before buying anything new...but get your child to 'test' any items for long-term comfort.
Can you fit a study area into your child's room? That way any half finished projects can be left in place without affecting family life around the home.
Consider what lighting is required early on. Have you sufficient sockets for table lamps or would wall lamps be a better option?
Don't forget the storage! Plan for more than you think you'll need and keep it simple for quick tidy-ups.

house to home

craft 1945

Our favourite animal lamps for a kid's room.

The beauty about decorating a kid's room is that you can have a bit of fun...!
Take these animal inspired lamps...they may not be the most functional for all tasks but they certainly add character....

ohdeedoh

abigail ahern

Look at the expression on that Bulldog's face...beautiful!

liberty

pid

white rabbit

geek alerts

Oh...poor old Seymour the Sheep looks like he has the weight of the world on his woolly shoulders...

made

ohdeedoh

If this little woodland fellow appeals...follow the link to find instructions on how to make him...



Hand made rag dolls by Jess Brown.

I've been whiling away the hours online tonight...without really achieving anything... A far cry from the last week or so, when the house has been turned upside-down with an abundance of 'recycling projects'.
The garage has been cleared of a number of pieces of furniture, only to be replaced with more well deserving items eager for a new lease of life...hence the lack of blogs recently!

Still my lazy evening has not been in vain...I came across these delightful rag dolls...I hesitate to use the term 'rag'...these dolls are hand made using cotton, linens, recycled and vintage fabrics and each is made to order.
Jess  Brown is their creator, having started out eleven years ago making dolls for her children.
Go to the website for more details and photos....

I love the stockings....

Even the small number of clothes and accessories are beautifully made...

A far cry from the examples I've made over the years...but a target to aim for maybe...!