Mabey She Made It

I’ve been putting off the Girls Room Reveal post (and the rest to follow) for a long time. Partly because I’ve wanted everything to be finished before sharing, and partly because sometimes it’s hard for me to put my home before the world. I have so much to learn, but I only learn by doing.

A year and a half ago, we bought our home. It was a definite fixer-upper and almost everything had to be updated or redone. And we (meaning my husband mostly) have worked really hard. We’ve had something torn up for almost every day we’ve lived here. And now we’re in the last phases of finish work. I can’t explain how much blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this house. I also can’t explain how hard it is going to be to leave it.

So over the next few months I’ll be sharing the transformation of Mabey Manor one room at a time. I’ll share before and afters, project lists, and some of the decor I’ve done in the rooms over the last year. And I may cry behind the screen at how much love has gone into every detail. And with that, let’s start with the girls’ room.

Saige and Brynley share this room, and it’s really quite large and has some amazing detail including two fun windows and the amazing slanted ceilings that grace all the upstairs rooms. So let’s take a look at where we started. Paneled walls, the closet that blocked one of the windows, a drop ceiling, and brown painted floors. It was so closed in and so dreary. Just looking at the photos gets me emotional because the change is so drastic.

The room took these projects to complete:

• Remove the paneling
• Drywall the walls since the lath and plaster was irreparable
• Replace the flooring since it was warped and soft
• Remove the drop ceiling
• Relocate the closet away from the window–why would you ever cover this gorgeous light?
• Change the angle of the doorway to accommodate an additional doorway (into the nursery)
• Texture, paint, carpet, and new base and trim throughout
• Install new windows and blinds

I chose a beautiful aqua (Behr’s Rain Washed) for the walls. I wanted a fresh color that would allow me to have fun while remaining somewhat on trend and sellable.

The new layout allowed for two twin beds with LOTS of space for playing. At one point we also had a crib in this room and it didn’t feel cramped. Each night, we all do our bedtime routine in this room, and we all comfortably read stories and lounge on the floor. We also refinished a fun little table and chairs so they have somewhere to color and play.

I love the windows and all the natural light in this room. It just makes me happy.

Overall, this was one of the rooms I decorated the least. Perhaps it was partly because they like to jump on the beds and make a mess so I keep it minimal or perhaps it’s because I just love the color so much, but either way, it’s a very simple room for two very happy little girls.

Well, what do you think? Big change right? Next week I’ll be back with the nursery, which is probably my favorite room. 

Read more about these projects here:

Foam Head Cameo || 3-D Butterfly Wall