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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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January 9, 2016

She Wants a Pink Room

I’ll never forget the joy with which I decorated my daughter’s nursery. The journey of having her join our family was one that was both painful and beautiful. On the nights when sleep was elusive because I was overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, decorating her bedroom in my mind was the only thing that seemed to calm my anxious heart.

I would lie there and envision every single detail from the curtain rods to the rug on the floor to the books in the bookcase.

vintage decor at the picket fence

Being the penny pinching, time saving person I am, I wanted to make sure that her room would be one that would grow with her. That it would be less ‘baby’ and more ‘little girl’. And because I have a mild obsession with toile, I knew that this was my chance to indulge in my love affair with this pattern.

I struck gold (or rather ‘yellow’!) when I found 10 yards of gorgeous cameo toile fabric on ebay for around $40 and used it to make curtains, pillows, and a dust ruffle with enough left over to add more touches if needed.

Vintage Vanity table At the Picket Fence

When we finally brought our daughter home, I remember sitting down in the upholstered vintage rocking chair with a toile pillow supporting my back as I cradled my precious miracle. I looked all around me and couldn’t believe that the day had come when the room I had envisioned during those worry-filled, sleepless nights had finally come to life.

But time waits for no mom. And 8 years later, American Girl dolls, stuffed animals, a CD player and hair accessories have taken over that sweet yellow toile covered nursery.

toile curtain tie back at the picket fence

This past summer we realized that we needed to do some major sorting and cleaning of my daughter’s room and I figured that while we were at it I would ask her if she wanted to maybe make some changes in there too.

The first words out of her mouth were, “Can we please paint my walls pink?”

And because I have vivid memories of desperately wanting my own pink walls when I was a little girl.

And because I know how quickly time is passing and that soon my little girl won’t be so little any more.

vintage baby bonnet

And because there probably will be a day when she prefers the color black to the color pink, the first words out of my mouth in response to her question were, “Of course we can paint your walls pink!”

So, we painted and cleaned and spruced and moved things around and I can’t wait to show you how it all looks now.

Stay tuned!

11 Comments Filed Under: Bedrooms, Decorating Tagged With: decorating

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Previous Post: « Taking Your Decor from Christmas to Winter
Next Post: When You Don’t Paint Furniture »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Peggy says

    January 9, 2016 at 7:17 AM

    I can’t wait to see the new room in girly pink.

    Reply
  2. Rebecca says

    January 9, 2016 at 11:30 AM

    This post is so touching.
    Looking forward to more!
    Florida hugs,
    Becca

    Reply
  3. Mia White says

    January 9, 2016 at 1:46 PM

    I remember expecting at the same time and sharing nursery schemes– I couldn’t believe you had done yellow toile, as I had done black and white toile with yellow walls. Great minds 😉 Can’t wait to see what the new redesign looks like!

    Reply
  4. Vicki says

    January 9, 2016 at 5:36 PM

    What a sweet story! Can’t wait to see the room!

    Reply
  5. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 10, 2016 at 6:50 AM

    Oh I cannot wait to see it….My granddaughter wanted “more pink” in her room that is in my home, last year….When I took her shopping to get new bedding to replace her “owls and birds” bedding from PB kids that is in her dad’s house, we went to PB Teen and she chose a very grown up pattern in navy and white….So enjoy this time of a room “pretty in pink” as like you said….time passes so quickly and they will want the black!….

    Reply
  6. Jeanie says

    January 10, 2016 at 7:24 AM

    Little girls love Pink!! Can’t wait to see the room all done!

    Reply
  7. grammy goodwill says

    January 10, 2016 at 12:38 PM

    I can’t wait to see your daughter’s new room. I remember when my daughter asked for a pink room, too. She was 10 when I remarried. Her step-father painted her room three times in the eight years before she left for college!

    Reply
  8. Angie g says

    January 10, 2016 at 2:32 PM

    Bring on the pink! She will be over the moon

    Reply
  9. Chloe | Boxwood Avenue says

    January 10, 2016 at 10:40 PM

    Aww I absolutely approve of your love affair with toile, but think you win mom of the year award for letting her get creative and chose her room color. Can’t wait to see photos!!

    Reply
  10. Carol Reddin says

    January 12, 2016 at 9:27 AM

    I didn’t know you wanted pink walls, Vanessa! I guess it’s a little late now! 🙂 But we do remember your little purple moccasins! Mom

    Reply
  11. Anita says

    January 17, 2016 at 3:53 PM

    Oh how fun!! My daughters had a pink room until a year and a half ago when I painted it light gray, but I always loved the pink and had a wonderful shade. I can’t wait to see it!!

    Reply

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