House: Red Gets a New Room

Many parents can attest to many things that they would do if it meant getting sleep, more sleep or better sleep.  For us it came down to this: Scarlett (Red) had to move from her bright naturally lit room in the front of the house to a cozy, darker and quiet room at the back of the house.  Between early summer sun rays brightly, albiet beautifully, lighting her room and waking to the sound of vehicles on the road, I was quietly cursing to myself very morning too early to mention.

Red is getting older, and much more mobile.  While some children spend a lot of time really getting into letters and using words, she is getting into and creating puzzles.  Getting out of the crib was a puzzle quickly solved by climbing, as is getting things off the counter.  Clothes?! Well there is a fun puzzle!  Wooden puzzles are quickly solved and resolved and outside is THE jam.  She taught herself how to swing at 19 months or so.  Running around in the lower field is a fantastic adventure and hikes are something to quickly get yourself dressed for.  So how do you make a room that is safe for your climber and that is fun and creates an indoor outside? A nature themed toddler room!

The Parts:
When Scarlett was still an infant I found a fun bed by P'kolino and stored it away.  This summer I had purchased some of those Ikea leaves to try to use on her swing to shade afternoon rays and never installed them. I had found a remnant of linen fabric depicting birds and flowers in a graphic cut paper style and bright orange.  I had some left over blue wall paint (it was the wrong color the first time, but it would be a great cheery sky).

The Plan:
I have a handy husband, but he detests painting, so when he went out of town for a project, I got to work!  Stitching the curtains, building the bed, painting the walls.  Yes, Red's bedtime became a highly productive time for me!  After I got it all done, I arranged the P'kolino chairs (that are also puzzles and building blocks) and quiet time activities.

The Result:

In the morning, I often wake to hear Scarlett talking to her friends and babies, reading them books and talking about outside and her best friend Chichi (not her name, but thats what Red calls her).  Her room is a very fun and brightly colored nature room.  She loves it, and she sleeps til 6:30-7AM.  I call it 100% worth it!