Eleanor's Room The Victorian House

Eleanor’s New Room Wish List

Blue!

That’s it. Just blue. Dark blue, to be specific. And a new bed because according to Eleanor, her Jenny Lind bed is old. (Kid, I bought that for you a whopping two and a half years ago. It is not old.)

After our little video interview, I asked her to look at my Pinterest board of kids’ bedroom ideas, and to tell me if she liked any of them. Right away, she zeroed in on the one I expected.

Girl's Room by Miranda Brooks

Not dark, but a very pretty shade of blue. Below is the other girl’s bedroom in that house. At first I thought it was the same room from a different angle, but no. Variations on that blue are used exclusively throughout the house.

Girl's Room by Miranda Brooks

The wallpaper in each room was designed and hand-printed by Marthe Armitage, and the photographs are by Francois Halard for Vogue. And be sure to check out the comments at the end of the article, if you read it. “Delicious!”

After seeing those rooms, not only does she want blue, Eleanor wants wallpaper too. I swear to you — there was no prompting on my part. I was kind of a proud mama! Except… the house we’re buying already has five (maybe six?) rooms with wallpaper. Even if we did add another, because we may, I’m not sure if it would be in one of the kid’s rooms. What Eleanor wants at age 4 is not going to be what she wants a few years from now and paint is so much easier to change. I have considered wallpaper for her room before, but I’ll have to think about it before making a decision one way or the other.

And about that bed. She was not too into the idea in the video, but when I showed Eleanor a picture of her bed, in blue, she liked it. So maybe a little painting is in our future after all.

Jenny Lind blue (azure) bed

Glo-bo!

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  • Jessica @ Sunday Loves
    July 22, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Wow, someone is growing up!!

    I love the idea of painting her bed. Though, I might pay someone to spray it for a nice coat! Looking forward to seeing what you both come up with.

    We just picked up a similar aqua for my daughter’s armoire. We went went the Jenny Lind in Raspberry as her walls are pale pink and her bedding has apple green, pink, orange, aqua, and raspberry on a white background. I needed to bring in one of the other colors to pop things, so aqua it is! It also pops the blues in some Horse PBNs on her walls. Winning!! ;-)

    Also, your hair is just perfect. Love it.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      Isn’t she getting big!?

      Your daughter’s room sounds perfect. Do you have pictures? I went to look, but didn’t see any. (And I love that there are horse paint-by-numbers!)

      • Jessica @ Sunday Loves
        July 23, 2013 at 11:56 am

        She is! Time really does fly.

        No photos yet. I just picked up the paint on Sunday, so I’m targeting this weekend for the big paint fest. She’s very excited. The bed is being delivered on the 30th, so there will be a few posts coming. The PBNs are really quite cute. She loves horses, so grabbing these vintage ones was perfect!

        I’ll let you know when it’s up!

  • Sarah
    July 22, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    That is such an adorable bed,totally digging the land of nod blue linens too. Maybe if you don’t want to wallpaper her room, you could incorporate it in other ways like a fun patterned bedspread or wallpaper swatches framed on the wall?

    • Christina
      July 22, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      She has very good taste! Maybe instead of using wallpaper, stencil the walls to look like it. Then it’s just paint :)

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      A stencil is an option. I’m going to look around and see if there’s anything I’m drawn to for her room.

  • Christina W.
    July 22, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    GLO-BO! What about stencils? I’ve been seeing some pretty awesome ones lately that aren’t all flowers and trellises. A lot of Moroccan geo-ish designs! Then you could paint over it later? Also I must say, your hair looks phenomenal in this video.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 1:44 pm

      Aw, thanks! I’ve been liking my short hair.

      And I’m going to look into stencils. It’s good that they’ve had a resurgence in popularity lately, because there are so many designs to choose from now.

  • Vanessa
    July 22, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    What about a removable wallpaper? Perhaps just on one wall? She does have fantastic taste….

  • Kelley
    July 22, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    My 2.5 year-old overheard “GLO-BO” and is hysterically laughing. What could it mean!?

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      I have no idea, but Eleanor thinks it’s the funniest thing ever! She wanted to watch the video a few times after we made it, and she cracks up at that part.

      • Lilly
        July 22, 2013 at 1:39 pm

        It means balloon in Spanish =) Do they teach her Spanish in her school?

      • Making it Lovely
        July 22, 2013 at 1:49 pm

        Just a little, like saying hello and counting to ten. It’s possible she picked it up somewhere (Diego? Sesame Street?), but it’s also highly likely that she’s just being a weirdo.

  • Lori
    July 22, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    What a cute cuteness she is. We are moving too! My son wants RED! Red walls, red bed, red everything. We are compromising :) My 3 year old daughter wants purple (my least favorite) but there are some pretty purple-like options and we will find something we all like.
    By the way, your hair is fabulous.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Purple’s my least favorite too. Certain shades are OK, but on the whole I’m not a fan. Good luck!

  • Nichole K
    July 22, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    What a sophisticated choice! I’m a new-ish reader so maybe you’ve already experimented with something like this…but what if you framed wall paper, either in one gigantic frame, or several smaller but still large frames, then hung them on a focal wall, rather than wallpapering? You’d still get the pop of pattern with zero commitment.

    These examples look like they’ve actually papered the wall then framed out the paper with molding, but you get the idea…

    One frame: http://pinterest.com/pin/172825704420113857/

    Several frames: http://pinterest.com/pin/134545107590415056/

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 1:51 pm

      I like that idea, but I’m not sure it would look right with the architecture of the house.

  • Sheila
    July 22, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    The comment on that Vogue article is absolutely hilarious, thanks for pointing it out!
    As a wallpaper alternative, I filled one wall in 2 of my bedrooms with murals from Surface View:
    http://www.surfaceview.co.uk/
    I’d love to try their stickers or wall hangings. None are cheap but the quality is great.
    I’m looking forward to seeing what you and Eleanor come up with for her new room.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks for the source! I don’t think I’d come across Surface View before.

  • Will @ Bright.Bazaar
    July 22, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    I love the removable wallpapers from Fine Little Day if that’s any help – the Gran designs are so charming and magical! :)

  • Caroline
    July 22, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    The blue bed is absolutely gorgeous, Eleanor has impeccable taste. I have one wall papered in each of my kids rooms (age 4 and 2) and I love it. So much character. My boy has white stars on a blue background and baby girl has yellow birds. I say go for it – stripping just one wall when you want a change is not a ton of work and you can also just paint over it…

  • Caroline
    July 22, 2013 at 1:04 pm

    Also I have short hair and wear glasses and never feel confident in earrings. Yours look great ::off to research new earrings::

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 1:57 pm

      When I cut my hair, earrings became my favorite accessory. Go for it!

  • Jessica Zamores
    July 22, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    So Cute! … Love blue for a girls room! BTW, Globo means balloon in Spanish!

  • Meg
    July 22, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I love her! She is high-larious! And has a great sense of design already…just like her mama. ;)

  • Rebecca
    July 22, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    The blue is a great color. I just love that bed, it makes it new. Thanks for posting the video, made me smile… also makes me want to use “Glo-Bo!” at any given time today :)

  • Psymonetta
    July 22, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    You could wallpaper a folding screen (three doors hinged together) to get the patterned effect. It would work great for screening out toy storage or a closet with the doors removed.

    I’m actually planning on two different wallpapers in our second bedroom (the only kids room option at our little place) one’s a neutral gray lattice pattern for the walls above a wainscot, and the other’s a brighter chartreuse, mauve and cerise floral pattern for a folding screen.

  • Lauren
    July 22, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Long-time reader, first time commenting… Love that wallpaper!! When I saw it I went on a hunt for removable paper for renters (me!) and found out that Hygge & West have beautiful wallpapers for the noncommittal class. Oh joys! Petal pusher http://www.hyggeandwest.com/collections/oh-joy/products/petal-pusher-white-blue is a current fave as well as the aqua otomi inspired one.

    But the real reason I had to leave a note? I. Love. Your. Hair. And. Glasses. You look so chic and pulled together. Gorgeous! Would you mind sharing which glasses you chose? I’m wanting a new pair and the tortoise is lovely.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      I was thinking about using that gold Petal Pusher wallpaper in our bedroom, but maybe I should put the blue version in E’s room instead! The removable tiles are way more expensive than the traditional wallpaper though, so it still brings to mind the PITA factor of removing it down the line.

      And thanks! I’m wearing Warby Parker’s Preston glasses in gimlet tortoise. That pearled tortoise that they have now is a new option though, and looks really good. Tempting.

  • Jodi
    July 22, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    oh my goodness. eleanor is too cute, but even cuter? your hair!! i absolutely love it!

    looking forward to seeing what e’s new room looks like. :)

  • Katie
    July 22, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    A color suggestion: palladian blue from Benjamin Moore. We painted our living room in it and it’s such a nice, light blue/grey. It would grow up nicely with E. And would make a great backdrop for all your beautiful decorating.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 23, 2013 at 2:51 am

      That is a pretty color. Either as a stencil base, or on it’s own, maybe…

  • Mallory Hill
    July 22, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    So cute, I love the blue Jenny Lind Bed. I just bought a similar bed for my daughter’s first “big girl” room. I am trying to decide what color to paint it and I love that shade of blue. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Sarah
    July 22, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Love the video. Eleanor is such a cutie. Also, your hair is gorgeous! I adore those two blue rooms you posted. I’m sure Eleanor’s new blue room will be equally gorgeous. Oh and I’m excited to hear more about the secret passages!
    Sarah

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      She’s enamored of those secret passages! They are what adults might refer to as “quirks” in the home’s layout.

  • Artsy Forager
    July 22, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    She is cuteness personified! I love a girl who loves blue ( my favorite, too! ). Can’t wait to watch you transform “the rainbow house”!

    • Making it Lovely
      July 23, 2013 at 2:52 am

      I’ll have to share the story of how the house came to be known as The Rainbow House. Once it’s a done deal. (It’s taking forever to get everything in order.)

  • Emily @ The Em Dash
    July 22, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Her bed is too cute! I really hope you opt to paint it rather than buy a new one.

    When Eleanor grows up, she will be thankful to have such a chic and stylish mom!

  • Jen @ RamblingRenovators
    July 22, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    I must ask Chloe what Eleanor means when she says Glo-bo. Maybe its a secret word only four year old’s understand! So adorable – both of you :)

    On the wallpaper thing, I used Nina Campbell’s Swan Lake on one wall in Chloe’s new room. She picked it out from a pile of wallpaper samples so I know she likes it. Most days, she’ll lie in bed and trace the leaves and swans with her fingers and toes. Other days, she says she doesn’t like it. Break my heart, kid. If I have to remove the wallpaper in a few years, I won’t feel too bad about it because we only did the one wall so it was a small investment – but doing a whole room isn’t something now (with the wisdom of hindsight) I think I could do. Kid’s change their minds too often. Better to spend that wallpaper on blue toys ;)

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 9:19 pm

      Ah! Did you post the completed room!? Did I miss it? I saw the wallpaper you were going to use (very pretty), but haven’t seen it in the room yet.

      I’m thinking of maybe doing the coronata stars somewhere, by the way. On a ceiling, maybe, or in the front hall?

      • Christine
        July 22, 2013 at 10:02 pm

        When I was a kid I used lie in my bed and pick at my wallpaper, haha, it was so satisfying when I’d get a good peel going! We ended up with a huge bald spot by my bed. My poor mom!!

        Adorable video. And have to say again, your short hair is fab.

      • Jen @ RamblingRenovators
        July 23, 2013 at 9:48 am

        You didn’t miss it. We’ve been, ahem, slow finishing off things ;) I posted an in progress pic here: http://www.ramblingrenovators.ca/2013/05/a-little-girls-room-in-progress.html

        I think the coronota stars would look SO great in a front hall. Its really dramatic and crisp. Honey & Fitz did an awesome DIY version of it on a ceiling, if you have the patience!

        And to Christine’s comment below, Chloe does the same and picks at the seam! Thankfully, she hasn’t pulled it off yet.

  • Danielle
    July 22, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Eeeks – so adorable! I love the inspiration images and I’m off to go check out the comments. And before I forget – your haircut looks gorgeous! I’ve been doing a pretty short pixie this summer, but your long bangs have me thinking it’s time to grow mine out a bit. Humidity, be damned! ;)

  • Wrenaria
    July 22, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    That short hair cut really suits you. Super cute. Also those are very pretty inspiration rooms. Looking forward to a proper picture tour of your new place.

  • Nicole L
    July 22, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Such a cute video! My daughter’s favorite colour is blue, but I can’t imagine giving her much decor choice beyond that for her upcoming room change (she’s 2.5)… and now I’m totally hoping for a Trading Spaces-style video reveal of Eleanor’s reaction to her new room!

    And secret passages?! How cool!

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 9:30 pm

      Yeah, we’re going to focus on the rooms for Eleanor and August right away, so they’ll feel settled as soon as possible. August is only 2.5 though, and he has no design direction to give. The room that will be his has striped wallpaper in baby blue and white, and I have some bedding for him in blue plaid that might work with it. Then when he’s a bit older, he can give some input and we’ll redo things a little.

  • Chelsea C.
    July 22, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    Ahhhh! Her eyes after you suggest painting her bed! So suspicious, Mom. Also, you are rocking some ridiculously hot hair.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      I think she was giving me the side eye. (And thanks!)

  • DCWJes
    July 22, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    I love the look of those rooms!! My daughter is stuck on pink. And Hello Kitty. Maybe you can find a fabric that you love, and do kind of stretch canvas panels? I have thought about that for my daughter’s room simply because we can’t paint the walls and her room is a loft (so it’s open to the living room below). I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

  • Pauline
    July 22, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    Your daughter is adorable! And you look amazing:-)

  • pewter and sage
    July 22, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Super cute! Does she watch “Doc McStuffins” on Disney Junior at all? There’s a character called Glo-bo on it and he gets blue paint all over his hands!!! That’s the first thing I thought of…maybe cause you were talking blue and painting her bed?

    • Making it Lovely
      July 22, 2013 at 9:36 pm

      No, we’ve never seen that. Would have been a good explanation, but I think she was just being goofy!

  • Holly R.
    July 22, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    She is too cute! I love that she is getting a say in the design process as well. She does have good taste for her age.

  • Maureen
    July 22, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    The video was such a fun treat! I must join the throngs of screaming fans: you look sensational. And your little blondie is irresistible.

  • Amber
    July 22, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    Holy smokes, Nicole- you look fan-freaking-tastic! Seriously.

    I love Eleanor’s facial expressions- what a cute kid :)

    • Fabienne
      July 23, 2013 at 4:50 am

      I absolutely agree – you look fantastic!
      And Eleanor is sooo cute! :D

      Greetings from Germany,
      Fabienne

  • Holly
    July 23, 2013 at 6:14 am

    Not normally a fan of Jenny Lind, but wow… I want a blue one too!

  • kristi
    July 23, 2013 at 7:15 am

    Soooo ummm will you be selling the curtains in Elanor’s room? They’d totally work in my daughters room ;)

  • Susie
    July 23, 2013 at 7:36 am

    You could just photoshop the room too ;). Bad Vouge, bad! They tries to cover up the vent at the top of the room in the first picture. Makes me think it is the same room- just really long with two different light sources.

    Still a cute room though- and do love the wallpaper- no mater what the true color.

    • Susie
      July 23, 2013 at 7:47 am

      Forgot the turquoise cord hanging fro the ceiling too! I just disappears making the light look more like a wall sconce. Hard to live up to rooms like that when they don’t even exist.

    • Making it Lovely
      July 23, 2013 at 8:11 am

      I caught that too! The vent looks like someone got distracted midway through the job. So weird for that to pass by Vogue.

  • Elena
    July 23, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Eleanor is too cute! You are killing that haircut by the way. Very chic!

  • Catherine
    July 23, 2013 at 8:48 am

    I love the blue idea! So pretty. I painted my daughter’s Jenny Lind bed, but I found ours vintage because I didn’t like the original, and scuffy-looking dark wood finish. I have another Jenny Lind (also vintage) that needs a new paint job, maybe for my younger son, I might go blue! Or yellow. Decisions. ;) Can’t wait to see how you fix up your new home!

  • Dusa
    July 23, 2013 at 9:48 am

    Removable wallpaper panels perhaps?

  • Petite Peltier
    July 23, 2013 at 9:55 am

    I love how she is a part of the decorating process! I think that means she will love it for longer. Have fun with the project. It is off to a great start because someone clearly has great taste:)

  • Joy | Frock Files
    July 23, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    She’s such a doll! I love that you’re talking to them about what they want in their spaces to get them excited about the process. And I agree with everyone else here – you look great!

  • Sandy
    July 23, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    I am a regular reader of your blog but not much of a regular commenter (sorry.) But I had to comment just to say how cute I think your short hair is!!!! It looks amazing.
    I also love the inspiration pictures. That aqua blue is a color I’m so drawn to right now. Can’t wait to see what you do with your “new” old house!

  • RebeccaNYC
    July 23, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    thank you so much for sharing this charming video! Eleanor is adorable, and you, my dear, are just lovely! So nice to see you both “in action”. Glo-bow, indeed.

  • Diana Leilani
    July 23, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    I’m not associated with this shop or anything but have you seen these patterned paint rollers?

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/patternedpaintroller?ref=seller_info

    Something like that could be a good alternative to a stencil. I’m sure there are other companies out there that might produce a similar product as well-that’s just the one I’ve seen on Pinterest. :)

  • Audrie
    July 23, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Oh she’s too darling! The crinkling of her nose makes me smile :) Can’t wait to see her new room! Glo-bo!

  • Ashley
    July 25, 2013 at 10:04 am

    She is so cute! I love her description of your new house!

  • Sarah from a fine line
    July 30, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    You now have me obsessed with finding a jenny lind bed for my three year old. I found one on craigslist in what seems to be good condition for only $35! I’m planning to redecorate her room in a year or so when we have another child, but we dont have a ton of room for it in the meantime. Should I just buy it anyway? I repeat, its only $35!

  • Maja
    August 11, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Hi.
    I guess you may just wallpaper one wall to accent it and so as not to overload the room. The inspiration pics look great but I’m sure I wouldn’t like to stay there too long.
    I don’t think it’s difficult to remove modern wallpapers. The vinyl ones are washable, too.

  • Tina Slocum
    August 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    You two are the cutest girls ever! Eleanor is a Doll! You are absolutely stunning and the short hair is darling on you!
    So excited for you all in your new home! Enjoyed the video so much!

  • Alisa from CA
    August 27, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    OMG! I JUST watched this video and she is soooo like my Olivia! Crazy antics :)

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