Eleanor is thrilled!
The room is far from done, but the dark curtains look just as I imagined they would, softening up the room without drawing too much attention to themselves. A lot of comments were calling for patterned curtains, but there is already pattern on the bed, there will be stars on the ceiling, art on the walls, more toys, and lots of books. Adding pattern to the curtains too might be a bit much.
Say! I changed the orientation of the bed. It’s neither better nor worse. The white bed with a white bedside table, and white mirror are falling a little flat though, so something there needs to change.
I had a pair of white curtains that weren’t being used anywhere, so I hung them on one window to test it out since so many people made that suggestion. I don’t mind them, but I don’t love them either. E prefers dark blue, of course. I think the white ones chop up the room, but what do you think now that you see both options with the painted walls?
I know, I’m really selling the white ones here, with the wrinkles and the pole-pocket gathering vs. the smooth-hanging navy curtains with brass clips.
Brass though! Alison suggested Country Curtains as an alternative to Restoration Hardware for brass curtain rods, so I placed an order. They were a little more expensive than the black ones I’d tried from Ballard, but the finish, larger diameter, and glass finials are worth it. The only problem is that I was clearly not functioning at full capacity; I ordered everything in multiples of two (for two windows), including the curtain clips. Just two, and only for the outermost rod. I have more on the way now.
I still haven’t decided on a ceiling color, but am leaning toward a more subtle bluish-gray than straight aqua. Or just go all-out and paint it the same color as the walls (Sherwin-Williams Loyal Blue)? E wants everything to be dark blue, in case you’re wondering why I’m not deferring to her. Walls, bedding, curtains, ceiling, and even the wood trim. She walked in while I was putting coat #2397 on the walls, and asked why I hadn’t painted the doors yet. So yeah, the room is being decorated with her input, but not to her every spec.
Still to-do:
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paint the ceiling and wall above the picture rail
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stencil the ceiling with a star pattern
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find a better light (maybe this can wait?)
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find bedside lamp/sconce
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trim out and hem the curtains
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mount curtain tie-backs
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paint bedside table?
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reupholster rocking chair cushions
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hang art
Comments
101 responses to “Dark Blue in Eleanor’s Room”
I like it so far! I’m torn between the blue curtains and the white ones. But I think whatever color you end up doing the ceiling will make a difference there.
I think so, too. I’m going to get a few paint samples to test soon, and I’m holding off on altering the curtains for now.
While I like the blue curtains, the white give the illusion that the window is wider so they get my vote. Such a pretty combo – pink and navy.
Maybe, as you say, you stacked the deck, but I prefer the blue curtains. I see the mirror is centered on that wall, but maybe it would look better centered on the bed. Or on the other wall by her bed. Is it supposed to be a functional mirror? If so, neither of those places would do. How about above the bookshelf? My vote on the ceiling is either the blue/grey or the turquoise, but not the really dark blue. If you go with the turquoise, I did like the matching bedside table — maybe for the mirror as well? All in all, I really like the way Eleanor’s room is shaping up.
The mirror is just something that I had easy access to, and I’ve yet to find a permanent home for it. It could stay in E’s room, it could go elsewhere. If I stays, it could be centered above her headboard instead of on the wall, but I don’t want it along the side of the bed in case she or her brother jump and knock into it!
There’s another mirror in the room right now though, above her dresser. It’s weird to have two mirrors, both of which are too tall for her to see herself in.
If only there was a way to combine the white and blue curtains. Like doing a blue bottom on the white ones or a white bottom on the blue. You could even hang one style on one window and the inverse style on the other, might add a bit of whimsy that way. The room seems so dark with blue curtains and matching walls but the white ones I agree just aren’t quite right. Can’t wait for the big ceiling reveal when finished! Pink loves blue!
Those walls are amazing. I love the blue!
Loving the dark blue walls and navy curtains, for me it’s the mirror that isn’t working. I like the contrast of the white bed and end table, the mirror is just too much. I think the blues and whites will work great together as soon as there is some colorful art on those walls.
I agree, the mirror’s not the best there.
Mirror is very pretty. Everyone loves it! Hung too high though. Can you adjust and put over E’s dresser? Would definitely serve a useful purpose.
I think if you trimmed out the dark blue curtains with a pale pink/grey/white (and I’m talking several inches of fabric added), it would break up the dark but still get the dark curtain effect you and E want. I’m not a fan of the way the white curtains look in there. But it’s coming together, and I love that you’re sharing the process. So often blogs just show before and after photos, when the in-between steps are what so frustrate me. Thanks for that.
Thanks. Sometimes I wonder if it’s a good thing to share all of the in-between parts when I can see where the room is heading, but it’s not looking so great yet. I like seeing the process from other people though, so I always approach the blog as being the kind of blog I would want to read!
Love the blue walls. Love the white mirror, it pops nicely. Don’t love either the blue or white curtains. What this room is really crying out for, though, is a brass bed – a weathered or brushed brass, not shiny.
What a lucky girl, to have a mom working to create such a personalized room for her!
I’m working with what we’ve already got (pink rug, white Jenny Lind bed, pink painted dresser, etc.), but a brass bed would look amazing.
It sounds like your daughter prefers the blue curtains so you go with them.
True.
I’m liking the way the white curtains freshens up the room – feels lighter and airier with the dark walls. You could try trim the white with blue? or add dark blue pom poms to the edges of the white? or you could add white pom poms to the perimeter of the dark ones – just for a little contrast between the dark curtains and dark walls if you decided to go for blue curtains ;) looks great!!!
The blue walls are amazing. But neither of those curtains choices are working for me. They both look like limp before picture curtains to me, that were left in the house and just gotta go. Sorry. They just make the room look undecorated. What about roman blinds? More tailored and intentional. They could still be dark blue. Will you be painting those shelves on the left?
I don’t like either curtains the way they’re hanging, but I think that they’ll look sweet pulled to the side with tie-backs. No plans to paint the bookshelf, as I like how the dark color recedes and lets the contents of the shelf stand out.
I like the blue curtains better. I am picturing them with the ceiling painted and it will look so nice! I must say, I am sort of digging that lime greenish/yellow color in the cat picture against the wall…
I love that color against the blue.
I think the white curtains would be better if you didn’t have all white furniture. It’s a lot of white breaking up the beautiful blue walls. I think the blue curtains will work better once some trim is added to break up the consistent dark blue wall/curtain combination :)
That’s why they make the room look choppy, and also why I think some of that white furniture needs to change.
It’s really coming together! Love, love, love!
I’m not loving either set of curtains. What if you trim the white ones out with some wide grosgrain or something to keep them from being so blah?
And also, I think roman blinds would be much better all around. The drapes are too informal or something!
I love the blue curtains! I did from the first picture, even before I got to the white curtain comparison shot. And I love the blue walls too – gorgeous with the white pops from the furniture. I like the idea of a blue-gray for the ceiling – and as Danielle mentioned above, I love that green/yellow cat picture with these colors – very cute.
I like the idea of combining the two curtains so you have white and navy. Here room is really coming together nicely and I love that you’re giving her a say in how she wants her room!!
I just painted our dining room a very similar color! Glad Eleanor and I have such similar taste. Is it weird if I use her room as inspiration for the rest of the space? ;) http://oakdaleonward.com/2013/10/16/goodbye-yellow/
I love that color in the room!
looks great! don’t you love picture rails? we have them in my [also chicago] house and i LOVE them. so nice to be able to move stuff around at will, and, i like the 3-Dness they create by hanging slightly off the wall.
Picture rail is the best! We only had it on the first floor in our first home, and here, we only have it on the second. I’m glad it’s here though!
mmm… I like the blue ones way more, but what if you add white or other color trim or ribbon for that matter, like an all around the curtain. Is not a pattern but it still has some pop. The room is looking lovely thou.
Good idea.
I have to agree with white curtains. They just seem livelier to me, especially once the all white furniture is shaken up some :)
Is Eleanor cool with the pink rug; or, will you be swapping it with something else?
Just curious.
She doesn’t dislike any color (pink or otherwise), she just has a STRONG preference for dark blue. The rug is staying for a while. Maybe in a few years we’ll do some updating, but right now I want to use as many of the big pieces from her room in our first house as I can.
She sounds like a typical (ie. strong-willed) first-born, to me! ;)
I was just asking, because I thought it would be interesting to see how you’d incorporate the flooring into the new aesthetic. I get what you mean, though…It starts to add up, with all of the new furniture and decorative elements, in a new home that you’re trying to outfit.
Have a great evening!
Blue curtains all the way. Though the curtains themselves are darker, I think they accentuate the light coming through in a way the white curtains can not.
Would you mind sharing your source for the mirror above the bed? I love it!
I’ve had it since 2010. It was from Ballard Designs.
Looking great Nicole! Is your daughter really calling the shots? Haa. Wow. My opinion = white drapery. Makes a room appear bigger.
Very daring to paint a ceiling dark. Hope it works. Dad always said “white ceilings.” That was it growing up. Maybe/possibly a trade-off w/Eleanor? A dark blue hanging fixture or lamp …. or a picture of some sort.
We will all be anticipating the look!
P.S. Did you ever receive the (personal …. re art/painting) email I sent to you last month Nicole? Maybe I deleted.
Oh, I owe you an email! Sorry. My response is sitting in my email drafts folder, but I’ll get back to you shortly.
Both curtains look great actually. As for the ceiling, I still love the aqua idea, and even more so the pink! All looks so great, amazing what you have accomplished in such a short time since you have moved in.
I think I like the white curtains better.. just seems to be more airy looking. What about doing a single horizontal navy stripe (or two) on the bottom of the curtains ? Or what about doing pink curtains.. maybe a solid baby pink? (not sure if that’s out of the question as your daughter seems to be really love the blue)
Pink would be cute, but I think there’s already so much of it in the room, and I’d like to minimize it a little.
Where did you get that face pillow? So sweet!
It was from The Land of Nod.
I love the dark blue walls– and I think with a light and patterned ceiling the blue curtains might be a nice way to not overwhelm the eye.
Any votes to install/have (reading) lighting/sconces on the wall? Might not be safe yet because of the kiddos ages.
She’ll have a sconce. I prefer sconces to bedside tables for kids so I don’t have to worry about them getting knocked over.
I like both the blue and white, though personally I like to lean toward white- it’s clean and lightens up the room. But the blue also blends nicely and gives a clean canvas for toys and art. I don’t think you can go wrong here! I love the brass rods!
Love the brass rod, and that green rocking chair!! The room is really coming together!
Cute! I would have suggested a brassy spray paint over inexpensive curtain rods. I had the hardest time finding affordable ones in the right length (extra, extra wide!), and didn’t want a black finish, so I tried spray paint, and I think they are gorgeous now.
Always an option for some furniture and frames, too.
I was going to spray paint the black ones if I hadn’t found these instead! I like that they’re more substantial and have prettier finials, besides being a nicer color.
Love navy and pink together :) Have you thought about pink curtains or a light grey/sand color? The mirror is beautiful, but I agree, maybe a different location? Over the dresser? My old sewing studio was navy blue and I had white furniture and trim. It wasn’t a huge room, and the dark color made it feel much smaller than it was.
Its coming along just lovely! I think the mirror might look better centered along the long side of the bed on the other wall, maybe?
It’s not a particularly heavy mirror, but I’m more comfortable with it where it is. I think that she or August might jump on the bed and fall against it if it were on the long side.
White! Maybe the blue would be okay for a shared living space but for a kids room I think white is the way to go…
Down with the white curtains! They’re too “mature” for a little girl’s room. I like the dark blue. Are you still adding the turquoise pom-pom trim? Because that would make it realz cute.
http://www.caitlinmfrost.wordpress.com
Love it!
I prefer the dark curtains.
Maybe you could spray paint the mirror gold! Or would that be to grown-up-ish in a kiddos room?
Love the brass curtain rods. I’d paint/stencil the ceiling before worrying about the curtains since the whole room will look different then. Can’t wait to see what color you choose.
I have very fond memories of working with my mom on my nine year old bedroom. We used a variety of Guatemalan fabrics in warmer tones on the bedding (headboard, bed cover, pillows, dust ruffle) and worked our way out to the rest of the room with recovered/repainted vintage modern furniture (i.e. red Eames secretary chair for the desk). That room was heaven.
I still vote for patterned curtains. It’s a kid’s room. You can’t have too many patterns. Well, you can, but you’re not there yet. Just something simple.
Hmm. What about like a blue ombre curtain? Something white at the top then ending with that dark blue on the bottom. These aren’t the right color I don’t think but something to this effect…. http://www.target.com/p/threshold-ombre-stripe-window-panel/-/A-14370529 You could even make them yourself if you were brave.
Also a tip I’m sure you already know…. I had the hardest time finding curtains for Penelope’s room. I really wanted white ruffle curtains but didn’t have a fortune to spend. I ended up buying fabric shower curtains that looked exactly the same but were much cheaper. Might be another place to look.
I love the Dark blue and Pink! your little girl is very lucky to have a mom who will work so hard to make such a special place for her. I do like the dark blue curtains and think they go great with the walls. My suggestion for the bed, table and mirror…..Go Gold!
This may be a bit over the top but i think it would be so neat for a little girls room. Pink Blue and Gold. Seems regal to me!
I think your description of it “falling flat” is spot-on. It’s always these in-between stages where that happens. Hopefully, building it up with some grays or aquas will add the dimension it needs. Onward!
Hmm – the bed that looked so cute in her last room looks lost. Maybe I just don’t like the dark blue and the big wooden door. Patterned curtains have my vote.
The furniture arrangement looked better before, but I bet it’s more functional for playing now. And I’m team navy for the curtains, I like the way they blend with the walls, the sheers add enough contrast. I think the cute little side table may be the wrong size for this space though.
A chartreuse night table would look great with the walls.
I love the Navy walls, but I am not a fan of the Navy curtains because, at least in the pictures, the color is totally different from the wall, and I don’t like mixing blues…..it’s a personal quirk. I love the crispness of the white ones, especially with the other white things in the room. And how cool is it that Eleanor has such strong opinions about decor at such a young age! The fruit does not fall far from the tree… xoxo
Here in sunny Queensland Australia our iconic timber homes often have picture rails along the walls. We deal with them here by painting the wall colour all the way to the ceiling including the picture rail. The walls look higher. We paint the moulding the ceiling colour. I like the dark walls, the white mirror and bed. I think patterned drapery could bring the room together more maybe an ikat? But you have lots of time to work on it. Lovely so far. Congrats. Jacinta x
I like the navy curtains and they blend in well. I think the white sheers behind them soften up the room during the day with the diffuse light, and then you can just close them at night when she goes to bed. It’s really coming together. Now that I see the dark blue walls, I think an aqua ceiling would be fabulous. A dark blue ceiling might be too much like a cave.
loving it already. That blue was so spot on. I’m also strangely loving the pink rug in the all blue room. So much pizazz in a demure way. Is Eleanor liking the pink rug, also?
Chartreuse curtains would look great in E’s room. Isn’t one of the ponies on her bed chartreuse?
So much fun to play around with endless possibilities. Happy decorating.
Loving the dark curtains with the dark walls… What if you trimmed out the navy curtains with pink Pom Pom trim? Would that be too kooky or just kooky-good?
THAT is a beautiful color! SO many people shy away from high-pigment colors because OMG THEY ARE SO BRIGHT GASP. I think you’d like my house very much…pretty much every room has a vivid shade in it, even my son’s nursery which is a dark blue (much like Eleanor’s) and a bright mint green. Paint is one of the easiest, most inexpensive ways to transform a room; I don’t understand why so many people cling to their white walls.
Where did you find the wooden bed rail for the jenny lind bed?
I’m not a fan of the white and the navy curtains don’t do much for me either. What about aqua drapes to go with the sconce and keep the ceiling white with stars? Maybe paint the side table or mirror aqua too.I also wouldn’t mind pattern… you can never have too much pattern in a kids room.
Aqua with pink (or red?) pom-pom trim!
I love the dark blue curtains, they look great!
Thanks so much for sharing Alison’s tip! I had just given up on finding brass rods with a glass finial for a bay window at a decent price. Placing my order now! Love the blog and can’t wait to see how her room turns out.
What is you mixed the two pairs of curtains — cut width in 1/2 with white on top and navy on bottom with a bright trim inbetween — yes, the pink pom poms would look great.
I’m not a fan of painting the ceiling the same color as it would feel like a cave with that dark color, although gorgeous on the walls. How about a pretty pink — but not too bubblegummy for the ceiling?
Love where you are going here.
My 2 cents:
I love that you honored Eleanor’s wish to paint the walls dark blue. It seems a bit of a trick to pair it with her existing decor, but I have a few ideas how it might work:
1) Add color. Rainbow pompoms on the navy curtains?
2) Add color. Mints and more goldens, yellow-greens, even salmon pinks.
3) Add color. Instead of a white or navy ceiling, a beautiful complimentary buttery pale yellow or golden white with blue stars would look fantastic.
I want to approach the room from a color wheel perspective, and find its compliments. You can still use the existing pale pinks and most of the whites but small additions of pops will go a long way.
(Sorry this sounds so didactic!)
The walls look great and I really like the change in bed placement. I was pushing for white curtains and while I do like them, they do need something…some sort of trim for a jolt of color. I also think there is too much white in the bed corner. I would lose the mirror…you said there is already another mirror in the room…plus you said you wanted a sconce there. I would definitely paint the side table. The bookcase isn’t working for me either…I get what you are saying about making it recede…I think it is the color or it could be the chunk factor. No matter what you decide on the bookshelf, you need a hit of brass/gold on it…there are lots of brass animal figures out there I think the pink poodle needs a brass friend. My thoughts on accent colors:
If the cat artwork is staying then I would paint the night table that yellow/green…although that might complicate things because I’m not sure if I’d like the brass w/ that color.
I think the ceiling w/ the stars needs to be somewhat neutral…either the same blue, white, or grayish. And I would extend the blue paint above the picture rail.
I think you were right on with the curtains; the white ones do break up the room. I would paint the ceiling a different color though to keep the room from getting too dark. The room looks great!
I understand your dilemma, cause I’m going through the same thing with my preschool daughter. She wants an entirely birhgt purple purple bedroom. It’s a conflict between making my baby girl happy, and also pleasing my own graphic designer eyeballs. You have a tough client here, but I think you’re figuring it out. I’d wait til you’re done with the ceiling to decide about the curtains. I’m torn personally.
I like it! Eleanor has much more refined taste than I do. And I like the bed position much better, too.
It is all coming together so cute! I think you might have a little decorator on your hands. Her calls have been pretty right on thus far:) I like the blue curtains better and agree with you that the white kinda chops it up a bit. Have loved following this along!
Laura
Definitely love the navy curtains over the white! I’m still leaning towards a pink ceiling!! Can’t wait to see what you decide! :)
Lovely – especially if Eleanor is happy! The curtains: If you really like the dark, can you go with the same color in a different material? These dark curtains look ‘flat’ to me. I have experience with ‘flat’ curtains as I have some of the same kind in gray in my boys’ room that just don’t make it for me. I think a dark material with some sheen might look nice – a more satin-y, silky look. Just a thought!
I bought these in mint for my daughter’s room … maybe one of those would work?
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=A_FURN_WINDOW&skucolor_normalized=mint
The room is looking great, love the wall color! I’m not really feeling the navy curtains…. since you’re not keen on adding more pattern or white, what about a contrasting color (mint, chartreuse, soft pink)???
Oh, I don’t like this at all, not for a child nor anyone really. But if Eleanor adores it and you are willing to concede to her wishes…!!
Personally, I prefer white or cream wallls with wood, anyhow, and would have introduced the dark blue (and I do like dark blue!) in the textiles or with large pictures or canvases (or framed fabric) with a dark background for definition, or dark wall stickers. Of course, I would also not use curtains with your wood trim, anyway – some kind of blind (plain or decorated or slatted…) would have gone in if it were mine or any of my daughters… I would have used the curtains (navy?) to make bed drapes for the cave feeling rather than painting the walls. I might even have considered painting the ceiling blue if there are to be stars…
But as I say, YOUR house, you get to do what YOU want!!
I just love reading everyone else’s comments. As my mom loves to say “You’ll figure it out”. You have great taste so I’m sure the end result- if there ever is an end- will look fantastic.
The whole thing screams ” lighten it up” to me. I guess I’d try to find a way to bring some crispness into the room with more white. I know brass is back and very suitable to a Victorian but I remember the 70’s far too well to appreciate the golden oak, brass thing :).
That said, I respect your wishes for Eleanor to have imput and have always appreciated your style choices. But I do think you have a make it work moment on your hands here with all that dark blue!
Can’t wait to see the end result!
I agree with the comment that drapes in navy but a different fabric would be an option. I would do a lined, quality silk would bounce a little light around and have a bit more impact. I would also pleat them in the back– modern but traditional too. They will fluff out and have impact but not compete. If you don’t want to do custom check out JCP… They have quality options and they look great in person. I like where this is headed!
while admittedly not as cute as your other choices (i’m in love with the search urchin chandelier from etsy), this might be a good option until you find just the right one. i bought it when i first moved into my new place, still love it, and get tons of compliments on it. and it’s on sale right now!
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=27832849&parentid=A_FURN_LIGHTING
I am so, so, so in love with all the lights in your home. If you swap them out (any of them!), will you be selling them? If so, dibs! Dibs! (Can I call that already? Please?)
I lurve the Abigail-Ahern-ishness mixed with your style.
It’s looking fab so far. You’re doing a great job of making dark blue girly! I notice you are still deciding on the bedside table – I would absolutely paint it. You have a lot of White going on it that corner with the mirror and the bed. The room feels a little unbalanced with the dark shelves on the opposite wall. Are they a candidate for painting a brighter/ lighter colour at all?
Love the room! I would leave the dark blue curtains, think they look fab. I do like the pink pom-pom idea that some comments have mentioned. However, I’d paint the mirror chartreuse, so it could talk to the chartreuse you have over in the bookshelves area. I think I’d also paint the ceiling a light gray. But yes, you’ll figure it out! It looks lovely so far!!
Yeah, Eleanor!
I read years ago that a happy child becomes a happy adult, and one of the absolute best ways a parent can help to insure this is by allowing a child to create their own space. It gives a child confidence in a way few things can, and it also teaches them what they like and don’t like along the way.
I love the dark blue, with the dark blue drapes, and the only negative I’ve ever heard or read about dark blues in a bedroom is that while calming and restful and leading to a good nights sleep, it is a color that can lend itself to being hard to awaken someone, especially a child, in the morning.