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August 5, 2013

Maile's Big Girl Room


I've received a lot of Instagram and email requests for photos of the entirety of Maile's room. I've been putting this post off for a long time -- primarily because I never feel like I can call the room officially finished. As I type this, I can think of a beautiful sampler my youngest sister made for Maile, and a frame I'm dying to use, that need to be incorporated into the space ...

Thankfully, Tim convinced me that I should put my OCD aside long enough to share with you. So, here it is! I took these photos myself (and I don't own a tripod), but I hope you love it as much as I do.

This room has been quite the labor of love for me. When I was pregnant with Maile, Tim was going through some job insecurity, and we had nothing to spare to put toward decorating a nursery. I don't think you realize how much of the excitement of having your first baby (sadly) revolves around material items, until you aren't able to purchase those "must-have" items. We scrimped together enough to purchase a basic car seat/stroller combo, a co-sleeper bassinett, a few clothing items, and that was that.

Blessedly, Tim found work again about a month before Maile was born. We painted her room, and planned to purchase a crib and a dresser. I couldn't bring myself to spend money on a nice crib bedding set, but dreamed of owning this. I mentioned it in passing to one of my best friends (who was also pregnant), and it showed up on our doorstep 10 days later. Yes, I cried. In fact, it still brings tears to my eyes! Maile never was a crib sleeper (more like an occasional napper), but that amazing gift served as the inspiration for Maile's big girl room, which took us almost two years to "complete." ;) My mom made the beautiful balloon curtain you see, and Tim painstakingly selected and installed his princess' chandelier.

I suppose that because this space has a story, I needed to tell it here.










Maile has loved Elvis music since infancy -- a hilarious and endearing little quirk I wanted to include in her room.



Converse have been Maile's shoes of choice for the past year. 


I think this gives you a good idea of Maile's space. It's definitely her favorite play spot in the house, and my favorite room, so far! I love seeing her little imagination at work here. Talking with her dolls and stuffed animals, "making" coffee, noodles, and cupcakes. Reading. This is truly her room. Our little, big girl.

27 comments:

  1. It is lovely and girlie and not overdone.
    I love that it is bright and simple and not over the top commercial. So many of these baby room posts drive me silly because they are so over the top with stuff and purchases.
    This is Lovely.
    We are starting to do our next wee ones room and I have zero decorating ability so it basically turns me off but this has renewed and inspired me.
    I can see M napping and reading on that beautiful big girl bed!
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much, my friend!

      I couldn't agree more with your assessment of a lot of the baby rooms out there. I know the feeling of wanting to provide for your child, of course, but our ultimate goal was that MAILE enjoy the room. And she certainly doesn't need a whole lot of "stuff" to be able to do that!

      Lots of love.

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  2. You did a wonderful job!! I just love it! :)

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  3. it looks great. i love the brightness and the open feel. very nice details too!

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  4. LOVELY!!! Such a whimsical little space for Maile!!! Good job, momma!

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  5. that looks fantastic, I know what you mean about never officially finished!! x

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! A home is always in progress, isn't it?

      xo

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  6. It is beautiful, no wonder she loves her special space. Audrey's room is always evolving with her. I think I spend just as much time in her room as I do in our kitchen.. Much love friend x x

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    1. It's so funny that you say that, because Maile's room is also where I love to spend the most time, after outdoors and the kitchen!

      <3

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  7. Her room is wonderful, no wonder she loves spending time in her special space! Much love friend x

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  8. Her room is so organised and spacious! Such a lovely sweet room. :)

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  9. Such a perfect little space! So bright and calm! And I totally get feeling like nothing is truly "finished"--I feel that way about every room in our house, pretty much! My husband always rolls his eyes when I bring up new projects I have planned for rooms that he thinks are "fine."

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    1. Thanks so much, dear Cristin. Haha! And I know just what you mean about the reluctant helpers, aka husbands, too. ;)

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  10. I love it - it's so simple, but so pretty & girly at the same time. You have lovely taste Katie!

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  11. Katie! I love these pictures. Do you use actions in photoshop to get the colors all similar? I'd love to know what you use? I'm exploring purchasing some new actions.

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    1. Believe it or not, I've never opened Photoshop! Tim got it for me last Christmas, and it's still in the box. I'm silly -- holding out until we can purchase a new Mac (even though I know I could put it on my PC laptop, too). Also, I'm afraid it will be a giant time-suck for photography-obsessed me, hehe.

      Most of these photos are RAW, but a few needed their exposure tweaked, so I just used Windows Live Photo Gallery; it actually gives you fairly good control, for being a stock program.

      I hope this helps! When I do open Photoshop, I may be the one picking your brain. :)

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  12. What a beautiful room your little girl has... I can see hwy she enjoys spending time in there. I love the corner book display you've created above the bed. I know exactly what you mean about never feeling 'completely finished'... that's how I felt with my little one's nursery until I finally bit the bullet and shared some photos of it a few weeks back :) May I ask where the little sugar and milk set are from?

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    1. Thanks, Amanda! I'm sure you've created a lovely space for your little one.

      The sugar-and-milk set is a part of a coffee set by KidKraft; you can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-63307-Pastel-Coffee-Set/dp/B007DE0MD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376614425&sr=8-1&keywords=kidkraft+coffee

      It's solid wood, and really wonderful.

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