during (and a surprise)

April 12th, 2011

cloud bunk bed

So this is where we’re at with the room so far (here are all the before pictures). I told you my brother built a bunk bed, but I didn’t tell you it was a cloud bed! He built the loft bit and then we cut out clouds from some scrap wood. I made patterns out of paper first to make sure it was randomy and to see if the clouds would be high enough to function as a guard rail. When I was about half way through cutting them out, I freaked out and thought it might look too dorky theme-y, but I think it turned out okay. What do you think? Now the big question is whether or not to paint them. I think maybe I’ll paint some white, but not all. And maybe one striped like this awesomeness.

borning in process shot with paint chips taped to the wall

I think we’ve chosen a color for the wall–those are all paint chips taped the wall. It’s called cotton balls, really it’s just white. Not that exciting, I know. But I am excited about that big board up there. It’s a quilting board (or something like that, I don’t know, it’s got a graph on the back) that my neighbor gave me a looong time ago. It folds out one more on each side, so it’s pretty big–maybe too big? Anyway, I’m going to paint a map of our neighborhood on it. I grew up “out the back road” so there wasn’t a lot I needed to know to get around. But we live on an actual block! So I thought the kids might like to see the way we go to the library and the store and their friends’ houses on a big map. I’m thinking I need some sort of projector for this project. And I haven’t decided what to do about the places: pushpins? polaroids? have my kids draw pictures? shrinky dinks? Any ideas you have would be fantastic. The baby’s crib will be under it eventually, so pushpins might be out.

kid's art desk in a closet

This is the closet, or was the closet. Now it is my daughter’s desk (my son got the bunk bed, she got a desk, even steven). I’ve got a few ideas for this, one of them being paint the entire sucker white.  I’m sure there will be more ideas in the future, because I’m taking a class for this very purpose. It’s called Playful Learning Spaces.  It’s an e-course designed to guide you through creating thoughtful spaces for your children to play in and learn. It sounds like the perfect class and comes just at the perfect time for me.

And now for the surprise: the creator of this wonderful class, Mariah Bruehl, has kindly offered to give away a spot in her class to one of my readers! But you have to be snappy, because class starts tomorrow! You have until 5pm central time to drop your name in the hat (that is, leave a comment–sharing some input on the room if you’d like). Good luck and I’ll see one of you in class!

THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!

Celeste from on-hand modern is the winner! Congratulations Celeste!

Posted in my home.

77 Responses to during (and a surprise)

  1. Stephanie says:

    I’d love to win this. I like the clouds a lot– I think it would look good in white– you could always try “painting” it in the computer and see what you think.

    donnya_89{at}yahoo.com

  2. Michaela says:

    I’d love to take this class- fingers crossed!

  3. Kim S. says:

    Oh, I’d love to grab a place in that class!!

  4. Jean says:

    Wow, I love this because we have very limited space and I am always looking for ways to create useable and thoughtful spaces. I love for the kids to be able to get to their own supplies while making it easy to keep relatively organized. Frankly, I don’t always succeed. I could certainly use the help!

  5. Lucy says:

    Your children are SO lucky – I would have done anything for a cloud bed OR a special desk nook. Look forward to hearing all about the class…

  6. Carrie says:

    I love the cloud loft, personally I would paint them various shades of white and pale grays.
    I have been wanting to take that e-course, please enter me to have a spot!

  7. andrea soos says:

    i would love that course as i am stuck between baby and toddler and big boy conversions…..
    thanks

  8. Kelly says:

    I’m so interested to hear more about the class & see the room evolve.

  9. Kelly says:

    The room looks great! Have you found a spinning mag/book rack yet? The course sounds very inspiring. Does she cover how to make your kids rooms look less like overstuffed sausages?

  10. deb says:

    I love the cloud bed! Very cool. And the map idea is great, I know my 6 year old would love that. I would have loved it when I was a kid. When decorating or creating space for my kids that is what I try and do, think back to when I was a kid and what I would have loved.

  11. sue says:

    What a fabulous idea! I’d be delighted to learn more…the world needs more play and I’m sure my son would agree.

  12. katherine says:

    I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this class!!! – I am stalled in the middle of a room redo or two. moving my little one into the nursery and my toddler into the spare room or making room for one more in the nursery but making it gender neutral or moving both kids into our room and us into the spare room and making the nursery the spare room/ play room… I don’t know- clearly I need some help!!
    As for your redo- I vote paint the clouds- maybe a mix of stripes and polka dots or maybe some with fun expressions? and for the desk- definitely add some color, and some cork boards/ magnetic boards/ chalk boards or what have you. I think the map is a great idea- I vote for pictures/Polaroids maybe hold them with Velcro?
    fingers crossed!

  13. Molly says:

    what a great surprise – and it looks like i might be on time! love the cloud bed.

  14. ana says:

    the room looks great. thanks for the opportunity.
    elana
    goralelana at gmail dot com

  15. Bethany says:

    I would love to take the class; maybe I’d come up with something for my kids that comes close to the genius of a cloud loft bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So magical. BTW, I would paint the clouds a soft grey.

  16. Anna says:

    Missing by minutes!!! Bummer. Sounds like a great class. Love those clouds!

  17. Melanie says:

    Thanks for posting the links, I have a new blog to read.

  18. mixette says:

    Your brother is awesome! Paint the cloud different shades of white: right now it looks like a storm is coming (or you’re growing mushrooms), and it should *look* as heavenly as it is to sleep up there.

  19. rae says:

    i love the bed! i don’t think you should paint the clouds solid white, but maybe a couple with white stripes on them would be cool :)

  20. Nancy says:

    I came across your blog via luvinthemommyhood this morning. I thought it was such a good idea to make a pom pom garland a couple weeks ago for my sister’s bridal shower, and then I saw that you made some too in Nov! Thanks for sharing your blog – you’ve posted so much great ideas and inspiration. Definitely a new daily read for me : )

  21. Jenn says:

    I think the clouds would look really cool pickled!

  22. too late to enter the drawing but just wanted to say that the cloud bed ROCKS. definitely paint some, leave others, I say.

  23. futuregirl says:

    Personally, I like all the clouds just plain wood. What I want to see is some strings hanging down with rain drops on them and a rainbow hanging from the ceiling! :) Also, love the neighborhood map idea! Maybe you could make the roads and have them draw the places they go?

  24. What a great bed! I would paint the clouds, so that it doesn’t look too stormy

  25. Helen says:

    Meg: have you seen Lena Corwin’s new book called Maps? http://other-books.com/maps-lena-corwin.html. It is BEAUTIFUL and full of inspiration. It made me want to draw maps instantaneously (I love your idea of making it art for the kids!)