How About A Dark Accent Wall?

I asked her what she would like to have for her birthday which was just before Christmas!  She said she would LOVE to have a pair of the new waterproof Doc Martens.  I thought that where her birthday would be a quiet one this year in Covid, we could make an exception for the extraordinary splurge so I was on a mission.  Well good luck with that!

I searched everywhere and I do mean everywhere online but I couldn’t find them in her size.  Oh no!  As she wasn’t asking for anything else!  This is a kid who, when asked at the age of 4 what she would like from Santa Claus, responded with “Can you ask him to please fix my slippers?” There was nothing else on her wish-list! 

I had to tell her that I couldn’t locate the Docs in time for her birthday but that I would still search and with any luck, she may get them from Santa as a Christmas gift.

“Buuuuuut!” I said - fully aware of how difficult this pandemic has been on our youth and being the social 14 yr old that she is, “How would you like a room redo?” My thought was that a room reno would give her a lift, her personal space new life and with a few added accessories which can add up dollar-wise, could be a birthday gift that she would really enjoy.

Luckily, she excitedly agreed!

The Many Transitions of Her Room

Eliza's room had seen a few minor changes over the years in its transition from nursery to the big girl's room, until we moved her into Craig's larger room once he was on his own, by then turned into her playroom. Yeah, there's been a bit of shuffling between those 2 rooms over the years! She was excited when we first moved her into the larger room, but she quietly hinted at the idea of having her room repainted. I opted to wait until she was a bit older and made it work for the time being, trying to stretch out my meaningful work done for her playroom. But it couldn't be put off any longer. I would have to paint over the family tree :-(.

We talked at length about how she would help me paint and have full say in how she would like her room to be in terms of colors, accessories etc. In the past, it has always been that I’ve had most say as to what I’m okay with and not.  This time tho, I was giving her carte-blanche.  And she was so excited!

We Have a Plan

We set out on completing the project in time for her birthday.  We combed through paint color cards, browsed online for accessories, and put a mental picture together of how it would all come together.  She decided upon a color scheme of black and whites.

I ordered a new duvet cover and shams, rug, lamps, LED lights she had been asking for. Then we started on the painting of the off-white ceiling, walls and trim.

Next up was the dark accent wall she was hoping for.

A Promise Is A Promise

I will admit, I was hesitant.  Not only because we would be painting over alot of hard work on my part (see The Making of a Playroom - Part 1), but I wasn’t so sure that I’d be digging that dark wall. 

Let me say that as someone who loves paint projects, it was such a thrill to see her with a paint roller in hand, taking part in her own room’s transformation.  The satisfaction she would get from seeing the result of her work would be so rewarding for her. And she would get a taste of home DIYs! Plus, it would give us time together in a project that we could share and help to keep our minds occupied with a bit of light and fun in the difficult time of Covid. It would be a win for us both!

The Wall Is Black

We finished the accent wall, items for her room slowly began to arrive, and I was able to have it almost completed for her on her birthday. I still have wall art for her accent wall that I’ve been working on – adding those to my list of unfinished projects. As well, there's the shelf for under her television which Joe has built already. I just need to find the time to get a finish on it so that we can get it installed for her. But we’re almost done and she loves it!

She now has a nook in her room for sketching or for her newly acquired interest in learning a real instrument - my little Taylor!

 And a nook for her desk for her laptop on her Covid virtual learning days...

And a space she loves hanging out in with her friends or with Gunner curled up at her feet when she’s in the mood for a movie...

And her makeup vanity has found a new wall...

And her family photos from her now painted-over playroom family tree, have found a new home. 

And The Docs??

And so...the Docs! As things will sometimes go, of course, I managed to find the Docs in time for Christmas from Santa.  But as it turned out, we had to give them to her on her birthday so that we would have time to return them if they didn’t fit within their short return window. So Santa instead, opted for a television for her room which went up the day after Christmas and of course, which she hadn't asked for. 

Things Will Not Always Go As Planned

So wait a sec...she had only asked for Docs for her birthday, which I couldn't get in time for her birthday. So I instead offered the room reno. Then the Docs arrive and are supposed to be now for Christmas, but we have to give them as a birthday gift to get the return if needed before Christmas, so she gets a television for Christmas, and the Docs fit!!??

How did that happen!!?

But it's all good! She loves her new space!  And her Docs. And her television! And the dark accent wall? 

And we're both diggin' it!

Happy kid - happy mama! ♥