Tween Transformation: Before and After
Ahh...the tween years. The time when your daughters and sons grow, learn and express their future selves. Transformative years call for transformative spaces...
The Client: A bright, engaged girl of ten with design savvy and myriad interests.
The Space: A lower level guest room, somewhat masculine with concrete floors, custom dark wood built-in storage, and lots of architectural lines. Too small for a photo. Just large enough for a bed and a door swing.
The Goals: A full or queen size bed. Not too girly. Space for books. A reading nook. Good light. Clothing storage and lots of display space.
Hmm...
The Before
The Plan
After reviewing the architectural limitations, we opted for two small, but significant changes. First, a five foot portion of the built-in cabinet and counter would be removed, thus creating the perfect nook for a platform bed and allowing adequate space for a desk and seating area at the foot of it. Second (*gulp*) the dark wood finish of the remaining built-ins was painted a soft white.
The Goods
The items used in the room are fresh and light and well-sized. Teal sets the tone, starting with a bright new paint job and accent pillows. The new focus of the space, replacing the wood cabinetry, is a stripe velvet custom headboard that wraps around the bed and extends to an existing built-in niche. Voila, a pin-up board and display space.
Long, metallic sheer drapery panels become a room softening canopy. An acrylic desk and pendant light add a touch of modern sparkle, and sheepskin in a variety of shapes is layered over the concrete floors. A small scale fuzzy accent chair is fun and easy to move.
Sources: west elm, cb2, benjamin moore, rhteen, robert allen, ylighting, overland, and wayfair.
Preview to The After
Check back for more photos, but in the interim, a sneak-peek snapshot of the transformation in progress.