Apartment C-Squared

We finished it two weekends ago, but I had important things like new rain boots and kids in costumes to discuss. But here it is, without further ado, in all its way-too-much-furniture-assembly-required glory, the girls' room!

Except, as I've mentioned, I LOVE HGTV and glimpses inside other people's homes, so in case you're the same, and to honor all my online shopping, obsessing, and nagging of James to assemble/hang things, we're going to break this down.

First up, we have the changing table that I bought as a surprise bonus Ikea assembly item even though Cora will be out of diapers in a year because we sold the dresser we used to change her on top of and I hate bending down to the floor and didn't want to use Claire's bed for her baby sister's poop elimination and diaper restoration process because it felt like that would kick off their roommate relationship on the wrong foot. So it's kind of in the way when you walk in, but it's temporary, so I've allowed it.

There's a tiny little corner between the closet and a low window I didn't want to block, so after much brainstorming, it's now a dress-up corner!

A sweet stand-up mirror, some hooks for their jewels, and a bin for their dress up clothes (and purses, except Cora was currently wearing all of them when I took the picure). I also got a new little piece of art to christen their new apartment.

Continuing on, past the giant closet doors blocking all the work I did cleaning out and reorganizing everything they own, we come to the new dresser (also Ikea! lucky lucky James!) and my absolute favorite spot in the room- the reading corner.

Perfect on a rainy dreary day and bright sunny ones too, I wanted to use the space, but didn't want to block the big corner windows that are original to the house. I decided it would be a perfect place for their beloved PBK chairs (Cora generally borrowed/commandeered Landon's, but she got a new one of her very own as an early birthday present). I'd ordered the canopy to put over Claire's bed, but once I got going, I knew this was the higher use.

Cora adores books but isn't so neat about putting them away, so a bin for the corner seemed perfect. A PBK sequin lamp bought for $10 off our neighborhood buy/sell page and a few frames I already head with new pictures seemed to round it out nicely.

The top of the dresser also got some repurposed items, plus a few bargain glass pieces (Hobby Lobby is awesome for this; the flowers, pink vase, and Eiffel glass cost a total of $12) and updated pictures. And a new piece of art (also Hobby Lobby; also $12!)

Next up, Claire's bed!

After much debate (all in my own head; with occasional one-sided out loud conversations with James), we decided we'd keep Cora in her crib for as long as possible and then use the conversion kit to make it a toddler bed for as long as possible, delaying the day for as long as possible the day we need to fit two twins or suck it up and get a bunk bed. Cora can't be trusted around one right now, and maybe not ever, but we could live in Colorado or Houston in three years for all I know, so this delays figuring out big girl bed logistics for a while longer. So, back to Claire's bed- I still wanted a bed for Landon for slumber parties and for when we have guests (his room is still the designated guest room), so we needed a trundle, but I didn't want a daybed because that would block part of the window, and I didn't want a footboard because that would ALSO block part of the window. So I solved world peace by finding a twin bed frame with pop-up trundle that we could just attach a cute white headboard to. Except it was all super complicated and I came in at one point during James's attachment process to request that he refrain from yelling "this is a total shit show." Muttering was allowed.

But it's perfect!

Another canvas (Marshalls!), a sparkly C (I bought it months ago at Ross; I knew no matter what I did in that room, this would somehow fit), and a ribbon board for Claire to display her favorite art and pictures, and she has her own big girl corner. There will also be a shelf above her bed- it's purchased but we haven't been able to paint it because it keeps raining every weekend. But every big sister needs a place for treasures her little sister can't reach and hers is coming.

I bought that little bookcase/toy bin on Amazon and it is super sturdy and looks really nice in person. It's perfect between their two beds. My hope is as the kids get a little older, more toys migrate to the girls room and the play room turns into a homework/arts and crafts space. There's always a project!

I made little scrapbook pages with their birth announcements and got to reuse Claire's nursery art from Austin that I loved so much.

The number cards are also from Claire's nursery, as are the butterflies. I love when you get to use things over and over in new spaces. Cora got some new crib sheets to coordinate with her big sister and Claire got a new sheet set or two, including one with rainbows and unicorns because I couldn't resist. The giant rug is 8' x 11' (the room is really big) and from Target. It's super soft and doubles as the girls' new gymnastics training area.

All in all I'm thrilled with the space. It's bright and warm and cozy and happy and just a little sparkly - just like my girls!