What's happening on the "home (decorating) front" . . .
It seems that the trend for adult bedrooms is to make them a special retreat. So why not do the same for our children? You want to make it a place they want to be in, not a place for punishment. So after going to all the trouble to decorate your kids rooms, don't send them there to be punished. They'll enjoy it too much!
Simplicity is still popular, but not necessarily cold and boring, just uncluttered. The busy fussiness of the ornate and over-adorned rooms has left us wanting a rest.
Earthy colors are currently popular, including fern/sage greens, buttery yellows or soft golds, etheral shades of blue, lavender, soft browns, and even rich shades of cinnamon and purple.
Brushed metals are still popular, as is decorating with an Asian accent. We've been reading and learning a lot about Asian decorating style and Asian furniture names.
Asian design seems to be everywhere in home decor, fashions, even in non-Asian food restaurants. In fact, check out some simple feng shui tips to helping your home give you the power and support you need to reach your goals in life. Feng Shui is an interesting concept.
In My Opinion . . .
How you decorate is a lot like how you dress. And as far as I'm concerned, if you're comfortable with it and it fits, then go for it. Just about anything goes in fashion these days, and I think that is true in decorating.
Sure, there are still fads. But it's no longer a fashion blunder to wear white after Labor Day! So do what you (they) want in your kids rooms decor.
There are classic styles for kids rooms like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, but new ones seem to pop up each year. So listen to your kids, and pay attention to the toys and clothes they lean towards, to help decide how to decorate their rooms.
The kids need to feel comfortable in their rooms, not you. Your kids don't just sleep in their rooms. They sleep, read, play, study, listen to music, work or play on the computer, talk on the phone. . .the list goes on.
So you need to consider all these uses as you or they are making decorating decisions. What will the room be used for, what kind of storage will be needed, what pieces of furniture should you buy etc.
Let them get involved in the decorating and furniture buying decisions. It will make them feel more empowered and if they have some say in it, they may be more inclined to take care of it.
My color forcast . . . blues and yellows are coming back, and I think we'll be seeing more aqua (turquoise), coral (salmon) and silver (chrome & brushed).
The bedroom theme of the month is "Hello Kitty" . . .
Here's my list of Hello Kitty theme items that I have found along with the items I would use to decorate a girls room with Hello Kitty, and tips on how I would do the walls.
What to do with the Windows . . .
Following along the Hello Kitty theme, lets make a simple cornice to go over the sheers or your blinds. And of course if you use this you don't need the decorative rod for the curtains since it won't show.
Flower Cornice:
1. Make a newspaper pattern of the size and shape flower you want and use it to draw the scallops on the face of the cornice piece. Cut plywood pieces to the size you need for your window using the sketch above as a guide. Be sure to include the flower petals that hang over the edge on the top and bottom of face making a scallop. (This gives a 3-D effect)
2. Glue and nail or screw dust board and returns to the face making all edges flush. Note that these pieces are attached to the back of the face, so the edges don't show from the front.
3. Patch any holes with a wood putty, let dry and lightly sand the whole thing.
4. Use an acrylic stain blocking primer such as Bin or Kilz to prime the whole thing inside and out. If you need to, apply a second coat on the inside so it looks nice and white.
Paint the face, dust board and returns with your base color in a semi-gloss or satin finish, being sure to get the bottom edges as well. You may want to use two coats for the best coverage. Let dry overnight.
Using your flower pattern, lay it on the face of the cornice matching the scallops you cut, and trace it with a chalk pencil or trace it lightly with a regular pencil.
Use a small brush or sponge and paint in your outline with purple or your color of choice, then fill in the rest of the flower including the bottom edge of the petals. Now draw a circle for the center and paint it light gold, or whatever color will coordinate with your room.
5. To mount the cornice, use angle brackets of the appropriate size (based on the depth of your returns) that you purchase from your local home improvement store. If they aren't already white, give them a couple coats of your white primer.
Mount the brackets (2 for a cornice up to 48") with the appropriate screws or anchors as needed to the wall. On the 48" cornice above, try to mount the brackets 6-8 in. from each end, and around 8-12 in. above the window trim.
Now set the cornice on the brackets and screw up through the brackets into the dustboard. DO NOT just set it on the brackets without attaching it!
If you don't have room to get up in there with a screwdriver, try predrilling the holes in the dustboard, and using your hand, push a bolt up through to the top, and fasten with a nut.