Friday, February 10, 2012

Spicing It Up In The... Playroom. My {Re?} Decorating Itch!

Call it nesting, blame it on Pinterest, heck, it may just be that I've become quite comfortable and sedentary in our relatively "new" house, but recently, I've been struck by the itch to spice up the place. Throw up some new framed pictures. Switch out hanging wreaths and completely change out the mantle decor. Most recently, however, my sights have been set on decorating another room in the house.

While I should be focusing on Carter's Big Boy room and the impending new nursery, I've taken to filling up just a few of the blank walls that have taken up residence in the downstairs playroom. 

You see, Loyals, if you remember correctly, the second anniversary of Our Big Home Purchase is coming up in March. That means we have been living here for nearly two years now. Two years! And although we've taken to filling the house with babies, some of the decor has naturally taken a backseat. And in all of my pregnant, hormonal glory, I've now decided to  do something about it. 



Carter's official "playroom" is the space beneath the house in the finished basement. This room was initially planned as The Man Cave, however, Toddlers trump Kegerators in my book any day. Sorry, Husband. Therefore, this room has become the veritable "catch all" for most of Carter's play things.

Until this week, the walls of Carter's playroom has been disappointingly bare. And because we'll be welcoming another sweet little boy into our family in just a few short months and The Playroom will be here to stay for at least another mere 5 more years, I decided to have a little fun with the decor. Starting with a chalkboard wall. 




Although I had to practically beg and plead tooth and nail for this chalkboard wall, once the second coat dried, The Husband exclaimed, "this looks pretty cool!" Needless to say, one would think that after nearly 5 years of marriage, The Husband should already know I only make the best decisions. 

And I absolutely love it. I mean, Carter loves it. Heck, we both love it and can spend at least 30 minutes (which is an eternity in Toddler Land) doodling on it. I found the last pack of these pens at a local craft store and have been going to town with them on the wall. Carter sticks with chubby toddler chalk for now. Don't ask me how well they rinse off of the wall. I haven't quite attempted that yet and truth be told, it makes me quite nervous. The paint for chalkboard wall was found at the local Home Depot and is Rustoleum brand.

Once that wall was taken care of and another trip to Joann Fabrics was made, I came across these wall decals and knew this would be a welcome addition above the reading/toy nook along the long wall of the basement. I have grand plans to return to Joann's and pick up two more decal tubes so that I can continue the dots along the rest of the wall and behind the tent and the ball pit. 








And in case you missed this week's earlier post, you can read all about how to make your own DIY Magnet Board here

Not shown in the playroom is Husband's Workout Nook as well as the wall that holds the TV/Entertainment unit and wine fridge. Also, the short wall that is home to Carter's table and chairs, Manly Play Kitchen and my itty bitty "office" which consists solely of a monitor and and parsons desk. 

Have you noticed anything else that's missing? A couch. 

You're right, Loyals. One of the things this playroom is missing is most definitely a couch, however, I'm quite partial to the idea that this is the SOLE room in the house (aside from the nursery) where Carter can run around with reckless abandon and I don't need to worry about him poking an eye out or landing himself in the ER before his second birthday. So until I'm ready to give up that luxury? This room will remain furniture-less. 

Now, I should probably focus a little bit of energy on cleaning out the upstairs office in preparation for baby number two, no? I mean, I do have.. FOUR MONTHS to go... Ahhhh!!!

Happy Friday, Loyals! Have a great weekend!


20 comments :

  1. Looks good girl! :)
    I love the chalkboard wall...whenever I get my own home, I def. want to create one of those.

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  2. Wish you could come "nest" at my house and do a little redecorating! This room looks great- lurrrrrrve that chalkboard wall!

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  3. It is turning out so cute! And I LOVE the chalkboard wall!!

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  4. This looks like Toddler Heaven! I'm sure Carter has a big time! I have an idea....I"ll come to MD and help with the nursery and we'll lock the boys in the basement to play! Sound good!?!?!?!?

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  5. Ahhh, you're giving finished basement envy!! Trying to convince the hubs that we NEED to finish our basement.....

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  6. Ah it looks awesome! I'd play in there!! Love the chalk board wall, the pens are awesome, I have a white one and def need more colors!! :) So fun.

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  7. Looks great! You have done a fabulous job!
    We are currently in the process of finishing our basement and I now definitely think that we need a chalkboard wall! How fun!

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  8. The room looks amazing! What a perfect play room! Although, if you think it's going somewhere in 5 years you're kidding yourself. You see, our playroom remained the kids territory until the day we all graduated and moved away..the room just grew with us. Happy nesting, AP!

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  9. Love the chalkboard wall! I've read you should "cure" it first, before writing on it... ?
    And I totally have basement envy! In my sweet little spot of the country, they don't put in basements. Like, at all. SO annoying. Have a great weekend!

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  10. Looks great! I need a chalkboard wall, but where??? I have some ideas. 1 project at a time Melissa. :)

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  11. LOVE what you're doing with the space. I got some similar dots from Target (they're only blue and brown) and they made me feel like the room was so much more finished. I bet Carter will get hours of fun out of that chalkboard wall.

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  12. Such a great space! Love the chalkboard wall, for sure something that I would like to do in the next house!!!

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  13. I love it! Looks great. Question- how do you keep Carter from eating the chalk? My son is 18months and eats chalk (whole pieces) and crayons within minutes (ok seconds). We can do painting projects but no simple coloring...

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  14. looks awesome! you did a great job mama!i especially love the chalkboard wall. brownie points for husband for letting you do this!

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  15. wow this playroom looks amazing! I'm currently 34 weeks and am definitely feeling the "nesting" mode as well! xo

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  16. Love the chalkboard wall! The man cave would NEVER become the toddler room in our house. Clearly, my husband rules this house :)

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  17. Looks awesome!! I love the chalkboard wall!! You da bomb momma;)

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  18. Oh, wow! I'm insanely jealous of that huge space you have for a toy room/workout room/office. It looks awesome!

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