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Young House Love » Decorating » Adding Fairy Lights To A Canopy Bed (& Photoshop Fun)

| By Sherry Petersik | October 18, 2013 | 928 Comments

Adding Fairy Lights To A Canopy Bed (& Photoshop Fun)

Update: Holy cow, you guys are full of so many fun ideas today! I’m having trouble keeping up with comments since they’re rolling in so furiously, but please know I’m reading them all and loving all the suggestions!

Happy Friday! We’ve been all over the place this week, painting the walls/trim/ceiling in the bathroom & closet, diving into some basket craftiness, de-wallpapering our biggest room yet (the 21′ long kitchen), and now we have a little Clara-room update along with some photoshop percolating as we plot our next move in there. But first, here’s the tiny (and twinkly) addition:

Fairy 2 Full Shot Straight

Things just got a little brighter in here…

Clara Reading

Ever since we hung her canopy, we’ve thought about adding lights to it. Both for the magic of it (Clara loves them) and also for the function of it being a well-lit place for bedtime stories. We feared traditional Christmas lights would be too heavy and make the fabric sag in weird ways (plus, they could look a little messy when they were off) so after some hunting online, we came across what are often dubbed “Fairy Lights.”

Fairy 4 Cord

They’re basically small LEDs (check out this picture for scale – they’re tiny) that are strung on a thin wire. The particular set that we bought was 33 feet long and sold for $14 on Amazon. They’re not longer available but here’s an affiliate link for something similar.

Fairy 3 LED Closeup

The wire itself is extremely light and pretty moldable, so it was easy to weave it back and forth across the 18″ corbels that the fabric rests on. And by some luck of the draw, 33 feet was just about the perfect length to go back and forth four times on each side of the peak to the side brackets and secure them at each turn with white tape, so they’re not something Clara easily unwind and swing around like a lasso – but they will easily release under her weight, so she couldn’t strangle on them.

Fairy Fabric Pulled Back

The next step was just draping the canopy back over them. The LEDs are so small that they tuck into the folds and are barely visible when they’re off. And when they’re on, well, you can see how they twinkle below. And since they’re LEDs, they’re completely cool to the touch – so we don’t have any fear of them being against fabric. I also love that they’re small resin-ish glowing dots instead of larger glass bulbs that could shatter.

Fairy Lights Strung Up

I wish the part that plugs in weren’t big and black, but we were able to plug it in behind the bed and wrap the cord around the bed in a way that it’s able to be hidden behind the canopy most of the time, but easily accessed when it’s time to connect the cords to the power adapter. See how you can see it on the left, but it’s tucked away and invisible on the right? Thank you John, hand model of the ages.

Fairy Cord Hidden

Clara LOVES them. Partly because they’re called “Fairy Lights” but mostly because she feels very special having her own set of secret lights above the bed. We intended just to put them on for story time at night or other special play times, but they actually put off a fair amount of light, so we’ve found ourselves putting them on just about any time we’re in the room and the sun isn’t fully out.

Clara Pointing

We’ve had them up there for a week or two (didn’t want to sing their praises too soon only to have them burn out or something weird) and so far they have been awesome for our gentle girl. She hasn’t touched them once, but loves gazing up at them. Meanwhile, my best friend’s four year old daughter is nothing short of an acrobat, so we laughed about how she’d probably scale the canopy and hang from the fabric like she was Pink in concert.

Fairy 2 Full Shot Straight

But even with the addition of the lights, the canopy is still definitely missing something above it. There’s still so much white on white on white that we’ve been brainstorming which way we want to go. We’ve debated painting just that peaked area under the canopy for a while and then adding something else in there (like a hanging paper lantern or mobile or even a cute little animal head or something). So here are a few ideas, thanks to our good friend Photoshop.

Before Pic

Idea #1: A gray tone on the walls to add drama and a little dreaminess to the canopy, inspired by this wallpaper by Osborne And Little.

Gray Stars

Idea #2: Maybe I could freehand some sort of imperfect painterly-ish mural, inspired by this awesome fabric covered lamp shade?

Mural1

Idea #3: Another hand painted mural possibility could be something like this cluster of colorful raindrops in a variety of colors (inspired by this amazing but sadly sold out print).

Mural2

Idea #4: Then I saw this picture of a pretty blue-green wall with little birds on it and thought that could be fun.

Blue Birds

Idea #5: Since Clara’s quite the animal lover, we thought maybe a friendly giraffe or zebra (like this one from Dwell Studio) peering down at her while she sleeps could be fun with a blue-gray wall.

Animal Head

Idea #6: These little teardrops in a few different colors had my mind spinning with possibilities too.

Teardrops

Idea #7: Then I thought about a colorful fabric hung along that back wall, perhaps something with the same large-scale boldness of this pink and red wall coverings that Jenny shared here.

Redfabric

 Idea #8: And then there was the possibility of even darker charcoal paint on the walls and some asymmetrical handmade banners in a few colors like these (which were actually a super cool photo background for this party). Update: since this one looks chalkboard-ish there have been a lot of suggestions to do that so Clara can doodle away, but we worry that chalk dust over her bed might not be the best call (there are chalk markers but they’re not as charming, so we’ll have to see where we end up).

Dark Banners

What do you guys think? Any favorites? Or combos? I think we’re leaning towards the gray background tone in Idea #1 or the dark charcoal color in Idea #8, but we’re not sure if we’ll stencil stars or something else – and we might just combine it with something 3D (like a little felt circle bunting or a hanging paper lantern or something). We’d love for Clara to weigh in on things too, and then I’m hoping to work on it this weekend (along with stenciling the bathroom floor and helping John finish that sunroom tile). What are you guys up to this weekend?

Update: Clara weighed in on these photoshopped pics as well as some more that we made based on people’s suggestions and then we made one last photoshopped picture for her, since she wanted to combine a few ideas (we even video-taped her reaction, which was pretty funny). Can’t wait to get it done and share what she liked best!

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Comments

  1. Avatar for MaddyMaddy says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:05 am

    Oh please, anything except the zebra head. Unless you want someone to wake up with nightmares hahaha.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:07 am

      Haha! I was thinking something soft (like a stuffed fuzzy bear or a crocheted giraffe) could be cute. I think we’re a special breed of crazy (we used to sleep under a ceramic ram’s head…).

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for CaitlinCaitlin says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:25 am

      I agree! I think it makes me a little nervous having something a little heavier hanging over her head and she could possibly hit her head as she gets a little older! Love number 1 and how he strings in 8 look like kites! So fun for a young girl!

    • Avatar for CaraCara says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:27 pm

      I was going to suggest caution with the animal head, friendly or not. there imaginations are so active at this age. My daughter is a few months younger than Clara, and we’ve had to take several toys out of her room for ‘talking’ in the night. We just had a miserable week apparently caused by vivid nightmares that caused her to be scared of our house. Our house. School? See ya Mom. Walk in to the kitchen and leave her in the living room? Full on panic. Not to mention the middle of the night shrieking. As best we can figure, her fabulous imagination led to a really vivid nightmare about something happening in the house. (She doesn’t seem to remember, just that there was ‘a problem’ in the night.). So, yeah. I would be skipping the animal head over the bed.

    • Avatar for Marissa CMarissa C says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:50 pm

      ^^Dude that is creepy

    • Avatar for NicoNico says

      October 21, 2013 at 7:11 am

      Ha ha ha, yes, no zebra.. I love the lighting

    • Avatar for KeishaKeisha says

      October 28, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      Cara- Does she have a video baby monitor in her room? There have been stories of people hacking into those and talking to kids. Just fyi. Maybe ask her to draw a picture of what is so scary and then have her tell you about it. Hope you get it figured out.

  2. Avatar for KerryKerry says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:06 am

    I DIE for option 1! Love the gray and the stars! I wonder if you could find a fabric like that b/c I dig the warm tone option further down — it adds interest, color AND texture! What a delightful room for your little fairy bean!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Becky S.Becky S. says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:06 am

    I vote for either #2 or #3! I’m not going to lie, having that animal head above the bed is creepy. Or it could just be me and that I started watching American Horror Story: Coven last night!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:07 am

    I absolutely love idea #1! It plays in more with the twinkly lights idea to me, and looks great with the rest of the decor in the room :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for JackieJackie says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:33 pm

      I second that!

    • Avatar for JessicaLJessicaL says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:43 pm

      Yup! The Grey with stars!

    • Avatar for MarianneMarianne says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:40 pm

      Me three! I love it!

    • Avatar for JoannaJoanna says

      October 18, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      I think the first one is just perfect!!! And it’s not too busy and wouldn’t compete with other things you might add to the walls later.

    • Avatar for CarmenCarmen says

      October 19, 2013 at 5:53 pm

      I agree! Number 1 is my favorite! It plays well off of the other colors in the room and it adds a bit of fairytale whimsy.

  5. Avatar for Anele @ Success Along the WeighAnele @ Success Along the Weigh says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:07 am

    The lights are so cute and I love how much light they give off. Gotta admit I’m kind of jealous! :)

    #1 and 8 are my faves. Not really sure why but maybe it’s the dark contrast against the rest of the white. I like the bunting/banners in 8 to go with either one.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Rene @thedomesticladyRene @thedomesticlady says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:48 am

      I agree, #8 is my favorite! http://thedomesticlady.com/2013/10/18/thank-goodness-its-friday-and-my-perfect-world/

    • Avatar for SarahSarah says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:37 pm

      Agreed! #1 and 8.

  6. Avatar for TaniaTania says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Am I too old to want to have all of that?!? :P I love it! Maybe I should add some new things into our master bedroom remodel, hmmmm

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Mary | Lemon Grove BlogMary | Lemon Grove Blog says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    That’s got to be the best night light ever ;) Love the idea of wallpaper from Osborne And Little via inspiration pic #1!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Vidya @ Whats Ur Home StoryVidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Love teh lights. Though all of them are pretty I like #4 & #8.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Shannon @ Fabulously VintageShannon @ Fabulously Vintage says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    I’m leaning towards #1 and #8 too!!! :)

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Katie {deranchification}Katie {deranchification} says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Love the lights!! So many great photoshop options, but #1, #5, and #8 are my faves!!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Wendy @ New Moms TalkWendy @ New Moms Talk says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    We’re going to be clamming and thrifting for much of the weekend. It’ll be a pleasant relief to the sledge hammering from yesterday (3 hours total).

    We’re also hoping the massive pile of concrete pieces will be claimed by someone for free on Craigs List.

    When my hub commented on how he was impressed by my motivation to get this work done. I responded, “well, I cannot envision sledge hammering, crow barring, and jackhammering when pregnant. If we want a second one, this has to be done before that happens.”

    Reply
  12. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:08 am

    What about chalkboard paint so she can make her own design? I love all the options, though… and those fairy lights are adorable!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for amberamber says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm

      I love the chalk board paint idea. chalk dust could get messy on the bed covers, but it would be so much fun. I’d go with a non traditional chalk board paint color.

    • Avatar for DoreenDoreen says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      I like that idea too, although chalk dust would be a big problem.

      I think #1 is my fav.

      Love the lights!

  13. Avatar for AngelAngel says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:09 am

    I vote option #1 ALL THE WAY!!!

    Option #8 is runner up :)

    Reply
  14. Avatar for jenjen says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:09 am

    #4 and #8 were the ones that struck me most. I think it’s because of the little shot of pink ceiling in the top of the photos and that these two options tie in that part of the room along with other room colors.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for SaraSara says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:09 am

    I like option 1! They grey is the perfect simple accent for the room and won’t take away from the MAGIC of those lights! I like the charcoal too but I think the banner might be too much with the lights. Especially since Clara already has such fun colors and patterns in her pillows! You guys are genius! Anything you do will look fantastic!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:09 am

    #1 for sure!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for KristyKristy says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    I’m thinking you should just paint the full back wall whatever you decide… like an accent wall. If you ever remove the canopy for whatever reason, you won’t have an oddly painted shape on your wall.

    Reply
    • Avatar for AmeliaAmelia says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:14 am

      I’m with Kristy. It looks great photo shopped, but if the fabric moves in the slightest you are going to have either a bit of color poking out the top, or a white spot underneath. I like her idea of entire accent wall, perhaps with decals under the canopy.

    • Avatar for AlyssaAlyssa says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Agreed. If you’re going to paint, paint the whole wall and add wall art or other accents (3D?) to balance out the white door. Painting or adding that much color just under the canopy looks odd…and I love color and pattern!

    • Avatar for carolyncarolyn says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:56 am

      Read my mind! I don’t think just the silhouette will work well. I vote paint the whole back wall or hand posters, pictures, etc there. Even a bookshelf would be cute

    • Avatar for SammiSammi says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:19 pm

      My thoughts exactly! Even though she hasn’t moved the canopy now, it’s only a matter of time and that will drive you crazy when the lines don’t match up. While the concept is cool, it’s not practical, especially if you think about all the use the space will be getting.

      An accent wall would make rearranging the room much easier as Clara gets older.

      Also, please please please make sure that plug is out of Clara’s reach. I know you said it has been left alone until now, but as a former daycare employee I can tell you it only takes one, “look what I did!” to scare you into thoughts of her being shocked or worse.

      I love the lights though, I wasn’t really sold on the canopy until now :).

    • Avatar for AmyAmy says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm

      I’m with Kristy, with one caveat…. what if you use #6’s teardrops, call them raindrops, and leave the area under the canopy-umbrella “dry” by not painting in there.

    • Avatar for NicoleNicole says

      October 18, 2013 at 12:49 pm

      I agree completely with this train of thought too. An accent wall would look really great in here, that way if she does decide she doesn’t want a canopy one day (she can give it to me, lol) your wall is good to go. I LOVE option #1, the dark/white contrast, and it also plays off the grey in the rug. You could even put some tiny fairies in there too! Whatever you decide will be fab I know it!

    • Avatar for Nancy50Nancy50 says

      October 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm

      Another vote for painting the entire wall – it would drive me nuts if the canopy was askew and didn’t line up with the paint line. After the entire wall is painted the accent color then I like the colorful banners in #8. PS I love the lights and want some of my own!

    • Avatar for KateKate says

      October 18, 2013 at 1:35 pm

      I totally see the point in what everyone is saying here, but it’s just such a precious idea to have a special design under the canopy only as if that little corner of Clara’s world is more special than all the rest. May I suggest that you just add a bit of velcro to the back edges of the canopy and the wall so you can keep it in the right places to prevent it from slipping away from the edge of the painted backdrop. And if you don’t want to worry about velcro strips being on the wall permanently, you can use the adhesive from 3M command hooks to attach the strip to the wall so it’ll eventually come away clean.

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      Yes, that’s what I’ve been thinking! In the many weeks we’ve had it, it doesn’t shift much at all, and if I want to secure it more I’m sure velcro or little eye hooks or something could hold it in place pretty easily, so I don’t think that would be the sole reason to veto a design idea, but of course we’ll have to see what Clara likes!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      I agree that the full wall should be painted… but if you tied in #1 by doing vinyl stars in the area under the canopy? It’ll help draw focus to that area but then you can easily move the bed and remove the stars without having to repaint. Win win!

    • Avatar for Tiffany B.Tiffany B. says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      Amy said the raindrops with the under the bed “dry” I LOVE THAT! Plus you could use these clouds: http://www.dwellstudio.com/DwellStudio-Clouds-Sky-Papier-Mache-Wall-Decor-Set-of-3-B115-111-23-DWL4739.html
      in order to get your 3D effect! (although having this scheme under the canopy would also look cool!)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:46 pm

      Those are beautiful!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for SherSher says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:55 pm

      What about a dark gray with a clear dry erase paint? Think this: http://www.ideapaint.com/landing-pages/clear/

      You can get odorless markers and you don’t have to worry about chalk dust.

      All the ideas are super cute though :) Can’t wait to see what you choose!

    • Avatar for sfsf says

      October 19, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      Yes! I was also thinking the entire back wall was way too white. Photoshop a color onto the wall. It doesn’t have to be a strong color. Make it girly and definitely not white. White doors and trim “pop” against color, so don’t be afraid.

      BTW: I’m thinking the LED lights used in this article might work as a cascading effect behind sheer the curtains at the front of my house for Christmas. Not sure how to make it happen, because I’m not electrically inclined – but I need it to go the length and width of my front windows (which are huge – I’d need a 90 inch drop and more for the width). Is that a dumb or could it work? I’ve only seen LED lights in tubes, so I’m pretty much clueless about how to make this idea happen – but these look promising.

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 19, 2013 at 10:17 pm

      Sounds like it could definitely work SF! I would look for the longest lengths possible and hopefully you can get ‘er done!

      xo
      s

  18. Avatar for MarciMarci says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Sooooooooooooo cute with the fairy lights. I think I’m going to order some and then figure out how to incorporate them in my kids’ rooms since they’ll probably sell out now that you put it on your blog :-)

    Anyway, my vote would be idea #1…

    Reply
  19. Avatar for CourtneyCourtney says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    #8!!! Love love #8!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for JillianJillian says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    What about dark charcoal chalkboard paint with the banners? Thinking about good morning messages or a learning tool, but then it could turn into a frenzy of kids on the bed to write on it when she has friends over.

    Then again, as she grows with the room, maybe the bed could be replaced with a desk and she could use it in the future (with the canopy over the desk). :)

    Love the lights though. So fun!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:02 am

      For everyone asking about chalkboard paint, we added an update to the post (in #8) for ya! Thanks for all the ideas!

      xo
      s

  21. Avatar for KatKat says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Raindrops! Either one! :)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Alison @ The Whole Damn HouseAlison @ The Whole Damn House says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    I LOVE ideas #3 and #8. Either way, Clara is lucky to have such an awesome big girl room! I want those twinkle lights everywhere in my house! haha! :)

    Reply
  23. Avatar for CourtneyCourtney says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:10 am

    I love 8, 4, and 2. In that order.
    The first one is awesome, but the fairy lights are already kinda like stars. Can’t wait tot see what you do!!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for Rochelle GoreyRochelle Gorey says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Charcoal paint in number eight (see how it rhymes!!). Love it and cant believe I am the first to comment!!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for MonicaMonica says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    I really like the last one – it ties into the rug, so if you intend to keep that in Clara’s room, I would go with the dark grey. You could even do chalkboard paint, though I don’t know how you feel about the chalk/bed combo.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for CC says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Idea no. 1! It matches with the twinkle from the canopy

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Melissa BreauMelissa Breau says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    It’s so funny because I read that you wanted to add color and immediately inverted what you thought… so i was imagining color on the rest of the wall and leaving the section beneath the canopy white.

    Still, some of these are quite pretty and you always manage to pull something stellar off! Can’t wait to see what direction you go with it.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:16 am

      I think since there’s a door on that wall (to the closet) painting that wall as an accent wall might not look as balanced with a big rectangle of white on that side, ya know?

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for AnneAnne says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Sherry, you could always paint the door as well with the wall… ;-)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:09 am

      I guess, but then the issue is that there are two doors in the room (one on the other side of the room that leads to the hallway so it has to stay white like the rest) and I worry one painted door and one unpainted door might be weird. Who knows where we’ll end up though!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for BethanyBethany says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      What about painting both doors the same color as the ceiling? Then they pop, and wouldn’t look crazy odd witha fully painted accent wall?

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:57 pm

      I don’t know if they would. Especially since the one door leads into the hall where there are many other bedroom/bathroom doors converging and they’re all white, so I think we like the peacefulness of them all being the same color in the hallway. We’ll have to see what ends up happening though! Who knows, maybe down the line all of our doors will end up charcoal or something!

      xo
      s

  28. Avatar for MollyMolly says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Love the lights!!! I have Christmas lights above our bed/around the window… I might have to pick some of those up to replace them. [Our curious kitten, Oliver, chewed up the last set, we just bought new ones 3 days ago. Who knew kitties wanted Christmas light glass in their daily diet?] I LOVE the first option and the last one. I also really like 4, with the birds (= You are so creative!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for AllyAlly says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    #8!!!! Very playful!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Megan @ Rappsody in RoomsMegan @ Rappsody in Rooms says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Oooo I love 1, 6, and 8!! I love bringing in lots of bright colors there. It looks really nice and fun! Also, those lights are awesome! I totally agree about the bummer of the cord. I was thinking about hanging those around my sun room ceiling but the plug is in the middle of the wall. Now that just wouldn’t work!

    Reply
    • Avatar for hollyloohollyloo says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:44 am

      fyi: they make battery-operated ones as well. resto sold them last christmas.

  31. Avatar for BaileyBailey says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    I love the fairy lights addition to the canopy! How whimsical! I’d be so jealous of Clara if I were a 4-year-old buddy of hers. I like Idea #6 from above :)

    Bailey
    http://akabailey.blogspot.com

    Reply
  32. Avatar for AshleyAshley says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:11 am

    You could do chalkboard paint- then you could change up the background with a fun free hand mural that you could change with the seasons or holidays.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:15 am

      I thought about that for a second but thought chalk dust over the bed might not work for us. Maybe chalk markers though?

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for JenJen says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:29 am

      Chalkboard paint was my first thought, too! But yea, the chalk dust may do a number on the bedspread. I looked up chalk without dust and a product called Chalk Ink came up (http://www.chalkink.com/). Just a thought! Cute ideas! Can’t wait to be able to decorate a child’s room someday!

  33. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:12 am

    I love #7. Second choice #1! I’m sure it will look great no matter what though.

    Reply
    • Avatar for JennJenn says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      I love #7 too.

  34. Avatar for EricaErica says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:12 am

    I think painting everything outside the canopy could look pretty too. Photoshop skillz needed!

    Reply
    • Avatar for amyfaithamyfaith says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      I came here to say exactly this. I would paint OUTSIDE the canopy a medium-dark grey that plays well with the grey in the rug and curtains, and keep inside the canopy a light-filled island of calm.

    • Avatar for amyfaithamyfaith says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      Oh, and I’d paint the door and door frame grey too, so the wall is monochromatic and the bed really pops out.

  35. Avatar for BethBeth says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:12 am

    I love number 1 and number 7 the best. I really think #1 is going to look really magical at night with the lights on it. Cute ideas!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for KeeliaKeelia says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:12 am

    All cute ideas, but I do remember as a kid my parents having to take down any posters or pictures with big faces on them (I remember a Cookie Monster poster in particular) because while I loved it during the day, at night it looked scary to me…I think the Zebra or animal head could have that same effect…

    Reply
  37. Avatar for AllieAllie says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Love the ideas and lights! I personally think the gray with stars or zebra head would be best with what you already have!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I really like the first photoshop rendering with the twinkle lights; it goes with the fairly lights theme. I was thinking leaving the wall white behind there and then adding colourful birds or something (similar to idea #4). That would be a nice punch of colour!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for SkeeterSkeeter says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I love #1, #4, and #8. If you did #8 you could do it in a chalk board paint and then she could draw the rest of her castle, dragons, princesses etc. I wonder how messy the chalk would be over the bed though. Any of the options would be super cute though!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:15 am

      Yeah, that’s what I wondered. There are chalk markers, but they’re not as sweet as chalk (but chalk over the bed just sounds like a bad call).

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for NancyNancy says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:20 am

      A chalkboard wall was my first thought too, with a bucket of fat chalks – I bought handles for mine so they’re not messy to hold. I suppose it could still get messy, tho – darn!!

      What about a mirror – maybe even cut to size? Or is that too Vegas? A mirror with some self-stick thingamajigs – what are they called? Window stickers, but they’re not stickers, you can move them around. Kids LOVE mirrors! And it’d add to the light in the room and also be customizable with movable decals thingies….

      I loved all the photoshopped pics tho!!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:32 am

      We thought about a mirror but I wondered if that wouldn’t be as fun as something else like a paper lantern or banner or something more 3D so we’ll have to see where we end up!

      xo
      s

  40. Avatar for TianaTiana says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I love the hand painted raindrops! I also like the charcoal grey. It actually reminded me of a chalkboard, & I thought that would be cool. It also kind of makes it look like a cave, with her canopy & the banners being a grand entrance to some make-believe world. … Now I don’t know which I love more!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for JenBJenB says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I love the lights! So sweet. My boys would destroy it in a minute:( Oh well! But as for the peak behind the bed, my eyes were particularly drawn to the first one (gray with stars) and the last one, (gray with colorful banners). I love how the gray plays into/complements the grayish blue tones in the carpet and the curtain. I think the lights would reflect so nicely on the dark wall at night. Ah, to have little girls! Maybe I’ll just make a canopy for ME!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for emem says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I vote for number 3 because I know that is what my 6 year old girl would like. But, I would let Clara choose. Also, I think it needs a little chandelier. Maybe even that little ribbon one from Clara’s closet in the last house? I love the fairy lights and am trying to think of where we could use them in my kid’s room!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the grey!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for AnneMarieAnneMarie says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:13 am

    I love option 8! You could even do chalkboard paint and leave her goodnight or good morning messages :)

    Reply
  45. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

    I am digging the charcoal or gray. What if you did it in chalkboard paint, so Clara (and friends) could color on the walls. You could always switch up what is there, hand draw some things on the wall and change at will? Now I’m wanting a chalkboard wall at my house!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

      I wondered that for a second but thought chalk dust over the bed might not work for us. Maybe chalk markers though?

      xo
      s

  46. Avatar for JenniJenni says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

    I love the idea of the fabric. Would add texture and nice pop of color and when get tired of it a super easy upgrade with new fabric!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for Shelly M.Shelly M. says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

    I love idea #1! Clara can dream under the stars. Maybe you could even use some of the glow-in-the dark paint I have seen, and they could glow for her at night for awhile as she drifts off to dreamland :)

    Reply
  48. Avatar for gemma@thesweetestdigs[email protected] says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Oooh I think you nailed it with option 1!! It’s so pretty and adds to the magic of the space.

    I did a colourful raindrop mobile for my little gal out of felt (like idea #6) and it turned out so sweetly: http://thesweetestdigs.com/2013/07/08/project-nursery-a-diy-raindrop-mobile/

    Have fun!! Aren’t doing kids rooms/nurseries just the best?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:02 am

      So cute!

      xo
      s

  49. Avatar for CarolineCaroline says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

    I like the first option too, particularly the stars? Have you thought about vinyl wall stickers? I’d get some trees, and have a whole night-time forest under there. (Yeesh, I’m 33 years old and now I’m seriously debating this for my own bedroom!).

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:18 am

      That would be fun too!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for Michelle MMichelle M says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:42 am

      Oooo that would be fun! Maybe with little paper lantern strings from “branch” to “branch”

    • Avatar for ErinYErinY says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:51 am

      I’ve always loved this wall paper: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/368380444490532250/

      It could be interesting while not being completely stand-outish, so it could still be a fun back drop for other elements like the bunting and/or animal head.

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 11:59 am

      That’s really fun!!!

      xo
      s

  50. Avatar for AlexiaAlexia says

    October 18, 2013 at 10:14 am

    The last option inspired a suggestion. What about chalkboard paint in that space? The Clara can decorate it any way she please!

    Reply
    • Avatar for AlexiaAlexia says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:15 am

      *Then… mistakes in my comments drive me nuts!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 10:18 am

      We thought about that for a second but thought chalk dust over the bed might not work for us. Maybe chalk markers though?

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for NatashaNatasha says

      October 18, 2013 at 1:40 pm

      I’ve never had good experiences with chalk markers – they don’t erase well! If you find a good brand, let us know.

    • Avatar for NancyNancy says

      October 18, 2013 at 1:51 pm

      I like “The Clara”! ;-) I have a niece named Hadley and she refers to herself as “The Had.” If you ask her what it’s like being The Had, she’ll say, “Not bad.” lol

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      Haha!

      xo
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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