When I was growing up and my parents would take us to open houses for fun, my little sister and I always picked the most interesting room as “ours”: the one with the secret compartment, the one with the biggest windows, etc. If we were to tour Kristin’s house, I’m sure the attic they transformed into their daughter Ella’s bedroom would take the cake by a landslide… and quickly turn into a big fight between my sister and I about who had “dibs.” Here’s Kristin’s letter all about it:
Hi guys! I’ve been torn for a while about which project to submit, but I’m going to go with my daughter Ella’s room because a) the story involves dead pigeons – and what good renovation story doesn’t? – and b) it’s not a kitchen – our kitchen still kind of stinks – and c) you seem to enjoy a good kid’s room with lots of play value and the flexibility to change things up. So here’s the story.
When we first saw our home, we were drawn to the mansard roof and the attic beyond. Undeterred by the deteriorated brick walls, the water damaged wood, or the pigeon remains, we saw the possibility in that attic for a treetop bedroom and we were sold.
Demolition began and we removed the rotted pine flooring and salvaged a single wall made of tongue and groove pine.
Then we designed wardrobes (we had them fabricated at a local millwork shop) that went in, providing storage and a hiding place for the ductwork that serves this floor and the one below. Next, we covered the exposed rafters and installed beadboard in between.
The best part? Those old pine boards were installed on the front wall, adding texture to a wall that has become an ever-changing activity and display wall for our daughter’s creativity.
See the map sitting in front of those boards on that angled wall? They’re hard to notice in the photos but are really great in real life. The view of the Gateway Arch and the summer fireworks from that dormer are just icing on the cake.
I’ll include a before and after of the mansard we rebuilt (well, mostly my husband did since I was pregnant and then we had a newborn. The mansard is an integral part of her room, but was an expensive necessity! So I always joked to Ella that she had the most expensive nursery on the block (slate and copper ain’t cheap, but our own labor is!) Enjoy! – Kristin
If you wanna read and see more of Kristin’s makeover, hit up her blog for the full scoop on what a lucky girl that little Ella is. Thanks for sharing Kristin! Now, who wants to fight me for that room?
Hi,
I am Ella’s Nana, and I, along with her other three grandparents, helped clean out the pigeon poop in the attic. While awaiting Ella’s arrival, I insisted that Kristin go ahead with the hand painted tiles, The Little Prince.
In fact, on a visit I sat beside Kristin for hours as she began the painting. She even let me paint a pale blue background on one of the tiles. The room is awesome; however, even the lovely photographs don’t do it justice. Ella is a lucky young lady, but her grandparents are truly the blessed ones!
Aw, so sweet!
xo,
s
I LOVE the blue on the ceiling!! Mind sharing the paint color?
I love your blog!! My hubby and I are 2 weeks into a major flooring remodel (much trickier than I expected) but you guys make it easier (its nice to see DIY experts still run into little speedbumps too). Keep up the awesome work :)
Best “How-to” video in the history of How-to videos. No, in the history of ALL videos! Thanks for making me laugh while also teaching me that I can do stuff like that, too!
Aw thanks MaryB!
xo,
s
from a native st. Louisan, awesome!!! so bright and cheery and such a cool space to be in. i am constantly amazed at what you can do to change a space with some work!!
I did not pay my mother to write that comment above, but she’s correct. I give the parents and in-laws plenty of props in my blog for all the pigeon poo cleaning – and for helping us out in tons of ways over the last 11 years. We thought we’d be forever in their debt, but we’ve made it up to them pretty well with the granddaughters! :)
I’m working on that blue paint color – I’ve had a billion emails on it. I think I have it somewhere on file. And I know it was painted twice. My husband was not smiling the second time around (because the first right blue just wasn’t…right!)
Wow, that is awesome!
Crazy transformation! Loving all the white and built ins, it looks like this space has been there the whole time.
Fabulous foresight to see what adding the window would do. It’s beautiful! Something so special about an attic room. Love it!
coolest bedroom… EVVVVVVEEEEER! They did an amazing job. That is one lucky little girl :)
That is an UNbelievable transformation! I’m so impressed!
I always think slanted walls like that look so cozy :)
Great pick! This is an inspiring room!
I love this! I like how they used the unusual shapes and spaces to make the room even better. I’d love to hear from Kristin about how they figured out where to put all the cabinetry and nooks, etc.
Stop by the blog later this weekend. I’m putting together a post on the bedroom that should answer a lot of the questions I’ve been emailed about. Sherry and John are pros at this. I’m not used to all of these questions! :)
Haha, thanks Kristin! That’s so helpful!
xo,
s
wow, stunning! what a gorgeous reno!
So I totally expect Peter Pan to fly into that dormer window and whisk Ella off to Never Never Land. It’s just such a magical room. *Swoon*
What a sweet room and amazing transformation {not only the adorable space itself, but that mansard}. Great job, Kristin!
What a beautiful, cozy, happy room! I love it but I won’t fight John for it. He has Clara on his side and I’ve seen how that child can body slam stuffed monkeys and Santa balloons. :)
Haha, it’s true. That girl won’t back down…
xo,
s
Wow, I was very anti-white walls after living in apartments for so long; but, this definitely has me rethinking my no white walls (a la no wire hangers) philosophy. It looks very classy and clean.
Beautiful transformation! Excellent job. I absolutely love it.
Kids rooms have always been my favorite! This one is AMAZING!
It’s very nice. Wish they left the brick exposed.