One Room Challenge, Week 6 – Kids’ Room -The Big Reveal
So, I have been participating in this challenge called the One Room Challenge hosted by Linda from Calling It Home. The idea is to transform a room in 6 weeks. I have been working on my kids’ room and today is the big reveal day. You can catch up to what I have been up to here:
Week 1 // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5
These 6 weeks have been full of busy weekends and physical (and mental) exertion, but that is all over, and I am very, VERY proud with the results. My kids’ room looks so good, but you can judge that by yourself.
Let’s get to the photos because that is what you are all here for. First, here are the before pictures, so you can be reminded of all that ugliness:
And here are the after photos of that same space. Be ready to be impressed!
In the beginning, I was afraid the dark wallpaper and walls would darken the space too much so, to brighten it up, I painted one wall and the ceiling in true white. I chose Decorator’s White from Benjamin Moore. It was the perfect choice for the space. For the light fixture, I chose IKEA’s shade Overud. It is a beautiful statement and it matches the copper tone of the walls. It was super coincidental because I went to IKEA one day and didn’t find any lamp I liked, but I had to go back the week after to get some other things and I took a moment to walk around the lamp section again, just in case. Well, lucky me because that time I found the Overud shade hanging in all its glory. They had hung it the day before I came back! It was so lucky. I saw it and I knew immediately that this was the light fixture the space needed. Won’t you agree?
But, the best part of this room is, without a doubt, that Underwater World wallpaper from Hygge & West. It is so dramatic and gorgeous! It has beautiful copper details that I didn’t want to cover with a bunch of art, so I decided to paint the fourth wall in the same blue tone and create a gallery wall. Here is the result:
Half of the art in here are vintage finds from thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets. The other half was art created by me. I took all the photos and painted the yellow/black painting, plus, I painted the solid emerald and black paintings on the top left – I like having solid colors in a gallery wall to give a break to the eye. All the frames are from IKEA. The panda accent is from Target – I thought it would be a cute addition to the gallery wall adding some movement to the straight lines.
I also fixed the old dresser, added corners from Home Depot and pulls from Orchard Supply Hardware and you can see the result above. Isn’t it cute? So much better than how it looked before (see before photos above). I also painted the door with a darker and more orange yellow (Lemon from Benjamin Moore) and it looks a million times better than the light yellow I had before.
The chair was a thrift store find that George did years ago. It is an old fake Eames chair that we reupholstered in white leather. It used to live in the living room, but it looks so good in this space, I might leave it here. The rug is from Anthropologie. The toy storage units are Trofast from IKEA – I painted them emerald and the reason why is here. – they are a great way of storing the kids’ toys because they are easy to access. I bought the plants and planters locally at Rolling Greens, the best (and most expensive) nursery in the West Side. They have the best plant selection and the staff is always so nice to me and my kids; I really love this nursery. The black planter is from IKEA. Paintings are vintage finds.
For the books, we built floating bookshelves. In this post I wrote details about how we built them and why we chose to do floating shelves. I really like the result, don’t you?
Bookends and other decorations on the shelves are vintage finds. The books are real books for kids that my children actually read! Can you spot the golden Nate Berkus lions in the photo above? I love those lions. 
The idea was to have a bright, beautiful, fun, and functional room. The bunk bed is from IKEA. I bought it in pine finish and painted it with Decorator’s White, to match the walls. The bedding and pillows are from target. That little copper light is from West Elm. I bought it last year and I don’t think they have it available anymore.
The photos above the beds are mine. Frames are from IKEA. I wanted to have black and white photos and frames in this part of the wall- something muted but elegant. At this point, I didn’t want to keep on bringing more color and noise into the room, so these photos seemed like the perfect choice. Also, they were taken in Punta Arenas, Chile, were I am from, so they are a little reminder of my home – I wish I could get rid of the reflection on the photos, but this is the best I could do:
How cute is that white vase with the tulips? I bought it in the Flower Market in DTLA. I got the hand at the Rose Bowl.
The paintings above are from the Rose Bowl and a estate sale. 
Those vintage school chairs are also from a estate sale. As soon as I saw them I felt in love. They are so darn cute! and the perfect size.
In the photo above you can take a closer look at how the dresser turned out. Do you love it as much as I do? Specially after drilling more than a 100 holes to put those corners from Home Depot. 
It all came together so nicely and this guy and I are so happy. 
Remember my big GIF fail from last week? Well, this week I tried harder and I think I succeeded! Take a look at how I built the gallery wall:
This is the first time I decorate a room from scratch and photograph it. I think it was a major success, if you ask me. Who would have thought I could pull it together? I am already thinking about the next One Room Challenge and what I could do. I just need more rooms to work with. Maybe you are interested in a room upgrade?
I hope you like how the room turned out. I LOVE to read your comments, so, please, don’t hesitate to write your thoughts. I always answer.
Also, some posts on where to find wallpaper for your nursery, how to paint your own walls, and, cute art for your kids’ room.
This is AMAZING!! I love EVERYTHING about the space. I am so jealous of that Eames Chair!… What a lucky find!!!! <3 Great JOB!
The Eames chair was a lucky find and he bought it for cheap, too!
MIla – You knocked this out of the park – it is all fabulous. All the personal, thoughtful touches make the room sing. I especially love the gallery wall and the dresser with the brass accents…but perhaps best of all – the underwater wallpaper…oh, and the yellow door…hmm…I really do love it all! Great job.
Thanks, Jeanne. I am excited to see your final reveal too.
??? maravilloso
Hola linda. Gracias. A ver cuánto dura… jaja
Mila it looks SO GOOD! I love this room on its own but it’s even better knowing how big this transformation has been. Love the wallpaper, the gallery wall, the Eames chair… honestly everything! Congrats!
Thanks, Arielle. I had so much fun doing this and it was such a new experience for me, as I had never done a full room decoration. It was super rewarding. I can’t wait to do the next one.
quedó wenisimo! seca!!
Gracias, Chapecín. No está mal para ser mi primer intento! Pero lo mejor es que lo pasé super bien haciéndolo!
Mila – The room looks fabulous. I love what you have done. And George too. The dreser turned out great with the corner pieces. What a big difference that little detail makes. i bet the boys are glad your done. All your hard work has paid off.
The kids are so happy! Thanks, Kathy. Sometimes you can do small, easy changes that create a big impression. Thanks again!
The room looks amazing. I love everything about it. Congratulations, what an awesome accomplishment. The boys must be so happy with their new room!!
Thanks, Carina. I feel very accomplished… ha! at least for the next 24 hours… 🙂
I am a sucker for gallery walls, especially ones with fun and unique/special details. So of course I love yours! And you did such a good job on the dresser! It all turned out so great!
Thanks, Tilisa. It was a lot of work but I am a little bit sad now that is all over… crazy, isn’t?
I love the way this turned out! That wallpaper is so amazing! Your gallery wall is probably my favorite part though. I love how it filled that space.
Thanks, Emy. I am happy you like it. It is very eclectic and colorful…
Mila! It looks so amazing. Every detail comes together so nicely.
Thanks, Madeline. It was a lot of work, as you know! ha
GORGEOUS!!!!! Congratulations for you and G.
Victor looks so happy with his room!!! You need to come and decorate my place in stgo next year!!!
Como que G? si lo hice yo! ja. Oye, feliz te decoro la pieza en Stgo pero debes hacer al 100% lo que you diga. linda
oh my goodness i adore this! love the eclectic mix- the paper, the gallery wall, but that chair wins it all for me! 😉
I am so happy you like it, Cassie! and, yes, that chair is cute. My husband is a good thrift store finder… just like you!
The POPS of vibrant colors look FANTASTIC!!! That is one very lucky little guy!
yes! The pops of colors were very important for me and V… Children like color! Thanks, Renee
OMG! Gorgeous room. Loving that wallpaper and the light and all the details.
The wallpaper is my favorite too! The best thing about this room is all the light it gets, too… that is why I could choose such a dark wallpaper
i LOVE (insert heart eyed emoticon) love love love this room. You’ve done such a great job adding in so many details to make it feel full and yet so cozy and comfortable. Love the dresser and how you painted the trofast units green!
haha! You made me laugh with the insert heart eyed emoticon. My sister has been able to add emojis to a comment, I need to ask her how. In any case, I am so happy you liked the trofast units green! I was worried they were too much color, but I think they turned out nicely. Thank you so much!
There’s so much goodness here, I don’t know where to start! First off, that wallpaper is stunning. And I’m a big fan of art galleries on dark walls. I hope your sons enjoy their room for many years!
Thanks, Leslie! I am happy you like art galleries on dark walls… they can be moody but cute. The wallpaper is amazing, isn’t? I am very happy with that decision.
This turned out great! Love the light against the wallpaper!
thanks, Danielle. I think the light was one of the best finds for me… it was so lucky that IKEA had it and I really like how it looks in this room.
New visitor, and wanted to say that I LOVED your ORC. Very cute and not too “kid-ish” but just the right amount of whimsy. Love also that you have plants in thre as it teaches kids responsibility to watch over them growing up.
Bravo, will be checking in going forward.
Justynn! You are right. I need to tell my kids to take care of the plants… I hadn’t even thought about it. ha! thanks for stopping by
Wow! It looks amazing!!!! Love the wallpaper, the colors, the art, love it all…
Thank you, Evelyn. and thanks for helping me with that dresser!!!! It was mainly your idea!!!!
All I can say is WOW!!! This transformation is simply amazing! Beautiful job. Love the wall treatment and gallery wall!!!
I am so happy you like it! Really appreciate your comment!
This room is fantastic! Such a great design and I love all of the art and details that you put into the space. This is a room your kiddos can really age with! Love every nook and cranny!
It takes time to get nice details for a room. I have been collecting things for so long, it was nice to put everything together into one nice space. Thanks, Krystle!
That fixture!!!!! OMG.
And girl. Gallery wall PERFECTION. And dresser perfection too. LOVE!!!
Cheers! xx
I am so happy people are liking the gallery wall… I was afraid it was going to be too eclectic, but I like the final result… thanks, Elise.
Oh Mila, love the mix of old and new in your son’s space! And he is sooooo Cute! I can see the happiness in his eyes and how proud he is of his new space! Love all the art and that fantastic wallpaper! Congrats and cheers to us for another room done!
Cheers to us, indeed! It was so much work, wasn’t? Thanks for the encouragement.
Love this transformation! I think that wallpaper totally makes this space. This room is cool and collected my favorite style!
What a complement coming from you. Your room is one of my favorites! I definitely wanted to go for an eclectic but collected style. thanks!
This looks INCREDIBLE! And that wallpaper is beautiful. Super, super impressed, Mila. And what a happy kiddo! Gorgeous job, lady!
(Also that GIF – wow!)
Evelyn!!! I am so happy you like it! Maybe you can come and visit the room in person some time? thanks for the encouragement!
That rug works beautifully with the wallpaper. I love how this room turned out. Nice job.
Choosing the rug wasn’t easy! I had a lot of friends giving me advice, I ended up choosing something more muted.. I really like it. thanks for noticing!
My jaw dropped when I saw that first “after picture”. You have completely transformed this room. It’s amazing. So many things to love: the wall paper is gorgeous, and your dresser makeover turned out beautifully. Amazing job!
Thanks, Eric. I think I might have overdone it with the before pictures, so the after photos look twice as good as they really are!
Girrrrrrrl, you did an awesome job! I love how eclectic it is and all the small touches. Beautiful!!!
You helped with the floating shelves decision, so thanks to you!!!!
The rug! The yellow door!! So fun! So eclectic. I love it!
That is what I was going for! Eclectic. Thanks, Heather!
AMAZING! I love everything about this room. I just want to transplant it into my house, m’kay?
haha! Sure, Teri. Thanks!
What a transformation! I love all of your details, but that light fixture rocks!
Thanks, Kristin!
That wallpaper is an incredible backdrop for the room and I totally agree with that the light fixture is perfect! Love the way you pulled everything together!
Thanks, Melissa. Means a LOT coming from you!
So gorgeous! I am in love with this room. All that art! The ORC can be addicting. Watch out. 🙂
Super addicting, I am already thinking about what to do next…
I am in love with this gorgeous wallpaper!!!
And all the colours that you put around the room make it so playful!
Well done 🙂
Very colorful! I hope the kids take care of it. I loved your nursery makeover BTW— one of my favorites.
Oh my goodness, here is a HUGE virtual round of applause for you! The room turned out so, SO good! I absolutely love it – from the wallpaper, to the yellow door, to the gorgeous collected art! Absolutely wonderful!
Brynne! Thanks for stopping by. I am so happy you liked it!
My oh my – this is a total transformation than the before! I think I wanna be a kid again to find a space like this. I am so glad you were able to pull this off – your son looks so relieved! White paint really brightened up the space and that redone dresser is a show stopper. Looks beautiful!
BTW: I got to say, you have inspired me with the bunk bed from IKEA. We looked at the same one for our girls room but I never thought of painting it to match. For sure, if we decided to get it, paint may become it’s best friend:)
That pine finish is perfect for paint! we haven’t even had a chip of color coming off it. I am sure it would be a great choice. Thanks, Zan.
What a fabulous kid’s room. The wallpaper is such a great starting point and that light fixture is perfect. Love the artwork.
Hey, Brenda. I really appreciate your comment! You are right, the wallpaper was the starting point and the decoration was decided around that. it was an inspiring starting point!
Wow! Love the wallpaper, love all the greenery and vintage touches, love that light, and that chair looks awesome in there! You’ve done such an awesome job!
Yes, those chairs were a really cute find! Thanks, Lizzie!
Wow! What an awesome transformation. I love everything about it! Great job!
Thanks, Erin! I am really happy you liked it!
What an absolutely amazing transformation! I absolutely love all that you changed up in this room. I am in love with that wallpaper! Congrats and hope you are all enjoying the new space!
Thank you so much! Your transformation is one of my favorites, btw.
Guauuu qué cambio…un trabajo increíble y muy creativo con un resultado precioso y de todo mi gusto.
Cada detalle fue muy bien logrado.
Felicitaciones Mila y George y sus pequeños ayudantes
Hola! Gracias, mami. Mi fan número 1! jeje
Love the room, happy client 🙂
Thanks, Linda
There is so much that I love about this room! The blue walls, the wallpaper, the dresser, the art combos!
It looks awesome! You did a great job and it looks like you have one happy little guy!
– Jaclyn
Yes, my little boy is so happy with the room! It is so cute to see, thanks, Jaclyn.
Love how much character you added to this room! The wallpaper is genius, love the thrifted art pieces and chair and the light fixture, styling, rug, and your little model. Handsome! The before and after pictures are unreal. Pinning!!
Thank you so much, Kathy. I still think that your kitchen project is one of the best ORC’s so far. What you did with those cabinets is amazing!
Late to the party but amazing transformation indeed! :). (Just finished looking back through the articles I missed out on while I was in-transition coming over to the UK is why). Love this room so much… you’ve certainly managed to make it pack a lot of punch into an actually pretty small space. And of course, it looks so lovely!
Thanks, Elise! I am happy you are liking it over there. Living in Europe is on my bucket list. Hopefully I can get to it one day. I am really excited for you!
Absolutely wonderful!!!! I adore the gallery wall and the book shelf with Eames chair is so pretty. Great makeover!!
Thanks, Stephanie. The Eames chair made all the difference, I think.
Surfing your old posts, what a fantastic transformation! Love your blog, got lost reading for an hour. 🙂
Alison! That means so much to me! really, thank you so much!