Is it possible to experience an actual cuteness overload? Because every time I step into Olivia’s newly transformed room, I find myself wanting to spend endless hours dancing, playing dress-up, and soaking in the joyful atmosphere. Her bedroom makeover is now officially complete, and the results are truly enchanting!
Since putting the final touches on this space, I’ve noticed a wonderful change: story time before bed has become significantly longer each night. What was once just a routine has evolved into a cherished ritual, made infinitely more cheerful and comforting by the room’s inviting new ambiance. It’s a testament to how much a thoughtfully designed space can impact daily life.
A Vision Realized: From Drab to Dreamy
To truly appreciate the transformation, it’s important to look back at where we started. This space, up until just a couple of months ago, was far from the vibrant sanctuary it is today. It served its purpose, but lacked the personality and comfort we knew it could possess.
The Before & The Plan
And here’s a peek at the initial design plan. While we often begin with a solid vision, the beauty of a DIY project lies in its organic evolution. We rarely stick to the plan 100%, allowing for creative detours and unexpected discoveries along the way. This flexibility often leads to an even more personalized and unique outcome.
Fortunately, the walls were already painted a lovely shade of purple, which Olivia adored, embracing a “purple phase” for a year. This gave us some breathing room before we could tackle this room and officially cross it off our extensive makeover to-do list. However, beneath the purple charm, several elements urgently needed attention. The $20 thrift store bed was precariously rickety, constantly on the verge of collapse, and the existing rug bore stains of unknown origin, indicating a clear need for a complete refresh. The entire room was crying out for a perk-up, a jolt of new energy and style. And now, after much planning and elbow grease, here we are!
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Crafting a “Big Girl” Dream: Longevity and Style
A significant part of this little girl bedroom makeover involved a crucial purge. When moving into a new house, it’s often challenging to discern what to keep and what to sell or donate. This bedroom makeover provided the perfect impetus to declutter and organize, allowing us to only keep items Olivia truly cherished and needed. This not only created more space but also contributed to a calmer, more serene environment.
Designing for Growth: A Space to Last
One of our primary goals for this girl’s bedroom design was longevity. We opted for a slightly more “big girl” aesthetic, hoping this setup will comfortably last her for the next 5 to 10 years, well into her middle school, or even early high school years. Olivia is currently just shy of six, but we know those pre-teen years will arrive in the blink of an eye. By choosing adaptable elements and a timeless theme, we’ve created a space that can evolve with her, avoiding the need for another full overhaul too soon.
The Enchanting Butterfly Theme
During our initial planning session, Olivia had just one request: butterflies. This simple yet profound desire became the cornerstone of our butterfly bedroom theme. Butterflies symbolize transformation, hope, and joy—perfect sentiments for a growing child’s space. To fulfill her wish, I discovered this exquisite kaleidoscope-look wallpaper, featuring subtle butterflies hidden within its intricate pattern, which became the stunning focal wall.
Thrifty Finds & Creative DIY Projects: Anthropologie Style on a Budget
Achieving a beautiful, designer-look room doesn’t always require a hefty budget. Many of the standout pieces in Olivia’s room are the result of thrifty makeovers and clever DIY projects, giving us that coveted Anthropologie-inspired style without the matching price tag. I managed to score a charming dresser on Craigslist, which, with a little love and paint, was transformed into a beautiful storage solution. Above it, we proudly hung a custom-made butterfly shadow box, a true labor of love and a focal point of the room.
The Dresser & Sentimental Shadow Box
The butterfly shadow box, an incredibly personal touch, started with a 60% off find from Michael’s. Inside, I carefully arranged paper butterflies that I printed, cut out, and glued, creating a beautiful entomological display. But it’s the inclusion of special keepsakes that truly makes this piece irreplaceable:
…along with some of our most cherished family mementos, like the delicate rattle her grandfather carved specifically for her, Robert’s very first teddy bear, and a beloved Shel Silverstein collection, from which she loves reading poems almost every single night. These personal touches infuse the room with warmth and history, making it truly Olivia’s own.
A Dancer’s Delight: The DIY Ballet Barre
One feature Olivia insisted on recreating from her previous bedroom was her beloved DIY ballet barre. She is absolutely obsessed with it, and honestly, I don’t blame her! My inner five-year-old is a little jealous. It provides her with a dedicated space to practice her moves, express herself, and simply dance whenever the mood strikes, fostering her creativity and active spirit.
Cozy Corners & Dreamy Details
To illuminate the space, we replaced the old, outdated light fixture with a gorgeous beaded semi-flush mount. It works perfectly as a makeshift chandelier, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy to her 8-foot ceilings without overwhelming the room.
The shaky, collapsing bed was swiftly replaced by a fantastic metal canopy bed, which we snagged on sale for a mere $200. This bed isn’t just for sleeping; it’s a fortress, a spaceship, a secret hideaway! Olivia absolutely adores using it for building forts on the weekends. Every Saturday night, we drape quilts over the top and tie up sheets along the sides, transforming it into a magical tent for indoor camp-outs and imaginative adventures.
To enhance her bedding, I selected a beautiful chenille bedspread. It layers wonderfully over her existing duvet, providing a rich texture that complements the patterned wallpaper without clashing, and instantly infuses the room with a charming, vintage feel. The fun blush textured pillows were a delightful discovery at HomeGoods, perfectly pairing with the stunning beaded butterfly pillow that Olivia herself picked out – a piece that, in fact, truly sparked the entire butterfly bedroom idea for her.
The elegant nightstands, originally destined for our master bedroom, found their perfect home here. They harmonize beautifully with her Craigslist dresser, creating a cohesive and stylish look. These, too, were a Craigslist find that I lovingly restored with extensive veneer patching and a fresh coat of paint. And her charming baroque table lamps were yet another thrift store score, given a quick but impactful makeover to fit the room’s aesthetic.
Just this past weekend, this little girl celebrated her ballet recital, but I have a strong feeling her dancing won’t stop there. She’s sure to keep twirling and leaping throughout the summer, right here in her beautiful new room. This girl never, ever stops dancing! Whether it’s the grocery store, the parking lot, or the playground – you name the place, and she’s likely dancing there. Her bedroom now provides the perfect stage for her boundless energy and creativity.
What’s Next? A New Chapter Begins!
It feels incredibly satisfying to have this space completed, especially as we’ve unexpectedly embarked on a HUGE makeover in another room of the house – a project I’ll be sharing more about later this week! The momentum of home transformation is truly contagious.
Shop the Look: Sources & DIY Tutorials
If you’ve fallen in love with any of the elements in Olivia’s dreamy butterfly bedroom and wish to recreate them, you’re in luck! Below is a comprehensive list of all the sources, including paint colors, furniture, decor, and links to our detailed DIY tutorials for many of the handmade pieces. We believe in sharing our best tips and tricks so you can bring similar magic into your own home.
- Wall color: Behr My Sweetheart
- Trim/ceiling color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Door color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
- Wallpaper
- Canopy bed
- Light fixture
- Wool knit rug
- Chenille bedspread set (similar)
- Throw blanket
- Beaded pillow
- Bamboo Roman shades
- Pom pom curtains
- Curtain rods
- Gray bud vase
- Bushel and a peck sign (similar)
- Shel Silverstein book set
- Trellis mirrors
- Ballet barre (tutorial)
- Large butterflies (spray painted with white)
- Nightstands (makeover tutorial)
- Lamps (makeover tutorial)
- Butterfly shadow box (tutorial + printable)
- Dresser (makeover tutorial)
- Butterfly terrarium (makeover tutorial)
With Olivia’s room successfully completed, our next big project will be the nursery! I have a feeling that transforming this room will present its own set of challenges, especially as my belly continues to grow. However, I am absolutely determined to create a beautiful, welcoming space for our newest addition. You can explore some of the nursery ideas I’ve been pinning so far here. Eek! The excitement is building!
Until then, I’m savoring every precious minute of this “only-child” life with my sweet girl. She is incredibly excited to meet her baby sister in October and is (hopefully!) going to be a fantastic little helper. This new chapter brings so much joy and anticipation, and we can’t wait to share more of our home transformation journey with you.
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