Savoir-Flair: The Flamingo's Retreat

Earlier this summer, a friend called me in need of some serious design help. She and her husband have two girls, ages 7 and 3, AND a baby on the way. With little brother due in October, the girls' rooms needed to be shuffled around by August so that her daughters could adjust to their new surroundings before school started.

Her younger daughter's room was to be the main focus, as the Little Sis was inheriting her older sister's old room as well as its furniture. (Big Sis moved to the FROG.) My sweet friend and her husband wanted their little one to feel like she was in an entirely new space that was all her own. And the only other request that came directly from my littlest client was that the room had to feel like the beach! Enter the Flamingo's Retreat...

BEFORE:

Older sister's furniture was a combination of new pieces and hand-me-downs. Luckily, the pieces' styles matched but Big Sis had made her mark with a few special stickers on the bedside table and nightstand. My clients and I decided that the furniture was going to need a fresh coat of paint...and while we're at it, let's just make it turquoise! The room also showcased a few wall decals and special murals. They were sweet but the walls were going to require a fresh coat of paint to transport us to the Flamingo's beach. I also was tasked with finding new bedding, which needed to be completely machine washable; a new rug and updated blackout curtains. We also discussed a new furniture arrangement...

THE DESIGN SCHEME:

I gave the Little Flamingo's retreat some beachy vibes without getting too literal. The walls were painted Dolphin's Cove and furniture lacquered in Mexicali Turquoise. I chose several different patterns from Serena & Lily to create the bedding and tied all of these candy colors together with the most perfect and durable Dash & Albert rug. The icing on the cake was the vintage map of Wilmington I found on Etsy and the adorable pom pom curtains! We also created a little reading nook so that the Flamingo can check out her favorite books and do her best learning in the comfort of her own room.

THE RESULT:

The Little Flamingo absolutely loves her new room and her parents are thrilled to see her so excited! I had no idea how much a three-year-old could understand design but this little one sure does! She and her stuffed animals love their cozy new bedding and she has made great use of the reading nook. I'm so thrilled I got to be involved with such a fun and special project. It's a room that invokes cheer and fun while speaking to the vivacious personality of the sweet Little Flamingo.

And as for Big Sis, she got a few new bits and pieces too. She had picked out lots of pillows and her bedding before I met with them but we were able to zhush up her room with a pair of new lamps, a gorgeous Matouk bed skirt and a great built in bench. I had the bench cushion sewn and piped with indoor/outdoor fabric to make sure it could withstand the sunlight through the windows. It will look new for years to come and be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that comes with pre-teens. Then I created a pair of bolster pillows to tie in the various colors Big Sis had already settled on. Mom had the cool surfboard and it looks perfect in its new space. Now Big Sis has a comfortable and functional little space to create her artful masterpieces or do homework once school starts...