bold and bright: girl's bedroom

Getting creative with paint, ribbon, and fabric makes this space a real showstopper.

bedroom color choices were easy for Claire Callaway. She's a ballet dancer, so naturally, she thinks pink. Then, some cute polka-dot sheets caught her eye. Their bright blasts of orange completed the room's scheme. With her palette in place, Claire and her aunt, decorator Mary Leigh Fitts, worked together to make this girl's getaway very special.

you can take it with you

Mary Leigh wanted to create a fun room and include some nice pieces that her niece would enjoy for years to come. "I wanted the style to look youthful yet sophisticated," says Mary Leigh.

The one-of-a-kind headboard is a big attention grabber. The plywood frame is actually two pieces hinged together, like a floor screen, so it can be easily moved and stored. Attached to the front side of the board is 2-inch-thick foam and batting. A custom monogrammed slipcover with pink piping adds signature style. The slipcover can easily be changed when Claire wants a new look. Hint: When determining the position of the monogram, consider the height of your pillows. If the embroidery is too low, large pillows will cover it.

Completing this cozy bed are two shams that sport colorful complementary stripes, a pair of monogrammed shams with pink grosgrain edging, and a small monogrammed pillow.

make your own artwork

Claire painted the original artwork flanking the bed-and she had a great time doing it. "My aunt gave me blank canvases, and I used orange paint and just swirled and splattered it on them," she says. "They didn't have to be perfect, so I could just have fun."

Mary Leigh maxed out the color quotient by gluing rickrack and ribbon on the shades of inexpensive lamps found at discount home stores. For the unique lamps on the chest, she purchased glass mosaic trivets and had them wired.

stripe it rich

A bright horizontal stripe painted around the room offers big impact for little investment. Paint the walls your desired color, let dry, and then tape off a wide stripe around the room. Use a level and chalk line tool if you're a stickler for perfectly straight lines.

Claire loves to spend time in her renovated room, but she isn't the only one. The teenager says with a giggle, "All of my friends are obsessed with my room. They love it! It's so fun to talk, listen to music, or just hang out there. " - LYNNE LONG

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2006
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