different design because the closet was smaller! If you're worried about creating a problem when you sell your house: When we moved we simply took apart the facade and removed the inside elements of the playhouse...put back the closet doors and put up a hanging rod. Waa Laa! Back to a normal closet!

chivalrous stories of sea pirates and their mystical ships, or dazzled by the nautical furnishings and instruments in elegant ships. Such nostalgic memories revive and fill our life with a renewed enthusiasm when we decorate our home with a nautical theme.

http://gonautical.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/d...

As kids go through different stages of life, so do their rooms. From diapers and burp cloths to an overabundance of toys and then mountains of school work and books. While there isn't a room out there that can accommodate each stage of life perfectly without one single change along the way, there ARE a few things that you can keep in mind to make the transition from baby, toddler, and then teenager a little bit smoother.

MULTIPURPOSE FURNITURE

Furniture that can serve more than one purpose is a big key to having a space that will grow with your kids. There are lots of different companies jumping on the "convertible kid furniture bandwagon", so just keep your eye out and don't be afraid to ask your local furniture retailers if they offer options such as these.

One thing to note is that sometimes these changeable kid pieces can run quite a bit more money. The higher price tag may have you second guessing your purchase, but know that in the long run, you can really get your money's worth out of them.

If you're looking for easy, more affordable options in your kids' rooms that will still translate into functional, usable solutions, try something simple like turning a large dresser into a changing table, instead of just settling on the standard baby changing station that typically doesn't offer much storage and has to be switched out after your child passes a certain age.

DECOR FOR ALL AGES

Although popular character and age-specific decor like princesses, superheros and baby animals can be really fun in a child's bedroom, when trying to design a space that will stand the test of time, keep those types of themed add-on's in pieces that you can easily switch out if you need to later. Larger, more expensive fixtures such as lighting,rugs and wallpaper should be things that can seamlessly convert from baby to kid or even teenager without really having to make any big changes.

This isn't saying that you can't personalize your child's space with special touches here and there, just do them in a way that you won't have to spend a lot of money moving them out when that time comes.Gallery walls are a great design element to have in a child's bedroom. Not only does it fill an empty space nicely, but it's affordable and you can quickly change out photos to accommodate different stages of life.

DESIGNING FOR THE LONG RUN

Thanks to online tools like OlioBoard.com,you can actually design a space online with items, colors and decor you like,before you make the commitment to move forward with any concrete plans. This helps you to envision what your space may look like put all together, before you start pulling individual pieces for your room. When decorating for a convertible kids room, asking yourself these few key questions can really help you with your overall design plan:

#1. Is my room decor plan something I could see a crib AND a bed in? If I took all baby items out of the mix, and replaced them with older children's knick-knacks, would the rooms design still work well?

#2. Is my color pallet something that lends itself nicely to a baby OR teenager's space?Could I add or take away a few, inexpensive items to change up my look enough from one stage of life to another, without having to spend a lot of money?

#3. Are my storage solutions adequate? Will I be able to fit small baby items and clothing in my given storage pieces, as well as larger, more space-consuming wardrobe items that an older child would need to have as well?

Just like a lot of the other areas in your home, creating a convertible kid space that will last through the years, just takes a bit of planning. Life and kids are unpredictable and while their needs may change, taking the time to initially invest in quality furniture and suitable storage for their ever-growing lives can really help when making the transition from one stage to the next.

- Shelley Smith #kids #roomdecor #homedecor #kidroomdecor

Cutting Edge Stencils wants to share some diy projects using one of our Geometric stencil patterns, the Fuji Stencil! I would probably call this stencil design one of our hidden gems. It's a Japanese-inspired stencil that was prompted by traditional Japanese kimono patterns of the Edo period. Bet you didn't know that! Oh yeah, and it's one of the easier Geometric stencils to use. So if you are a first time stenciler and you have a passion for geometric patterns then the Fuji is the stencil for you! Bring on the Fuji inspiration....http://blog.cuttingedgestencils.com/flattering-home-decor-using-the-fuji-stencil.html

#cuttingedgestencils #stencils #stenciling #stencilpatterns #fujistencil

for two boards. My son is having a great time drawing on the erase board and I am loving the cork board for organizing is stuff. It's just a win/win! You can read all about the step-by-step directions at my site: http://www.inspirationformoms.com/2013/05/po... #potterybarnkids #kidsbedrooms #kidprojects #dryerase #diy #diyprojects #designanddecor

with open backs to let mirror show through. I have also thought of looking at frosting tutorials, and stencilling but STILL have not been truly inspired. Does anyone have any ideas, or finished projects perhaps that they can show me to possibly inpire me with this wall??? Removing it is a BIG pain, and can be quite messy (already went thru that on a wall downstairs living space). These mirrors WERE quite popular in the mid 90's and I never thought I would grow tired of them.....but I have! I also have them in TWO side by side bathrooms on first floor, LOL. The broken pieces and small shards of mirror STILL sit in a very large bucket on my deck because I refuse to throw away. I know I will have an artistic revelation later and want to use in a mural? I don't know, I just know they did cost a lot of money and are very difficult to remove without breaking. So I figure to use that wall to a greater potential, i just have to find a solution to work with it. Thank You Maria Salcedo