Friday, November 4, 2011

52 Basement Progress: A Playroom Update!

Happy Friday!  What a week it's been at the Jones' house.  From returning from vacation to Halloween and sick kidlets, it's been a doozy. 

I thought it would be fun to pop in with a quick playroom update since many of you have been itching to see and inquiring on the progress.  Many of you may have even noticed some of the updates from last week when I was revealing Lego projects like the build table and the Lego storage system.   I would say we are about 50% done with the space so a good progress update is totally warranted.

When I last left you, it looked like this:


We have been busy turning this into a place for play.  Studio was put on hold.  Dressing room put on hold.  Master bedroom, you guessed it, on hold.  I know, I have been all over the place, but we do projects as we can and as we have time.  And now that it's getting chilly around here the kids are inside much more and needing a happy place to play.  Mom needs a place too, since she has been tripping on toys throughout the entire home and had realized that it's hard on the kids when they don't have dedicated storage and never seem to know where to set up a giant train track or build a Lego mansion.

We have had the white chairs for years.  They are slip-covered and I toss them in the wash every couple of months with a few drops of bleach and they still look great.  I recently found some sweet chevron pillow covers on Etsy to add a pretty dash of yellow!


Although the lamp looks like glass {no way, not in this playroom}, it's actually made from a plastic acrylic and we have had it for years.  I figured this was the best space for it since it seems like the safest option.  The lampshade was a Target find.


The table is an old Ikea table that was black and got a fresh coat of spray paint.

Legos are the main function of this space so that really needed to be addressed.


So I recently shared how we got those under control:


The shelves above were from Ikea {in white, not shown on the website} and are the perfect place for future Lego creations or decorative children's art {boys subway art here and tricycle print here}.



The play table was my $15 score from the Habitat Restore, refreshed with some pretty paint!





I just popped some cheapo toy storage bins underneath for all the kid's larger Duplo block collection.

The new playroom had no carpet since we installed the new hard floors, so creating a softer, warmer place to play was a mission.  Lack of inexpensive rug options brought me back to Ikea, where I found a huge rug 6 x 8 for $60.  It was perfect for us since it is flat woven, and the toy drawers can easily roll on it and Legos won't get lost in the fibers.  The only not perfect part is that it only came in white, but I have big plans to change that to make it much longer lasting for a playroom... Enter evil laugh here...

When it came to our entertainment center...


Although I can't wait to get it painted, it's pretty much the same for now, housing lots and lots of board games and some of the kids media.  I just swapped out some of the hardware for some knobs I found on clearance from Anthro awhile back.



I am smiling because now it's pretty functional and packing almost all the storage we need.  I still need to find a solution for the train tracks as right now they are in a giant Rubbermaid bin, and organize under the TV a bit to store puzzles and smaller toys, but wow, it feels great for them to have a place to create and play and build.

Oh, and those blank slate walls are begging for artwork and something magical to take place... I have been scouring Pinterest for inspiration of course and have a couple of ideas swirling.  I feel like it needs to be grand and whimsical... only time will tell how it all pulls together!

I will be sure to get our home source list updated with these pics and links this weekend.

Anyone else working on a playroom at the moment?  They are my most favorite places to create.  I feel like there are no restrictions on patterns and colors and I can just go wild!


52 comments:

  1. looks wonderful! Great job. And love the subeway art -going to use that in my little guys room as I'm about to upgrade from nursery to "big boy room"! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  2. This room is so pretty and fun! I love the wall color and all the decorations.

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  3. Looks amazing! I love the bright blue side table, it's fantastic!
    xoxo
    kerri at HollyMuffin

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  4. Did you keep the color on the walls the same here? What is the paint color and brand you used on the walls here? I love it!

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  5. @Jackie - yep, it's Behr's Prelude. It looks different at different times of the day, depending on the lighting.

    xoxo!
    Jen

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  6. Love that you use such bright, happy colors everywhere! I style that way too.

    Where'd the XO pillow come from? It's adorable.

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  7. I love it! Especially the Lego storage. The people around here are still too little for real Legos, but in a few years we'll totally be looking for some storage solutions. :) LOVE all of your ideas! :)
    ~Gini

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  8. Love the colors, I have similar ones in our playroom. I would love to know as well where you got the XOXO pillow. I was just looking for pillow online that will match my playroom.

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  9. Great job! what a great space...so functional. The nobs on the entertainment unit look great! such a small upgrade, but major facelift.

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  10. i love that space - and you are so creative being able to paint the table and make that piece even more fun for your kids. i love that! you are very talented! maybe when i don't have a one year old hanging off my legs i will have the time to be this creative as well. you inspire me!

    (and btw, i love my 1 year old hanging off my legs....we all know how brief this age is and we miss it when they grow up!)

    i did want to share our playroom and lego storage. this space is a work in progress....the playroom is done, but not the 2 large storage closets.

    http://besimplyorganized.blogspot.com/2011/10/playroom-lego-table.html

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  11. Looks awesome! I love the Lego storage. Dividing them by color is super organized and cute!

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  12. Just beautiful! Where did you find those slipcovers? I have a couple chair just like those..and they desperately need slipcovering!

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  13. WOW! So adorable!!

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  14. Hi friends!

    The xoxo pillow cover was a clearance find awhile back from PBteen, I went back for a second one after falling so in love with it and I can't seem to find it any longer... :(

    The slipcovers for the chairs are also sold at Ikea, where I had originally purchased the chairs.

    xoxo!
    Jen

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  15. I am working on a playroom as we speak (type)! I have a 9 month old son, a 5 year old niece and 8 month old twin nephews, so we have big plans for this room. I am taking a lot of process photos so maybe it can one day be featured in a Reader Space!

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  16. oh jen, this is a truly beautiful space. forgive me if this is written right before my very eyes, but what is the paint colour on the walls?

    this is exactly what my children need - nice, plush chairs to sit on. of course, they wanted a giant chalkboard table with wooden chairs instead, haha, which is what they ended up getting (i sprayed a table top with chalkboard paint). but oh how i wish it were as clean and simple as your room.

    my playroom (in progress) can be seen on my blog under the playroom tag. i'm too lazy to go find it. haha.

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  17. I LOVE the progress so far! I think my favorite part from today's post is the painted IKEA table. I've been considering doing that to some of our tables. Glad to see it worked! :) Keep up the good work, please!

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  18. I love it! Those turquoise knobs have me swoonin!

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  19. @House #2, the paint color is Behr's Prelude.
    xoxo!
    Jen

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  20. So I am not the only one with Legos coming out their ears! Love your storage for it. And your entire blog. Somehow I just found you today and am your newest follower.

    Have spent the last hour on here reading and getting ideas. Now to go spend the next hour putting it to use! Thanks!

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  21. Wow, the room looks great! My DS has a small playroom in our third bedroom & it needs a makeover STAT! I love how you've repurposed so many items & how functional it all is. It's definitely inspired me to start working on a playroom makeover in my home! TFS =)

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  22. Love those clear containers with the lime green handles! They are my favorite go to from Walmart!
    -Amanda

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  23. Jen its coming along nicely!

    I LOVE that boy subway art and clicked the link to download it - thanks!

    The colours and orientation of yours are different however? Did you modify it somehow?

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  24. Jen, I love what you do, but first I've got to give kuddos to the kids for their little train/lego construction in the toy bin photo there! How awesome that this space allows them the time and freedom to create in such a way, to inspire and not overstimulate...people tend to overstimulate their kids in playrooms, too many colours, too many choices...you've focused on calm and peace, and after a day of school, or on a lazy Saturday morning, what could be more welcoming? Way to go!

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  25. It's looking so spiffy in there!

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  26. Would you mind sharing some information about the great woven storage container near the entertainment center?

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  27. oh I love the spray painted table what an awesome idea~!! and Im getting me some lego storage like that what a fab idea! I love your blog!!

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  28. Ikea bins are wonderful. I use them over the years for the kid's and my client's kid's craft and playroom area. Their products are simple, practical, and inexpensive. I believe that organizing doesn't have to be expensive to be effective! Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Hey Jen!
    I love the Lego storage, and the whole playroom too! I am wanting to replicate your Ikea bin idea. Would you consider selling on your Etsy shop the cut out color words for people like me without a fancy schmancy Silhouette machine? LOVE your blog:) Thanks!!
    Liv

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  30. Where did you get the "cut-out" basket on your Lego storage cabinet? I noticed a matching pen holder and similar brown basket on your entertainment center. So cute!

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  31. hi! i just found your blog and LOVE it! i'm sure this question has already been asked - but i'm looking for a metal tool caddy like the one you made for your laundry room. where did you find it? i need one for our pantry redux! thanks, amanda :)

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  32. What color of paint did you use for the old ikea table and where what brand of paint is it??
    Thanks

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  33. Funny enough, we are working on a playroom for exactly the same reason you are. Flood damage + colder weather = need for completed indoor play space! You are my go-to inspiration for my own basement reno. Thanks so much for letting us into your life!

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  35. I LOVE it! What an ingenious way to organize the kiddo's legos! It totally appeals to my organizational needs...

    Carolyn
    http://ebthekitchensink.blogspot.com/

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  36. hi jen,

    just wanted to tell you that i checked out your home tour and it's unbelievable! it was the first time that i actually sat down and looked through your whole home, room by room. what an incredible transformation since your earlier days! you have done an incredible job.

    you've inspired me to tackle my linen closet, lol. sounds silly but the thing is a MESS.

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  37. Ok where is presh little stool/seat on the floor from? Need!!! Xoxo

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  38. It looks fantastic. I love the new chevron pillows and the aqua painted Ikea table. Great idea to organize by color. I will have to bookmark this for when mine hit that stage.

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  39. Where did you get the little booster seat on the floor? My parents have one from when I was a kid and I would love one at my house.

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  40. This is just genius! =) The made-over IKEA table miiiight be my fav! or the under the table rolling storage... or.... ok all of it rocks =) You know i'll be bugging the heck out of you with questions once I have kids <3 mwah!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

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  41. Okay, I'd love to be a kid having this delightful space to play in! I love your lego storage. Do your children really keep the legos separated like that? May I say, "Miracles might just happen!"
    :) CAS

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  42. Would you mind sharing the wall color for this room? It's the perfect color for my son's room!

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  43. So stealing your Lego storage idea!!! It's the bane of my existence! Will have to wait until after Christmas as our nearest Ikea is a four hour drive away - but on the way to and from my parents' place. :)

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  44. @Shayne, when I printed the boy's printable, I changed my printer settings and it just fit perfectly behind my 5x8 matte {cropping some of the print}.

    @Kellie, I found the bin on Zullily awhile back, can't remember the brand off hand.

    @Liv, I will definitely keep in mind the idea to sell the cutouts in my Etsy shop as I have the capacity to expand.

    @Lauren, the white lace basket was from the Container Store and is since discontinued. Sad face here.

    @Amanda, the tool caddy was actually a tin utensil caddy from Target. I would just google around for one and see what you can find.

    @Lindsay, The spray paint is Rustoleum's 2x Coverage Aqua in flat. It's fantastic!

    @The little things & Amy, the seat is a sweet seat, you can see my original post here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/05/iheart-sweetseat-giveaway.html

    @CAS, yes, the new system is working wonderfully and is easy for all of us to maintain! We love it!

    @Amy, the wall color is Behr's Prelude.

    xoxo!
    Jen

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  45. Love this post, and your blog!

    An idea for your walls... We've used a wire curtain rod set from IKEA to easily hang and change out our daughter's artwork. I posted about it on my organizing blog here:

    http://blog.customexcelspreadsheets.com/2011/10/pretty-organized-wired-up.html

    Thanks for the inspiring posts!!

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  46. Great post and I too, need to declutter my home, office. That takes a lot of home space and It has been arrange also.

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  47. I really love the Thomas the Train table with the bins underneath. I may need to copy that idea :)

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  48. I saw this on Pinterest when I was searching for Lego storage and knew from the lace basket it had to be yours. We already have the trofast system in the playroom, so I'm going to just buy another two of the larger ones and sort them as you have...thanks!

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  49. I've used my kids (now 9 & 8) school artwork throughout the years to decorate their playroom. (I frame the cute ones and take a picture of the ones I will be throwing out, which the picture eventually makes it into their scrapbook.) I bought cheapo black frames at Christmas Tree Shops and used the ones I had on hand to frame them. You have yourself a little art gallery - which can be interchangeable as they grow and bring more artwork home.

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  50. Where did you get the rolling draws/storage bins that you have under the table?

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    1. I found them from Walmart.com, however, in do not recommend them as they fell apart very quickly and are not all that durable.

      xo,
      Jen

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