The playroom is done.

In my Home Goals post at the start of this year, I wrote, “Our girl is so creative and I really want to give her a special space for whatever she wants to do.” This room is exactly that.

It started with removing the pocket door that led into my bedroom and closing up the opening. There was demolition, framing, electrical, drywall. It took a while. Then we painted the walls pink, purple and blue tie dye. I questioned the paint a bit. It felt like a lot. But as I added furniture and accessories, it became much more livable. And it definitely fits with Ellie.

Next up was the cozy corner, her elevated loft reading nook. Curtains provide privacy. Cushions, pillows and blankets provide coziness. I often find Ellie here, either above or below.

I brought in shelves to store craft supplies, toys and even display some of her creations. Open storage is important for our girl, who needs to see her things to use them. More shelves and bins are in the closet for lesser used items, like craft kits, additional supplies and her dolls.

Matt’s desk sits against the wall. Ellie has always chosen to work on the floor, but she’s now using the desk. I like that this desk–and the whole space–will grow with her as her interests and needs change. The chair came with the farm and I keep recovering the cushion. This time Ellie and I did it together in a dark purple fabric. A lighter version of the same fabric covers the large bulletin board that hangs above her desk.

Tucked behind the door is a dress-up zone with the Eames hang-it-all hooks I made for her nursery. The small narrow dresser I made for the little nook on the other side of the door holds play-do. Above the dresser, we hung the duckling picture from her nursery. Ellie really wanted to keep this picture, and it fits perfectly here.

This room is completely Ellie. It holds all of the things she likes and gives her space to do the things she likes. It was an interesting process to design the space with her. Her nursery and bedroom were really designed by me, using my perspective of who she is, what she likes and what would look nice. The playroom is her, and it was really fun to think about who she is, what she wanted and how to put it all together.

Now, she is using the room all the time. Whether she’s making year-end cards for her teachers, sculpting with her 3-D pen, reading in the cozy corner, braiding yarn, playing restaurant, dressing up in a fancy outfit, or any of the many other things she likes to do, she can do it all here.

I’m really grateful I am able to give her this space.

Did you have a playroom growing up? What’s your favourite memory of your play space? Do you have a grown-up playroom now? What’s your favourite part of the playroom? What would your ideal playroom have?