Colorful and Quirky Big Girl Room Makeover: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Welcome to an inspiring makeover tour! We’re thrilled to showcase a colorful and personality-filled bedroom that’s sure to delight kids and adults alike. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at this amazing transformation.

Today, we delve into the creative process behind transforming a simple room into a magical haven for a young girl. This project, spearheaded by Nicky King, founder of Bobby Rabbit, is a testament to how thoughtful design and a touch of whimsy can create a space that’s both functional and inspiring.

About Bobby Rabbit

Bobby Rabbit, founded in November 2012 by Nicky King, is a treasure trove of unique and stylish children’s interiors, beautiful toys, and innovative party ideas. Nicky’s passion for creating inspiring spaces for children shines through in every aspect of her work.

With a background in designing children’s spaces in Paris and London, Nicky brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail to her projects. As a mother of two, she understands the importance of creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and engaging for children.

Named after her favorite childhood soft toy, Bobby Rabbit curates the very best products and brands for babies and children under the age of eight. Nicky hand-picks these “little treasures” with the intention that they will become as cherished and memorable to your child as Bobby was to her.

Project Overview

Designer: Nicky King, founder of Bobby Rabbit

Project Name: “Grey and White, Neon and Bright”

Goal: To design and create a magical space for Nicky’s 2-year-old daughter, Eloise, as she transitions from her nursery into a “big girl room.”

Budget: £1500 (approximately $2,250)

The Inspiration Behind the Makeover

Nicky shares the story behind this charming room:

“Our home, built in the 1920s, boasts period features, high ceilings, large bay windows, and an abundance of natural light. Over the past four years, we’ve redesigned and redecorated almost every room, except for the spare room we had set aside for our daughter Eloise, now 2½ years old. This room, facing west at the front of the house, is bathed in sunlight throughout the afternoon and evening. It’s a spacious area perfect for both sleeping and playing, complete with a beautiful bay window overlooking our neighborhood.”

“With a new baby brother on the way, and Eloise outgrowing her nursery, it was time for a transition to a bigger bed and a more grown-up space. We wanted a room that would ignite her vivid imagination, a bright and playful environment that was also stylish, beautiful, and timeless.”

The Design Vision

Nicky had a clear vision for Eloise’s new room from the start.

“I wanted to create a space that truly reflected Eloise’s vibrant personality, appealing to her as a 2-year-old while remaining relevant as she grows. A space she would cherish and that would evolve with her.”

Rejecting traditional pink and princess themes, Nicky opted for a simple and uncluttered setting, enriched with eclectic and colorful accessories that would infuse a youthful and playful energy into the room.

“I was inspired by a hand-made fabric play den I found on Pinterest, particularly the neon ribbons and trims against the crisp white fabric. This image became the foundation for the entire room design. I chose clean, white gloss furniture complemented by bright neon accessories. For the walls, I selected a medium soft grey – a calming neutral that harmonized beautifully with the white gloss while accentuating the neon highlights.”

The play den became the central feature, with the rest of the room design organically evolving from there.

Sources of Inspiration

Pinterest served as a primary source of inspiration for Nicky, providing a wealth of ideas and visual references.

“Through my blog research, I noticed a strong neon trend, especially in fashion, and I was eager to experiment with incorporating this look into children’s interiors. Several fantastic French brands specialize in children’s design and are already embracing this trend in their collections,” Nicky explains.

She mentions brands like OMY and Deuz, who designed much of the wall art in Eloise’s bedroom, and La Cerise sur le Gateau, responsible for the cushions. In the UK, Showler & Showler offer a bold and colorful graphic style appealing to both children and adults.

Challenges and Solutions

Every makeover comes with its share of challenges. For Nicky, the biggest hurdle was finding the perfect shade of grey for the walls.

“I never imagined it would be so difficult! Too lilac, too blue, too green, too warm, too cold… I literally tried fifty shades before discovering the ideal color,” she recalls.

Favorite Features

Nicky’s favorite feature is the cloud wallpaper by Swedish brand Farg and Form, which sets the scene for the play den.

“The cloud wallpaper really helps to make a statement and tell a story, distinguishing the den corner from the rest of the room. The ceramic bird light and the flying penguin print complement the cloud wallpaper, creating an imaginary outdoor feel,” she explains.

Eloise’s favorite element is the rabbit night light next to her bed, affectionately named “Peter Rabbit.” “We often hear her talking and singing to the rabbit long after bedtime, and we almost always find him tucked up in bed with her a few hours later…” Nicky shares with a smile.

Proudest DIY Moment

Nicky’s proudest DIY moment was creating the play den. “It was a challenge, but a worthwhile one! The result is something totally unique and special that cost significantly less than other ready-made playhouses,” she says.

Advice for Aspiring Makeover Artists

Nicky offers valuable advice for those embarking on their own room makeovers:

“Plan, plan, and plan some more! Start by gathering images of rooms, color schemes, and specific products that you love. Create a mood board to solidify your vision and see how everything looks together. This was incredibly helpful when choosing the accessories for Eloise’s room. For instance, when selecting wall art, I could ensure that the colors worked well together despite coming from different sources and designers. I realized that I could further unify them by using the same print size and frame.”

“Secondly, set a budget and find ways to stick to it. Splurge on the key elements that are crucial to the room and that you truly love, and economize in other areas. We did this by purchasing wardrobes, the play table, and picture frames from Ikea, and by hand-making the den and curtains. DIY projects can add an incredibly personalized touch to a room.”

What’s Next?

With a new addition to the family, Nicky is focused on being a mum to baby Jasper and big sister Eloise while continuing to run the Bobby Rabbit blog.

“I’m also working on a brand new and very exciting Scandinavian forest-inspired bedroom design for a 1-year-old boy – just watch this space…” she teases.

“A busy few months await – and I’m incredibly excited.”

Thank you, Nicky!

Explore more photos of Eloise’s big girl bedroom and discover a world of little treasures on Bobby Rabbit!