The Original "My Space"

Nobody really likes hearing stories that begin with "When I was a kid....", but here goes anyway. When I was a kid 'my space' (though we didn't exactly use that term) meant your bedroom. And if you were lucky, your bedroom was truly your bedroom-meaning not having to share it with a sibling.

Recently a favorite client of mine came to me hoping I could help her surprise her daughter with a room redo. She wanted to give her daughter a space that was designed just for her and she wanted to put some mom sweat-equity into the space by making the drapery and some of the bedding with her own two loving hands. That struck me as very special ( it's been a long time since I've run across anyone doing their own sewing) and I couldn't wait to get going on the space.

First off Mom picked the main drapery fabric and began sewing away. In the meantime, we chose a coordinating paint color and decided to paint walls and ceiling all the same-enveloping her daughter in a really soft sea of green. We skirted a niche to create a vanity space. Then we did a bit of furniture rearranging-placing the bed in front of the window and using the drapery to softly frame it.

Finally, we hung some antique looking mirrors and pictures around the room to play up the refinished white antique furniture. The result is a really cozy space that her daughter can truly call her own.

I wasn't there for the unveiling, but I heard it was a huge success and beyond her daughters' wildest dreams and her special space has now become the local hangout.