Redecorating Advice

I would recommend using a choosing a color pallete that you can let Rori grow with like pastels or neutral, and then buying accessories for the room that are age appropriate. I would recommend using a neutral color on the walls and then painting the trim in colors that compliment the theme that you want to go with. I recommend painting the trim only in complimenting color because you can easily and cheaply change it later if you want. There are many inexpensive and easy ideas out there now. There is self-sticking boarders and wall art that looks really great but something that you can take down later when she is tired of it or you need a change in the room. Accessorize with pillows, throws, wall art, lamps, ect. Decorative handles and knobs are a great way to add to the overall theme in the room. That way you can redecorate later on without putting a lot of money into redoing the whole room.

I like the idea about Van Gogh and Monet over a character theme. But I wanted to share with you my absolute favorite, and you can make it fit a toddler room as this picture is a nursery. I thought it was beautiful for a girl, but i have boys. It is black & white toile with pale aqua painted walls. Stunning, elegant & it can grow with her :-) Let me know what you think!

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=4224...

my daughters room is painted a VERY light pink ( for the longest time she argued with me that it was white not pink ) then painted the windows and trim , purple and aqua. and we alternate what we put up on the walls right now she is into Ballet and princesses so right now we have ballrinas and the litographs from disney that come when you preorder the movies. I've got a print of Dega's dancers I need to frame and put up. They have these borders at Lowes that are just solid colored they have all differant colors and they have big circles and big squares, they are peel and stick so VERY easy to put up we did one of them in my son's room so he has 3 differant color blue stripes. going from light blue to dark blue top top bottom it looks great and because I didn't decorate with anything ON the wall that was a spacific character then I dont have to redo the whole room when their tastes change. Just take down the pictures and drapes.

I have 2 girls, 3&5, we did bright-colored surfer girl. Pottery barn had a cool surf theme we did, but I've seen other versions lots of places too. Rather than any character, although I love Veggie Tales too, I would pick something more generic (beach, horses, flowers, butterflies) so you can update as she gets older without replacing everything. Have fun!

Check potterybarnkids.com for ideas. A lot of what is on there is really expensive, but there are some really good ideas!

My favorite would be to decorate Rori's room in classical art especially since you say she loves it so much. This way once she is a little older you will not have to worry about redecorating for a second time. We just transitioned our 2.5 y/o son into a full size bed and redecorated his room in vintage sports equipment (wooden tennis racquets, golf clubs, grandfather's baseball mitt etc). Also, his bedding is a solid color with a single block stripe. However, that's my taste, I'm really not into all the character stuff.

Good luck and happy decorating!

I like the artsy stuff- easier to grow with also! I would like to say that I would soooo suggest holding off from a toddler bed. I jumped the gun with that with my first child and let her go to a toddler bed at almsot 19 months. Then she went back into a crib/porta crib at about 23 or so months because they are just not reaqdy for that kind of freedom. It cause a lot of sleeping issues and boy did I learn my lesson!
Personally I found out I LOVE porta cribs. the mesh on the sides means nothing can fall out and if they do learn to climb then there is no fear of the falling because they are so much closer to the gound than with a crib. I have in the past used either a regualr size porta crib or the larger playpen sized ones. You really may want to consider it!
I know I was so excited with all the big kids things my first born did and she did a lot of them early. Now as an expierenced 5th time around mom I have learned that there are some things I would just not rather them be advanced about =-)

definitely go for the great artists. It is NEVER to early to nourish creativity!

This is what I do when I'm ready to redecorate. I look at all kinds of magazines at Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot and decorating sites online. I get ideas and create my own original idea for what I want. It's like taking a recipe and putting in your own things to make it your own. In your search engine just put in different things for decorating and see what comes up. Hope this helps. Good Luck. :-)

I think the classical art reprints sound awesome! Maybe a cool mint green paint with white trim, white frames around the art, white furniture etc. so it will look "younger"?

One of my friends did bright girl colors with flowers and ribbons it was so cute and pretty at the same time. she also had cool shelves that were different colors. a flower rug. it is so girlie. good luck

I saw an awesome headboard idea for a little girl using a piece of white picket fence! And since your theme is garden related, it would be cute!

Go with the classics! And, just keep it as open-ended as possible. I love the room someone posted with the black toile. We have all the Graco Central Park black toile items for our son, albeit not a room. But, I think that it would be too limiting for a growing girl. Maybe for a girl who is older and really likes that style. But, for now I think let them have a lot of options for expression in their rooms. You can do your room in the black toile, though. Love it!

My son has recently become obsessed with the movie The AristoCats. Has your daughter watched that one? Your post made me think of it given the references to art made in the beginning of the film.

So, I have to ask... Which Van Gogh? Monet, I can see, but I'm just curious which Van Gogh. Irises?