One Room Challenge Week 2 – The Pickiest Client Ever

Hello!

Here we are, Week Two of the One Room Challenge.  This week has been one of shopping, on my end, and one of rejection as well.  As you may recall from week one, I’m redoing my 10 year-old daughter’s room this time around, and she could prove to be my most challenging client to date.  

The girl has opinions, and lots of them. 

I figured that I should start with the bedding as a starting point, and work the room around that.  Simple enough, right?  

Notsomuch.

I went to the Pottery Barn Outlet and found lots of great options that I thought would work.

I even found a mirror that would work beautifully with this duvet.

Throw in a couple of Euro shams, and we’re in business.

Evidently not.  She’s looking for more of a graphic print comforter, and I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent looking for one that is cute and “her style”, but not overly trendy.  What is it about tween/teen bedding nowadays?  It just all looks so … alike.  That’s my struggle – finding something that’s a little outside the box, that doesn’t break the bank, but still gets the approval of Miss Picky Pants.
I will admit, this is probably more my style than hers.  However, she has commented on how much she likes our bedding, so I figured it might work.
Did I mention that they don’t allow returns at Pottery Barn Outlet?  Luckily, I have an aunt who is redoing a guest room, so she’s taking the duvet.  The shams – turns out, one is a Euro, the other is a standard.  Even though they were both labeled “Euro”, so I have to make a trip back to the outlet anyway.  I’m keeping the mirror – worst case I paint it and/or steal it for myself and put it somewhere else in the house.  
I’ve also been on the hunt for furniture.  Her current furniture pieces are a hodge podge of hand me downs.  Our old dresser and night stand from when we were first married, my oldest son’s old desk – you get the picture.  So we’re starting fresh, without breaking the bank.
There were some furniture options at Pottery Barn Outlet that caught my eye.  I’m kind of regretting not snagging this one.  It was in good shape, and the price was pretty reasonable.  Kind of a modern campaign look.

The prices on these dressers were all over the map – some reasonable, some not.

Lots of options though.

I didn’t choose a dresser (yet), but I did make some decisions on a new desk area.  Remember this inspiration photo?

Things are coming together.

I put two of these bad boys together in less than three hours.  Jealous much?

I also found a nightstand with great potential.  This one was an outlet score from Ballard Designs.  I got the “please take this off my hands since it’s so damaged” discount of 50% off a low price of $99.  So yes, I got it for $50.

At first glance, it looks great, right?

But the top is a hot mess.

Yes, that’s a big chunk out of the corner.

I have faith in my furniture repair skills though, and I can bring her back to life.  I had planned on doing the night stand in some sort of accent color anyway, so the damage doesn’t really matter since I’ll be repainting it.  Or perhaps I’ll keep it for myself – I love this piece and have been looking for a new nightstand for quite awhile now…

The detail work on the front is crying out for something fun though, don’t you think?  Regardless of who gets it, I’m going to have fun with it.

So, that’s where I’m at for week two.  I feel like I have made some significant progress, but I will feel a lot better once I settle on the bedding.  I think I have searched every bedding site and store around, and have still come up empty handed.  I have seen some beautiful pieces at Serena + Lily, but boy, they’re awfully spendy.  

I still keep going back to this one.  I love all of the pattern in this room.

My daughter has something like this in mind from The Creativity Exchange.  I had to laugh, since Cyndy is one of my blogger friends.  How funny that our daughters like the same things (and also have strong opinions).  I can’t imagine where they get it. 😉

Any suggestions for good bedding sources that are perhaps off the beaten path?  I’m all ears!

13 Comments

  • Reply
    Lisa @ Shine Your Light
    October 15, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Oh my friend I hear you on the picky client. Mine was all – whatever, I don't care – until I actually started working on the room and now he cares. A LOT. Your scores are very exciting though – that nightstand is gorgeous and I know you can finesse the damage with your mad skills! Also I love the inspiration for the desk area, it's going to be great Jenny!! That elusive perfect bedding is out there just waiting to be found! Any possibilities in the PB Teen sale section?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 15, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      I'm really excited to pull everything together, and the desk area is going to be a huge win in her little room. She can be a bit of a collector, so it will be nice to have an area to store and display her things without cluttering the room. Fingers crossed. She'll keep me on schedule, that's for sure!

  • Reply
    Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
    October 15, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    i wish i had a great source… bedding is so hard i find! i do like west elm and they often have great quality bedding and i think their prices are rather affordable. also CB2 and crate & barrel.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 15, 2015 at 2:37 pm

      I underestimated how challenging it would be to find bedding that I liked without breaking the bank. The search continues – I will check CB2 and Crate & Barrel – haven't looked there yet!

  • Reply
    Wendy
    October 15, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Love the nightstand you scored! You got such a great deal on it! As far as the bedding goes, how about just doing a plain white comforter/duvet & have the graphic pattern your daughter wants on just the shams or sheets (like that awesome inspiration picture above with the yellow polka dotted walls)? I know whatever you come up with will be great!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 15, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      I was thinking the same thing, Wendy. Keep the comforter a neutral white and then get the punch of color with an accent quilt or something like that. Love the idea of the sheets too – duh! Might be easier to find those in a fun accent than the route I've been taking.

  • Reply
    Aniko Levai
    October 15, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    That yellow mirror! OMG! Love it! I wish there was a pottery barn outlet around here!I love( I use it myself) Crane & Canopy bedding. Can't wait to check back next week!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 15, 2015 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks Aniko! I was smitten with that mirror from the moment I spotted it – I will make it work in that room!

  • Reply
    Life's a shoe
    October 15, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    loving all the furniture pieces!

    lifeisashoe

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 15, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you! I feel like I got a jump start this week with all of the pieces I scored. Still lots to do, but I'm sure my girl will keep me on my toes. No procrastinating allowed! 😉

  • Reply
    Melanie B.
    October 16, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    Oh wow! I am jealous of your Ballard Designs score! I haven't found anything in last call for quite a while. Looking forward to seeing how the room progresses and loving the inspiration pics!

  • Reply
    Vel Criste
    October 16, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    Funny story about you duaghter, mine is only 1, so I can still decide for her somewhat! love all your scores!

  • Reply
    Burgos Bunch
    October 18, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    I'm so loving the duvets at Urban Outfitters!! Maybe she will like something there and free returns =) Good luck!

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