Savannah sleeping

New bunk bed is twice as nice

So how did that bedroom revamp turn out? Wonderfully well considering the big family effort that went into getting it all done before my trip began.

The first challenge was to get the old furniture out before the new furniture arrived. It’s always great to share things with people who want them, so we were thrilled that our project coincided with our school’s drive to support families who were moving back into the Rockaways and who had lost everything. We were able to donate furniture, and boxes of rationalized toys and books with good wishes for the children and families who we hope, will find as much fun in using them as we did.

Games and toys are corralled on the shelves, and the carpet is the perfect play area.

Between USPS and UPS delivering a new lamp, linens and soft furnishings, and the delivery of many boxes of ‘to be assembled’ furniture and one very heavy carpet, we were raring to go. Jay gets the credit for the double chests of drawers, with a little hammer help from someone other than me. These have metamorphisized mornings from assisted dressing efforts into Calvin easily being able to choose his clothes – because he can reach and see them — and there is enough space to make putting it away easy.

Calvin was able to put together his own toddler bed under my direction, but the bunk bed was a different challenge. It took all three of us and a number of narrow misses from things becoming detached, before we produced a super sturdy and very comfortable set of beds. Calvin immediately claimed the top bunk, and he and his cheetahs have been up there ever since.

With a little help from some Container Store under-the-bed sliding storage, we were able to find space for all the spare linen, an entire Intrepid aircraft carrier and its planes, plus a few more items.

Cheetahs emerge from a stuffed bookshelf. We all love our books!

Rearranging the books was quite an effort, but two stackable bookshelves later complemented by the tops of the chests of drawers and they’re all in… we just need to manage our acquisitions carefully.

That wonderful carpet tied it all together, enhancing the spaciousness of the room. Its pile is perfect for playing on: long enough to be comfortable on the knees and short enough so that LEGOs don’t go missing in it and wheeled vehicles don’t get stuck on it.

As for the tenting? This has turned this into a ‘movable’ dramatic play option. Underneath the top bunk is a metal grid and, with the aid of medium-sized paper clips, the fabric can be installed in a variety of configurations.

There is some tinkering around the edges. I didn’t get to finish the Africa-shaped pillow or the old map pillow yet. We’ve ordered a bark-print ottoman in which we’re hoping to stuff the old black beanbag, but it’s difficult to tell whether that will fit in or not. As a great space to grow up in, I think we nailed it for this moment in time.

…and by night. The hurricane lamp-styled light, with a retro Edison light bulb has become a favourite.

Dresser by day…