Thank you, Whimsical Imaginings, for sponsoring this post, Intentional Home Decor. I was selected for this opportunity by Whimsical Imaginings; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Over the next few months, I am slowly going to start showing you all of the great things that we have done in our home! Our very own fixer upper has taken way longer than I could have ever imagined; however, it is finally starting to be pieced together in perfection.
Today I wanted to highlight Ollie's Playroom. When we first bought our home, I just knew that this would be a nook just for me. I pictured a beautiful white long desk with a Circuit and a reading chair. It was going to be the spot for me in the house. Of course, none of that happened. Before we even managed to begin remodeling our upper floor, we were blessed with a pregnancy and this space quickly became the place where our little would play for years to come.
BEFORE ::
AFTER ::
Square Organizer | Square Storage Cubes | Height Ruler | Photo Frames | Happy Camper Sign | Essential Oil Diffuser | Soft Building Blocks | Shape Sorter | Other Odds 'n Ends came from Target Dollar Spot
We have always been firm in the thought that our house did not need to be overran by toys. We are fairly minimalist parents in an American-abundance-of-things culture. We have struggle with how many toys, what type of toys, and where to they all go. I honestly think that this space is ideal for a solution to that struggle.
The space itself is a bonus landing-like area at the top of our stairs. It is surrounded by entrances to all of our bedrooms and a full bathroom. In similar homes in our neighborhood, this space is closed off with a wall and is a very small 4th bedroom for the homes; however, I am so glad it is merely an open space in our house. It is currently perfect for morning routines. We wake in the morning and shut our baby gate at the top of the stairs. We close all of the extra bedroom doors and bathroom door, which allows baby Ollie to run free in between our master bedroom and his play area. After we are done, it is the easiest place to tidy up quickly in the entire house. All of the toys are limited to the small area and find their way back into the bins.
Some of my favorite things about this room is the wall decor. I wanted to be so intentional around making sure that the decor in this space meshed well with our whole home feel but allowed a bit of whimsy, education, and childish factor. One of my favorite pieces is our family portrait that was designed by Whimsical Imaginings. I discovered Serina's shop on Etsy a few months back and knew that her designs would fit perfectly to what we already had selected for these walls. I could not have imagined it any better.
She worked with me to make sure that aspects of our family was highlighted in the photo that she painted for us. Note the Mickey in Ollie's arms? So ideal for us and our Disney loving home! I truly will treasure this piece for many years to come!
I cannot wait to share an opportunity with you to get one of these for your own home. Whimsical Imaginings is giving you a 20% off coupon to anything in her shop! Use TAKE20 at checkout to gain your discount!
Here is a little bit more about Serina, the owners of Whimsical Imaginings:
How did you get your shop started?
I actually didn't have any plans to start a small business. I was approached by a friend who knew I was a painter when she was unable to find paintings that suited the vision she had for her nursery. So I painted her some custom canvases, and it sort of snowballed from there. I had many other people approach me afterward, so I started with just local orders. I set up my etsy shop after a year or so, and didn't really have anything listed for the first year. I eventually went back to it, and now it is what it is!
What is the hardest part of owning a shop?
I think most of the hard part is over now that my shop is more established. At first it's just a bit of a learning process trying to figure out shipping and pricing, and it's a lot of time to get things listed.
What is one thing unique about you?
This is a hard one! I guess maybe that I'm most happy when I'm home and painting. I love being alone, and I have to paint. It's my stress reliever and I just feel most myself when I'm creating.
What is the best part of owning a shop?
Right now it's that it allows me to be home with my three babies. I'm just so thankful for my shop because I'm able to spend my time with them while they're little.
How did you get your shop name?
I actually came up with it because my oil paintings (which is my most favourite medium) are super whimsical. I've always been told that I have quite the imagination, and so the two things sort of just came together to make the name whimsical imaginings.
What is one way that you keep organized?
Lists! I have people contacting me through instagram, through Facebook, and through Etsy, so it's necessary. I have to write down what I need to do and when, otherwise it's so easy to forget things.
How do you balance family life and work life?
I actually feel like they sort of blend together. They're not really separate. My kids are involved in a lot of what I do. They often paint beside me, and tag along when I make post office runs!
