Wallpaper on the Playroom Ceiling

The ceiling in the playroom is really low - just under eight feet. It actually feels nice and cozy, especially for the kids, but I wanted to try and trick the eye a little. I hung the yellow curtains almost up to the ceiling and that helped, but it felt like we needed something a little more exciting up on or by the ceiling.

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I've always loved Julia Rothman's Daydream wallpaper from Hygge & West. In a middle-of-the-night design session I remembered the pattern and reached out the company to see if they had enough rolls in stock to send me a rush shipment. We were only a few days out from the Domino shoot at this point and I needed that paper ASAP!! Hygge & West was wonderful to work with and they rushed those couple of rolls out right away.

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I went with the green color way, which has a creamy background, soft blue clouds and the prettiest color of jade green on the sweet little birdies. When the girls walked in after the paper hangers were finished, there were all sorts of oohs and ahhs and even some squeals. :) A very good sign. Gracie called it magical, which was pretty much the perfect compliment. I think it feels pretty magical too.

We finished out the edges with just some casing trim (no room for even a short crown) that we painted with left over paint from the bathroom ceiling (Farrow and Ball's Pale Powder). We matched the baseboards too and left the walls white (Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace).

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The light fixture was a happy find at Lowes! It was a steal at $30!

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The wallpaper was a relatively affordable way to quickly transform this space. I spent almost no money on anything else in the playroom, so I felt good about investing in the couple of rolls and the labor for the paper hangers. I did save a lot of money by prepping the walls myself. We skim coated every surface, including the ceiling, with hot mud and then primed it all. It was a ton of work, but it helped me feel better about hiring out the paper.  And really, we were so out of time, there was no way I could have hung this by myself. Plus it turns out there are all sorts of fancy contraptions the paper hanger used to install the long sheets at this angle. Tricky stuff! Sometimes it's best to leave installation to professionals - precious wallpaper is one of those times I think.

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I couldn't be happier with this room. We use it all day long and it feels like such a happy, welcoming space where the girls can play and read and work on homework.

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31 comments:

  1. Stunning!!!! I'm not a little girl and I think it is absolutely magical, too. :)

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  2. This is perfection, love!

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  3. This space is truly magical! I've seen this wallpaper and always loved it. What a great idea to cozy up a small space with a special wallpaper. I'm totally in love with this room. xx

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  4. This is beyond fabulous! I gasped when I saw the first photo and I've just been sitting here with my mouth hanging open. I cannot wait to get my hands on that Domino spread!

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  5. I live in the Valley and have a new home with terrible textured walls. How long did it take you to skim coat the room and for an entire house would you recommend a DIY or just hire a Pro? Thanks!

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  6. I can't imagine a more perfect application for that wallpaper. It seems like it was made for ceilings!

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  7. Hi Trisha!

    I'm feeling for you! I have NO IDEA why we put that horrible stuff on our walls here! It's so ugly!

    We hired out the retexturing of our super-vaulted living room walls and it cost a crazy amount of money. I'm sure a lot of it was the ceiling height, but I've had other rooms bid out too (including the play room) and I was like, yeaaaahh... I'll just do it myself I think! It was going to cost about twice as much as the wallpaper installation to get just the ceiling skim coated! Craziness.

    I will say though that the walls I have paid for look flawless! The walls of our playroom are pretty darn close to that, but the ceiling was much more tricky, so it's not perfect. Plus we were just totally out of time. I think if I had had more time I could have done a better job.

    ANYWAY, I'm rambling. Point is, if I were you, I'd probably try a small room, like a bathroom, and see how it goes. If you're happy with it, tackle a hall or a bedroom. By the time you get around to the living spaces, you'll probably be a pro. OR you'll be happy to fork over the cash to some professional drywall guys or painters (both know how to do this well).

    Hope that helps!! xoxo

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  8. What a fabulous addition to compliment your dramatic drapes!

    And that light is absolutely stunning- can't beat the price... such a steal!!

    Kudos on another job well done,
    Jenna
    Eco Chic Sense

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  9. Wallpapered ceilings look so great! What a playful way to make the room more fun and whimsical. Great choice of paper as it's cute and fun, but still sophisticated. I so can't wait to see the Domino feature!

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  10. Would it be weird if I copied everything you do? I seriously love it all--this playroom is soooo perfect!

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  11. What fun it will be for the girls to lay on that beautiful rug and gaze up at that whimsical, magical ceiling! I love play rooms....I wish my kids were still at an age where I could do this too : )

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  12. It's beautiful and so happy! Could you share where you found that beautiful red rug?

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  13. Gorgeous! Can't wait to see the entire room :)

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  14. My heart skipped a beat when seeing Linus :) What a great playroom Jenny. The girls will have lots of fun in this unique space. You are fearlessly creative.

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  15. Ah, I love this so much! I have also loved that wallpaper, and now I'm sure this is the perfect application for it. How very special and whimsical!

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  16. This room is just unreal - like something from a dream! What a magical place for your girls to play and read and imagine. So many awesome elements - amazing job, as always!!!

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  17. Hey there! I'm curious where you got the floral body pillows. Did you make them or get them somewhere?

    PS I wish I had a room like this when I was younger.

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  18. Gorgeous wallpaper! I love how you take so many different colors, textures and patterns and make them work in a space. Love your style.

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  19. I love everything about this room! It's perfect for kids yet so sophisticated! Everything you do is so classy!

    I am in love with the console/dresser. Is it vintage mid-century or something I could find at a store?:)

    Thanks for another great post!

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  20. Adore this wallpaper and it is perfect for the ceiling!

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  21. I absolutely adore that wallpaper!!! I wanted it for the wall on my stairs... We have gone for something else but a girl can dream!!!

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  22. I adore that wallpaper. Always have. That is a fabulous playroom. Maybe one day, you will do 360 degree videoes of all your rooms so that we can get the full story of each room. Love all I have seen so far!

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  23. i think this is my favorite room you've ever done.

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  24. Such a cute idea to add character to a room. I wish this was my room when I was little.

    -Sayeh, The Office Stylist
    http://theofficestylist.com/

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  25. That wallpaper was made for a ceiling. Like you said... so magical.

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  26. I am in love with this. I do have one question, though: what is HOT MUD?

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  27. Love it! I'm all the sudden realizing that the ceilings in my house that I thought were decent are all incredibly short :(

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  28. I'm so impressed with how you've blended patterns and colours in here. It's such a fun happy space. Perfect for your girls, but still super stylish.

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)