Hey friends!
It’s been quiet around these parts because my kids are on spring break this week. While they’re off, I’m tackling Hannah’s room with her, and it never ceases to amaze me how much STUFF my daughter amasses from one massive purge to the next. The girl is a hoarder of nailpolish and sneakers and school papers and oh – SOCKS. Hair bands. Earrings. Water bottles and drinking glasses. Of my three kids, she hangs out in her room the most – doing homework, chatting with friends, or getting her artsy crafty on.
Since Hannah is heading to high school next year (!!!) she is due for a few tweaks to this room that we decorated when she was ten. High on my list of changes is a more organized study environment. I know from experience that if there are distractions like, say, cute nailpolish next to where a math book is open to torturous trigonometry, it is very easy to drift away from studying to other more interesting pastimes.
Part of creating a better study space for Hannah is separating her desk area from her beauty products. I recently brought in a bigger desk and hutch for her, and while I was at it I made her another area for the amusements of a teenage girl, aka “study distractions”.
I present to you a vanity table for H.
Because of it’s slim profile, it’s worked out really well in a room that already has a good amount of furniture and…..stuff…..so I thought I’d share this simple idea with you.
I just married a small piece of furniture (this little shelf unit that I put together years ago for one of the kid’s rooms) with a melamine-coated board from Ikea, and built a very rudimentary support at one end to create a workspace.
Melamine-coated particle board shelves can be found at the big box furniture stores; I bought this one at Ikea for $10. Turned furniture legs are easily found at Lowes and Hope Depot, but there are already a lot of different “legs” going on in Hannah’s room, so I just mimicked the shape and size of the shelving unit to give this vanity a more cohesive look and not make the room busier.
I think Hannah could hardly believe her eyes when I came home with this cheap cheesy chic plastic chair. It’s not exactly quality furniture, but I must admit that when I was trying out all the desk chairs at Ikea, I found this one to be the most comfortable. And hot pink!
A perfect place to do nails. And then go study trigonometry.
Jane Bernard says
Great project! I guess girls just don't let go of stuff because my daughter does the same thing! Love the vanity table. And where did you find the pink chair… my daughter would love that!
Dana Frieling says
You're one smart momma! Looking forward to your bookcase update. 🙂
Vel Criste says
Smart Lisa! perfect for Hannah and her beauty routines (which will increase soon)! I like the chair, perfect pop of pink!
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
These Fridays come so fast each month!! I love your vanity- I can only imagine how much stuff comes with a teenage girl!
Denise Greenwood says
What a great idea Lisa!! I can't believe you are tackling this in the middle of ORC :). Also, I cannot believe this month is almost over!!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
adorable! love the pic of her painting her nails. 🙂
20 North Ora says
Hi Lisa – What a smart mother you are to realize having these two areas separate will help. Great idea! Love what you did. I am new to your blog and am your newest follower.
Judy
pam {simple details} says
What a fun project for spring break, lucky Hannah!! That is such a clever desk area, and the pink chair gives it a big dose of personality! I love that pillow too. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your break, and I'm assuming ORC is going really well or you wouldn't have had time for this!
Kim says
Love this … Our Sammy is 14 and off to High School next year as well … her new room in #ProjectDownSize is in serious need of some love!! You just might have distracted me from some other projects to take care of her!! Have a fun trip! xo
Andrea says
Love this idea. So smart. You are one brave woman taking on the One Room Challenge and your daughter's room, with Spring Break thrown in there.
Lisa Marie Wells says
What a fun idea!!! That is one lucky little lady!!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
I can totally relate with the amount of stuff that tween girls seem to collect in their rooms – and it's all little and goes everywhere! That desk is so clever – you're the queen of DIY furniture! Hannah has to be loving it!
Melanie Robinson says
I love your clever desk idea with storage!! Loving that glossy hot pink chair, as well. The only pink I see in my house is mine ( in my House of Men! ) lol Boys need storage, but I guess not as much as teenage girls, right?! Enjoyed catching up on your latest project, Lisa!!
Summer Hogan says
I absolutely love this vanity! What a sweet addition for little girls!
Stacey {steward of design} says
Great job! Looks really good. I just bought a chair like that for my youngest in green.
Brandi says
Hi Lisa! The table is so cute and such a great idea! Your daughter reminds me a lot of my own.