I thought I would share a bit about my daughter Elise today and the plans for her room. She is a big girl now and lives in a group home! She’s been living there for about a year and does so much for herself. We’re really proud of her. It’s amazing how they can get her to do everything herself, but here… not so much. Here is a picture of the two of us. I am very protective of her, so I don’t often post photos of her, but here we are.
We were at a Christmas party, and as you can tell someone did not want to be there. (We left pretty much as soon as we took the photos, since I could tell she really was ready to go home.) She prefers to be at home, and she doesn’t like being told what to do. (Sounds a lot like me.)
Here’s her room at our house. She comes home on weekends and we love seeing her. She’s nonverbal, so it’s hard to get any input from her when decorating her room. The interesting thing is that she loves pretty things. She is always straightening up the house. When she sees that something has been moved she puts it back in its original spot. Everything needs to be lined up and in order.
After I wash laundry, I put it on the countertop in the laundry room, and sometimes don’t fold it right away. If she’s home, and finds that laundry there, she tosses it in the dirty clothes bin. I’ve learned my lesson.
I love how she has a view onto the street if she sits at her desk. She doesn’t, but if she did, she would have a nice view.
So this is her home away from home, where she lives during the week. It needs some help. She has a super sweet roommate that we really adore. I miss her old roommate too. She was also really a caring person. All of the residents are warm, sweet and caring. It’s all women too. I felt the room looked kinda sad with this furniture.
The chest of drawers has seen better days. My challenge is to make this room as cozy and inviting as I can on a budget of course. So here’s what I’m thinking for the room.
Elise needed a new mattress and foundation so I had to include that in my budget as well. I thought I would replace the beds with these headboards from the farm.
These headboards were replaced last year with some Frenchy ones CLICK HERE, so why not? These iron headboards were just sitting in my garage begging to be used.
I decided on the Hemnes chest HERE and 2 night stands HERE from IKEA for the room.
I do love antiques, but I knew that this piece was not going to be babied, and it needed to be sturdy, easy to open, and inexpensive to fit my personal budget.
I found these great bed skirts for the beds at an excellent price!! CLICK HERE. They are voile cotton. I knew we would need bed skirts because the bed will be on a hollywood metal frame since there is no footboard. I don’t want to see the metal frame under the bed.
The floor is tile, and it’s a hard surface that doesn’t look too friendly to me. I think it needs a rug. I am considering something cheery and bright. I know the roommate has some pink bedding so I’ll have to factor that in. I might go with something bright and splashy or something neutral, so the bedding can easily be changed.
Speaking of bedding, we could use this bedding possibly. I have it in the closet. If I go with a bold pattern, then I will use a simple rug. I’m keeping my options open right now.
I also want to change out the artwork and add a chair or a pouf to sit on. I usually have a few extra chairs sitting around. I’ll go through my stash of things first, then buy what I don’t have. I’m working on this slowly. I’ll keep you posted when I have more to report.
Aww…sweet girl and sweet mama! Adorable pic, Anita. I’m sure the girls will be thrilled with their new room. Everything you do is beautiful!
What a wonderful thing to do for not only your daughter but for her room-mates too. You’re definitely earning a spot in heaven.
I love the floral bedding. It makes every day spring, even the most dreary and is so feminine and fun.
I look forward to seeing the progress.
I love your decorating ideas, but especially love hearing about your sweet girll! Y’all are a precious family! ?
You my dear are an INCREDIBLE MOTHER!!!! HOW lucky she is to have you…thank you for opening your heart to all of us as I know how protective we all are of our children. You are an angel . A mothers love is like non-other…and I know with a special needs child there are so many challenges. You not only bring happiness to your precious daughter but you bring happiness to all of us as well! her rooms in both of her homes are incredibly beautiful!!!
I remember hearing you talk about this on the podcast and I’ve been wondering how this project is going. I look forward to seeing the end result!
Can’t wait to see the room when it is finished. So nice that you can do this for the girls.
Am looking forward to seeing what you do with the room. Since she loves pretty things, she certainly is fortunate to have you as her mother – for that reason and many others. I’m sure she will be so proud, even if she can’t speak the words. I love the photo – it’s so real life.
Sweetness all the way around. You are such a loving mother. The room at home is precious as is your daughter. I am sure what you do at the group home will bring love and sunshine to all. God bless you and your family.
Anita, I know this room will be lovely since you are decorating it. Thank you for letting us in on the project.
Hello Anita,
I have a daughter with special needs as well and she is a true gift to us as your daughter is to you. It’s wonderful that you can give her a lovely space. I’m sure that she loves that you are able to put your touch on this room, it will remind her of you each day.
Blessings to you both.
What a great idea, Anita! I’m sure they’ll love it when you’ve put it all together. You’re the best mom and wonderful friend ?
I love all of this!!! thank you for sharing.
Sincerely,
Angela from NJ
Love your ideas! The room is going to look amazing, no matter what you do with it, I’m sure of that. I definitely vote for some beautiful rugs. I don’t want to sound like a commercial, but I invite you to look at Sukhi rugs. There are a few rugs I can already imagine in your daughter’s group bedroom. I think some of them will match great with her lovely personality and nature.
Very great mother. It has to be hard, but you make her so happy. It is a great project for Elise.
Anita, what fabulous ideas to brighten up the room of your daughter and her roommates! What a wonderful thing to do. Elise may be nonverbal but she certainly seems to exhibit her mama’s gift of decorating and placing items where they look the best. After all, the best decorated room is all in the eyes (and in the personal choices) of the beholder. Right? Otherwise all our homes would look so much alike that dreaming up prettier and more aesthetically pleasing places to reside in would be useless! Blessing to you and your beautiful daughter. Keep those creative ideas flowing!
Thanks for the update! I heard you talking about this project on the podcast and can’t wait to see the end results! I’m sure Elise and her roommate will love it!
looking forward to your reveal, thank you for sharing with us my friend, hugs!