DIY Part 1: Head-First Into Home Decorating

My oldest child was about to have her tenth birthday and I'd been mulling over the idea of re-decorating her bedroom to mark her debut into 'double digits'. She was still sleeping in a bed more suited to a five-year-old. She needed a desk, as well. I wanted more than furniture, though. I wanted the opportunity to knock the kid's socks off.

My adventure started six months before Sophie's birthday and consisted of a whole lot of window shopping. I visited every furniture store within fifty miles, questioned my daughter relentlessly about her favorite colors, trolled Craigslist on a daily basis (it's amazing what people will try to sell. Anybody interested in a custom couch made from old truck parts? It only costs $4,000, afterall.)



I finally settled on a color scheme of pink, white and black, but didn't have any idea how to incorporate my chosen palette into the room. Instead of making a decision, I continued to window shop. I woke up three weeks before her birthday and fell into a panic. The deadline was looming and I'd not committed to a single piece of furniture or bit of decor. (My original goal had been to follow a very strict budget...this went out the window as I ran out of time.) Even Kevin, usually my calm voice of reason, was starting to get jumpy. It was now or never. I grabbed my mother and some cash and we went furniture shopping...that's when things got a little spooky.