Le Chateau de Caroline

I was spending time in Caroline's room the other day - we were reading books - and I realized that I don't think I ever actually "revealed" her room. Crazy Shannon. I guess I have been too wrapped up in spending time with my little angel. To see the room come together you can read here: design plan, part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.


When you first walk in, Caroline has her beach bag/library book bag hanging and ready to go! We used this during our Cape trip and our Florida vacation.

The striped bag was an impulse Ikea find, but the crown hook was picked up at a store in Vermont, when Hubby and I went to visit my aunt and uncle.

Here is the dresser and changing table. The Ikea Hemnes dresser has been the perfect storage solution. It's plenty tall enough for Hubby and I, two tall glasses of water, to use as our changing station. Plus it holds a boatload of clothes! Plenty of space for all the little outfits Caroline has now, and I am sure plenty of space for any big girl clothes to come. I switched out the knobs for pink lucite ones from Target.

And because I know everyone likes a good close up. The lamp was a Homegoods find that was recycled from our old guestroom. The elephant is actually a "piggy" bank from my aunt and godmother - which reminds me, we should really start saving for this little girl!

Hubby picked up the Automoblox. If he couldn't share his geeked-out love of cars with a boy, at least he could get his little girl a pink toy car. The caveman-old ipod still works and is permanently on repeat of this lullaby CD. It's our night time godsend. We start that baby up during Caroline's last feeding, and she's out in no time. Plus, it plays through her monitor and Hubby and I have been lulled to sleep by the music on more than one occasion.

The crown canisters were from another shop we happened upon during our Vermont trip. One has cotton pads that we use for diaper cream and what not, while the other canister holds extra pacis.

Moving around the room, we have our glider that was a real find from Jordan's outlet. Riley loves the vantage point that the chair provides, she can spy on our neighbors and passers by, even when not sitting in our living room.

The ottoman is also finished, my mom worked on it when she was here not long ago. It's the perfect spot for late night napping nursing.

The shelves next to the chair are full of books, although I am hoping to expand our collection a bit more. Growing up, my parents always had the thought "if you'll read it, we will buy it." I am planning to adopt the same with Caroline. I think there is nothing more rewarding for kids than spending time, reading a good book with mom or dad. The baskets are filled with small toys, some Caroline likes, and some that she could care less about (for now).

There are a few goodies tucked in among the books. Every girl needs her very own pair of ruby slippers.

And the former "baby" has found a new home on the shelves, as well. We found her sailor hat, so she is already for a day on the water. I think Caroline and her will become good friends one day. Caroline and I try to read Goodnight Moon every night - if she can stay awake through her lullaby CD, that is.

The two bins next to the window are from Target. I wish I had pulled the straps on the left one tight, I hate that it's a little shorter than the one on the right. Maybe I should just Photoshop that picture to make myself feel better. The blank wall above it ready for some custom art work that's in the works. I'll show you once it arrives!

One of the hampers is used to hold large toys and the other is for dirty laundry. Thankfully, when I took these photos, I had just done all her laundry!

Further to the right is the closet, which I showcased here.

We received a hand print kit as a gift from Caroline's Aunt and Uncle, which we finally got around to doing when she was 8 weeks old. It was not nearly as easy as the instructions make it out to be, but I am really glad we have it.

And of course, here is the crib, which was more than a little work - but Caroline loves her crib. She sleeps so well, and sometimes she wakes up from a nap and just hangs out and talks to herself for awhile. Changing the white sheet turned out to be more than a bit tricky, with all the bumpers and what not. Plus, our organic mattress is HEAVY, so it was really a two person job. I picked up the Ultimate Crib Sheet a couple weeks ago, and haven't looked back. You can see it just peeking through between the mattress and the bumpers, if you looked really closely.

Caroline has a few crib friends to keep her company. This giraffe leans over and makes for a good chatting buddy.

Plus, her Sleep Sheep is close by too. He's been a close companion since day one.

Our baby monitor is hung with a not-so-unfortunate-looking Command Hook. The Angel Care monitor has a sensor pad that sits under your mattress and will sound an alarm if it doesn't feel any of your baby's movements for a period of time. It's supposed to help protect against SIDS. It may be marketing racket, but it sure helps me sleep at night. Plus the parent receiver displays the nursery temperature, which I really like knowing during these hot summer nights.

Now that Caroline's vision is getting a bit better, she loves to watch her mobile.

The butterflies dance slowly with a slight breeze, and it's absolutely mesmerizing. I could sit all day and watch them fly around, I can only imagine what it's like to see them from below.

So you saw the room at it's finest, but here's what it really looks like on a daily basis. The end table is a bit closer to the nearest outlet, so the fan can provide a cool breeze. It's a great little fan, pretty quiet and provides a good amount of air circulation. Plus it matches, so you know, that's a plus.

(Side note: can you spot Riley? It's like a game of Where's Waldo around these parts with Riley.)

The ottoman is actually no where near the chair, where it would be most helpful. The ottoman is the current resting spot of Caroline's Twilight Turtle.

Caroline LOVES her twilight turtle. Again, now that her vision is really improving, she can't get enough of the constellation light show. Parents, your nights will be easier with one of these. Swears.

So there it is, the room in all it's "real" glory - how we really use it. Looking at this photo, it's not actually that different than the staged photos.

But, just to be sure, the best thing about this room is the little girl that we made it for.

I am heading back to work today, so it will be the first time I am away from her all day. I'm getting a little teary now just thinking about it. So wish me luck and wish for a super speedy day so I can get back home to this little Lovey.