Stickybeak of the Week: Chasing Rainbows in a Growing Girl's Bedroom
Thanks to Mum, Mia Hanekom's no-frills bedroom was transformed into a colourful and stylish space that goes the distance
There comes a time in every little ones’s life when they look around their bedroom and think, ‘I want a change’. It’s a precious moment and one worth celebrating – taking note of your child’s maturing tastes and letting them come alive in their own special space. Doné Hanekom did exactly that when her daughter Mia came to her asking for a rainbow bedroom makeover. While a rainbow theme has the potential to get out of control, Doné stuck to a sophisticated and fun style and involved Mia in every step of the process, which helped strengthen their tight bond. Together, they turned Mia’s uninspiring yellow room into a stylish and mature space that will transition with her into teenage years.
This is the room prior to the makeover. The yellow walls, draped mosquito netting and knick-knacks dating back to Mia’s birth had to go and make way for her developing style and playful personality.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Doné and Mia Hanekom
Location: Perth, WA
Size: 11 square metres
Mia requested a rainbow room makeover, where she could hang out, enjoy fun colours and do her homework. Instead of taking a stereotypical approach to the decor, Doné decided to work in the multi-coloured theme against a sophisticated grey backdrop. “As kids’ rooms are stereotyped, I wanted to do something different. I focused on the colours of the rainbow and made it the feature of the room,” Doné says.
Wall paint in ‘Western Myall’: Dulux
Who lives here: Doné and Mia Hanekom
Location: Perth, WA
Size: 11 square metres
Mia requested a rainbow room makeover, where she could hang out, enjoy fun colours and do her homework. Instead of taking a stereotypical approach to the decor, Doné decided to work in the multi-coloured theme against a sophisticated grey backdrop. “As kids’ rooms are stereotyped, I wanted to do something different. I focused on the colours of the rainbow and made it the feature of the room,” Doné says.
Wall paint in ‘Western Myall’: Dulux
Cushion: Tree of Life
Doné took note of Mia’s favourite things and made sure she was surrounded by them. “She has everything she loves in her room – a hippo, a pug, a unicorn (she wants to be a unicorn when she grows up), colours of the rainbow and love hearts. Like her, it’s a fun and happy room,” she explains.
The choice of colour for the walls was Doné’s biggest challenge. Because she had used a lot of colourful accessories, she knew she wanted wall paint that offered a blank canvas. As the majority of the furniture was white, she decided to go with charcoal. She was originally concerned with how it would affect the appearance of space in the room, and thought maybe it wouldn’t work for a six-year-old’s bedroom. “Although I could picture the colour, I was still hesitant to use such a bold and dark hue for her room. After I painted the first wall, I knew it would work. Somehow it makes the room feel bigger and it makes the colours pop,” Doné explains.
Pom pom garland: eBay
Pom pom garland: eBay
Although she bought most of the items from well-known stores, Doné managed to make each piece unique with a bit of creativity and DIY. The three prints on the wall are an example of Doné’s resourcefulness, creating them herself on Photoshop.
Hemnes daybed: Ikea; Flaxa bedhead: Ikea
Hemnes daybed: Ikea; Flaxa bedhead: Ikea
She also dip-painted the legs of the Ikea desk to further play with the rainbow theme.
Desk lamp: Target
Desk lamp: Target
The family is originally from South Africa, and having grown-up in Australia, Mia doesn’t get to spend much time with her relatives. Doné created this photo collage in the shape of a heart, complied with photos of her relatives and fond memories. “With the photos displayed in her room, her relatives and friends are part of her life every day,” Doné says.
The dollhouse is another crafty project that makes the bedroom unique. Originally a present Doné was making for Mia’s fourth birthday, Mia discovered the gift early and decided to help her mum complete it.
Detailed here are the various rooms of the dollhouse. The care taken with the execution of the ‘Wood’s home’ show the amount of work the mother-daughter team put into the project.
“The birthday gift turned into a special project between the two of us. We worked on it for almost a year, using only things from around the house,” she explains.
“The birthday gift turned into a special project between the two of us. We worked on it for almost a year, using only things from around the house,” she explains.
“The time we spent together making it has so many special memories. All the light fittings are fairy lights and most nights she puts on the lights and puts the Woods (the dolls) to bed,” Doné says.
When asked what pearls of wisdom she can pass onto other parents wanting to makeover their little one’s bedroom, Doné advises to add lots of storage, keep the furniture and walls plain and add a theme with fun accessories that can be changed as they grow.
TELL US
How have you made over your child’s bedroom? Show us by posting photos in the Comments section.
MORE
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TELL US
How have you made over your child’s bedroom? Show us by posting photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Clever Kids’ Rooms: 15 Ideas for Girls’ Bedrooms That Shine
Girl Meets World: Sweet, Stylish and Unexpected Girls’ Nursery Themes
12 Thrifty Tips for Gorgeous Girls’ Bedrooms on a Budget