For the last 16 years our bedroom has been more of a family room than a place to call our own. Before going to bed at night we've either had to sweep crumbs from the bed due to toast-munching toddlers, remake the bed entirely thanks to Toby using it as an indoor trampoline or get into bed to find lumps of lego underneath the top sheet from where Toby has crawled (in summer we have a stretchy cotton jersey fitted sheet which he likes to sit under and use like a tent).
Over the years the bed has been a surface for tickle games (like in the pictures above), a thing to hide behind in games of hide-n-seek and a quiet place to snuggle at the end of the day for bedtime stories. Both of the children have at one time or another slept in our bed (or next to it in a moses basket as newborns) and we've frequently had family breakfast in bed – before Toby was born Amy used to sit between H and I every morning to eat her toast.
The walls of our room have been crayoned on by Amy when she was small and Toby has smeared my rather expensive face cream all over the floor and used it as a skating rink. Several times in the past he has smeared much worse over the walls, but we'll not think too deeply about that.
We'd never ban the children from our room but they both have rooms of their own that they now prefer spending time in, so it felt like it was time to reclaim a little space of our own again (and a room that was a more fitting backdrop to the crochet blanket that I spent so long making – it used to have dark blue walls).
The walls are now all painted, in the soft dove grey colour I had in mind (we went for no. 3 in the end), the pictures are re-hung (all are photographs taken by H) and the new furniture is in. I am so enjoying having a peaceful, tranquil space to retreat to now and then. In fact I'm off there now for a spot of knitting (Toby is at a holiday club for a few hours today enjoying the bouncy castle) and it might be a while before I come out again!
little cotton rabbits 
Awe Julie it looks lovely and very tranquil, enjoy your ‘new’ space. 🙂
V x
LikeLike
Beautifully coordinated, looks like a lovely place to spend time.
LikeLike
How lovely! May you have many pleasant hours in your new bower!
LikeLike
Oh it looks so beautiful and tranquil ….. enjoy x
love Jooles x x x
LikeLike
Peaceful indeed! congratulations!
Maureen
LikeLike
Your room is absolutely beautiful, Julie. I love the soft color on the walls, and the way your afghan looks with it. I didn’t realize until now just how large your afghan is, it’s really impressive. It’s a dream of mine to make one that big for my own bed eventually. Enjoy your peaceful room.
LikeLike
I love the light color you chose for the walls. And the white furniture really brightens up the room too. But most of all I love the gorgeous bed covering and the lovely photography on the walls. Thanks for sharing with us. It’s always so fun seeing “before” and “after” redecorating. Bravo!
Here’s a peek at my bedroom. I crocheted the cover half a century ago when I was just a teenager, and it still looks like new today (probably because I don’t have kids):
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kimmyz/granny-square-bedcover-and-hooked-rug
It might be time for a change after all these years, but I have to admit that I still like the colorful granny squares.
Hugs, Kimmy
LikeLike
Isn’t it such a wonderful sense of accomplishment when you complete a project like this? 😀
(Time for me to stop avoiding my painting tools and get to it! Thanks for the inspiration!)
Also, great palette!
LikeLike
It looks beautifully calm and restful now, a perfect place to be and it compliments the blanket beautifully!
S x
LikeLike
Oh my–so tranquil looking! Your blanket is really showcased by the rest of the colors in the room.
xoxoxo
LikeLike
Your ‘new’ room is beautiful. Love the crocheted blanket.
LikeLike
It’s beautiful Julie! I love love love your gorgeous bed cover — and the wall match it perfectly!
LikeLike
Beautiful bedroom!! Your afghan is stunning. Our bedroom was also used this way, while the kids were younger. I think it is great, that they have a comfortable place to spend with their parents. My only problem, both boys moved out—but the dog stayed!! He has crumbs from his chew bones & takes up half my side of the bed!! I can’t put anything too nice on the bed, because of the dog hair. It is comforting to have him there & actually made it easier, when the boys took off for new homes!! My oldest son actually broke the side board on my bed, when he was jumping on it!!
LikeLike
I’m so happy for you. Everyone needs a peaceful space, somewhere to escape to and breathe, but I know that every minute you spend in there will be very precious to you.
LikeLike
It looks so lovely and peaceful. The pictures look great 🙂
LikeLike
so pretty and tranquil!! Looks like a wonderful oasis, just like a bedroom should.
LikeLike
Julie, I’m visiting from Rhonda’s and I’m so glad she shared your space with us today. Your room is peaceful. Just beautiful. Mari
LikeLike
It looks lovely, the wall colour really sets of your beautiful blanket. Your husband’s pictures are wonderful. Enjoy your haven.
LikeLike
While I loved the blue this allows the beautiful afghan to be the centerpiece. Perfect color to show it off.
LikeLike
The room looks beautiful and will be a wonderful place for you and your knitting needles to have some ‘me’ time. Enjoy Julie. Xx
LikeLike
It is really lovely and is set off very well by your beautiful blanket! xx
LikeLike
It’s lovely – a really tranquil space. I love grey paint on walls – my bedroom is a paler shade, but definitely grey! The photographs are beautiful too.
LikeLike
Our girls are often in our bed, even as they’re older now, sprawling across it or burrowing under the duvet to find the warm spots. It’s one of the delights of being a family – but it is very satisfying to reclaim the space as your very own! You have definitely created a tranquil haven in yours! xx
LikeLike
Your room looks like a cozy retreat – the blanket you made is absolutely beautiful! Glad that you were able to reclaim this space as your own again.
LikeLike
Love the photos!
LikeLike
gorgeous – and so glad that you have a peaceful space of your own
LikeLike
You deserve it! Enjoy.
LikeLike
Truly lovely! You deserve it.
LikeLike
What a great job you have done. It is lovely. Well Done! I hope you have wonderful times in your new beautiful room.
LikeLike
Beautiful. I love the wall color too.
LikeLike
I love the blanket and really lovely you have your own space now, it looks lovely!
LikeLike
Lovely and peaceful. Made me relax and take a deep breath.
LikeLike
It looks lovely Julie!
LikeLike
A much needed oasis, I have no doubt. A well thought-out space and beautifully created!
LikeLike
(sigh)…. It looks beautiful. Truly. A real sanctuary. I love your lily pictures (Stargazer lilies are my favourite flowers.) Enjoy. Relax. Cherish. xxx
LikeLike
i imagine myself in that space and a feeling of comfort and home comes over me…your lovely blanket brings it all together.
LikeLike
Lovely and peaceful, Julie….enjoy it!! Pati xx
LikeLike
Hello Julie,
Just a note to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I am not a knitter, but a knitting friend sent me your link a few years ago and I find myself peeking in whenever I need some quiet, reflective time. Your posts are a wonderful, relaxing therapy – the colors you choose, the lovely photographs, your cheery writing style, and the adorable pets you create. When my friend forwarded your blog she appropriately titled it “Oh my!” Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes from an American friend (with an English mother)
LikeLike
Looks a beautiful space to spend some ‘you’ time in, the flower photography is gorgeous. Enjoy x
LikeLike
That looks fantastic – what a transformation and the flower pictures are gorgeous. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Oh what a change! You have done so well! I am glad you can now take advantage of your new private space and enjoy tranquillity. Bravo pour votre énorme travail, c’est très réussi! Anne
LikeLike
YOUR ROOM LOOK LOVELY AND PICTURES
LikeLike
Olá,
esta cor ficou maravilhosa no seu quarto.
Achei muito harmônico com móveis e quadros.
Seus filhos são muito lindo, mesmo depois de crescidos.
Grande abraço e parabéns pelo lindo trabalho que tu realizas com tricô e também por esta colcha de crochê que ainda vou fazer uma igual.
LikeLike
Bedroom looks very nice indeed! Lovely hair on a beautiful girl. And the kittens are beyond cute. Love the mohair halo on those two white ones.
LikeLike
Pretty afghan and I love your white furniture. knitpurlgrrl aka Elizabeth
LikeLike
It looks gorgeous and I hope you enjoy it a lot.
LikeLike
So fresh and new!! Love it!!
LikeLike
It all looks rather marvellous, and restful, and properly grown up. I love it!
LikeLike
What a gorgeous room, you have an eye for interiors, and I especially love your blanket on the bed, it’s beautiful. A very relaxing place to be I think. You’ve reminded me that my eldest used to sit between us in bed every morning and eat grapes and sultanas and things. CJ xx
LikeLike
Lovely colours, gorgeous blanket, stunning photographs!! Such a peaceful space-I love it!
LikeLike
LOVE your room!! LOVE that it is your own! And love the mostest, H’s pictures on the walls. I didn’t know he was such a photographer. Just beautiful. Your whole family is talented! So many gifts.
Glad you are enjoying some time of tranquility. Everyone needs a bit of that now and then eh? And the little red radio.. the perfect splash of color!
LikeLike
so tranquil xxx
LikeLike
Beautifully calm… Love the blanket… ( and love your daughters hair!)
LikeLike
hello just about to start knitting an elephant for a little girls called nellie, and then my 20 year old daughter wants a boy and girl cat. still searching for the right wool for a monkey…..
LikeLike
Just added your recent pattern to my already growing number,all of which I have enjoyed knitting for my appreciative grandchildren. I’m looking forward to seeing if you come up with something for Christmas.
LikeLike
Oh beautiful, I felt calm just looking at the photo of your room!
Your blanket inspired me to finally learn to crochet! So far it’s only 25 squares big but I’m enjoying every minute of it!
Thank you for your inspiration!
Debbie
LikeLike
What makes me happy? Hmm taking the time to find the beauty in everything. Nature is inspirational but so are the people who touch our lives on a daily basis, especially the young children.
LikeLike
I always struggle with bedroom design, do you go with hotel, modern, country. But i think you have nailed yours, it feels relaxing and unintrusive. Just how a bedroom should be.
LikeLike
Sorry if I’ve missed this but could I ask what paint you used for the walls please? I would love to paint my bedroom the same colour. Thank you!
LikeLike