I recently reconnected with my childhood best friend, Iris (Thank you, Facebook!), and was delighted to see these gorgeous photos of her daughter Lila’s new big-girl bedroom. I had to ask her to share them with our readers, as it turned out so lovely on a less-than-$500 budget! Because Iris was working with such meager funds, she focused on items that made a big impact, like the focal point of the room: the fantastic Marimekko Ihmemaa textile from Finn Style, $175. The colors and illustration are perfect for her daughter — bright, fun, and full of whimsy. The bed was a lucky score on Craigslist ($35!). A jaunt to IKEA netted the bookshelf, pendant light, frames, curtain fabric, and sheepskin rug, along with a phenomenal deal on a natural latex mattress from the as-is section. The artwork over the dresser is all from Etsy — Matte Stephens, Sugarloop and Luludee, in simple, inexpensive matching frames. The vintage dresser was a gift from her mom, tastefully decorated with finds from Daiso, friends, and thrift stores. And that dee-luxe retro pink kitchen? Purchased a few years back at Costco (in anticipation of its use). I think all of Iris’s legwork is reflected in the results — a room that looks way more chic and well-appointed than its modest budget would allow. Lila l-o-v-e-s her new room, and it’s one that is fun enough for a little girl, but timeless enough for her to grow into for years to come. Heck, if my childhood bedroom were this fabulous, I may have actually kept it clean! –Megan B.
