It’s been a long windy road, but Robin’s playroom built-ins are complete! If you’re just tuning in to Robin’s Sawdust Diaries, catch up on what you missed here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. You can also get the free plans for the entire “Robin Collection“! Links are at the bottom of this post.
Robin’s Playroom Built-ins – Finale!!
Sandra sent us the upper bookshelf plans and I’d like to say that we were old pros by this point, but we weren’t. Once we completed building the bookcases, I thought we were in the final stretch. Everything was primed and painted. Installation into the walls was fairly easy but who knew that the finishing details would be so time consuming: touch up paint, then caulking – holy gravy – caulking. Caulking took me an entire day. I used a caulk gun, had little scrapper tools, a damp rag. I was all set. Of course, when I tried to smooth the caulk, I managed to get it on my beautiful, newly painted dark blue walls! Argh! More touch-up paint needed!
But then something crazy happened! I was done. I may have done a happy dance. My husband wandered in and said “Huh. It looks like they are built-in. Like they are meant to be here!” I think he was a bit impressed with all my work! 😉
Within an hour of opening the doors to the girls – they had the place looking like this!
Some here are my overall lessons learned:
- Know your strengths. Luckily my husband and I make a great team. I learned I don’t enjoy the carpentry part, but he does. I enjoy the design, painting, finishing, decorating part – he couldn’t care less.
- Sanding! Next time I will sand everything within an inch of its life!
- It isn’t perfect. No way close. Next time we’ll do better, but we’re pretty proud for our first time.
- Either be OK with the lengthy time involved for our working family with small children, or take off two weeks from work and knock the project out.
- There will be another project. It might be quite some time, but once you have created something like this – there is no going back.
Get the free plans for the “Robin Collection” built-ins here:
kim massa says
Great job both Robin and Hubs. I hope I can build one as nice as yours!! My daughter has asked for a bench like your window bench but it will be built in her mud room. You both inspire me.
Patty says
I love the room. I am so impressed by the built ins. But I am too dying to know where you got the frames for the art. My preschooler loves for me to display her artwork and this would be perfect for our playroom. Please do let us know.
Chantelle - ThousandSquareFeet says
This is so beautiful! I bet the girls love to be in this room – it is so cheerful! I, too, love the frames on the walls and the colors you chose. The part that I really enjoy is seeing the setup on the window wall as it is so similar to what I want to build in my son’s room. You have done a fantastic job and you should be so proud of yourself!
Holly says
Your playroom is beautiful! I know a couple others have also asked this, but I was curious where you purchased the frames for the artwork, as well as the pencil/chalk/paint brush holder?
Thank You!
Brenda says
Please tell me where you purchased the frames for the artwork! My daughters are prolific artists and I would love to display their crafts like this! Great playroom!
Lara says
Looks great! I’d like to know where you got the storage units on the wall above the chalkboard table. I love those!
sarah says
this is awesome! i love the colors, framing the window and the playful nature of the room. well done!!!
Amy says
Looks great! Where did you get those awesome picture frames on the wall for the kids art?
Rosalie says
Fantastic! I can identify with that last pic. 🙂
Ayisha says
I love the built-ins. And the colors are so fun and appropriate for the space. I don’t have any children yet but I look forward to creating something like this for them down the road. Good job and yes this is only the beginning. 🙂
Katie says
Gorgeous built-ins! They did a great job!!!
Courtney says
Yes! You did it!!! It looks wonderful, even without the doors. And me too — next time I will sand more, more, more! 😉
Fawn Teresi says
I love this! I am anxiously awaiting the shared plans! Love that last photo 🙂 thats how my playroom looks most days!
Jenn says
Soo cool! I love the destroyed picture at the end – at least there’s a place for everything to get put away!