CHURCH CRY ROOM RENOVATION

I was back at our church this past week working on a little room renovation/makeover. The CRY ROOM is an area of the church where mothers can nurse, change their kiddos if need be, or retreat when said cherubs choose to get a little cray-cray. My kids are well past this phase (well, most days at least), so I personally had no use for this room. That being said, after checking it out, I knew I really wanted to tackle this space within our church next. Afterall, the cry room should exude warmth, instill peace, and serve as a retreat (of sorts) when our body of mamas need to use it.

Here is where we started:

See what I mean? These bare walls and temporary rockers needed some assistance just as this room needed a little facelift.

Ready to see this room renovation?

And here's how it all went down:

After resorting to Pinterest and checking out numerous nurseries online, I selected a mountain scene wall mural to serve as the main design of this space. Besides, I'd been wanting to tackle this little gem for quite a while and was excited at the opportunity to finally get to do so.

Cute, huh? Now for the rest of the room. I made this preliminary design board using images mostly found on Pinterest.  We needed economical, yet comfortable furniture that would be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and budget-friendly. I selected both of these modern rockers paired with a basic grey couch I found on Wayfair. 

Next up? The mini gallery wall. Seriously, EVERY time I hear the word "cry" I think of that song from Guns n' Roses. You know the one. So much so, that I felt the need to implement some of the song's lyrics into this space. I mean, it IS the Cry Room and it works. It's fun and even better? When weary mamas are using this room. it may just bring a much needed smile. 

The rest of these items and frames were found at Hobby Lobby. Oh, and that "Pray Big" sign looked awesome when I originally purchased it in black but this area needed a pop of orange to help balance it with the main feature wall. A little spray paint to the rescue!

That's it! Future plans for this room include a new changing table. Something rustic and non-traditional (with lots of storage) but in the meantime, this place is ready for our church body of mamas and all their wee ones.

The Details:

Couch & Rocker Chairs: Wayfair

Rug & Coffee Table: Ashley Furniture Store

Wall Gallery Decor: Hobby Lobby

Printables: A Fresh Coat Yuma

Wall Mural: A Fresh Coat Yuma

Copper Vinyl Triangles: Lindsey Elk

Pillows: Hobby Lobby & Kirkland's

Table Centerpiece: Kirkland's

Paint Colors: SW Urbane Bronze, SW Cattle Drive, SW Dovetail (25% reduction)

Missions Ministry Wall

This welcome center wall had been itching for some TLC for a long while. So when the Missions Team at The Rock Church (Yuma, AZ) approached me on reconfiguring this space, I jumped at the chance. With families serving in South America and beyond, the goal was to highlight the work being done abroad as well as the service projects taking place right here in Yuma...all on a budget.

After searching Pinterest and talking to the Missions teams directors, we figured on some pictures, an oversized map, some signage, and a display case to provide information on our missionaries and upcoming missions work.

Here is where we started:

And here is the finished wall:

1.) The Map: I wanted to include an oversized map of the world to serve as the backdrop for the rest of the elements on this wall. Local vinyl phenom, Lindsey Elk created this gorgeous black matte piece and even installed it for me too. She's awesome. The contrast of the dark black on top of that painted SW Dovetail wall is dramatic and seriously striking!

2.) Canvas Photos: I love the look of a canvas photo collage. It's simple, clean, and makes a huge impact. By combining stock photos and mission trip pics in various sizes, AFC was able to really set the mood and tone of this wall. Using my "go-to" for canvas prints (www.easycanvasprints.com), a little editing on Pic Monkey to lighten, brigthen, and alter the hues just a bit, and then by adding a fantastic rustic frame (thanks, Nate Koogle!) to accent our beautiful African girl, the wall began to transform.

3. Signage: Letters, signage, and the likes can really take its toll on one's budget and since this was a church project, moola was scarce (appropriately so). However, I really wanted to add some industrial letters to coordinate with the rest of the welcome center and direct parishioners/visitors attention to this wall.

In an effort to save money, I found these paper mache letters on HobbyLobby.com for $1.50 a piece (on sale).

I then picked up a can of silver, hammered spray paint (I love me some spray paint) and got to work making each letter appear to look like metal. 

Next, I distressed them using ink (of all things) and boom(!)---rustic metal-looking letters for crazy cheap.

The remaining "ministry" signage was custom made from a great shop on Etsy. I ordered this piece in a raw metal finish and then spray painted it upon arrival. I really wanted to tie in the orange hue found in both the floors of the lobby as well as the matching decor.

While this wall is close to completion, it still needs a few more special touches;   a kiosk to help balance out the top and bottom, lighting to highlight those pictures and create even more interest in this wall, and possibly some interactive screens to showcase our missionaries and the work they're doing abroad.

The Details

Paint: SW Dovetail Gray

Vinyl World Map: Lindsey Elk-Yuma, AZ

Canvas Collage: www.easycanvasprints.com

Industrial Letters: Hobby Lobby

Display Case: www.displays2go.com

Ministry sign: Shop Simply Inspired--Etsy

Rustic Picture Frame: Nate Koogle-Yuma, AZ

Love, J