DIY Playroom Workbench/ Storage Unit

DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  1 | Classy Glam Living

The new season brought to our house a series of organizational projects.  While the Mr. is busy finishing up our entryway drop zone storage unit, I should document another much-needed piece that he had completed.  That is, the sanity-saving storage unit for little man's playroom.

As mentioned here, we've dedicated the small bedroom beside little man's room as the playroom, which is a great idea so we can keep his toys contained in just one space.

The playroom is relatively small, and with an existing desk, there is not enough space for storage and small play table.  We needed a 2-in-1 piece here!  The toy storage unit was designed to provide a workbench (for Lego'ing) and storage pull-out bins underneath.  It's a similar idea to IKEA's pull out storage...

IKEA STUVA toy storage bench

IKEA STUVA toy storage bench

... and in combination with Restoration Hardware's rustic/ industrial toy storage activity table:

Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware

It's a simple industrial-inspired utilitarian piece that serves its purpose.  Nothing fancy.

The Mr. had previously completed the work bench portion of this unit, as posted here:

The storage bins were finished a while ago, and I'm so glad to finally be able to clean up the playroom (somewhat) to show you!

DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  3 | Classy Glam Living

The pull-out bins are just wooden boxes on castors.  Again, totally utilitarian, and something "easy" for the Mr. to put together.  The bins fit board games in #1, more Lego boxes in #2 and even Nerf guns in bin #3.

The entire unit was stained in Minwax Classic Grey, which is my favourite stain that gives a somewhat Restoration Hardware look.

DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  4 | Classy Glam Living

After the Mr. stained the bins, I stencilled the numbers (downloaded this font) on them using chalk paint.

DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  5 | Classy Glam Living
DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  6 | Classy Glam Living

I didn't want to spend too much on the bin pulls, and these are just right for my budget.  I like the thickness of this pull for little man's small hands, and this antique nickel finish is the perfect pewter for the piece.

DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  7 | Classy Glam Living
DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  8 | Classy Glam Living

Here's little man assembling another Lego set, making full use of the work bench.

DIY Playroom Workbench + Storage Unit  9 | Classy Glam Living

It's more practical to use bins on castors than drawers, so he can wheel them all the way out to maximize his workspace and leg room.

Well, I thought the playroom is done with the completion of this unit.  As little man grows up, his toys collection grows with him; specifically, his Lego collection.  It's just a waste to disassemble the kits and mix the pieces with everything else...  you know how pricey Lego kits are!  Just see how crammed all his Legos are on his bench in the photo above...  and those are not even all of them!

Instead of cramming his entire Lego collection on the work bench, we decided to install a display shelf on the opposite wall.  

I love the industrial vibe of this shelf and it goes well with the overall look of the playroom.

It's a good size for the wall that used to house a canvas art and art display frame:

Playroom Art display gallery wall | Classy Glam Living

For now, this wall shelf would be used to display his Lego collections and whatever he wants to showcase.  When he eventually grows out of his toys, the shelf can perhaps be used for books...  or other collections of "cool stuff".

Playroom CB2 Stretch Modular Wall Shelf | Classy Glam Living
Playroom CB2 Stretch Modular Wall Shelf | Classy Glam Living

And with this display shelf in place, we can finally call this playroom COMPLETE.  Many thanks again to the Mr. for building the storage unit, which is just the perfect size for this tiny room!

To see more of little man's space, here's the post of his big boy bedroom.  It was also featured on Shutterfly as one of 75 Cheerful Boys' Bedroom Ideas.  

Shop the post here:

Restoration Hardware Chicago - The Gallery at Three Arts Club

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Classy Glam Living

I can't believe it's already been a week since we've returned from our Chicago visit.  Our friends there always make our stay with them lots of fun.  Knowing that we're food lovers, it's almost a sure thing that they would introduce us to yet another delicious venue.  This time around, on the first afternoon of our visit, they brought our family to enjoy a scrumptious snack...  and a feast for the eyes!

I'm talking about the Restoration Hardware's Chicago flagship store - The Gallery at Three Arts Club.  It's a historical building that has been renovated, and of course, outfitted by RH's furniture.

I couldn't contain myself when I saw the Café!  I don't think I was able to close my mouth from the oohs and ahs that were coming out.  I heard it's usually a never-ending lineup into the cafe, so we were very lucky to arrive at tea time and got seated at a table right away! 

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Classy Glam Living

This latte was nothing short of perfection! We also ordered a truffle grilled cheese sandwich, which was equally out of this world.

It was late afternoon and this gigantic chandelier lit up.  It brought a fairytale ambiance to the whole courtyard café.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Classy Glam Living

Our visit didn't end there...  be prepared for an overload of images!

The Gallery has five floors, each floor houses a department as such:

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Classy Glam Living

Our friends suggested we start our tour of the gallery from the top floor of Outdoor and Garden, and continue down the floors.  It was such a good idea...  if we had gone from bottom to top, it would've been dark (and rainy) outside when we got to the Outdoor part!

Let me take you on a mini tour of the Gallery.  It has too many beautiful rooms and I can't possibly fit them all in one post, so I've picked my favourites to showcase.

Outdoor & Garden

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Outdoor Patio | Classy Glam Living

RH read my mind...  rattan furniture, dining area under a curtained gazebo, gray patio stone slabs...  my backyard goals are screaming at me.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Outdoor seating | Classy Glam Living

Then we went down this beautiful staircase from the outdoor area, lit by these gorgeous large chandeliers, with their light reflected by the gilded mirrors:

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Classy Glam Living

Modern Furniture Line

The 4th floor houses RH's relatively new modern line.  I'm not much of a modern gal, but when it's glammed up with tufting and gold accents...  I think I can live with that!

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Modern Living Room | Classy Glam Living

This Porthole bar curio with pipework base looks stunning.  It's a statement piece that can fit any style of space.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Porthole bar | Classy Glam Living

How glam is this modern powder room?  That gold chair with fur cushions takes an ordinary-looking vanity up a notch!

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Modern vanity | Classy Glam Living

Child & Teen

I guess it's no surprise that I was inspired by all things RH when I was brainstorming the playroom for little man.  I love the industrial style and rugged feel of the boys' rooms:

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen boy room | Classy Glam Living
Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen boy room | Classy Glam Living
Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen boy room | Classy Glam Living

This is such a cool work (and gathering) space for the boys!  Wonder if they'll get any work done just chit chatting away in those furry chairs :-)

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen boy workspace office | Classy Glam Living

And here are the rooms fit for princesses!  It's so much lighter in textures and brighter, a stark contrast to the boys' rooms.

I can see a slumber party going on here!

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen girl room | Classy Glam Living

How dreamy is this bed?  Love the chandelier emerging through the canopy.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen girl room | Classy Glam Living

This is my favourite room of the girls space.  A daybed, a beautiful beaded chandelier, and even a space to host an Alice in Wonderland tea party!

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Girl Room | Classy Glam Living

Plus a mirror vanity table, and...

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen girl room, mirror vanity | Classy Glam Living

... a mirror dresser!  All the glamorous touches!!  Lucky girl!

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Teen girl room, mirror dresser | Classy Glam Living

Bed & Bath

I'm not sure how I whizzed through this floor without taking much photos!  But I love this bathroom vanity, with a luxury hotel feel. 

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Bathroom hardware | Classy Glam Living

Notice how they showcase the different faucet styles at each sink:

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Bathroom hardware | Classy Glam Living

Living & Dining

And here we are back on the first floor.  Every space featured is stunningly gorgeous!!  You get the sense of grandeur that's the essence of Restoration Hardware in each setting.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Living room | Classy Glam Living
Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Living room | Classy Glam Living
Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Living room | Classy Glam Living

I love this dining room's intricate fireplace.  Makes me want to have a fireplace in ours too!

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Dining room intricate fireplace | Classy Glam Living

Such an intimate setting for a dining room.  My photo doesn't do justice to this beautiful stone top dining table.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Dining room | Classy Glam Living

Hallways

RH didn't leave any space unturned; even the hallways are beautifully decorated.  Need some inspirations for your long hallways?  Adorn them with mirrors/ artwork, chandeliers, and exquisite sconces.  Here are a couple of my favourites:

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Hallway mirror chandeliers sconces | Classy Glam Living
Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Hallway mirror chandeliers sconces | Classy Glam Living

Pantry

The Café's pantry is off to the side but it's not just a regular butler pantry.  Those gray cabinets feature a marble countertop, supporting a brass and glass shelving unit.  This is exactly what I dream of for our basement family room's bar area.

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Pantry Gray cabinets, brass glass shelves | Classy Glam Living

It shouldn't be too hard for the Mr. to DIY, ya think? 😁

Restoration Hardware Chicago - Gallery + 3 Arts Club Cafe | Pantry Gray cabinets, brass glass shelves | Classy Glam Living

How many times have you dreamed of being in a room of an RH catalogue?  For a Restoration Hardware fan like the Mr. and I, this visit to the Gallery was a magical experience.  Each floor and each space within is like a live catalogue right in front of you.  And we're ever so grateful for our friends to know us so well, both food- and style-wise, that they brought us there!

Speaking of food...  I'm undergoing vacation detox from our stuff-athon (as in stuffing ourselves with the yummy good food in Chicago!).  Can't wait to go back again!!

DIY Art Display Frame

Summer is almost over (and already over for some kiddos)!  Have you had a chance to clear out the previous school year's work?  No judging here...  I haven't!  Are you prepared for another year's inflow of arts and crafts from school?

DIY Art Display Frame | IKEA Gunnabo frame | Shadow frame | IKEA hack | Classy Glam Living

Little man never seems to slow down his art production, so I had to come up with a way to have an in and out system.  Shhhh...  Yes I toss out his art work in the end, but not until I've taken a photo of the piece for a photobook of his masterpieces.  I only keep the ones for special occasions 😊

DIY Art Display Frame | IKEA Gunnabo frame | Shadow frame | IKEA hack | Classy Glam Living

Now that this art display frame is in place, we can actually display his work before I take a photo and then...  shhhh....

So without further ado, let me share with you this DIY project's step by step details in this video.  It's so simple that I attempted this DIY without the Mr.'s assistance!  I think this is my first DIY project for the blog!

Recap of materials:

  • IKEA's Gunnabo frame (50x70cm used in this project)
  • Hanging wire
  • Screw eyes (6 for this project)
  • Glue gun
  • Burlap
  • Optional:  pliers, wire cutter, shears
DIY Art Display Frame | IKEA Gunnabo frame | Shadow frame | IKEA hack | Classy Glam Living

I hope I've given you some inspirations on handling the flood of art work coming your way this new school year.  With this art display frame, we can decorate the wall with little man's art while having a systematic approach about his art storage. 

Just wanted to remind you that I've partnered with Canvas N Decor for a free canvas art giveaway of your choice.  Have you tagged yourself and friends for a chance to win?  For details, check out my Instagram post here.

You can find the rest of his playroom revealed here.