Whether you're watching Joelle Garguilo on television (she regularly contributes to the Today show and is a correspondent for WNBC’s New York Live) or talking to her in person, one thing is for sure: This girl's got the goods. In fact, Joelle and "good" are practically synonymous — her regular segment on Hoda & Jenna is called "Just the Good News," and the public has even dubbed her the "good news girl." Not convinced? Watch this!
Joelle's energy is infectious, and her mission for spreading postivity is too. So it makes sense that when it came to decorating her girls' new shared room in New York City, that joy would take center stage. "As moms, we all want the same thing: for our kids to be happy," Joelle told Mom.com. She quickly followed up by quipping, "If only it was that simple! I experienced so many feelings trying to put this room together. But for my little girls (who have BIG feelings)," she says, "happiness also means being settled and comfortable."
Joelle and her family rent an apartment in New York City, and like many renters, she found it "really, really hard to personalize a cookie-cutter, blank-wall, zero-personality space." But she was up for the challenge to, in her words, "make this tiny New York City room feel like home."
"The building is new for my girls, my little one who's 4 is at a new school, my oldest, who's 7, is in a new class. These little things are so big for them, so I just want them to be happy when they come home and go to their room," she says.
Many city dwellers may relate to the fact that this was the first time Joelle's girls would have their own room ("I know, I know… but it’s the life of a NYC renter," she says). So she had the added task of making this room feel extra special.
"All of this took me two days to set up," she says. Although she added that if she didn't have to work, it would have only taken one day…life of a working mom. As for the girls, Joelle says they love their new room. "The look on their faces made everything so worth it. I honestly can’t believe it’s the same space!"
"I'm very, very, very proud of myself," she says, adding, "If I can do this, anyone can!"
Take a look at the before- (above) and-after (below) and shop Joelle's must-have picks for creating a chic, calming oasis in the middle of the Big Apple.
Tempaper Wallpaper
Price may vary
from
"Over the years I’ve worked with so many experts. Francesco Bilotto has taught me all his tricks," says Joelle. "And I have picked up a thing or two along the way. I started with the walls. If you’re a renter or non-committal, removable wallpaper is the way to go!"
"Tempaper just launched this new pink grasscloth. I started with that and found a complementary wallpaper to accent it. Bonus — the polka dots I picked were on sale! I did a border of clouds too, so when the girls lie in bed, they feel like they are looking at the sky."
"The removable wallpaper adds so much to the room! Also, it cuts costs because you don’t need anything else for the walls!"
Shop Joelle's wallpaper:
- Tempaper Blush Grasscloth, $43; tempaper.com
- Tempaper Dots, $22 (originally $43); tempaper.com
- Tempaper Clouds, $43; tempaper.com
Ruggable Polar White Plush Rug
"Ruggable is the way to go if you have little kids (or even pets)," says Joelle. "My girls, while adorable, can destroy a rug in a day (they love sneaking snacks into the bedroom). With Ruggable, you can actually put the rug in the washer, which is a parenting WIN!"
"I love the feel of the rug too. It makes the room feel so luxurious. I’ve been a fan and customer forever."
Crate & Kids Peya Kids Organic Twin Pink Micro-Striped Quilt by John Robshaw
Starting at
$159
from
Crate & Kids
"Crate & Kids just launched this new collaboration with John Robshaw. I wanted something that would add some type of a design to the room, and the pink micro-striped quilt & pillow covers were the perfect complement to the color scheme of the room."
Justice Collapsible Metal Rectangle Folding Desk
"My girls are at an age where they need their own space, which is a challenge considering the room is 10' x 13' and there are two of them. But I set up this cute ‘working nook’ behind each of their beds. I wanted desks and chairs that they can grow with, and I needed a FAST turnaround. I went with Walmart because they had the best price and fastest delivery time. And they just look so chic.
Shop the desk chair:
Mainstays Plush Velvet Office Chair, $64; walmart.com
Castell 2 Globe Floor Lamp
$199
from
Lights.com
"My girls are still a little afraid of the dark, so I wanted lighting that served two purposes. First, it had a great aesthetic and looked like it was part of the decoration and look (polka dots), and second, it needed a nice dimmer so it could also serve as a night light. Lights.com is the best! I picked lights they can grow with, or if we ever move out of the city, they would look great in a house."
Bed Canopy Netting
"This was really the wow factor in the room, and it wasn't expensive. To create a little separation between the beds and the working area, I found these princess canopy nets on Amazon. I doubled them up (white on the inside, rainbow on the outside, and hung them with command clips so it won’t damage the ceiling. I really feel like I created this wow luxe moment for less. I ALWAYS wanted a canopy bed, but they are so expensive, so I created my own wallet-friendly version."
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Mom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
