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I’m so excited to reveal a room that has been a total labor of love for my kids: Jimmy Mae’s Diner! This room is technically a playhouse on my property, and has a really cute backstory. When we bought the house, there was a shed that had actually been on the property since the turn of the century. It’s even pictured in drawings that the owner made of the yard of my house in the 1920’s! The previous owners moved it to a different spot in the yard, and when we bought the house it sat mostly unused, besides housing some yard tools and leftover patio stone.
Over the summer, Kyle had the genius idea to turn it in to a playhouse for the kids. I was hesitant at first, because I didn’t know how much they would actually use it, but he insisted that we could make it an “all seasons” space by installing electricity and heating/cooling and that it could be a space they would grow with over time. Kind of like a club house in Little Rascals. LOL. Since our kids love their play kitchen at home, he had the idea to make it a diner…and then my imagination starting running wild. I thought it would be so fun to do a retro diner, but with a fun, punk edge to it. The wallpaper on the ceiling, and poufs by Kerri Rosenthal just bring so much energy to the space and give it the edge I was looking for! We decided to call the diner Jimmy Mae’s since Marlowe’s middle name is Mae, and Major’s is James.
We had all of the diner furniture custom built to be kid sized, and even found a small retro fridge and a retro cash register! The vintage jukebox on the banquette table just takes it over the edge for me. It really works if you hook it up! My kids absolutely love this space, and I do too. It’s such a fun way to hang out together as a family comfortably in any season, and to change locations a bit when we are all getting stir crazy in the house. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Design Credits…
- Banquette, Counter, Stools: Custom
- Pink Cement Pendant Lights (Similar)
- Cash Register
- Retro Phone
- Play food
- Accessories
- Fridge
- Framed Vintage Car Photo
- Wallpaper
- Poufs
Shop the look…
Photographs by Julia Dags
I love this! I want to come play there! I actually had visions for a room like this for myself (I collected Coca Cola memorabilia growing up). So fun!
thanks!
This is amazing! I absolutely love it and can see how this space will grow with your kids as they get older.
Thank you! I hope so!
OBSESSED with Jimmy Mae’s. I would have loved this “diner” as a kid and as an adult would enjoy hanging in it. Just so good and original and fun.
Thanks Allison!
What an awesome space that can grow with them. Love the name Jimmy Mae’s = perfect
Okay… this is ADORABLE!!!! I’m one of three girls and my Mum turned our downstairs cupboard (it was a large cupboard) into a little classroom for us because we loved playing teacher-pupils so much. Such fond memories I’m sure your kids will have also xoxox
Ha! I love that!
This is absolutely adorable!! So much thought and detail obviously went in to it!! My dad built me a playhouse when I was a kid but it did not have power! LOL This is next level and such a cooooooool idea! Even if other people can’t do something as detailed, this will certainly give people a creative jumping off point to do something great for their own kiddos!!
LOL, yes the electricity is definitely very “Extra”. That was a Daddy call! Ha!
Love this! A wonderful place to let imaginations run wild!??
How fun — lucky kids! Although I think I’d enjoy it even though I’m (technically) grown up :).
Love this!
Brilliant!
This is FABULOUS!!!! Brilliant design and the perfect spot for your kids to play and hang throughout the years.
What a dream playhouse! Such a great idea, and all the detail and finishing touches you put into it is impeccable!
It would be wonderful if you turn Jimmy Mae’s into a real diner one day! I can imagine a line snaking out the door all year round.
Hahaha maybe it would be a good popup , three seat restaurant. LOL!
OMG I cannot handle the cuteness! I LOVE this concept and the way it came together. So ADORBS!!!
Thanks!
This is the cutest idea! I just love all of the time and effort you put into this space. I am sure you will be spending a ton of time here with the kiddos.
OMG…Adorable!! Can I come over for pancakes?!
What a dream play space for your kids! Love when they can use their imaginations! Great job mom and dad!