A Boy's Room at the New House

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A summer hiatus from working on projects served as a creative inspiration and motivation to begin tackling spaces that have been neglected since moving in. I think to date, I've painted 5 spaces since school began.  I would start on the next space before finishing up the one I was working on to keep the ball rolling.

This is the Bub's room, and he requested 'real color'.  None of that neutrals and grays business.   Humph. I had to think back to my mom letting me paint my shared room lavender and helping me buy purple comforters for our bunk beds.  Ackk!!! That would make me want to claw my eyes out now, but I loved it as a kid.  And in his defense, I actually like this color too!  He requested blue, but I got to pick the shade.  It worked out great because this was a color I tested out for the dining room and had been looking for a space to use it in.

With this room , the paint needed a refresher, and  the closet walls needed a full blown face lift. I don't know if the shelving was torn from the walls or they had slowly fell off over the years but there were soooo many holes in the wall, not to mentions all of the dings to fill.  But, I got it all done, and man, what a difference it makes!

BEFORE

AFTER

Bed | Lamp

Original Space

Just after moving in and adding new flooring,

And today!

Usually the Bub doesn't go to his room until bedtime, but yesterday he went there to hangout right after getting home from school.  I love that we were able to reuse almost everything from his room at the old house.  I could never find another set of the original curtains to add to the windows, but I was able to re-purpose them in the game room.

Remaining projects for this room are:

1.  Updating the light switches, sockets, and plates from almond to white.

2.  Replace the fan/light.

3.  Add art to the empty picture frames.

4.  Add art above the bed.

I will share sources in a later post, but let me know if there's anything you're interested in.

Until next time!

Linking up to Home Stories A to Z Tutorials and Tips Link Party!

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Back to School and Back to Painting

School started back almost four weeks ago.  We had an amazing classic summer meaning unscheduled time, being outside, and hanging out with friends.  It ended up being just what I needed creatively, because once school started back I felt completely ready to work on home projects.  As of today I have painted five spaces, and it felt great to get them done.  Especially since we have been here over a year...that was the other bit of inspiration, haha!

This is from the Bub's room. He requested color.  He says my grays and blue grays and whites are not color.  Sometimes I have to agree!  I love neutrals, but my heart is always weak for a good blue.  I can't wait to get pictures of the space once the sun comes out.

We've been having a little rain in GA, but of course nothing compared to the tragic flooding taking place in Texas.  My heart goes out to all of the people and families that have been displaced and rescued, especially when I think of children and parents being separated.  While donating and volunteering is needed now for those experiencing Hurricane Harvey, it also has made me think about my own emergency preparedness.  I hope to update and share some of my own planning for emergencies, since I know seeing how others planned helped me to put a kit together.  I don't think anyone can know exactly what will be needed in a time of emergency, but a bit of planning can help alleviate some anxiety while waiting for help to arrive.

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My Favorite Inexpensive Art Prints for Boys' Rooms

Gallery walls have been popular for several years now.  But finding artwork, or better yet large scale artwork, can be a bit intimidating and expensive.  Not to mention that artwork and decor geared toward boys can sometimes be hard to find.  And sometimes you need a piece to provide direction for the collection.

Enter Paper Source's Cavallini wrapping papers!  They are all pretty sizable--usually 20" x 28".  They are under $4 and even with shipping only about $12.  And they are boyish enough that he won't cringe when his friends see his room, although the first one might be debatable!  Finally, most will fit nicely inside an IKEA Ribba Frame so that the whole piece will set you back less than $35.

1. Cavallini Penmanship Wrapping Paper | 2. Periodic Chart Wrapping Paper | 3. Special Bicycles Wrapping Paper | 4. Hemispheres 2 Wrapping Paper | 5. Insects Wrapping Paper | 6. Celestial Chart Wrapping Paper | 7. Eye Chart Wrapping Paper

I used the Eye Chart wrapping paper in my playroom recently. I also used a Constellations wrapping paper in the Bub's room, which reminds me I will have to show you what's been done in his room.

Paper Source has such a great selection of wrapping papers that you could probably find one for almost any room!  I also have a few good DIY options for artwork that I will have to share.  What's your go to source for inexpensive artwork?

Linking up to Domestic Superhero-Pinworthy Projects.

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A Boy's Room

Boys rooms can be a difficult thing to decorate.  If you look online you're often limited to plaid patchwork quilts or the latest superhero theme.  Nothing wrong with those, but I just don't want to have to redo the room when he outgrows whoever or whatever he's into at the moment.  I have been brainstorming ideas forever and came up with this mood board a few months ago, but have had cold feet when it came to pulling the trigger.

This past week, I finally got fed up with my own indecision and the state of his room and decided to make a move. Whatever I did, I felt would be a step up from what he had going on, which was last done when he was a baby.

I am a decidedly neutral-loving girl, but my boy is full of energy and requested bright color.  Bright wall colors make my heart hurt (ha-ha!), so we are working toward a compromise.  Originally I was thinking of going with a light gray on the wall, but as you can see I have gray-blue on the walls.  It reminds me of the sky and atmosphere.  The room isn't complete and we may change the wall color to something bolder, but we've got a start on the space.

I have a loose 'night sky/night-time' theme for the room.  The Bub is a night owl, and has fought sleep since they day he was born.  He gave up naps at age two and never willingly goes to bed.  We also used to stargaze at night in the summer and count the stars as they came out.  So when I saw the star chart poster, I thought it would be cool since it identifies the constellations in the night sky.  I also have to finalize the artwork for the gallery wall frames over the dresser.  I am planning to have the Bub recreate some artwork they did in Kindergarten of the phases of the moon for the lower frame with the three sections.  And then I have a poster that reads, "Shoot for the moon, even if you fail, you'll land among the stars."  That will go in the frame above the owl.  I'm excited to get those up in the frames.  

This unit from Ikea is essential for corralling all of the toys that kids seem to have.  The sections and bins are lifesavers.  I still want to add a pinboard over the cube storage to post up some of his artwork from school and other things of interest to him.

Although I don't see a bright neon color on the walls, I can envision bringing bold color in by perhaps  painting the bed in a bold reddish-orange or grass green.  He also has a play table that could be repainted in a matching color.  We often think that to add color it has to be on the walls, but bold color can be just as a effective used in textiles and furniture.   I am also debating bringing in the chalkboard and book ledges from the playroom, since it has become somewhat defunct.  Pretty much all of the toys and art supplies have been moved to his room.  I am also looking into some new bedding to coordinate with the space.  But I like the direction we are moving in.

  

                                     Before                                                           Progress

To see some of my inspiration for boy's rooms, check out my Boy's Room pinterest page.

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