A little less than a year ago, I showed you the current state of our little mens’ space, per request of a fabulous reader. It pretty much went from Malone’s nursery {right after he turned one year} with Aiden shoved into the mix, to free up a room for our play space.
I feel like ever since then, Aiden has felt a bit “pushed to the side.” {If not literally.} So this summer, we’re beginning the process of making the room more of his + Malone’s, together. In the process, we’ll be losing the last bit of “baby” and going full fledged little-man-cave. This whole process really kind of feels like a marriage-in bringing Aiden’s old bedding BACK into the picture, along with Malone’s current belongings to make it a cohesive, fun, shared space.
As you can see, things have changed a bit since last year, as far as my plans are concerned for their room. Doing this little inspiration board has helped me hone in on a few feasible ideas, that I can’t wait to tackle.
1. First things first: Instead of a bunk bed, we’ll be building a loft. One that stretches the entire back half of the room. It will have the feel of this…{I really can’t wait to see the space it frees up.}
BUT…I was thinking of actually using Aiden’s old pottery barn kids quilt {scored circa 2008 via ebay} in the mix. Sometimes, you just can’t beat a good quilt. It’s the kind of quilt that gets better with each wash. Aiden LOVES that quilt.
We also happen to have that duvet that’s sitting under said quilt-in the above pic-and here’s where things get a little crazy: I’m trying to keep this transition super affordable. Even if this duvet were still available, I probably wouldn’t purchase it. {It gets on my nerves because it doesn’t hold said duvet and it slips and other whatnots. But I do love the look, and the inclusion of aqua into the space.} So {gasp} it sits in the attic as I write, and I’m thinking of cutting it up, laying it on top of each white duvet as a blanket, once it’s hemmed, and using it on both beds above in the “loft.” It has two sides, so I would have plenty-o-material to work with. I’m over explaining myself for two reasons: If anyone has ever done anything like that before, I’d love to hear from you. 😉 I’d also like to know that maybe I’m not crazy to cut up a perfectly (maybe not) good duvet.
3. Jamin has had this sailfish forever. I’ve wanted to use said sailfish, forever. I would love to put it in the middle of said loft, if it’s not too large and in charge. It needs a few touchups, and I’m afraid the ‘sword’ may poke the boys, so maybe I’ll stick a cork on the end of it…but in the meantime-isn’t this a fun idea?
4. This mirror from Ikea would be super fun over their dresser. But easily created out of a cheapo walmart version, with MDF.
5. We’ve already sold our old dresser {the boys desperately needed more space in those drawers} And I’ve located a campaign-esque one that I plan to pull a two-tone, with stain and white. It’s not actually a campaign, but has really interesting brass hardware, so I’m looking forward to working with it.
6. I love the look of this chest of drawers, paired with some more nautical-esque pulls like this.
7. I already have these paintings, {via me} so I’ll just be working them into the space. But I love the idea of (smaller) shelves like this, paired over the chest:
We’ve also been working on a vintage globe collection to add into the room. {yeah, I just can’t help myself}
8. This DIY pendant light totally floats my boat. {obviously I’m kind of obsessed with these lately}
9. A DIY version of this rug would be great for the space, as well. Rug below via Ikea – no longer available.
So there you have it. Our next big project. I’m ready for Aiden to have a “space of his own” {and perhaps stop this horrible habit of hoarding, in the process.} Inspiration boards can be the best, when getting ready to create a space-for gathering all your ideas into one place.
Have you done any rooms lately for your little ones? Send em my way!
andrea says
love all the ideas – esp. the insp. board … do you have a particular program you use to create the board, or is it just a picture program like photoshop or picasa? thanks!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! It’s photoshop!
Elz says
I’ve ripped apart duvets loads of times. Our curtains are an ikea twin duvet ripped apart and hemmed as panels instead! I say rip that duvet in your attic apart sister! The duvet gods won’t smite you! 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
HAHA thanks! I think I just might! I feel like such a rebel.
Christina says
Saw that the IKEA rug was discontinued. Thought I saw a similar one at Land’s End and sure enough- a 5×8 for 99.50. Not the exact same but perhaps an alternate solution for you? http://www.landsend.com/ix/home-travel-luggage/For-The-Home/Home-Accents/rugs/index.html?seq=1~2~3~4&catNumbers=256~1273~274&visible=1~2~1~1&store=le&sort=Recommended&pageSize=24&tab=5
ashley @ the handmade home says
ooo thanks for the suggestion, Christina. I’m going to have to weigh the options, here. 😉
Jennifer says
I just died when I saw this post! I am getting ready to redo my 2 1/2 year old little boys room and had just told my hubby that I wanted to put a huge sailfish above his bed (he rolled his eyes at that one) and do a few nautical touches in the room…….Glad to see I’m not the only crazy girl out there that just HAD to use a sailfish!!! LOL! Your idea board is great…thanks for the inspiration
Katharine says
For a minute I thought you were going to cut the quilt in half. Are you just tearing the duvet in half or both in half? I love the look of the stripes and the red quilt too. I can’t wait to see the results.
My daughter is cleaning her room now and it’s nice to see her new floors and paint job her aunt (my sister) did a year ago. I’m hoping she is more motivated to keep it clean. Oh her incentive is that she gets to dye her hair blue (we’ve had this discussion for 3 years and I’m finally giving in. The part that I hate is that she has to bleach it light blond first. She dyed it dark brown a few months ago so this is a problem and before that she dyed it red. I told her that since I’m letting her get blue hair that I don’t want a bull ring in her nose. She’s only 13!!! Just so you know, she didn’t ask permission to have red hair. lol
TB says
I love the campaign dresser. I always wondered the name for that style of furniture. Good choice for a boy’s room. I love all of your choices. Can’t wait to see it finished.
Myra @ My Blessed Life says
I love every single element. Especially the beds! I can’t wait to see what y’all come up with. 🙂 xo
Jenn says
With the duvets you could even add a border and then sew it onto some other matching/contrasting fabric (like a sheet or something) and then create a new duvet. If you took the seams apart carefully you could just resew using the same seam allowance.