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!
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!
Hey! It’s photoshop!
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! 🙂
HAHA thanks! I think I just might! I feel like such a rebel.
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
ooo thanks for the suggestion, Christina. I’m going to have to weigh the options, here. 😉
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
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
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.
I love every single element. Especially the beds! I can’t wait to see what y’all come up with. 🙂 xo
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.