boy's room: progress report

When we moved, my first priority was to give my son Chanoch a room he will enjoy. In our former home, his room was terrible; It was tiny, poorly lit and the insulation was bad. He rarely spent time there, and he would rather play in the living room and sleep with us. This room, I wanted to be the opposite: well lit, with all his books and toys stored neatly and in his reach, with a comfortable sleeping area and space for him to craft (you've seen his water colors) and later- do his homework.

Here is what I did so far:

I designed built-in bookcases and a window seat (made of plaster, they cost much cheaper than "real" furniture), we gave him our closet (not pictured; we now have a little walk-in closet so we didn't need it anymore) and bought baskets (from Ikea) to accommodate all his small toys, like toy cars, playmobile and lego pieces. The table and chairs (the other chair is in my office so he can "visit" me while I work) and blackboard are also new, and from Ikea. The bed isn't new. I would rather a bed in natural wood, but that's what we had, and it will do for now.

What's left to do:

• Roman shade in this fabric from Premier Prints.
• Window seat covered in the Covington toile and green welting.
• Safety bars for the window.
• Lining the bookshelves in paper (plaster gets scratched so quickly!)
• Find night lights
• Find rug
• Find better bedding (right now he won't let me change the Winnie the Pooh set- and he doesn't even like Pooh!)
• Hang art and family pictures (I have a huge vintage map and some prints)

What do you think? Any suggestions?

I'm adding this room to Design Refuge's contest, it's not a complete before and after, but it's still much better than the "before" (=empty room).

{images: Chedva K for belly's button, Peter Dunham, Traditional Home, Samantha Pynn}

Comments

[Ludmila {creamylife.com}]

I love this, Chedva! This looks so amazing, I'd move there myself :)

[heather]

Goodness, this room is amazing! Well done!!! Can't wait to see the final product.

[Belly]

You guys! Thank you, this means a lot. xoxo

[Will]

I love all the little baskets of fun things! Thanks for sharing this space, Chedva.

[Belly]

Thanks, Will!

[Michelle from Holley & Gill]

You have done such a great job! A sunny and happy room. I would love to build shelves like those around my daughter's window, so perfect. Thanks for all the inspiration!

[Noa]

Great room! sunny and fun, very happy and fit for a child without being childish. Can't wait to see the end result.

[Belly]

Thanks Michelle, I was amazed at how cheap it was! Totally worth it (and very practical).

[Sketch42]

His room is adorable! You know that little bench under the window is screaming for a cushion! I love a window seat!!

[Belly]

Noa- I'm so glad you said this! I was afraid it's too childish. I hope with the roman shade, rug and new bedding it would be even less.

[Belly]

Thanks, Nicole! Yeah, it's getting a cushion (in the yellow toile +green welting) as soon as I order safety bars for the window.

[Erika at BluLabel Bungalow]

I love how bright and airy the room is. It's energetic, yet calming at the same time. Love the easel. Great for your little budding artist!

[Belly]

So glad you love it, Erika. Airy but cheery was definitely the intention!