Transitional Shared Boys' Bedroom

design kits

boy’s shared bedroom (transitional style) (USA clients)

Welcome to your design kit!

I loved working on your home and I think I’ve come up with the perfect solution for your space, based on the photos and comments you’ve given me as we’ve gone through. This custom Design Kit has all the information you should need to finish off your space, including a floor plan, colour palette, moodboard, furniture choices and more!

And remember, you don’t need to feel limited by the ideas here. If you love them, go ahead and use them all! Or, simply use these as suggestions to help guide and inform your own decisions.

Now, let’s take a closer look at your existing space and your style!

You’ve asked me to create a new bedroom for your two boys to share. You would like to keep the existing furniture but we can update it to create a new style. I would like to work with your beautiful timber floors and gorgeous navy curtains.

1

Colour Scheme. You have requested a neutral colour scheme for your boys’ space that won’t date too quickly. We want a neutral yet youthful scheme that is classic enough to last your boys as they get older.

2

Furniture. You would like to use as much of the furniture as possible in the room. That won’t be a problem as you have some lovely pieces that will work beautifully with the finished scheme.

3

Finishing Touches. Since you already have the furniture and the base of your room, what this room really lacks is those finishing touches that make it feel attractive and homely. This kit will suggest some accessories and other ideas to create a beautifully finished room.

You would like to keep the space neutral but already have the navy curtains in place. Working with these as the base for the colour scheme I’ve added some grey and greige tones for a masculine neutral, and a pop of warm orangey-red to contrast with the other colour tones.

There’s nothing wrong with your existing wall colour but it is quite yellow-undertoned. If you have the energy I would suggest painting the walls in Martha Stewart’s Sharkey Grey. This is a beautiful warm greige that will work with any scheme in the future, and provide a beautiful contrast to the white trims. I would also paint the closet doors in the same colour so you draw attention to the new bookcases, rather than the doors.

Your style is ‘Transitional’ but I see touches of country style thrown in as well.

You like a mix of classic and contemporary pieces, and interiors that feel warm and homely. Your favourite spaces use lots of natural textures and warm timber tones.

You like a room that uses lots of neutrals, but with layered textiles throughout the space to keep it feeling homely and interesting.

IMAGE SOURCES: LEFT - By Bonesteel Trout Hall (top); Featured in Elle Decor (left) and Jute Home (right). ABOVE: Restoration Hardware (top and bottom).

Your moodboard

Duvet Cover

We are using all of your existing furniture so there is only a few changes to make, and some small pieces to add to finish off the space.

I think your existing beds are perfect for a boy’s room but the timber tones do have a lot of orange in them. Rather than painting the desk or dresser you have, I would suggest painting your existing beds in a deep, warm charcoal tone. This will modernise the pieces (without being too modern) and the new colour will look beautiful with the new colour scheme, and your existing timber floors.

I wanted to add a rug to the floor for the ‘play area’ to bring an element of pattern into the room, and also provide a softer place to play. While a wool rug would be a great option for softness, the rug I have suggested is an outdoor rug which will be hardwearing and durable for rough play (although not as soft as wool).

I wanted a small nightstand in between the two beds to give you space for a lamp.

The Hemnes nightstand from Ikea is the perfect size, and I love the orangey-red tone to bring a pop of colour into the space. Of course, you could use a secondhand table and paint it, but considering the great price this piece is, it is probably worthwhile buying new!

I love the idea of being able to fold down the little desk and having a dedicated desk chair. I thought this ladderback style from Ikea is perfect for your transitional style, but I would give it a coat of a similar orange-red to the Hemnes nightstand to tie the colour scheme together, and contrast with the dark timber desk.

I noticed on one of your inspiration pictures that you loved some deer heads above the bed. I think this idea is perfect to give some rusticity to your bedroom but like the idea of a more modern take on the idea. This piece is a gorgeous print from an Etsy seller, but I would actually make my own using real timber, and painting the deer head (or even their initials). See the tutorials section for instructions!

For above the dresser I wanted a medium sized piece that incorporated all the different colours in your room. If your boys like cars, this is the perfect piece with its’ vintage, retro feel and cheerful colours. If cars aren’t their style, have a look at the store for lots of different options. Posters of this size should fit perfectly into Verserum frames from Ikea. For this frame I love the dark colour, and the traditional style fits perfectly into your transitional space.

Finally, I wanted a great piece of art above the new bookcases as well. This print from another Etsy seller, references an inspirational Dr Suess quote and I love the navy and blue colour scheme as well. Frame it in a simple white Ribba frame from Ikea for the perfect contemporary print. Often, mats for Ikea frames can be a bit yellowed but a quick spray with white spray paint will fix that issue!

For a child’s room I always believe it’s best to keep the bedding simple and easy. This relaxed style stops the space feeling to grown up or stuffy, and makes it easier if your boys ever want to make their own bed!

I had a look around for a striped comforter but couldn’t find a reasonably priced option at this time.

As an alternative I’ve suggested this duvet cover from Target. The bold stripes are classic, yet still feel modern, and are the perfect neutral bedding for your boys’ space.

As a simple accent pillow I would suggest looking at this cream embroidered option from Target.

It’s a great price and also has different blue tones in the embroidery which should work beautifully with the rest of the scheme.

As I said before, keep it simple! I would use crisp white sheets and fold the duvet cover at the end of the bed. Add two simple white pillows at the head of the bed, and lean the accent pillow up against them. If you wanted to give some extra ‘something’ to the bedding, you could have the sheet and pillow cases embroidered with a modern monogram. It would give the room that polished designer look, and would also help you know which sheets are for which bed!

I’m sure your boys have plenty of favourite things they would love to display around their room so I want to keep it simple, and give them the space to help create their own room.

This nightstand is small so I would avoid cluttering it with too many things. I’ve suggested a beautiful transitional bronze lamp base which, although tall, doesn’t feel too heavy for the leggy table. This white shade with black trim is the perfect finishing touch. The shelf beneath would be the perfect place to pop a few books or a money box.

I’ve suggested a tall black lamp to balance the height created by the print above the dresser. To modernise the style, why not try a geometric black, grey and white shade? To finish off this vignette, I would add something tall to the left hand side, such as a globe or statue. Leave the rest of the tabletop for the boys to add their own special odds and ends.

design kits

now the practical things (shopping & layout) (USA clients)

I would suggest trying the beds on the other wall from where they are now. Having beds close to the door blocks off the entry visually and makes the room feel smaller than it is. By placing the desk under the window and the dresser against the side wall, there is space to play at the foot of the bed, without furniture blocking the closets.

Beige Indoor/Outdoor Rug $99 not including shipping Overstock

Hemnes Nightstand in red $59.99 Ikea

Kautsby Chair $39.99 Ikea

Deerhead silhouette print $36 for two prints (incl. shipping) Etsy Seller blockpartyprints

Grand Prix Monaco 1934 Poster Approx $32 (incl shipping) All Posters

DIY Option

Virserum Frame $29.99 Ikea

Dr Suess Wall Art $20 incl. shipping Etsy Seller fieldtrip

Ribba Frame in White $9.99 Ikea

Room Essentials Striped Duvet in Grey $19.99 Target

Home Border Pillow $13.98 each Target

Bronze Round Base Swing Arm Lamp $13.98 Target

Room Essentials Mix and Match Lamp Shade $13.49 Target

Black 3 Tier Stacked Lamp $17.48 Target

Diamond Screen Print Gray $24.99 Target

DIY Timber Artwork http://cometothemousehouse.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/easy-diy-wooden-tree-p ainting-tutorial.html http://go.tipjunkie.com/pp/675/creativecarmella.blogspot.com/2011/04/paintedwall-art.html http://www.designedbydawnnicole.com/2012/05/hello-sunshine-diy-woodsign.html

Painting Furniture http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/02/how-to-paint-furniture/ http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/04/how-to-paint-furniture/