My sons Jack (age 5) and Calvin (age 2) share a small bedroom. So far it has worked out fine and for the most part they seem to enjoy each others’ company.
But the room itself has been in need of some updating for some time. The walls are dingy, storage space is lacking, and poor little Calvin doesn’t even have a bed. He didn’t like his toddler bed, converted from his crib, so instead he either sleeps on his mattress or snuggles up with his older brother. It’s cute, but I can’t imagine it’s very comfortable.
What has mainly kept me from redecorating their room is my trouble picking paint colors. And then I saw Sara’s sons’ shared bedroom and I knew I found the perfect color — Benjamin Moore granite. It’s an all ages kind of paint, cozy and playful for a little boy and sophisticated and mature for a young gentleman.
After picking the paint, my husband and I looked for new beds. Not only did Calvin not have a bed, Jack’s (purchased at a yard sale a few years ago) was slowly falling apart. Its warped supports had to be screwed in place on multiple occasions, no thanks to some litle monkeys jumping on the bed.
We wanted new beds that could grow with the boys, so buying twin beds that have the option to be bunked later on made the most sense. We bought the DaVinci bed from Toys ‘R Us.
So here’s their new room. We kept pretty much everything from the old room and only had to buy the beds, the carpet tiles (Flor’s Reverb, color Persimmon), a mattress for Calvin, and the wall paint. I absolutely love Flor’s carpet tiles and Reverb has a subtle orange stripe that adds depth and character.
The room is only 8×10 and I admit the beds take up a lot of space. But what’s great about these beds is that there is a full 12 inches from the floor to the bottom of the bed, allowing for tons of storage.
Calvin’s side is on the left. His comforter was made from an IKEA duvet, stuffed with quilt batting and stitched up the sides.
I also sewed the owl curtains — three yards of fabric from Hancock Fabrics, cut in half, and stitched up the sides. They attach to the rod with curtain clip rings from Target. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you could replicate with iron-on hem tape.
We were sad to lose the tree my mom painted on the wall in the old room, but are hoping another will sprout in its place. This adorable cat watercolor my mom also painted is perched above Calvin’s bed.
Calvin loves playing with his cars on the nightstand, just the right height for a little boy.
The other nightstand (the pair a fabulous find at a neighbors’ yard sale) didn’t fit between the beds, so we stuck it by the front door. The boys use the nightstands to store clothes that would otherwise get lost in larger drawers. I love the wood tone against the gray paint. Very handsome.
And here is Jack’s side.
We bought the flying cow when I was pregnant with Jack at Art on the Avenue. After all the times the cord has been pulled, it’s a wonder she’s still flying,
Jack decorated the shelf himself with books, a Spiderman bobblehead, his t-ball trophy, and the sock monkey I made for his first birthday.
But Jack’s favorite element of the room is this giant teddy bear that I’ve had since 1986. I think my husband is afraid of it, but I swear it’s in great condition for a 25-year-old stuffed animal.
Another childhood memento is this vintage Redskins switchplate my husband had in his room as a child. Win or lose, we’re still fans.
The closet and dresser are on the wall facing the beds. The dresser was also mine as a child. I painted it with Behr’s shale grey and added hardware from IKEA to give it a more boyish look.
So what do you think — do these little boys love their new room?
I love that we have been able to share our own childhood memories with our kids and I hope they will enjoy this room for many years to come.
Posted by Katie
