Got Game?

Shortly after finishing my own son’s teen bedroom, I was messaged by his good friend’s mama to do the same thing for her son. These boys are just about to enter high school so it was time to get rid of all those elementary items in order to make way for more mature spaces.

Well, for the most part. We don’t want them growing up too fast. ;)

At the consultation I snapped some before pics to document where we started:

As most of us parents know, our kiddos tend to collect a lot of stuff over the years. They go through different phases and stages to say the very least. I know I get really sentimental over certain items and the memories attached to them. To part with these items is hard, but also necessary in order to move forward. Sniff.

However, having a teen doesn’t necessarily mean you have to part with ALL of their youth. Some pieces can and need to stay. They add character without “babying” the room. I’ll show you exactly what I mean when revealing this redesigned space.

After talking with “J,” it was evident he wanted black paint on his walls—something his parents weren’t too keen on. But as we know with teenagers, it’s all about compromise, right? So, one black accent wall got the green light and so did this vision board:

Necessary elements included: 1.) A gaming media center that would be small enough to not get in the way, but large enough to hold his TV and gaming components neatly. 2.) New bedding. I chose a deep green comforter to play off of that back wall and wood elements I planned to add. 3. Long shelving units. four feet long to be exact in order to display some cool decor and a number of his collectibles. 4.) Fun decor pieces to include his love of gaming and Oswald (love Oswald!) 5.) A hat storage pegboard unit his Dad would build. 6.) new drapes, seating, and lighting.

We started with the paint. My “go-to” for black paint is always Valspar’s Dark Kettle Black. However, I switched it up a bit this time when it came to the perfect greige and went with Sherwin William’s Wintersweet Grey. A smidge darker than SW’s Agreeable Grey to add a hint more warmth into this already cool-colored room.

“J” was obviously deep in thought when it came to his gaming, but I grabbed this shot anyways in an effort to show the drastic difference that black accent wall really makes.

Ok, ready for the after pics?

Tracy Haifley of HSB Woodworks constructed and stained the beautiful four foot long shelving to display some of the old mixed with some of the new. Some cool new signs, a caricature, a monogram, as well as a number of other fun pieces which can’t help but pop against that cool black wall.

And remember when I mentioned implementing of those items from days of old? Oswald is “J’s” favorite and earned a special spot on these shelves.

With teenage rooms especially, I like to introduce geometric patterns in a number of different ways. Whether it’s the round magnetic dartboard up against the wall, the pattern on a throw pillow or two, or the really fun “dot”ted plush rug underneath “J’s” bed, shapes create interest in a room. I also think they’re pretty bold and masculine to boot. Win-win!

Next up? The gaming/media unit. This was a little bit of a beast to assemble but look at the finished product! Tons of storage for games and controllers, not to mention extra seating underneath, and a super sleek/modern finish on top of it all.

This kiddo also needed a storage area for his hats as well so his dad built this great unit using a tutorial found on Pinterest. “J” hung his hats and this piece works in his room perfectly.

This room was so much fun to put together. Wanna see the before and after pics again?

The Details:

Paint: provided by AFC in Sherwin William’s Wintersweet Grey and Valspar’s Dark Kettle Black

Rug: Bed, Bath & Beyond (5x7)

Jersey Comforter: Amazon

Sheets: JCP

Drapes: Pottery Barn (84”)

No Waking Sign: Pottery Barn Teen

Magnetic Dartboard: Pottery Barn Teen

Gaming Unit: AllModern.com

Throw Pillows: Zazzle & Etsy

Drapery Rod: Amazon

Printable Art: Etsy

Clock: Amazon

Stools: Wal Mart

Love, J

Seeing Stripes: Teen Boy Room Makeover

Some projects seem like they take forever to finish and this room was no exception. Sometimes you’re just waiting on one last detail to “make” the space, and for me and my middle son’s room, it was these amazing metal-looking negative space oversized letters above his bed. But before I gush on those awesome things, let’s start from the beginning of this room reno.

We moved into our home almost ten months ago and as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, there’s a LOT to do. A. Lot. But the first area(s) I wanted to focus my attention on were my kiddos’ bedrooms. By no means does this indicate they are actually finished but we’re getting closer and closer with each passing day. So close, that I decided to post the before and after pics of this room for you all.

Here’s where we started:

The tan walls and matching carpet were fine and all but I like to add personality and character into my rooms and this was missing a whole bunch of both. Besides, prior to moving into this home I created Pinterest boards for each of my kid’s rooms and consulted with them on colors and the overall look they wanted to achieve. My boys were the easiest to work with (go figure), and here is where we’re at with “K’s” digs today:

The first step was to paint the walls a cool blue-grey and he selected Valspar’s Stormcloud (with a 25% reduction) followed up with Valspar’s Drizzling Mist (same color reduction) for the large and small striping up top (courtesy of AFC).

Next was the layout of the room. With a double bed, it created a bit of a problem with how the room was initially designed—so I opted to frame in the not-so-centered bed with shelving and nightstands to make it all work a bit better and yet still provide him enough space to perfect his Fortnite moves…seriously. ;)

Most people have a tendency to shove a bed up against the wall but if a room is large enough, placing the bed in the middle or even off-center as I did here, could be an option. It all depends on the size of the furniture you have and the amount of room you have to work with.

When it came to syling this space, decor was super easy with this son o’ mine. He’s got a lot of personality and spunk so the pieces selected had to reflect who he is. I think we got it right.

Even better? Most were on clearance. As it turns out, not a ton of people are interested in buying banana bookends, ghetto blaster art pieces, or even framed bicycle prints. But me? I will take them and love them even more since they were crazy cheap. Sometimes, the weirder, the better.

And how about those letters? Originally I wanted oversized steel letters (we’re talking 39” each) to create a really bold look above his bed. Simple but bold. However, the only place I could find such a thing was through Restoration Hardware Teen. Even though I loved (like, love-loved) these letters, the price tag of $149 each was a dealbreaker. I just couldn’t justify it. But aren’t they pretty?!!

Instead, I found Jillian Van Horn of Lazy J Signs here in Yuma, AZ. Rather than use the actual letter, I asked for the negative space instead. This gave me the height and width I needed inbetween the shelving units pictured below. I asked her to create a rustic metal look on top of these wood cut-outs and she rocked it. These actually look like metal and I love how it completes the space.

Last but not least were the small finishing touches which included a set of old lockers (I painted black) for additional storage, an oversized cork board, and large industrial clock.

That’s it! We’re just one window treatment, one new door, and one new area rug away from this room being completely finished. So close I can almost taste it. But in the meantime, here is the before and after pics one more time.

and after:

The Details:

Paint: Walls-Valspar’s Stormcloud (25% reduction in color)

Stripes-Valspar’s Drizzling Mist (25% reduction in color)

Paint Labor: A Fresh Coat-Yuma

Shelving: Hobby Lobby

Decor: Target, Hobby Lobby

Side Table Lamps: Kirkland’s

Side Tables: Hobby Lobby

Ceiling Fan: Lowe’s

Bedding: Pottery Barn Teen

Headboard: Wayfair

Negative Space Letters: Lazy J Signs-Yuma, AZ

Clock: Hobby Lobby

Cork Board: Hobby Lobby

Desk: Pottery Barn Teen

Industrial Mail/File Holder: Hobby Lobby

Love, J