You guys already know that our playroom is looking kinda rough these days (thanks to this whole house update post from last week):
But we’ve decided that once we clear it out, it’ll actually suit our family better as a less traditional space. Burger is a beloved member of our family, so we think he deserves his own little area. And since Clara plays pretty much all over the house (in the office, the living room, the kitchen, and her room – depending wherever we are with her) we won’t really need an official “playroom” until baby number two comes along (and we turn the playroom into a bedroom).
And I’ll spoil the surprise for all of you folks on bump watch, Clara’s brother or sister will probably be about three years younger than her because I’ve got strict orders from my doc to give my body two full years between pregnancies to heal (thanks to some birth complications with Clara). And since it takes almost a year to bake a human on top of that two year waiting period, that’s where we came up with the whole three year approximation.
But back to the playroom. We’ve decided… drumroll please… to give Burger his own little nautical themed room! Because every pooch deserves some sea faring fun. He always seems to have the best time at the beach, so that jumped out at us as the right environment to really set him at ease. The sea gulls, the warm summer air, the sailboats, an errant pelican. What eight pound chihuahua wouldn’t love that? But enough talking, here’s our Burger-licious mood board:
- Our color palette will be pretty straightforward: navy, red, and white (with some natural wood tones and maybe a few pops of yellow worked in there for fun). The walls will stay white with graphic red & navy accents along with a super cool mural for added pop (more on that later).
- How cute would a few of these $33 seagull mobiles be when hung in a flock from the ceiling? Burger should like them since he loves watching real birds flap around outside in real life.
- This boat-ish dog bed was the inspiration for the entire nautical theme. At $260 it’s not cheap, but what can I say? Burger’s like L’Oreal. He’s worth it. Plus it’s such a room-making detail that we just couldn’t pass it up.
- Here’s the mural that I want to paint on one of the walls. I like that it’s obviously sea-inspired without being too over the top (a dock with a single pelican in the foreground feels kind of “understated” compared to some of the other busy and über bold murals that we’ve seen).
- This weathered ship’s wheel (for $34) should look cool on one of the mural-less white walls in the room.
- No dog room is complete without an on-theme dog toy, so this $7.99 blue anchor chew toy definitely fits the bill.
- And since we want to keep Burger looking “cohesive” with the rest of the room, we can’t wait to pick up this $27 outfit to help him get into character.
- Instead of something more traditional, we thought hanging fisherman’s nets (just $17.99 a pop) as “curtains” would add lots of texture and more sea-faring fun. Fingers crossed Burger doesn’t get all tangled up in them. Haha.
So that’s our vision for the playroom, at least for the next few years. Should be interesting.
Now I’m just putting words here, just to fill up space so that when you’re reading the numbered points above your eyes don’t skip down the page and notice this next part. You know, because it’ll ruin the surprise.
So in case you’re wondering if we’re totally off our rockers… we might be. But this post is still totally a joke.
APRIL FOOLS!!!
Did we get you? Did the $260 dog bed tip you off? Or was it our description of the pelican mural as “understated”? Did you really think Burger would be caught dead in that sailor’s suit in the name of cohesive design? Or did you all know this was coming given our history of April Fools Day hijinks (like this post and this post)?
LYnne says
YOu got me! I thought is sounded a little weird and over the top but I didn’t notice the price tages — that, for sure, would have tipped me off! :) Good one!!
The Nester, Meagan says
That was one time consuming April’s Fools joke guys! Love it – didn’t have to brains to do one myself. Great work!
Meagan, the row house nest
Carol Adams says
Yes, the dog bed price was uncharacteristic of you two but I was kinda enjoying the nautical insp even tho it didn’t seem to be you ! I wouldn’t decorate w it but it was a fun joke!
So tell me, when you do the mood board do you use poly vore(sp)???
How fun!!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually use Photoshop, but we hear that mydeco.com and polyvore.com are both great (and free). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
You got me! still pretty new to your blog ( that I absolutely love)I actually had to read the price of the dog bed twice! thanks for the laugh :)
Sydney says
Omg….this was by far your best April Fool’s post. I totally fell for it, dog bed and all…and yes, I really thought you guys had just went off the deep end.
Pattie B. says
For the dog? I was thinking how I could un-subscribe — so glad this was April Fool’s.
Ali says
Ok, you totally got me. lol I’m a recent follower of this blog, so figuring that I didn’t “know” you guys too much just yet, I figured maybe you were a little more over-the-top in the dog-loving department than I realized? So glad it’s just a joke. lol
Erin says
I’m coming out of lurkdom to say that I totally bought this – my husband was reading over my shoulder going, “Get real – you KNOW they are not going to spend $260 on a dog bed.” Sorry for briefly doubting your sanity – I should have known when nothing pictured went with Sue the Napkin!
My Beautiful Life says
This totally cracked me up. I was thinking, “huh, that is really interesting that they are dedicating a room to burger…a dog.” even though I am all about pets getting special perks because my first child was a sweet english springer spaniel, I was a little confused, and was wondering if you were planning on building the $260 dog bed to make it budget friendly (though it is adorable).
You guys are something else. I love reading your blog (who doesn’t) because I always laugh, or smile.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Erin C says
HA HA HA Oh man, I’m the one who looks up “gullable” in the dictionary, so of COURSE you got me. I was like, “huh? Oh well to each his own I guess – but why aren’t they turning it into a craft room for instead?? That’s SILLY.” I’m sorry I thought you’d ever do something like that in real life!!! I’m ashamed to admit I actually pondered doing that for my dog for a quick second – if I had the extra room. Wow, must be b/c I’m sick (and its not April Fool’s day anymore) That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it! HA HA HA
Britni says
Haha, totally got me! The sad part is, even though I thought it was completely weird, I totally trusted that you guys could pull it off! I need to get my own brain… =)
Januarysgirl says
OMG! I believed you, but was a bit surprised that you were going to pay 260.00 for the dog bed.
Lindsey O. says
I kept going back up to the top trying to see if the title of the post really was “Playroom Plans” amd how the plans turned into it becoming Burger’s room! Didn’t even get a tip off after reading that you were suddenly up for a bank breaking boat-like dog bed!
I just thought, “Well, they’ve been so good with money so far! They’ve got the right to spend a little I think!”
Good joke! You got me!
Melissa says
You totally got me!! I was thinking, “wow…this is a big change from their usual style…but hey, if they say it works, then it works!” Just goes to show how much you guys influence me! And I have to say- the dog bed didn’t throw me at all considering the lengths some owners (including me) go to to keep their pooches happy :)
Future Mama says
Oh dear, ya’ll totally had me! And then I proceed to laugh aloud, prompting my office mate to ask why I was laughing. I then had to explain to him that not only was I not working, but that I was reading this design blog! I explained the joke but it wasn’t nearly as funny to him, ha!!
Robyn in Chicago says
You guys always get me with your April Fools. My eyes were so wide while reading this one! Nice one :)
Mary B says
I knew something was up, but nevertheless the whole time I was reading it I was mad that you were doing a Burger room when you could have been doing my hall bathroom! Please! I would let you do a mood board for FREE! And if you ever want to vacation in Lake Havasu City – free house for a week… with pool and cat!
Danette from Oz says
Oh, you almost had me, great trick guys! It wasn’t the dog bed or the cute costume, but definitely the mural that started making me question if you were really using no VOC paint (fumes gone to your head)? I was getting worried. That was hilarious!!
Patsy says
That room will be so adorable when you’re finished.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for having so much faith in us Patsy, but even we don’t think it will be! Haha. Read the bottom of the post for the full story…
xo,
s
Gloria says
Yes, you got me. You totally got me. Especially since I am reading this in the early hours of April 3rd, NOT April Fools Day. I was reading and said, “Well, to each his own. They DO say that the dog is Clara’s brother, so who am I to judge.”
Audrey says
This isn’t at all related to your guys’ post, but I wanted to show you one of my favorite blogs. The woman who runs it, Jen, also does house crashing – just like you guys!
http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/search/label/house%20tour
^ There it is! I figured you could use the inspiration pics :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah I love that site! And what a cool house tour! Thanks for sharing.
xo,
s
Grace says
Lo-and-Behold, my own little local Sunday paper here in Bend, Oregon
reprinted The Washington Post article on you guys!! What a treat to read it in the paper (since I’d already read it on the blog)! You guys are awesome! I’m a new YHL addict and look forward to the daily emails! April Fool’s took the cake!! I laughed SO hard – have to admit though, I was a stupid sucker for that boat bed. haha – LOL…
Thanks for sharing your life with us ~
YoungHouseLove says
Aw it’s so crazy to hear that we popped up in the local Bend, Oregon paper! And thanks for the kind words – so glad you found our blog!
x,
s
christine says
I wasn’t even reading the prices, so it took me a little longer… but I got to the fish net curtains, and thought,no way! This isn’t real.
Funny though, at the flea market yesterday I spotted a cast iron anchor to hang on the wall with three hooks at the bottom that would have perfectly with this plan after some paint :D.
Nikki says
I was thinking, if they are serious I am not coming here anymore. Phew… so glad that was a joke. :-)
eileen marie says
Good one! You have won my respect back. :) I thought you had lost your damn minds for a second. I thought the dog bed price was a little fishy, but it was the outfit for Burger (even though I know you guys dress him up sometimes) that made me realize the post was dated 4/1.
Btw, Sherry, have you seen the new Glamour cover (saw it at the grocery store)? The sexed up photo of Ashley Greene looks a lot like you with a ton of makeup on!
http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/03/29/ashley-greene-joe-jonas-glamour/
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- you’re too sweet. She’s a hottie! And her hair is about 100 times more obedient than mine. Haha.
xo,
s
Adam says
Although I would like to see Burger in that outfit…
Robin says
That was hilarious – you got me right up until I read the price tag on the dog bed! Then I knew it couldn’t be true!
David Shearn says
Very Good. My parents are visiting me in Atlanta this week (from the UK) and I introduced them to your site, they loved in – so they will now tell people back home. Then to top it off you were in the AJC this weekend (Sunday paper). Your everywhere – congrats!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for spreading the word about our site! Shucks, we’re blushing.
xo,
s
Charlotte says
This is totally off-topic, but I remember how much you loved that round Coco Mirror at West Elm. And guess what? As of right now, it’s on their website! Could it be fate?
YoungHouseLove says
I know! So exciting! The only issue is how cheap we are and how many other projects seem to be the priority, so we’ll have to save our pennies and see if we can actually have the guts to pull the trigger. Haha.
xo,
s
jules says
You would think the person who blows 260 bucks on a dog bed could afford better taste! I was surprised that was even a real thing! I totally thought that was part of the joke and not even real…. now I can’t stop looking at that ridiculous website! It’s terrifying and amazing…
Andrea Egan says
I’m feeling nervous for you….can’t wait to see the space.
YoungHouseLove says
Uh oh, looks like we got you! Check out the bottom paragraph of the post for the whole story!
xo,
s
Christie DeSilva says
I didn’t realize this was an April Fool’s joke until today. Upon original reading, I had decided that you guys had gone off the deep end and “lost” it. Seriously? That literal and theme-y? Then, perish the thought, I even went as far to think (how embarrassed I am by this) that you guys must really be pushing your marketing powers to break into a whole new market of profitable dog decor, and this was a step to woo some free marketing in your strategic “back-up plan” in case this whole YoungHouseLove blogging thing turned sour. ;) Hahaha! Can you imagine? I’m so glad you make better decor choices than this mood board. Phew. I’m totally relieved.
Christie DeSilva says
Okay…now I’m sitting here eating my words wondering if your feelings are hurt thinking…well, what if they “were” considering this but knew it was “out” there and wanted to see how people would react? I know the new house has some white and beige people having a hissy fit of sorts. ;) Perhaps you were feeling out your audience? Oh my goodness…I could sit and stew all day on how I might have hurt someone’s feelings I don’t even know in real life! Love you guys!!!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no worries! We wanted people to think we were crazy- that was all part of the joke. So we just picked something totally out there (a nautical dog mood board that didn’t match Sue the Napkin with items that were way too expensive for cheap-os like us) as part of the fun! We promise that we weren’t considering it or feeling anyone out- it’s totally crazy and 100% not functional or affordable. It’s just a tradition around here to show something completely not our style on April Fool’s Day and see if anyone believes us for a minute (this is our third year of fun) before shouting out April Fools in bold letters on the bottom. We’re nerds but it’s actually our idea of a good time.
xo,
s
Kate B says
Okay, I’ll admit I was fooled.
HOWEVER… My dogs are my kids, just with fur. We don’t have human babies (yet). They already had their own room in our apartment (our second bathroom, we would gate them in when we would be gone for a long time in case there was an accident so it would be on linoleum, not carpet. We could tell them ‘Go to your room’ and they would.
At the risk of being called weird or lame… this is something I’d totally do for my dogs (until the human babies come along).
laurenjanelle says
Hahahaha. I took a break from the blogging world for a few weeks and the first post I read returning to it is about a sailboat dogging bed. Hahahaha. Love the sense of humor. Can’t wait to see what you really do with the room!
Melanie says
I have to say, I think it’s an adorable theme for a nursery!
Pam the Goatherd says
Being fairly new to your blog you did have me fooled, but the price of the doggie bed did have me questioning cuz you don’t seem to be the kind to pay that kind of money for something so silly.
Adrienne B says
You know, I actually have that anchor dog toy. The pup loooooves it. And I sort want that seagull… :)
Carole White says
I was just looking around on Etsy & I came across
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65976170/illustrated-alphabet-ocean-theme-11×14
& immediately thought of your April foolish “play room.” Would be such a lovely contribution!
Not really for your house but I must say that it’s (actually) really cool & would make an awesome contribution to any kid-space.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re right. It’s actually really cute!
xo,
s
Brittney George says
This totally brought back memories of Trading Spaces and their “themed” rooms. I thought, “Oh no, please tell me extreme theming is not cool again”.
ManWifeDog says
Totally got me!
Cheri Reed says
I’m new to your site (from Wash. Post article) and I don’t know you guys very well yet. I TOTALLY believed this was an upcoming project. Just call me gullible.
Jenn(ifer) @ heim-elich says
totally unrelated, but at least somewhat concerning this room:
Besides DIY and home-blogs I also love twilight… I stumbled across this picture
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/04/06/mtv-first-taylor-lautner/
and all I could think of was: John and Sherry have that daybed…
Guess YHL outranks twilight these days ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahaha, our daybed is famous!
xo,
s
Patty says
I’m slowly making my way through your archives to present day, so I didn’t notice the date at all…
Here were my thoughts:
red and navy? not cohesive with the rest of the house, $250 dog bed? what about all the other projects?, mural? since when do they like murals?
Final tip off?
Fishing nets. Even though you were “planning” to use them as curtains instead of hanging them near the ceiling, I was thinking “no way, this is a joke.”
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, so funny to get someone after April Fools!
xo,
s