This time last year we had just wrapped up our first book tour stop in Cincinnati, where we learned how much fun it was to put faces to some of the names that we knew from comments and the blogosphere at large. And now, we’re actually able to put a room makeover to one of those faces & names, so check out Sarah’s redesign of her son Carson’s room, both of whom we crossed paths with back in Ohio last October.
Hi John & Sherry! I don’t know if you remember me, but we met at your first book signing here in Cincinnati, and my boys were the ones who scribbled all over your signing book (which I still feel really bad about). Anyways, I just finished redesigning my youngest son Carson’s (aka the scribbler’s) room after taking him out of his crib last year. This room has come a long way since we took out the crib (gulp) last year:
When I started planning Carson’s room, he asked for a Cincinnati Reds/Dino room. After some unsuccessful persuasion to steer him in another direction, I decided to embrace his requests and just go for it. After all, it’s his room, right?! And everyone (even 3 1/2 year olds) deserve a space that reflects them and that they enjoy spending time in. So my goal was to incorporate baseball and dinosaurs…
Since the bed is so low to the ground and there was such a large space on the wall to fill, I knew I wanted something oversized to hang up there, but I was terrified that Carson would pull it down and get hurt. I made the chalkboard by painting a square with chalkboard paint right onto the wall and then attaching 1×4″ planks of pine (also right into the wall) to create the frame. Now I have a blank canvas and the “art” can change as quickly as Carson changes his mind (which is quite often)!
On the other side of the bed, I used a small $7 Ikea shelf to make a floating nightstand and turned a $10 wire basket from Home Goods into a rolling book cart.
Some invisible floating book shelves (by Umbra) fit perfectly in between the two windows and hold all of Carson’s favorite books. I made the roman blinds myself using Premier Prints ZigZag Twill Storm fabric from fabric.com. The design with the grommets on the bottom happened as I accidentally cut the fabric too short for the blinds and had to come up with a solution to lengthen them. Best mistake I ever made! I LOVE how they turned out!
My absolute favorite part of Carson’s room has to be his gallery wall. The red cabinet from Ikea was my inspiration for the red ceiling and is great for storing (aka hiding) all his toys. I knew I wanted to keep the walls neutral and the furnishings sleek and simple, so the red ceiling was the perfect solution to bring in some bold color without overwhelming the space.
I had so much fun doing this and I’m thrilled that Carson loves his room! – Sarah
First things first – Carson may have been the first to scribble in our book tour book, but he certainly wasn’t the last. And we loved every “child masterpiece” that we were left with. I mean, how can you not look at this and smile?
But more importantly, how much fun is Carson’s room? Thanks so much for sharing, Sarah! I feel like dinosaur + baseball is the type of curveball we’ll get from Clara as time goes on (wait until you hear what she wants to be for Halloween) so I love that she ran with it. And Sarah has a lot more photos and helpful links to all of her sources and DIY projects over on her blog. But first, what’s your favorite part? Sherry is obsessed with those happy-accident grommets at the bottom of the blinds along with the red ceiling and I’m all about that clever can’t-fall-down art over the bed along with the rolling wire book bin.
Ana Silva says
I am with John, I love the basket and the wall chalk art; so smart!
Kerrie says
I love the red ceiling! Red isn’t usually my favorite color, but it works here…
Also, in the last paragraph it says that “sherry loves the accident grommets”. I think you accent. Of course, I could be wrong because accident grommets sound fun! :)
Oh and congrats on the baby!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kerrie! Sarah mentioned those grommets were accidental, so I call those things happy accidents – so by “happy accident grommets” I just meant the ones that she accidentally added that ended up being awesome. Maybe I need a dash between happy-accident to make it more clear? Will add one :)
xo
s
DD Lizzy says
Love this room! It will definitely grow with him. Meantime, where are clothes stored?
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh good question! Sarah has been dropping in so I hope she’s back to weigh in soon.
xo
s
Sarah @ Just The Bees Knees says
Lol! That IS a good question!! If you head over to my blog, you can see a dresser that is in his room which sits on the far right wall. It is also styled with some fun vintage finds and artwork too. He’s also lucky enough to have a large closet that hides a lot of stuff and holds his laundry basket (although his clothes ALWAYS seem to land on the floor, NOT in his basket!)
Megan says
I love a great theme room where the theme doesn’t scream out at you. Plus, the makeover will definitely allow the room to grow with their young kid.
Natalie says
I absolutely ADORE the chalk art! I love the dinosaur at bat, that’s priceless :)
JoDi says
Love so much about this room, but the red ceiling is AMAZING! Definitely my favorite part!
Taya says
Love this room redo! I think it’s a great themed room that can easily be changed for a growing boy with just a few accessory swaps! So cool!
Erin says
I love the book cart. I’m a librarian so I can’t help but admire the style and function is brings to the room. I also love the wall-mounted dino-head. So unique and really fun.
Lauren says
Sarah – What color are the walls? I’ve been looking for that “perfect” light grey. (Greys are so hard!).
Sarah @ Just The Bees Knees says
Its 7015 Repose Grey from Sherwin Williams. It really is the perfect grey….not too blue, not too green, not too brown.
Paula M. says
What an adorable room! It’s fun and colorful, while also being organized and neat and easy on the eyes. Great job! I don’t even have kids, and yet I’m still excited by the makeover!
Plein Jane says
We had so much fun doing a baseball room for my son when he was young. In addition to the colors of our beloved San Francisco Giants, we also hung American flag bunting as window treatments (you can see bunting in this week’s World Series games) and installed beadboard below a chair rail to simulate the stands. On one short wall, we hand-painted faces in the stands (including family and friends). Finally, I stencilled “NO PEPPER” in a lower corner of another wall. (Too long to explain here, but it’s a Giants’ stadium tradition).
Accessories were fun, too, including a David’s Sunflower Seeds cup that we used for the pencils on his desk. He also picked out old black-and-white photos of some of his favorite historic players that we framed for the walls.
I miss this stuff!
Orlanda says
I really admire the way Sarah has incorporated her themes everywhere in the room, yet they do not hit you over the head! It is the most sophisticated themed room I’ve seen. I think it’s the bold stripes, solid color, clean shapes, and the focus on practicality. Its simplicity is masterful. The room is appropriate for a toddler yet comfortable for a teen. I love the creative use and combination of materials, including the metal basket, concrete(?) bookends, leather glove, painted metal locker cabinet, clipboard picture frame… all of it is inspiring!
cori roberts says
I came across her blog a couple of days ago and fell in love with the wire cart! I searched her blog and must have skipped info on where so got it. I am so glad you featured it because I now know where she got it! :) Love the accidental grommets too! Way to Go Sarah!
AJ says
This room is super awesome. I live the idea of the color in the ceiling. I do wonder about the red though. Red trends to be an over powering and aggressive color, so I wonder if it could cause problems for him relaxing and going to sleep while starting at a bold red ceiling. I don’t know. Since it would be dark and at night, maybe it’s not even an issue. I love it still and it makes me want to do it in all the rooms of my house!
Jen says
Hi Sarah! LOVE the red ceiling and gray walls!! My son is a Manchester United fan and wants a red and black room and I’ve been struggling with that. Never did I think to paint the ceiling red! I showed him this room and he LOVED it too!! Can’t wait to redo his room with the colors that he loves in a way that I can also live with. One question-Can you share the paint color you used on the ceiling? Thanks for the inspiration!
Sarah @ Just The Bees Knees says
Sure! It’s 6871 Postive Red by Sherwin Williams. Best of luck with your sons room!
nancy @ owen's olivia says
Great job Sarah! Popping over from IKEA Live. Congrats on that feature too! Aren’t YHL readers THE best??!!