Everyone loves an imaginative and awe-inspring kid’s room, am I right? Which is all the reason we were psyched to see this cheery redo from Amandelin. Check out her letter:
My son’s room was desperately in need of some redoing. Beyond the aesthetic problems (like the knotty wood paneling and bargain bin particle board furniture that my mother kept “gifting” us) the room is also 23 feet long and 9 feet wide. Three of the four walls are monopolized by windows and the fourth is broken up by double french doors. Needless to say it posed quite a challenge.
I painted all of the paneling white, replaced the mismatched denim curtains & “custom” 80’s paint-splattered roman shades with cheap white Ikea curtains. All of the furniture in the room, with the exception of the Expedit and the two Ikea toyboxes, is thrifted. I think the most expensive thing was the bed, at $19.99.
The sidetables were $5 for the pair; I painted them with white lacquer, used a jigsaw to cut a thick piece of wood to the curves on the top, and stained the wood. The lamps were $10 each at my local Habitat for Humanity REstore. I painted them out in red and hand-cut a robot stencil, using leftover table paint to get the graffiti effect.
The lamp on his Expedit was originally one of a pair I had in my bedroom. Until he broke one. I hand-painted a treasure map on the base and used white contact paper to put a skull and crossbones on the inside of the shade, which is only visible when you turn the lamp on. Months and months of work and elbow grease and combing through thrift stores was totally worth it for my almost-four-year old to have a bright and functional room! – Amandelin
We can’t believe that’s the same room, Amandelin! It looks so cheery, and the fact that it was done so inexpensively and with so many hand details is just awesome. Your son must have so much fun in there. Kinda makes us wish we were four again. What about you guys? Do you have a favorite project or thrift store find in this makeover? So many great DIYs, so little time.
Tegan and Tage says
That is an incredible re-do. Speaking of tiny toddler rooms, have you heard of Jordan Ferney’s blog “Oh Happy Day”? (Sister of Design Mom) Check out the tiny space they are going to have *two* kids sharing: http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/2010/06/moses-closet-part-ii.html
I think it’s pretty awesome, actually!
YoungHouseLove says
Super cute! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo,
s
The Virginia House says
I’m in awe! That is a great makeover! They did an awesome job, thanks for sharing it with us!
NattyJ says
AMAZING transformation… Well done Amandalin!
Carey says
Quite possibly THE cutest boys room I have ever seen. I may have to copy this for my little guy. AWESOME job…and on a budget to boot!!! Thanks for sharing.
Ashlea Walter says
Fantastic job! Came over from Ohdeedoh and so happy that I did. Loveliness!
Kelly says
Hi there! I saw this on Ohdeedoh and I will leave a comment there as well but where is the train print about the bed from? I must know!!
Traveling Mama says
Wow! This is completely amazing! I love the transformation!
kim says
where did you get that bed? i am currently looking for a bed for my daughter and can’t find anything i like!
Amandelin says
KELLY – I’m not sure if a print of the canvas is for sale anywhere! It was a loaner/gift from a relative of the author of the book!
KIM – I picked it up for $19.99 at one of my local thrift stores and painted it a very pale yellow!
MM says
Here from ohdeedoh. LOVE your new room! Love it more because it’s thrifted and on a budget. So inspiring!
Bromeliad says
Terrific job.
p says
I’m looking for a good creamy white and the white you used looks wonderful. What’s the name of the paint you used?
Looks amazing!!! Thanks
jsmom says
Gorgeous room! I want that bed for my son. :-) Do you mind me asking where the bedding is from?
amandelin says
I *think* it was called Snow White? I got it from Home Depot, and it was probably more grayish than yellowish, because I’m having a love affair with gray. I will track it down.
The bedding is from Ikea! $9.99 for a twin-sized duvet and pillow case, in the children’s section!
Angelyn says
I’m not even remotely in the market for a little boy’s room yet, but I’ve filed away a ton of ideas from this one. There WILL be robot lamps in my house one day! So great!
Merryl says
What a transformation! We are in the process of deciding on paint for our 3 year old son’s room. He has been asking for blue and we’ve been having a hard time finding a shade we like. We all agree the shade of blue/green you’ve painted behind the bed is great. What is the name of the paint color you used?
Thanks!
amandelin says
Honestly, I had the *hardest* time finding a shade of blue that wasn’t completely objectionable. It’s like they don’t make anything that’s kind of dirty blue-aqua in a vintagey-medium tone. I ended up mixing my own! Here is a picture of the paints I used and the final product, if it helps at all:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/splendade/DSC03115.jpg
iveth says
Awesome transformation! congratulations, it looks beautiful!
sabrina says
Do you have the names of the 3 paints you used to mix that blue/green shade? I love that color and I am having a really hard time finding anything that isn’t too cutesy or too adult. This is exactly the color I am looking for. I would love it if you could give me the name of those colors if you still have them.
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping she drops in with that info for you!
xo,
s
Nicole says
I realize this post is ages old but I came here looking for a choo choo print via google. Through further searching I found if you go to the publisher’s website you can download a copy of the cover and could print it from there. It’s not high quality or anything but it’s an option.http://www.hmhco.com/
Great room redo btw!
YoungHouseLove says
So cool! Thanks for the tip!
xo
s