It is October. Which means in our house a couple of things: such as four family birthdays (including BOTH of my daughters!), hayrides and pumpkin picking at the farm. And Halloween wraps up the month of fun at our casa. But it is also means it is time for:
One Room Challenge Fall 2017
(Woot! Woot!)
If you aren’t familiar with Postbox Designs then welcome! A quick background on me: I’m Kristin. I love yoga, Gilmore Girls, and could live on raw cookie dough. I have also been an interior designer for over 13 years now. I used to work the traditional role at an office, but a few years ago our life changed and my three kiddos needed Mom at home. I spent a year as a full time SAHM but realized that I really, really missed interior design. I also realized that us women are BUSY juggling about 2,045 things at once. So I started my own E-Design company for all of the women who couldn’t fit meeting their interior designer into their crazy schedule. I now design rooms for my clients all over the country, doing everything virtually. Once I have custom designed their room, I mail my clients their room-in-a-box with all of the drawings, instructions, material samples, and Shopping List they need to pull together their room. They can order their entire room in an hour without ever leaving home. Don’t I have the best gig…ever?! Plus I get to be home with my three kiddos and our crazy Labradoodle named Jasper.
Now you know me! But, if you aren’t familiar with One Room Challenge, it is a six week Design Challenge, where designers all over the country furiously make-over their rooms in this short time frame. Twenty designers are featured and the rest of us participate as Guest Designers making over the space of our choice. This is my FOURTH time participating! I design for clients all day and sometimes (cough, cough) neglect my own home. So this is the perfect chance to tackle a room from my house.
If you have missed any of my past One Room Challenge Makeovers, just click on the links to take you to the entire blog post and see all of the sources and details of how the room came together:
One Room Challenge Kid’s Homework Center Makeover
One Room Challenge Farmhouse Bathroom Makeover
One Room Challenge Farmhouse Family Room + Kid’s Craft Area Makeover
PLUS…FREE STUFF FOR YOU DURING MY ONE ROOM CHALLENGE. REALLY!
This six week makeover is a big deal at our house, but I want you guys to have some fun along the way too! During last year’s One Room Challenge (my farmhouse Family Room Makeover) I started something new that I’m going to continue for this One Room Challenge as well. Every single week I am creating a
BRAND NEW FREEBIE TO GO ALONG WITH THE ONE ROOM CHALLENGE MAKEOVER THEME
It might be a free Mood Board, Round-up, Guide, or Shopping List. I hope you get inspired by my makeover, but if you are going to invest your precious time checking in over here, I really do want to make it worth your while. To make it easy for you all, every week I’ll put my newest freebie in my FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY. I already have a ton of stuff in there (I’ll wait if you want to go check it out!), but be looking for a new weekly one to get added in.
So what room am I taking on this time? When we moved into our house my son was just 3 1/2 and I haven’t updated his room since. He still has Mr. Potato Head drawings on the wall, which he loved at 3. Not so much at age 8.
Here is what the room looks like in it’s current state:
Cute, but it is time for a change. While he desperately wanted me to give him a Ninja Turtles room makeover, I wanted to do something that will stand the test of time past his latest obsession. We live in the woods and I think my little guy could live out there 24/7. Rain or shine it is the first place he flocks to as soon as he gets home from school. And in the summer the bottoms of his feet stay black from constantly running out there barefoot. So I wanted something that felt woodsy, outdoorsy, campy (are these real words?!). So I decided to go with a
Adventure Themed Boy’s Bedroom Makeover
But I didn’t want to go too literal. I didn’t want it to be over-done or too theatrical. I had to step away from putting an actual tent or sticks in his room, and instead figure out how to get the essence of the woods and the outdoors into his room. And for my only son I want to instill the values of adventure, courage, taking risks, and bravery (all traits I want for my two girls as well I might add). Another way to think of it would be a Woodland Themed Bedroom-getting back to nature (but with a bed!). So I wanted to add all of those elements to my little boy’s room makeover, while keeping it streamlined and simple.
I always start with creating a Mood Board for all of my clients, so I did the same thing here. Here is the Mood Board I created for his brand new bedroom makeover:
LOVE IT? WANT IT? NEED IT?
This week’s Freebie is this Mood Board along with the Shopping List, so you can just click and buy if you see something you love. You can find them both in my FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY!
Adventure/Camp/Woodland Themed Bedroom Makeover:
Pretty fun, right? I’m going to keep his existing bed and dresser since it is in great shape, and it’s rustic style actually coordinates with this Adventure themed room makeover. And the overall color scheme is pretty classic: reds, blues, greens, and browns. So even if we change it up a little down the road, he is going to have some classic pieces that we can re-use in the future.
Boy’s Bedroom Adventure Style Bedding
I never like to go uber-expensive with kid’s bedding because kids are tough on stuff. And I don’t want to cry if he rips a set of $200 sheets. So I was thrilled to find this buffalo plaid comforter starting at just $19.99 for the twin sized! He has a queen sized bed, so we splurged the few extra dollars. 🙂 I love that the black and white is neutral and has a modern look to it, while still staying true to a Woodland theme. And if you have followed me for any time at all, I am 100% totally obsessed with the swiss cross pattern. I have been for YEARS so I have been thrilled to see it pop up over the design scene in the last two years. I grabbed an army style blanket with this pattern to go on the end of his bed (and it comes up again in his swiss cross rug). And what Adventure themed bedroom is complete without a “Wanderer” pillow? I actually found this pillow for a client’s playroom and it was the catalyst for the theme of his bedroom makeover. Yup, it all started with a pillow.
Boy’s Bedroom Furniture Ideas
Like I mentioned, it just felt wrong to not re-use his existing furniture. And it kept the budget way down. However, if you are starting from scratch, try a black Jenny Lind style bed or an iron framed bed for that rustic look. I did however, want to break up the furniture set a bit so his room didn’t look too matchy-matchy. So I am swapping out his coordinating nightstand with a brand new one. I found this hunter green metal one that looked a bit industrial and a bit woodland themed all at the same time. And I could easily see this staying in his room into his teen years. And just try to destroy a METAL side table my little man!
I also wanted his room to look a little more grown-up so that he could use it for awhile. So I found this sleek mid-century modern style chair from the new 62 Line at Target! Then I’m going to pop on that camp inspired throw pillow (found on clearance at Land of Nod) And while designing for kid’s bedrooms I do have to say (speaking as a Mom of 3): always go with function first. Choose durable materials that are easy to clean (like this faux leather chair that you can wipe down). Or go with less expensive with items that you know will be swapped out (like bedding or wall decor). Instead I would invest the majority of my budget in the nicest bed and dresser you can afford. True story: We STILL use the bedroom furniture my hubby got when he was just 16 years old. Twenty years later it is still gorgeous.
Boy’s Adventure Themed Bedroom Wall Decor
Okay, so you have your furniture staples. Now you can really have fun with the accessories! I didn’t want to go too literal with the whole camping/woodland themed room. But I did have some fun with these outdoor inspired Etsy finds: the “Adventure” print, “Go Outside” Banner, and “Explore” pennant are all hand-crafted finds from artists. I actually already owned a cardboard deer head (strange things us designers have laying around!). And I knew I wanted to add some animals to this adventured themed bedroom, but didn’t want to be too cutesty.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH MR. BEAR.
Nothing else could describe the love-at-first-sight I experienced when I found this bear photograph-too perfect! It was an instant download from Etsy, along with this boho style bison print. I purchased the digital files and I’m going to blow them up to the size I wanted at my local 1-Hour Photo.
Boy’s Bedroom Lighting Ideas
I will admit I am super stoked about the lighting that I found. I found this industrial style table lamp on accident but immediately popped it into my virtual shopping cart. I’m going for just a hint of modern in my little boy’s bedroom makeover so this black wire lamp will fit the bill. But I’m most excited about this industrial swing arm sconces. I found these for $90 each and immediately grabbed two. Here’s the thing: they are meant to be hardwired, but I didn’t want to get an electrician involved in this project. So stay tuned and I’ll show you how we are going to convert them into plug-in sconces instead.
LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN
So what do you think? Think I can makeover my little boy’s bedroom in just six weeks? I’ve learned some lessons over the past One Room Challenges and so I pre-ordered everything (where the boxes have been stacked up in my foyer all week!). There are still a lot of details I actually don’t know yet-such as how I am going to lay out the furniture, which will affect where I put things on the wall. But hey, I’m planning on having a little adventure while designing his Adventure Themed Bedroom!
Since his last room makeover, we did (thankfully) get rid of that horrible while carpet and we replaced it with a woodgrain vinyl floor. So that is already done. But this week I’m going to tackle painting over that BRIGHT blue and red room with white paint. So I’m loading up on my podcasts and La Croixs and plan on spending a few evenings with a paint brush. Wish me luck.
I’m so glad you are here and hope we get to be pals over this next six weeks! Feel free to leave comments or questions (I’ll respond to them all), or hang out during the process on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest where I’ll be sharing some behind-the-scenes peeks and answer any of your design questions. Find this week’s freebie in my Free Resource Library:
One Room Challenge Adventure Boy’s Bedroom Makeover
Mood Board + Shopping list
….and I can’t wait to see you all back here next week! And be sure to check out the progress of all of the designers participating in this year’s One Room Challenge right HERE and prepare to be amazed!
Melissa says
I love the mood board! Such great pieces. And your previous ORC rooms are so gorgeous!
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much Melissa! If I didn’t have ORC I don’t think I would ever tackle any rooms in my own house, such great motivation 🙂
Jess at Just Jess says
I love your inspiration board, especially those prints you snagged. Jess at Just Jess
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks Jess! I’m a die hard Etsy fan, I can’t believe the amazing prints you can find on there, just excited to use a couple in this makeover 🙂
JUSTYNN YAGIELA says
Love the banner! So CUTE.
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much! I do too…it is supposed to arrive this week, so fun! 🙂
Lydia says
I’m excited to see how this turns out! Kid’s rooms are my favorite!
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much! ME TOO! I’m always scouring One Room Challenge for kid’s spaces, you get to have so much fun with them!
Elizabeth Jones - Jonesville says
the BEST mood boar ever, can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Elizabeth Jones - Jonesville says
*board
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much! I love kid’s spaces, you can have SO much fun with them. A lot more fun than my own boring bedroom 😉
Molly says
My first visit to your blog. Love the adventure theme. Looking forward to your ORC and source info.
PostboxDesigns says
Molly, I’m so glad you found Postbox Designs! Hopefully little man will like the theme as well…fingers crossed! 🙂 You can find all of the sources hanging out in my Free Resource Library…luckily everything is super budget friendly that I used! 🙂
Tammy says
i love your design plan and can’t wait to follow along as you create the perfect space for your son. I am working on my son’s room as well! Don’t you love the new 62 line at Target. I was just there scoping out some pieces for my son’s room.
P.S. I remember your kid’s work space from a previous ORC. It was one of my favorites!
PostboxDesigns says
Tammy, Thanks so much! I saw yours too-I’m excited to follow along with your progress on your son’s room too! I love Project 62-I’m not even always drawn to “modern” but they have the perfect mix in there-let me know which ones you find for your room!
Alisha says
Love the plan, and bear!
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much! We love the bear too…my kids named him “Mr. Bear” since he looks so dapper 🙂
Jessica | Petal + Ply says
Can’t wait to see how this turns out! I am doing an Adventuring Entomologist bedroom for my boys for this ORC!!
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much! I just went and checked out your ORC too-it’s so great. I love those posters 🙂 I’m a former biology major so I still have some bio nerd left in me who loves that kind of stuff. Can’t wait to see your final look!
Sara says
Where can I find the metal/green night stand. The room looks great!
PostboxDesigns says
HI Sara! It is from the Pillowfort line at Target (and it is actually on sale right now!). Here is the link to it: https://www.target.com/p/2-drawer-locker-nightstand-garden-green-pillowfort-153/-/A-50080614 I love all of the storage it has. And if you want to see the rest of the Source List for my son’s bedroom, I have the whole design and shopping list under the “Freebies” tab on my website! 🙂 Cheers, Kristin
Janelle says
Can you share where the comforter is from please and of course that inspirational pillow?! Love your design
PostboxDesigns says
Hi Janelle!! The pillow is from Crate & Kids, and the comforter is from Target’s Pillowfort line. The bummer is the comforter is no longer available, but Target does have some very similar plaid comforters on their site. You can also grab the whole Shopping List with all of the product links on my site. Just click on the “Freebies” tab at the top to grab it, if that makes it easier! 🙂 I’m so glad you like it!