Bewildered Rosie stands on what has revealed itself to be carpet.
I mentioned in a previous post that it’s possible that children’s rooms are rarely photographed because it’s too much trouble to clean them up. I might have been projecting.
The vintage prints were my idea. The sports posters were not.
I had the background of the valance painted after I found the prints….
then decoupaged color copies to create a similar scene. My creativity often flows from my limited budget.
The vintage prints were my idea. The sports posters were not.
A local company is coming today to shoot an ad in the Dream House. When the scouts arrived, the downstairs was pristine. “Did our contact tell you we’d love to see the boys’ rooms?” Um, no. But that was fine. Only they were messy. I mean really messy. Boy messy beyond anything you can imagine.
I had the background of the valance painted after I found the prints….
As they were snapping away and I could literally hear my mother spinning in her grave, one of the scouts said, “Oh, it’s so real!”
then decoupaged color copies to create a similar scene. My creativity often flows from my limited budget.
I have a personal “no lie” policy. I’m crafty with words and can almost always come up with something, like, “It’s always great to try something new, isn’t it?” So, I knew what she was doing.
The house is unusual in that the room, with this dressing area attached, is almost as large as the master. I wonder when they were customizing the floor plan if the owners were thinking “Lego Museum” in the built-in?
Number 2’s side looks slightly better, except all – all – of those animals are usually in his bed.
I spent a good part of the weekend trying to eliminate some of the “realness.” It’s never a good idea to go sifting through people’s things; you always discover things about them that you would rather not know. I’m continually conflicted about my children’s rooms. I had a very territorial feeling about mine. I was confused about why it needed to be tidy if I didn’t mind it.
The house is unusual in that the room, with this dressing area attached, is almost as large as the master. I wonder when they were customizing the floor plan if the owners were thinking “Lego Museum” in the built-in?
But as I was lugging out the three, big, bags of garbage (not rotting carcases, just broken or obsolete toys) I realized that maybe my mother was just trying to dodge Family and Children’s Services.
I had to photograph it yesterday. It might never look like this again. It’s still plenty real. And if they need any more, all they need to do is open the closet.
Yikes.
Wonderful post. When my kids were as young as yours there were days I didn’t even walk upstairs. That’s how I survived. BTW, Rosie does look a little amazed. LOL
I hate to turn a blind eye, but sometimes it’s just survival. And, yes, I agree! Rosie does look a bit stunned. She’s probably worried we are leaving town again, as that is the usual reason for the deep clean.
On Saturday I received KC Magazine in the mail; on Sunday, SPACES was placed on my doorknob in a little bag. I don’t know why I get them. They are free; I didn’t subscribe to either. But if I were to subscribe, it would be to SPACES, hands-down. Much better in my opinion. In fact, I don’t much like KC. As to your kids’ room, I was always told to choose my battles carefully, and when my kids were teenagers, there were way more important battles to fight than a clean room. It’s their space, they have to live there, and as long as there was a door to close, I chose to ignore the mess. Made life a little easier, and they really aren’t slobs today.
What a darling room! hhmm darling – not a word I think your boys would appreciate. When my sons #2 and #3 were younger theirs was very similar, plaid bedding, blue walls – though we threw in pirates complete with a big sail and mast on the windows which was inspired by a watercolor we picked up in Charleston. Now, all that is left is the blue walls. Enjoy the broken toys now – because what they add when they are older (now 13 and 12) is smell. Not, an ordinary smell. Not something that can be covered up. A lovely combination of socks and cleats and boy and something that I cannot ever figure out. Maybe an old yogurt under a bed. Now, I know what lurks behind those closed doors and “real” would not be a word I believe a photographer would use. The watercolor hangs on the wall just outside their door now. A reminder to me that once it was darling behind that door.
I have to laugh at this post.Wait until they become teenagers,that is when the real fun begins.But it really is fun,but a bit messy. PS Girls are much,much worse.
Where are those boys, under the bed or tucked into one of those drawers? It’s good to have these photos to protect the innocent.
Love the Blue and Red color scheme.
Great post! I know the feeling of lugging bags of broken toys. Their room is lovely.
It’s a children’s room, and it’s supposed to be messy! I really like the blue walls and the red around the windows and door.
You kind of have to decide if it’s their space, our ours. I do believe they need a space of their own, even if it’s not ‘decorated’ per se. I do a lot of editing when my kids aren’t home (throwing out of junk toys, etc) and they only seem to notice much later. Then I play the, “Duh, I don’t know what happened to that…”
Sara L.
Love the pelmet, such a cute idea.
Thanks so much for the kind words and sage advice! The only casualty from the shoot was a very tacky, but beloved glass dolphin. I haven’t told him yet.
Hello Mrs. B…..
Surrounded by their favorite things – what a classic nest for the B. boys.
The boy’s rooms look like they have an innate sense of calm, refuge & privacy – SO happy there is nary an electronic in sight, Mrs B!!
My #1 rule (for ages 13, 10 & 7) is NO computers/TVs in ANY bedrooms.
Loaded bookshelves, music, toys, pets – absolutely!
Kids (and adults!) deserve a cozy refuge & privacy – Not just from their siblings & parents, but from the intrusiveness of wires and electronics & awful, glaring glow of all things available online, onscreen, etc. which, in my opinion, ruin what needs to be a calm, private retreat.
Great, classic rooms, they’ll evolve and age with the boys beautifully. Cheerio, Alison
A great post and “glimpse into the real life”… Thanks for sharing. Do you want pics of my boys room? Or maybe the massive FORT in the dinningroom? Boys will be boys.
I have to say my kids’ rooms–after all the trouble I went to to decorate them exactly right when we built our house–were “real” within minutes after the kids moved into them, so this cracked me up. I remember my younger brother’s room had so much “realness” to it that my mom started a “keep his door shut” policy that got her through his teenage years. I hope I don’t have to resort to that someday myself!
Great post, as usual! -Julia 🙂