I’m back wearing my interior-design cap (as we do from time to time, no?). I showed you my inspiration for the girls’ new upstairs bedroom a little while ago.
Here’s what I’m thinking for my boy. I find boys much harder to decorate – both home and body…
A giant wallpaper map on one wall…
… with blackboard walls everywhere else (will the chalk dust drive me nuts?) with white trim. Of course I plan to artistically write inspiring messages every other day in my spare time.
With hits of yellow for some sunshine. I’m thinking of painting the bed bright yellow and along with a pillow slip or two, that will do the trick.
I think it will be a room that takes him through the rest of this childhood and into his teens, when no doubt the wall map and bed will also be painted black and that will be the last we see of him!
ally says
Hello
I was just coveting map stickers/wall papers today
(See here http://www.thewallstickercompany.com.au/dynamic_images/images-9182.jpg)
– but for my daughter who is obsessed with maps and space (and not pink!).
For my little man I’m going classic navy and red with a whole lot of mess thrown in for free
And chalk dust would drive me crazy
But I’d love daily inspirational quotes and art 🙂
Kellie says
If my boy is anything like his father, there will be boobs everywhere.
I would like a transport theme for him while he is still young, cars and planes and trucks and trains. Every boy loves those.
When he is older, I have no idea. I wanted to keep him little forever so I haven’t planned ahead.
Lizeylou says
Just last week we were talking about a world map for our little man. I love this idea … now to find the right one.
MonetPaisley says
Wow! Great minds think alike. I just put away white bed linen, bought a yellow chevron cushion off etsy and am still deciding which map cushion to buy from my bearded pigeon. I am also contemplating which.wall or two would serve me best as a blackboard… Love it!
My boy permanently resides in my bed therefore I.dont see.the need for decorating for him yet. Definitely in the next house.
Kymmie says
Seeing I only have boys, I don’t know any differently, and Steve’s girls were old enough to dress themselves by the time I came along – doh!
But I do love decorating our boys room. The idea of maps and chalkboards rule. And Max is old enough not to eat the chalk, or to rub it in the carpet. Isn’t he?
Love your ideas of yellow, black and white, but not sure where the blue map comes in? Perhaps one of those gold coloured globe maps instead?
Love these posts. Especially your girls’ room. xx
Grace says
I love the map idea!! if you are worried about the chalk dust maybe just do chalkboard cut outs (like giant stickers), so you get the best of both! Good luck!
Grace xx
Tammi says
Maps + chalkboard…it couldn’t be any more perfect!!
Toni says
Mr 9 still loves his Toy Story themed room, but as soon as he wants a change I’d love to do an outer space create explore imagine type room, based on one I saw in a book one time.
I love the idea of rooms that encourage a childs’ creativity and imagination.
Maxis’ room sounds like it’s gonna be too cool.
Vicky says
I love the sound of this room, and it would definately grow with him… mind you, you may not like what he and his friends draw and write on the blackboard walls as he reaches his teens….
Still what a brilliant space to be inspired and create in.
Felicity says
Loving all you’ve chosen Bron but I must say whole walls of blackboard paint is a braver move than I could make [the sound of things scraping on it alone is enough to send chills down my spine as I type this].
A fresh palette of blue and white & orange is also a great combo for boys and it goes well with the map of the world!
Happy day, I’m sure it will all unfold amazingly.
xx Felicity
Lisa says
I love the idea of the maps. Not only do they look great but they are educational too!
Not so sure about the blackboard walls though. It’s a great idea in theory, I once painted a desk in blackboard chalk for my son who had a habit of drawing on everything, and he was in his teens at the time! It just starts to look very messy, very quickly, and it didn’t stop him from drawing in places he shouldn’t!
May I suggest you paint a ‘blackboard’ of a conventional size perhaps, instead of an entire wall? (and yes, the dust does get everywhere!)
Lisa says
doh! I meant ” I once painted a desk in blackboard paint”… but I’m sure you understood! lol
Lou says
I love the blackboard idea, but for my boys the huge map is a big no no! I have had to put decoration of my boys new room in our new home on hold until we finally move in properly because they have asked if they can do it themselves.
So far Dad has had requests (because he is there already) for a giant pin board from my youngest, and a St. George Cross from my eldest son, who plans to make sure all of his new American friends know that he is English – Somehow I think the accent will be a big giveaway, but if he wants a George Cross, he shall have one – he is called George after all….lol
I am going to suggest a blackboard wall though, I think that is so cool.
🙂
Rhonda says
I think the blackboard paint would drive me nuts if it was everywhere…I am thinking of painting it somewhere though, just because I really do like it, but I am worried I will compulsively clean it. My son’s room is painted blue, he chose it. The same color as the college he likes, so there are decals from that college all over the walls.
BabyMac says
LOVE! Love the map AND the pops of yellow…you know how I feel about pops of yellow!
Michelle says
I’ve just been doing a bit of this in my sons room. Looks really great.One wall is blackboard paint and I went for a map cushion on the bed because he just doesn’t have another wall spare!A very colourful crocheted rug on the bed that I did myself(and so proud of).I love it.Off to ikea this weekend to get a desk and chair and that should be it. The chalkboard dust is not a problem,but we have floorboards in the bedroom so no problem to clean.
Megan Blandford says
Love the map – I want one of those in my new study. And much as I like the look of blackboard walls… yes, I think the blackboard dust will drive you insane!
Ange Moore says
A Map Wall looks amazing and would be fabulous for girls or boys! I might have to keep that in mind for when we end up with a big bedroom for two boys here.
And I actually think it’s easier to decorate for boys than it is for girls, but I’ve never been a girlie girl and am very anti-pink which is not compatible with girl decorating!!
Heather says
Love it. I noticed that someone mentioned the bearded pigeon…she does really gorgeous map cushions. Can’t wait to see the end product. xxx
**Anne** says
I really like your ideas, the blackboard…I see giant noughts and crosses as an alternative to computer games, a place for spelling lists or the next car or aeroplane invention in a young man’s head. A big world map would be fun. Yellow is good. It’s bright, bold, colourful and as you say, the bees think it’s a pretty hot colour combination.
I like your idea of decorating a boys room that will carry him through to an older age. Redocorating is an expensive business. Good luck and have fun planning.
Anne xx
Vanessa says
I am thinking of the map idea for my boy’s room when we build our second storey. I have to admit that I couldn’t live with the messy blackboard look but I love anyone who can.
Black and yellow, too cool.
Sarah says
I love your world map and blackboard theme (even the punch of yellow). I do find boys difficult – I’m just not that into cars, trains, pirates, jungles, dinosaurs and the rest – but your world map says explorer, but it’s restrained. And lets face it, we decorate our kids (yep, bodies and rooms) for ourselves too. Can’t wait to see your after shots!
InkPaperPen says
The maps are super! I’d like my room to have a huge print out of the world on my ceiling. Something to take the mind off the Night Stalker? Hang on, it could make matters worse, come to think of it…
Thank goodness for the tiny type under the Yellow Babe. You had me worried for a second…
I liked this post very much.
x
trudi@maudeandme says
That map is the best idea!!
The chalk dust though would drive me bonkers
Broni says
This sounds like a wonderful idea. I love the idea of the map and chalkboard. It will be interesting to see how the room evolves over time with what is up on the wall.
Jodi @ The Scribble Den says
Oooh I love doing up the kids’ rooms. We just recently did Miss 11’s for her birthday and Miss 13 had a small make over to make it more grown up. Love adding colour and something that is individual to each of them.
Must say, I LOVE that world map, it would look awesome in my study!
Shah Wharton says
Please link this fabulously creative post up at Weekend Creation Blog Hop
http://wordsinsync.blogspot.com/2011/08/weekend-creation-blog-hop-plus-poem.html
Its brilliant what you’ve done here. His room is superb. I bet he loves it.
I remember our bedrooms were decorated in wood-chip, magnolia. For five years I had pink when younger, my brother always had either magnolia or palest blue. No wonder we both grew up to have manic depression! ;D
I’m a new follower and your on my blog roll!
Shah. X
Kim H says
Love it, Bron! Actually, Lewi’s got some pretty similar ideas himself for his next bedroom. I love maps in boys rooms a too. I do think that some chalk board is great and it looks fantastic. I know, for me, I can’t have too much of it in our place as two of us have pretty annoying allergies to dust. You could also do some magnetic paint and get some funky yellow magnets. Yellow and black is so in at the moment. Boys are loving it all over the world. Go for it! Can’t wait to see some piccies when you’re done xx
Maxabella says
Hi Shah – thanks for coming by to visit my blog. I just wanted to make sure you know that my boy’s bedroom currently looks nothing like these amazing images and will probably never reach this sort of potential. This is just one of those ‘inspiration posts’ where I grab other people’s fabulous images and work to spruik on my blog because I can’t manage to do anything half as great myself… you know, those kind of posts!
x
Posie Patchwork says
My son has a map & i LOVE his bedroom, it’s strong, themed & not airy fairy like the 3 girls, it’s stand out screams BOY in here. He has a fantastic eChair & ottomon for plotting evil or masterminding Lego, but a blackboard wall, unless he is permanently attached to a Dyson vacuum, it’s never happening.
I also disagree when mums say boys are harder to dress or find clothes for, amazing things come from limits, my son always looks cool. He has never worn a Tshirt with a dinosaur, gun or cartoon character on (outside of jammies) & i try to stick to old school fun fashion, no slogans though, so passe. Good luck on the planning, love Posie
Taryn (Life's Juggling Act) says
You are a braver woman than I am! I would never give my children blackboard walls in their bedroom! The chalk dust would drive me mental!!! I’m having enough trouble dealing with the mess in my house now, and my first is only 5 months old! 😉
LOVE the idea of the world map wall paper though!!! Might steal that one day if I get the opportunity! 🙂
Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' says
Wow! The chalkboard idea is absolutely fantastic!!!!!!
For my Max, we went nautical, and it’s beautiful, but he’ll absolutely grow out of it. Nothing surer!
Thanks for inspiring me 🙂
picklebug says
Yep I think boys are much harder, but your ideas are just like what I’ve had in mind for my son’s room!
The wall maps are so ace!I can’t get enough of maps. I’ve done the blackboard thing in my kids rooms on their cupboard doors. They look ace, but the kids don’t use them! Bloody buggers!
I’m doing up my daughters room at the moment (literally just finished painting the first coat). So much easier to get ideas for girls.
Have fun with the rooms!
Rach x
Sandrine says
I think you are doing great!I am a bit flat on the boys side…I only have girls 🙂 But I always struggle more with boy presents than girls ones?!x
Allana says
I love your inspiration! We have one of those wall maps earmarked for our next house. I can’t think of a better, more visual way to learn about the world and to mark out the places our family have travelled to.
I think this room would look amazing, and definitely grow with your young man. The chalkboard dust could bst it back by using chalk pens and dustless chalk. I think anything that encourages limitless creativity is a brilliant idea!
I look forward to seeing where you take this idea 🙂
Kelly says
I love the map and chalkboard design ideas xo
Jen says
I LOVE the map wall paper! 🙂 Your ideas are so cool 🙂
||| laura frantz ||| says
Hey there. You have used one of my photos (my son drawing on his bedroom wall w/blue clock) without my permission. Please delete the photo or add a credit and link to the original source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurafrantz/3277050658/). Thanks.
Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' says
Bron, I always meant to ask you!
The image with the sweet world map showing Cairo, where did you find that?
I saved that image way back when I was first reading your blog, & my friend has been bugging me for a source ever since.
No stress if you have NO idea/recollection 🙂
xx