Vintage Academia Meets Sports Buff Collector (or something like that): A Teen Boy’s Room
The funny thing about kids is that when you give them bedrooms, they usually want to actually live in them. And decorate them using their own ideas that reflect their interests. And show off their collections and knick-knacksanddo-dadsandsuch. And this can really cramp the style of moms who dream of neat-as-a-pin, straight-from-our-favorite-design-catalogs, totally unrealistic kids’ rooms. (Not that I know this from experience or anything.)
But, really, it can be challenging sometimes when trying to come up with design solutions for kids’ rooms that work for both kidsandparents. I’ve recently been working on a few projects in my son’s roomandI’m happy to announce that we have come up with a look that works for both of us.
He’s such a great kid with lots of different interests that I wanted to incorporate into his space. He’s a Boy Scout, history buff, basketballandsoccer player, loves to read, loves to collect things (especially Coke memorabilia), and has a few sentimental pieces he wants to display as well. It’s a challenging mix, but we’ve slowly, but surely, pulled together a room that reflects the many different aspects of his lifeandpersonalityandfeels like a cool, comfortable space for him.
One of the most recent additions came about when I found two vintage basketball rims at Goodwill a few weeks ago. With my design ideasandmy husband’s man power, we created a couple of backboards that have turned out to be one of our favorite elements of the room. Stay tuned for details on how they were made in a later post.
We used vintage pennants that my brother collected when he was little to make a colorful statement on one wall…
And his book shelf holds his Hardy Boys book collectionanda large ship that belonged to my husband’s grandfather…
An old Coke crate works as a shelf to hold a few Coca-Cola bottles from his collection…
And his Boy Scout Merit Badge poster hangs by his desk…
Remember this USA chalkboard? He puts it to good use with his “To-do” lists. We added a shelf above it with his mini busts of presidents that show his love for history.
I bought him this bedding from Pottery Barn Kids several years ago, but it’s still in such great shapeandworks so well in the room, we’re sticking with it. I made a couple of new throw pillows with varsity numbers for a little update.
I had such a great time doing this room for himandhe is loving it.
As for the keeping it neat-as-a-pin part, he’s doing a pretty good job with that so farandI’m loving that.
Hope you like it , too! I’ll be sharing his room with some of these parties. Check them out!
Also linking up atEmily Clark’s Kids’ Spaces Link-Up!
Renewed Upon a Dream
November 21, 2011 @ 3:57 pm
The room looks great! Good job merging your child's wants & needs with yours đŸ™‚
Kathy@DandelionsandDustBunnies
November 21, 2011 @ 5:26 pm
Wow – love it. What a great idea to add some basketball hoops. Everything looks great. My two boys would love a room like this.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
November 21, 2011 @ 5:34 pm
wow, julie! the room looks awesome!!!!! great work, friend!
sstone
November 21, 2011 @ 6:47 pm
That looks like a perfect boys room. It's sporty, and it's got so many personal elements. I really like it.:)
Shiloh
everydaygameplan.net
Amanda
November 21, 2011 @ 7:02 pm
I love this room! Great job! I've got four boys and I'd love to do something like this.
Karen
November 21, 2011 @ 10:07 pm
Great room for your son, and my son could probably just move in and feel at home. He also plays guitar, collects Coke memorabilia and loves sport! My son's room is still in the design stages though and I would love to try some of your ideas for him. God bless x
NanaDiana
November 22, 2011 @ 2:04 am
Julie- What a GREAT GREAT room! You did a marvelous job and I LOVE how personalized it is. Love the basketball hoops..how cute is that? And I love the Boy Scout badges, too. It is perfect! xo Diana
Suzanne
November 22, 2011 @ 3:08 am
You did a really great job pulling together the parts of his personality. I love the presidential busts.
Vicky
November 22, 2011 @ 4:18 am
That is a great room. How fabulous that he has such great interests and hobbies. He sounds like a super kid. I am a new follower visiting from Sumo's Sweet Stuff. Vicky from Mess For Less
Sew Passionate
November 22, 2011 @ 12:47 pm
Love the basketball hoops!! Also loved the Hardy Boys books, I collected a bunch of the old ones for my son over the years too. Great job on the room!!
raddesigning
November 22, 2011 @ 2:33 pm
What a cute room! Adorable!
Rachael
November 22, 2011 @ 4:02 pm
I have boys too, its hard to come up with a good scheme. Nice work it looks great.
Meg and Mum's
November 25, 2011 @ 10:45 pm
This looks fabulous! I bet you had so much fun with this! I'd love it if you'd link this room makeover to my Saturday Splendour Party. http://www.megandmums.com đŸ™‚
Brandi
November 26, 2011 @ 2:15 am
Great room! Love the basketball hoops and all of the sentimental items from family members that you added!
Jenn
November 26, 2011 @ 3:16 am
I love all the creative ideas in their room! You should come and enter my Vanilla Bean Paste giveaway! http://eatcakefordinner.blogspot.com/2011/11/vanilla-bean-paste-giveaway.html
Strawberries and Sweet Love
November 26, 2011 @ 3:37 am
What a great idea! I love the basketball rims! I really love the curtains!
lauren
November 26, 2011 @ 5:00 am
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this room! The coke bottles & basketball hoops are my favorite – but it's all perfect! I have two boys – you've inspired me with some great ideas for their space – now your newest follower đŸ™‚ Would love for you to follow me!
Lauren
summitstreetjoy.com
Lolly Jane
November 26, 2011 @ 5:22 am
Love it. Such a great job!! XO
Camille
November 26, 2011 @ 4:57 pm
This is such a darling room! It seriously could be from a PB Teen catalog! đŸ™‚ I love all the little details you added- it is perfect. We would love to have you stop by and share this at our link party:
http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/11/strut-your-stuff-saturday-week-21.html
Have a great weekend!
Camille @
SixSistersStuff.com
linda
December 6, 2011 @ 9:57 pm
That looks so wonderful. I've been dragging my feet getting started on my own teen boy's room. I've gathered and sewn but just need to crack the whip and start painting!
Dharma
October 16, 2012 @ 3:22 pm
Over from Thrift Decor Chic – Those backstops are the bombdiggity! Nice job. His room is so personal and I am a firm believer in that đŸ™‚
Vel Criste
October 17, 2012 @ 3:18 am
cool room I'm sure your boys love this space!
Elisabeth
October 17, 2012 @ 4:31 am
Also stopping by from Thrifty Decor Chick. LOVING this room! Lots of fun ideas for when my little guy is ready for a big boy room đŸ™‚
Elisabeth@Simply Parkers
ournextgreatadventure
October 23, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
What a fun room!
Sarah
Christy
October 26, 2012 @ 10:51 pm
This room is so flexible for a growing boy! I love those curtains….would you share where you purchased? Or did you make them?
Julie
October 26, 2012 @ 10:59 pm
I got those curtains at PB kids a few years ago. Hope you can find something like them!
Traci
January 26, 2013 @ 4:20 am
Do you mind sharing the paint colors for the walls and dresser? Great room!!
Erin
July 15, 2013 @ 1:50 pm
Stopping by from Emily's Kid's Room link-up…What a cool space for your boys! The basketball hoops are such a great feature, and I love all the other vintage and DIY items you added for character!
Bethany R Green
November 6, 2015 @ 1:49 pm
It looks great! How did you mount those basketball hoops to the wall?