Our 70s Split Redo Part IV: Our Toddler's Bedroom

It was really important to us for our little guy- Christian (2 yrs old)- to have a fun, happy & organized room when he transitioned out of the crib/ nursery to his "big boy bed" & new room this past summer. (And of course it had to be budget-friendly!) It's a TINY space and we decorated it with jungle animals & made a really big deal out of the move and he handled it perfectly. (Straight to bed and slept through the night from the start- wahoo!) Unfortunately I don't have any 'befores' of this room. Basically just picture it empty. With a combination of thrift-store finds, Ikea pieces, some DIY items and a splurge or 2, we got just what we wanted:

The inspiration for Christian's room came from these Ikea curtain panels. They reminded me so much of some of my favorite children's books: My Father's Dragon and The Saggy Baggy Elephant.

I decided to rip out the Saggy Baggy Elephant's pages & make a big story wall for him out of all of the different animals. (We used Michael's frames on sale for $10 each)



It's a super-easy & inexpensive way to treat a wall in a kid's room. Christian loves pointing out all the different animals:



Even his lamp is a macaw (below, by Arteriors Home- inspired by an Eddie Ross creation in a House Beautiful Weekend Shopper article.) I wanted this lamp from the moment I saw it (way before I knew we were going with a jungle room) and when it came time for a lamp I was so excited to get to include it!! (I'm often tempted to take it to other rooms ;)




The trundle bed with drawers & bedding is Ikea & I have to say how impressed I am by the green velvet blanket. I wanted to go with a crazy mix of green patterns & layers throughout the room to make it feel energetic & happy:


Our dog's bed is in here for now but she never uses it (she prefers ours- argg) & it's ended up as a nice hangout spot for Christian. The rug is from Dash & Albert & it's practically wall-to-wall because I'm just not that into our plain jane white carpet.


Christian has so much fun playing with his trucks & trains on it because its stripes are roads & train tracks for him.


And a fun addition to the room is the vintage wallpaper lion from Romp. -below- (They have so many great silhouettes- adorable!!) Dave hung him across the closet door & we slit him so the doors would open properly. He surprised me with the project being finished one day without asking where the lion was supposed to go on the door. (I'd originally planned for him to be walking along the floor at the bottom.) And I came in and he was floating!!! :) (and you really can't complain at all when your man is that sweet- so the only option was to make it work.)



SO, we decided to make a hill out of (what-else - we seemed to be crazed by it lately!) chalkboard paint!! Sometimes the "mistakes" end up being the best things in a space. Now there's a whole new activity area in the room:




I pulled out the red from the berries in the curtains by using this vintage bookshelf/ cabinet piece I found for $26 at a thrift store a few years back. (below) It's great because the bottom hides toys (it's a "garage" as Christian calls it for his trucks to sleep in) and the top houses tons of books. The alligator head used to live on top of it but it started SMELLING. (I am SO not kidding.) The room started to stink because of it!!!! It was awful, so he's bagged up & on his way out.

We're hanging the red chinoiserie mirror (below) in here too because it matches perfectly & has those crazy vines all over it (and got booted from the entry ;)
And one last pic (because you know I always go overboard with pics! ;) of the room, below:


Hope you enjoyed & can't wait to show you the nursery!! (I'm waiting on the finishing touches until the baby comes so I can do the boy/ girl thing -- Only a couple more weeks!!! :)
xoxo,
lauren

70 comments:

red ticking said...

this looks adorable and cannot wait to see the nursery... thank you for your lovely comments on my blog.. you are soooo sweet. i love your blog... wishing you a wonderful holiday season... xx pam

Dianne said...

This is my favorite room in the house! Oh that lamp would surely be placed in MY own room as would the mirror. :) Great job!

Jessica said...

SOOOO awesome! Framed kids book pages is also my favorite idea! :)

Tara said...

I like this a lot! Looks like it was ripped right out of the Pottery Barn Kids catalog.

Alicia said...

Beautiful! Very inspiring! For when I have kids...!! (in many years!)

Tammy@InStitches said...

How adorable is that ! I love the way you made the lion work by walking on the chalkboard hill.

Katrina said...

Cute as anything! Love boys rooms - I have 3 of the little dudes!

V said...

I love this!

Anonymous said...

I've been peeking at your blog for a little over a week. Loved the kitchen - but *this* is so smart and polished. Love it.

Living It At Home said...

I love how your son's room came out. It is so stylish and practical at the same time. Very lively and colorful too! Great job...love everything...the rug, lamp, curtains, bedding, red bookshelves...oh and that lion! To die for...whishing my daughter was young enough so I could do that in her room!

Enjoy it!

~jamilyn

Maria Killam said...

Well it just doesn't get more fabulous that that! I love those IKEA panels and they look so fabulous and custom in his room. And the rug. . . well, this is quite the designer room along with the frames. You are just a star! And such great ideas for us all!
xoxo
Maria

Anonymous said...

It's a great space. Those IKEA curtains are some of my favorite they carry. I love the matching chair they have to go with them. You did a super job with this room.

LeAnn:)

LindsB said...

OMG, that is seriously sooo awesome! Can I be your child too?? I would have died to grow up in a room like that, woah, LOVE it!!

tarheel said...

fantastic! And you can never show too many pictures!

Devon said...

Lauren, great room! Love the Dash & Albert rug. I'm getting so excited for your new arrival. Enjoy your last few weeks of one-child sanity!!

Danielle @ Transforming Home said...

WOW! It is awesome! It belongs in a Domino magazine (RIP). Love the bed..
I totally need your help with my twin boys big boy room. They have to share a room, and it is small one! I am having a hard time figuring it all out - I wish you lived by me and could come over and help me out!

Danielle

Karen said...

You are so talented. I love the mix of bright colors and black. The room will easily transition into his pre-teen years.

Anonymous said...

Love it! Jaithan and I remember when dave put up the lion! So cute! I have to do a post about that weekend shopper. Hope all is well xoxoxo
E and J

nelya said...

It looks great Lauren! The green is wonderful. And guess what, I have that lion from romp as well. Except I, of course, have yet to hang it! I want to change up the colors of my son's room and can't make a decision.

Such a happy, perfect place for an adorable little boy!

Ann-Michelle said...

Adorable! I love the framed pages. I love how you pulled together a room for a little boy that is themed without being annoying. I have often wondered if it is possible to do a boys room that isn't themed to the point of nausea, and you have.

I love old houses, but I have to say 70's splits horrify me. Unfortunately, they are well within our price range. I have been inspired by your beautiful home and what you have done to make it lovely. Thanks for helping me to see the impossible.

Windlost said...

Gorgeous! Lauren - you never cease to amaze. Such a bright and cheerful room for your darling handsome little fellow. He is so cute!! And I LOVE that lion and th striped rug and everything. You are a decorator extraordinaire. You should have a show. : )
xo yer "old" cousin Terri

Michelle Hughes said...

absolutely and completely wonderful!! I love everything!!

Smiles~ Michelle

Jane said...

HI Lauren I am just planning a redo for my son (from cot to bed) and I love what you have achieved. Very suitable for a little boy and yet quite grownup. I think the use of the green and red is wonderful, very original. xoxo

alison giese Interiors said...

Precious - but not too much so! I saw a very similar macaw lamp the last time I was in HomeGoods (months ago) I almost couldn't stand not to buy it, but had to consider the whole hauling it back to Brazil thing...

Christian is a very lucky little boy!

Linda in AZ * said...

* Lauren, "Ain't lfe graannnnnd?!?!?!"~~~ Sooo nice to see people sooo happy!!!!!!!!

Love,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

nannykim said...

This is such a pretty and functional room for a child!! Love the curtains, pictures, bedding , rug--well everything you have done ;-)

http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

If Domino were still around (boo hoo, seriously I'm still not over it) your sons room would be perfect for the magazine. I totally heart this room! If I "had" to pick one thing I liked the best it would be the red bookcase!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

What a grand little place...fit for the king of the jungle!

I know he loves his saggy baggy friends to look at when he wakes up!

Beautiful job on the whole kit and kaboodle!

AnneHH said...

Hi, Lauren,
What a perfect little boy's room! I love everything about it but especially the Dash and Albert rug. You have an amazing talent for creating striking, beautiful, welcoming, edited designs. And--the most amazing part is that you do it on a budget! How inspiring and reassuring.... Sometimes, I get so discouraged by my passion for beautiful interior design since so often (almost always!) it seems so out of reach to the vast majority of us. Does this ever discourage you? It doesn't seem to. I am so grateful for your wonderful blog as a counterpoint to all of that.
Also, just a quick wish that these last weeks of your pregnancy go super easy. Sooo excited for your family to be welcoming a new adddition.
xoxo, Anne
ps Keep posting LOTS of photos please!

Chic Coles said...

What a great room. You did a wonderful job. I really love that green velvet puff and of course the green dog bed. That is a real Jungle Book room.

sarah said...

I love the room....where did you get his bedding....sheets and blanket...thanks! Looks great!

Michelle said...

Lauren,
I get so excited when I see another one of your room renos on my sidebar. It's adorable, and your photography is amazing and light filled...any tips?

Christian has a beautiful space to make memories...

Best,
Michelle

deliciously organized said...

Incredible! You are so talented!

Barbara Matson said...

Nice room. Not too overly "themey". Love the subtle jungle touches. I have just finished putting together my sons room, using all vintage/thrift finds and a bit of Ikea thrown in. Since we live in a rental I had to live with the blinds and carpet. I might splurge and get bamboo blinds. I will be posting pics tomorrow ( I still have a huge map to hang). Check it out!
http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com/

Gena D said...

Love the colour combinations and all the detail - gorgeous!!!!

Melissa said...

I love it - I especially like the framed book pages and the bright, cheerful colors!

Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life said...

AMAZING! I LOVEEEEE the green chalkboard hill, with lion...

Mrs. P said...

you did an awesome job!!

Lauren said...

Lauren-
I always enjoy peeking in at your home. Your style is amazing and I just cannot believe how much you have done in such little time!

C's room is adorable! I love the idea of framing pictures from a book....so special and affordable!

You are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your spaces!

Amanda said...

Hello. I just came across your blog and love that the first post I saw was about the transition from nursery to big boy room. Our son is 2 also and we (as in, me) are searching high and low, far and wide, for items here and there that see to suit his personality. I recently found hardware for his dresser at anthropologie that has my creative juices flowing like raging waters! Amazing what one little piece can inspire, right? Love your little man's room. Very nice work.

Victoria said...

It looks perfect-love that green velvet comforter. I am going to have to check out Ikea, I haven't been there forever. I was checking out Etsy and saw this cute pillow and thought of you, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35748837&ref=fp_feat_3
(not sure if you are still doing the owl thing...

Valerie Wills Interiors said...

Great job. I love the stripped rug and the vintage look of the curtains.

Erin {House of Turquoise} said...

What a fun room for him! I love the fresh green color...the rug and bedding are my favorites!

Carry Grace said...

This is such a classy toddler room! Very well done.

Anonymous said...

This is an amazing room- he's so lucky! As the mother to a 2 1/2 year old who just got his own bed, I know how hard it is to design a room for a toddler boy without crossing into too much of a theme. You rock!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

I love this child's room. They're usually done with a "package" from Babies R Us...or that kind of store. This shows imagination and a really knack for design. What a great job.

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

perfection! I love the art, I love it all.

Carolyn said...

Ok...I might have to stop reading your blog because I'm starting to get annoyed at how damn good you are! So cute and great! Love it. ANd of course i'm kiddin.

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Soon as I started to comment, someone was at my door... I wanted to say more, so I came back. Lauren this could be in a magazine, it is that good. I love the closet door. I just might steal that one... Everything is spot on. You are really good gf.

Leah Moss said...

Lauren you are a serious rockstar! You are my inspiration for when (if :) I ever have another baby. I think I spent the last trimester feeling huge and sorry for myself. But you are flipping a house! SO inspiring!

What a fun room for Christian to grow up in! I esp. love the closet door.

pixelimpress said...

so lively, so fun, and happy. i love this room! i especially love the wall gallery. pam

Windlost said...

Hey Lauren, sorry I missed the virtual baby shower over at Notting Hill. My invitation must have got lost in the mail haha.
Congrats and hope things go perfectly and you three plus baby have an amazing Christmas!

Big hug, Terri xo

Windlost said...

Hey Lauren, sorry I missed the virtual baby shower over at Notting Hill. My invitation must have got lost in the mail haha.
Congrats and hope things go perfectly and you three plus baby have an amazing Christmas!

Big hug, Terri xo

No.35style said...

love it, love it, love it...and i am dying to see that nursery!! such a darling room..love the curtains and that rug..and i am planning to do framed book pages from a vintage book, too ;)

micah said...

How cute! I love the curtains and the framed pictures.

Christi said...

super cute~ looking forward to seeing the nursery!

Dorothy said...

Your husband was so sweet to do that for you! I love the room. I wish I could see how you would design a little girl's room, too!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Lauren, how totally adorable your son's room is! Love it all. You do such a great job with all your ideas.

And, I planted my paperwhites today! I did them last year, left the old bulbs in my garage and they are already sprouting green, so I finally got them in a planter today. Can't wait to see yours!

Haven and Home said...

Absolutely, positively adorable!!!!!!!

Xoxo,

Marianne

Ness Lockyer said...

There is no stopping you is there? Not even an impending arrival!! The room is wonderful and our 3 year old was on my lap while I was looking and now he wants a jungle room!
Ness xx

DecRenew Interiors said...

You are such a fun mom, full of life. I can hear it in your voice when I read your blog. The room looks great!

Ruthie

Porchlight Interiors said...

Wow, it looks amazing Lauren! I love how you have used green instead of the tradition red, white and blue used for most boys rooms! Tracey xx

Jenna said...

I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE everything you do with every room in your house! This is sooo cute, down to every last detail

designdazzle.blogspot.com said...

Your son's room will be featured next week on my site. You are so talented - thanks for sharing!
Toni

Unknown said...

I thought about this room all night last night - just adorable!
I wish I could have my kids back and start all over!! Can't wait to see the nursery.

simply seleta said...

Oh my gosh, Lauren.....where is Domino magazine when you need it?!??? This is a Domino article! You are so talented. I should have flown you down to the beach to do our three year old's room!

Casey said...

fabulous room! I wish I could make any of my kid's rooms this great

Unknown said...

Hi Lauren! I have always loved this room you did. I am thinking of buying our son his big boy bed and love this ikea one. Have you been happy with it? So cute. And did you get a normal mattress or an ikea one?

Unknown said...

Love everything about his room! Pls tell me where did you get this for your son? Is it a twin? I can see it has drawers which is the most important thing!

Unknown said...

Love everything about this room, please let me know where did you get the bed for your son? Is it a twin? I can see it has drawers, which is so so so important!!! Thank you!