Quite a few of my friends say that Sweet Guy’s room is their favorite room in our home. But I’ve never shared it before on the blog. He didn’t want me to. Sometimes my kids or Mr. Décor will do/say/create something SO great, but they want to keep it to just us. I respect that. But recently Sweet Guy decided his room was ready for the blog.
There is SO much wonderful goodness in this room that I am kind of giddy at the thought of sharing this space.
The bedroom to his door is at an angle and this is the first glace. You can see his twin bed with the headboard I found at a second hand shop, his large world map from the Rose Bowl flea market, and a single oar that belonged to my dad Norm’s rowboat many, many years ago.
Right next to the bed is a nightstand I bought in Germany at a flea market. It’s topped by a lamp that was once brass but I painted and stained the base, then added a linen shade from HomeGoods. The frame contains my all time favorite photo of our boy, age 3, wearing lederhosen (he was born in Germany). It’s joined by two vintage cars.
Underneath on the nightstand is a shelf that contains a frame holding a post card of Jesus that belonged to me as a child and a baby shower gift of artwork that reads “We prayed for this child. ~ 1 Samuel 1:27”.
On the wall nearby are two pieces of travel themed artwork (found at Kmart no less) and a pith helmet. Every great adventurer needs one. This also came from the Rose Bowl.
Underneath the prints is a stack of old suitcases from the flea market topped by a basket of favorite books. I painted the basket a few years ago and it’s now getting good and chippy. The 930 references his date of birth, September 30th.
The only window in the room is a tiny, oddly placed specimen located next to the closet. Pottery Barn linen drapes can block out the light beautifully.
Every room needs a chair. This one used to belong to my Grandma Mary and then sat in my childhood bedroom. A few years ago I slipcovered it in old corn meal sacks given to me by Grandma Jingles. Cousin Linda did the quilting on a old topper made by my great Grandmother.
On the opposite wall sits his dresser that I purchased over 20 years ago in upstate New York.
Twenty years later and I am STILL in love with it.
It’s topped with his collection of world flags that rest in an old canning jar filled with vintage marbles.
He is a bow tie man and wants to add to his collection. I bought the dachshund ring holder at Homegoods for his sister first and then had to find a second one when he expressed disappointment in not getting one too. 🙂
Next to the dresser is his Arrow of Light~ it is the highest award you can earn in Cub Scouts. His den leader whittled the wooden shaft from a tree branch and it has an actual antique arrow head. The den leader also made the wooden shelf that holds it. Did I mention that his den leader is Mr. Décor? The man is amazing!
Underneath is a shadowbox I made. From the time Sweet Guy was small I have taken him with me to flea markets, thrift shops and estate sales. The secret to good behavior at such places is placing a few coins in the palm of their hand with the instruction to “Stay close, but search for a treasure.”
He has a fondness for animal figurines, soldiers and just look at the world’s smallest pair of pliers!
I adore the vintage French soldier, antique metal circus cage and covered wagon. Most people are a bit shocked to see so many guns. Then I remind them of our last name.
On the other side of the dresser, near the door is a wire frame filled with travel themed postcards. Can you see the card with the half timbered house hiding behind the old church postcard on the left hand side? It was the first postcard Mr. Décor ever sent me. We were dating and he was on a temporary duty assignment in England.
On the small wall on the other side of the door, which is hidden when the door is open, are two heavy duty hooks. Sweet Guy hangs his coat or backpack on one and on the other hangs a banner Mr. Décor bought while stationed in Japan, my Papa Jack’s circa 1940’s camera and a tomahawk our boy recently purchased when we visited a sacred Native American reservation. (I’ll share that wonderful experience with you soon.)
I think that when you collect things that really speak to you or tell a story then over time you end up with a space that is truly your own. I have ALWAYS bypassed the common t shirt or shot glass while on vacation and searched for something that would really capture a memory. I have taught my children to do the same.
So why did our boy decide that he was now ready to share this space? Well, it will soon be changing. Mr. Décor has been working at stripping multiple layers of paint off of an antique double bed. Then it will be time for me to add my touch with new bedding and accessories.
Where would you travel to?
Laura
Update:
We updated the space in May by transforming an antique bed and bedding we already had. See all the details HERE.
Linking to: Tip Junkie
Thanks to Sweet Guy for sharing this creative and warm space!
Very nice Laura!
The dresser is just stunning and I love all the unique ideas you have incorporated.
Tell Sweet guy his room is awesome!
Cindy
Very nice Laura!
The dresser is just stunning and I love all the unique ideas you have incorporated.
Tell Sweet guy his room is awesome!
Cindy
I LOVE everything about it!!
What a great room. I love that there are no electronic games or gadgets and wires cluttering it up. It's a room that a young man or a grown up could find comfortable.
The carved arrow and holder are amazing. What a wonderful keepsake!
Well done 🙂
Laura,
Thank Sweet Boy for allowing all of us to peek in his room — and what a splendid room it is! I have been pouring over the photographs, discovering something new each time I go back. The dresser is gorgeous! Every well planned detail compliments without cluttering. One of my all time favorite rooms in Blog Land.
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
absolutely amazing! I love the collection of flags grouped like that, and of course the dresser, enhanced by the globes.
we will be traveling to paris in the spring, my first time there, and I am very excited, yet super nervous!
What a wonderful room! I love how you/he has collected so many special items. Those are what really make a space so unique. It's funny that you mentioned him not wanting to show the room on the blog. Just recently, my son was mad at me for showing his room on my blog. I didn't even think to ask him first. I will remember to ask him next time…
-Shelley
His room is fabulous and I love all the maps and world travel theme. Hugs, Marty
His room is awesome! So clean and tidy too. If I showed Sarah's room, it might be the opposite at any given time, ha. She's not always so neat and tidy. I've always given her free reign when it comes to decorating her room, and she changes it around frequently, but it always reflects her love for vintage, photography, and the eclectic.
In answer to your question – I would travel to Poland. Homeland of my family, and specifically to the town where my Grandfather was born and where the family still owns the SAME houses and stores that they have for over 200 years. That would be my dream trip, but alas I have no idea when it will ever be possible. Maybe in our retirement years…
Hope you enjoy a blessed new week,
Linda
Please thank your young man for sharing to us his wonderful room!!!! I love that vintage map and the pith helmet you hung! All the vintage items made his room more home-ier and fun! I am sure he's not only proud of this space for might pleased too!
I love this room! You added some many special touches! Thanks for sharing!
Oh why are you changing it? It is perfect….Glad you posted it…cuz it is really adorable in person!!
His room is just fabulous! I love it!!!!
Thank you sweet boy. You have the most special bedroom, and parents, ever!
This room is so great! I love maps and the stuff you have that goes so well with this theme but also has family meaning to it is just awesome!
I absolutely love all of the little details. Fabulous room!
This is such a great room, Laura, and has such a wonderful theme of travel, and a delightful warmth from family history and memories. Do tell us, though, that it is not always so neat and tidy with a young boy in residence…..lol!
Thanks so much for visiting my “Streamlined Storage” and leaving such a nice comment!
Laura, this room is so FULL of wonderful things! I love the bowed oar from your dad, the chair, frames, the furniture, his picks – all of them, with such stories in their being a part of this room. I especially love that your son takes joy in the process of the hunt as well. He is a wise young man, beyond his years, for all he's accomplished and how he handles himself. Congratulations.
I cannot wait to hear the story of the visit to the Native American reservation!
~Rita
What a great room, Laura! My son (6) is hoping for a similar theme in his room. We've collected maps, vintage suitcases, etc, but his MOTHER just hasn't gotten to putting it all together yet 🙂 I was really hoping to get to the Rose Bowl Flea Market when we were in L.A. (just got home to Colorado a few hours ago!) but it just didn't happen this time.
Thanks to your son for sharing his great space. Looking forward to seeing the new bed!
Love this room! You incorporated so many great ideas. 🙂
Hi! I am a new follower today from a Friday linky party and I am looking forward to going through all your past blogs. The one that brought me over of your son's room has already given me some great ideas for display in the shop. Thank you.
-Ginene
Hi Laura, This was so enjoyable. Thanks to your so for sharing so many of his special treasures. So many memories to surround him; it is truly a “handsome” room!
It's adorable and sort of sophisticated at the same time!
– Anjana.
Laura,
This is just so fantastic! I will feature it tomorrow at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
I just loved this post, your son so reminds me of my youngest/ I would take him with me to flea markets yardsales, he was smaller than me so could see things on a different level. He found a lot of Fiestaware for me back in the 80's. He's 33 now but we are still close, thank you letting me remember some good memories, he still collects things to this day.
I love your son's room and I think I'll steal the idea of the two suitcases and the basket for my bedroom.
This is such a fabulous room! Where did you get the bedding? My son is 2 and as we think about converting his room to a big boy room a travel theme is what we want to do. Our son is from Africa and my husband and I are passionate about traveling the world. This room is so peaceful and all of the details have such special memories for your family.