Britton's Room at Christmas, And Beyond...

 

My son, Britton, is about to turn 7 and I have been working on transitioning his room for awhile now. I wanted a room that was simple, masculine and devoid of anything that looked too decorative or themey.
I took his interests as my cue:  he likes maps (his father is a history teacher), so the atlas and star fabrics, as well as the red lockers, were my starting points.

My mom gave me these little cube storage ottomans awhile back, and I covered them in the atlas and star fabrics. One holds transformers and the other one has his zoo animals.  I like the quilt at the foot of his bed, but I am on the lookout for a vintage camp blanket.

The walls are painted a silvery green (from Allen and Roth called "Aviary" and the ceiling is a blue-gray (valspar's "Sparkling Sage")  I would like to add a crown molding so that the difference in the two colors will show up better.  The roman blinds are the same color as the ceiling. I stuck to a tight color scheme in the room, because I had to unify many different elements, but the paint color adds depth and ensures that the room doesn't read as too simplistic, too red, white and blue.  

I found the little desk on Craig's list, and it acts as a side table too.  My husband made the little bench to tuck under it.  It is the perfect spot for him to draw and do homework.  The lamp was a garage sale find.



Lori found this adorable ship and knot shadow box for $3! I painted the frame red and it was perfect... I love it.

Britton loves basketball so, of course, the hoop was a must.  Not a decorating choice, but a necessity.

My mom made these shams, with the perfect red trim.

These vintage lockers were a huge inspiration for the room!  I got them for $65 at a local antique store and they fit this space just perfectly and add much needed storage.  They were  already painted this red which I then repeated around the room in the frames, and accent fabric.  I wanted his room to have a vintage classroom/travel/British Colonial vibe.  The color scheme helps it from looking too unfocused.

I am starting a collection of vintage globes for
the top of the lockers; this one was $4.

I chose these 6 simple frames (painted red, of course) and then my mom printed the steam punk prints herself.  I think they make the room.

The oak dresser is a family piece that we stained a dark espresso then added cup pulls.  

The deer antlers are from his Grandfather.  Here they are all decorated for Christmas (since his sister got an ornament wreath above her bed).  They are perfect!

This room is just about finished, except that I would like to replace the ceiling fan with one that looks more industrial, and add a few more globes to the top of the lockers.  He could also use a few things for the top of his dresser, maybe a vintage tool box for his "treasures" and an old clock.  I will keep you all posted.  I think it is the perfect space for a little boy, or a full grown one!

And now...

 Now that it is spring I thought I would update this post.  I took off the quilt at the foot of his bed, since he doesn't need it anymore for warmth, and I like the look of a simple white spread.

 I found this nautical oil painting at an antique store, and I love the frame.  It suits his room perfectly.

 I have also acquired the ship bookends.  Thanks Mom!

 The frame is just right and holds a wonderful picture of he and his sister.  I don't think a room is ever complete without a personal photo or two.

Annie Brahler House Tour

Annie Brahler is a lucky woman.  Not only does she get to live in this gorgeous Beau Arts house in Jacksonville, Illinois, she is also the owner of "Euro Trash," which is a store that provides custom paintings, carpentry and sewing.  I saw pictures of her lovely home about 8 years ago and I was struck by how well she matched the historic formality of her house and the decor.  I would never attempt to decorate my own home this way, it isn't necessarily my style or the style of my house, yet I can appreciate the beauty of what she has created.  There are definitely things that I have learned from her too.

Even though the pieces, in and of themselves, are fancy and formal, the way she arranges them is very modern.  There is a simplicity and restraint.  How beautiful are those arched doors!  

I admire the fact that she was unafraid to paint out the heavy, dark woodwork throughout the house.

Here in the breakfast room it is all about site-lines.  You can see into the kitchen, and the reflectionin the mirror is the entryway: every room flows, there is nothing unexpected to compete for attention.

Even the hallways have little formal, cozy settees.

The formal dining room lives up to the name.  Grand yet comfortable.

This is one of my favorite spaces.  It feels simple and light.
I want a little tree like that in my kitchen, decorated in blue
and white ornaments just like Annie's.

This is my favorite room!  The kitchen is perfect for the house because it doesn't feel jarringly new or contemporary. It is modern but it has an old-fashion warmth.

I like the fact that she has 3 golden retrievers and 3 kids.  The house is truly lived in and loved.

Quite the hall of mirrors, no?

Again, simple and formal

Annie chooses paint colors from old book bindings, and not paint
chips.

The library.  It isn't cluttered so it doesn't distract from the architecture of the room.

 Daughter Isabelle's pretty room

I have learned quite a bit from Annie.  Hope you did too!