The timber frame set a mood of story book appeal in every space of our home, perhaps no where more than in the bedrooms. Keeping decor clear and simple was intentional to let the architecture - art in and of itself - shine. It just plain felt good to be around the natural material, like grand, but humble furniture.
To my mind kid's rooms should be inspiring spaces that feel cozy and personl, encourage self-reliance, and are easy to clean. We used broadloom in the bedrooms for savings and warmth. One of my favorite things was to wake up in the morning and hear Marty (the early riser) playing with knights, or legos, singing along to himself. This creamy burber was perfect for him to just plop down and pull a toy out of the basket, or from his shelves.
I did my diligence on the bed; a Craigslist find. It had been in the same family for three generations and has spaced holes in the footboard for a rope to be passed through. (I'm adding that in our new home.) I knew I wanted a classically low frame. Have you seen box springs lately? With a good mattress set the box spring is at least 8 to 10" in depth, add the mattress and you've reached princess-and-the-pea-porportions. That just won't work on a vintage frame; the mattress would rise above any headboard allowance.
I asked (and Paul indulged me) to have a 4.5" framework constructed to use in place of a box spring. We wrapped it in this contemporary ticking stripe from Ikea. And ... Voila! The right scale with no unsightly polyester mattress cover in view.
The striped duvet cover is Ikea. The green cotton fleece blanket (color is discontinued) is a favorite piece that I know he'll use for years, from Garnet Hill. His dresser and nightstand are from Overstock.com. Orange lamp and frames also Ikea. The framed numeral print on the left is from Green Chair Press. For the photo on the right, I enlarged a flickr mosaic of macro automotive details. He thinks it's pretty cool.
As all boys do, Marty loved having his collections - coins, tiny animals, little cars, even beer caps - on view and within reach. Expedit is perfect for that. His tiny desk was picked up at a flea market store on North Capitol Street, in DC for $10. The little Italian green chair is from Pottery Barn.
Marty wanted a green room, but I know myself and I like bright white and neutral spaces, so I used mixed greens liberally to add personality. His lamp is from Target. The vintage MCF race car poster is from PosterCorner.com, framed locally at Takoma Framers.
Some of our read-aloud paperbacks fit neatly in the vintage metal toy trucks that belonged to my Uncle Michael as a boy. He would love to know that they are still loved and appreciated. I think Michael would get a big kick out of Marty. They share the same natural love and enthusiasm for life.
