This weekend we had Henry’s 3rd birthday party (my mind is blown that he’s three years old) and that means it’s time to get serious about making him a big boy room. He still loves his crib, and I plan to let him stay in it for a while longer, but his room is looking babyish (which I knew it would when I designed it) and so I’ve been trying to design him a new room and it has proven to be as hard as finding world peace.
Henry is such a happy, funny kid and I want his room to be fun but also one that isn’t TOO kid-crazy so that it lasts. But I am a designer, and want to have some fun designing this space. I am set on a few things- a daybed with trundle in an outdoor fabric, the ceiling fixture and car and truck photography art because he LOVES cars and trucks. The rest I’m like— clueless! So I did three boards to try to decide and thought I’d put them on here to see what you guys thought!
This first one is inspired by my love of British culture. The wallpaper is a fab Sian Zeng pattern that is animals and country houses and is MAGNETIC– so he can use their fun dinosaur and helicopter and other magnets to make fun scenes. (Note: my wallpaper hanger may murder me if I do this though as it’s a four layer process!) I LOVE the olive and light blue color combo, but am a TAD worried that pattern is a bit juvenile/ feminine? But doing the trim in the light blue would be a showstopper and I love the paper paired with the windowpane check roman shades. This antelope rug is a new one from my next collection and is a blue tone, but also comes in a caramel color which could also be cute. The daybed would be something like this shape, in the stripe Perennials fabric below piped in light blue.
This version is the one I started with- in shades of bright blue and red. It’s very happy, but I’m afraid it’s been “done”. Not that it should matter, but as a designer it’s fun to create spaces that are super unique. However, this feels like it matches Henry’s personality. I heard that the wallpaper I wanted to use for these striped walls actually made people feel dizzy, so I’d do a wider version painted on the walls. I’d ground the room with a fun vintage Heriz rug and put the daybed between two narrow tower shelves (with grasscloth papered backs) to create a cozy “nook” feel.
This was my most recent creation- in lots of blue with hints of emerald green. It feels cute and fresh and I LOVE my plaid Charles rug for a boys room. I love a little modern art in a kids room too. :)
So which one would you choose? A reminder, it will be this room (his nursery will turn into the guest room for now- still crossing our fingers and toes it will be a nursery someday soon). These fab framed prints will go in the living room or our master for sure. Adore them.
They’re so good! 2 and 3 are more fun than 1 but the burl dresser in 1 is beyond. Really enjoyed seeing these schemes!
Fantastic job on all the boards! Based on both yours and Henry’s fashion sense, the Prepster would be my personal favorite and would provide longevity with a slight tweak in the teenage years. Henry just seems like the sweetest boy and is so lucky to have you as a mom who loves him so much to create such a beautiful space for him. Hope all your dreams regarding expanding your family come true. Enjoy and savor every stage, the best is yet to come! Thank you for sharing all that you do.
The prepster, all the way! Fun, kid-friendly, but also cohesively fits in with the rest of your house. All three are great, solid boards.
All American!
Prepster all the way! Good luck!
I absolutely love the “Prince George” design! I am an interior stylist and the mom of a 14 year old boy….I will tell you this, I did a beautiful nursery for him and at age 2 and a half redid his room to make it his big boy room. Last year for his 13th birthday I redid it again to make him a cool teenage boy room….it’s the best job being a mom & watching them grow! Go for the one you love because chances are you may redo it again down the road!! I don’t think the wallpaper is juvenile or feminine, you can always just hang it on one wall as a feature and do the other three walls in the creamy color that matches the shades with the blue trim!!!
Hey – just wanted to ask if you knew that the titles of your blog posts don’t appear at the top of the page when your blog is opened? It’s kind of weird to see random photos with no indication of context until you scroll down. Maybe it was intentional, but it doesn’t inspire me to click on the post… just thought I’d share.
As for Henry’s room– my vote is prepster. Cheers!
I vote the prepster! Very classic, it’d definitely be something he could grow up in! And I love the Roman shades! Beautiful designs all around, but prepster is my favorite!
Don’t love much of any thing in the Prince George room. Doesn’t seem like a room for a 3 year old. Agree with you that the All American room has been done before but there are some nice pieces here that would work well in the Prepster room which is my fav, except for the Roman shades which I think will give him nightmares! Can’t wait to see what you do!
I’m still going with my vote of the All American. As I said earlier it seems to fit Henry. I get what you mean about being over done. I felt that way with my sons nursery but I’ve wanted to do a room like that for so long that I just went with it and love it. I think the Prince Charming is probably the most different and is something not seen as much so I think that’s why I originally liked that one but those colors are good colors for an older kids room. I actually did my older son’s room in similar colors. So maybe save that design for when he’s older. You can go wrong with either of them because they’re all so good. Designing our own spaces is so freaking hard. Especially kids rooms because there are so many great options.
I voted on your IG but now that I came to the blog to read it and look again, I’m leaning towards #1 because I love the idea of a stripe daybed with blue piping and the blue trim! Only thing I’m not really feeling is the wallpaper for some reason. I just can’t envision it for a little boy. I’m not a designer though! And I love the prints but don’t really care for them with the wallpaper. I can’t wait to see what you do
Does anyone know the name and brand of the Prince George Board roman shade fabric? My link isn’t working? How talented is Erin!!! Amazingly talented!
Love Prince George. The paper is a wee bit feminine but it’s otherwise gorgeous. My favorite piece is the bed pillows but alas, you didn’t provide a link to that.
I’m torn between the Prince George and the Prepster. Both are so cute and fresh. Can’t wait to see finished pics one day!
1. George, is so chic, maybe a little femmie. The dresser 💯, I love a great burl. Daybed in a stripe with blue piping- dead. I just love all the pattern especially the rug 😍
2. American is a little too traditional and too red for my taste but I sure hear you that Henry would really love it. I don’t like the rug.
3.Prepster, there’s a lot to love and reusing the lovely dresser💯The shade fabric slays. Cane nightstands and plaid rug. 😍This has the wow factors.
Amazing Mom….
That was fun!! I personally loved prepster but when you said Henry’s personality is #2, that sealed it for me, classic Americana. Instead of buying modern art, have him create the art for over the dresser! I always think kids art is so eye-catching and endearing. I did love the wallpaper in #1 but that seems better in a guest room or entry area. Is that your master BR, if so, where are the pillows you actually sleep om? I am having the darndest time figuring out how to set my king bed pillows! Maybe a blog post idea?!! Love seeing your blig in my IN box.
I looked at each version and thought “Ooh, I love this one!”, but I think based on how long you want it to last for him, my favorite is the Prepster. Emerald green is one of my favorite colors, and I’ve found it’s hard to find in design. That’s the THE one, IMHO…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAKE, Henry, enJOY!! Looking forward to your design endeavors!! franki
Prince George is perfection. Vroom Vroom 🚘
First one, all the way. If you did some cool modern furnishings down the road in it, it would feel very cool for a teenager. And large scale art can minimize the prints impact. Number 1 all the way. Haven’t seen it before.
I absolutely love the second one because it is FUN TAilored and there is nothing I personally don’t love in the room. The third feels more like your home to me. The Roman shade fabric however classic is scary. I would try mixing elements of #2ans#3
I also agree— Prepster!
Also wanted to add that I slept in my childhood daybed (twin sized) UNTIL I LEFT FOR COLLEGE. Ha! I always found it very comfy. I’m 5’7”. It also had a trundle that was super fun at sleepovers :) Love all your designs!
I vote for the prepster. From his photos, it seems to fit him best. I would go with a regular bed instead of a daybed since at age 3 he might still fall off the daybed, especially if he is a restless sleeper.
I think you are an amazing designer and love your book. I am not a fan at all of the magnetic wallpaper and agree it is feminine. I know you said Henry loves cars and trucks, but I don’t think the cars and trucks art piece tie in at all with the magnetic fabric or the Roman shade in the prepster. So I’m going with the all American which I think ties everything together. Just my opinion.
Even before I came to the comments, my vote was for the Prepster and I see I’m not the only one who loves this room! We’re having a little boy in May and I may have to use parts as nursery inspiration.
LOVE #1 and my sons would die of envy! I don’t find it too feminine at all. Also we transitioned from crib to an upholstered daybed style bed with trundle and it has been awesome! Safe and practical (and stylish!)
Prepster! The green looks very fresh and new paired with the blue.
Prince George!
Prince George for sure!! It’s totally unique and you. I feel like I’ve seen the other rooms before. And agree with the comments on the daybed – get an upholstered Queen headboard instead. 3 kids later, wish I would have started them all in a queen. You’ll probably want to trade out the wallpaper in 5-7 years, but the rest of the room will grow with him! LOVE your style!
The prepster!!!
Love the Prince George. I’m over the others already. Would you consider doing more of a wall trim treatment, like picture/chair molding or board & batten, etc? Go all in with that beautiful blue trim color? Minimize the wallpaper, which is gorgeous but not the easiest to change down the road? Maybe do a panel that’s removable? Eventually you could repaint the walls/trim to a lighter or moodier color and still have interest. Whatever you choose, I’m here for it.
Love these. Could you create ones for a girl as well… would be fun to see!
The Prepster is my favorite. I think it will grow with him and as he gets older, he can easily add his own touches without compromising your intital vision for the room. Love it!
The Prepster is my choice. Plaids and stripes are such a classic! It worked with my son from age 5 to College age. We just changed artwork over the years.
I used your initial design (all American) as a jumping off point for my design (but with orange instead of red) and bought some similar wallpaper that I’ve yet to put up!! You think it will cause dizziness if placed vertically? How big would you make the painted stripes?
Love the olive and blue combo of the Prince George, though I do agree it’s a bit feminine. Prepster would be my choice.
I love the Prepster!! The roman shade fabric is a little funky, I think, but the colors feel very sophisticated Henry (and match his wardrobe as of late). There are so many big boy elements to that design- I think it has the most promise of lasting him a long time.
Prince George for sure!!
Prepster for sure!!
I think my vote goes to the prepster! i love the colors and everything else in the King George but though I like the wallpaper on it’s own, not loving it for his big boy room! The roman shade fabric in the prepster is to die for!
The Prepster!
And kudos for keeping him in his crib as long as possible! We didn’t switch my oldest to a real bed til 3.5, and my youngest (2.5) is still in her crib. All my mom friends swore by this. I think it helps with the transition to freedom because then they are able to grasp a bit better that just because they can get out of bed doesn’t mean that they should (or are allowed to) all the time.
Prince George! For anyone else I would say the Prepster since it will grow well with a little boy. But, let’s be real – you are a designer and love redoing rooms, so I think you should go for what you love knowing you may be up for redoing the room again in 3 years. And maybe you’ll even be moving before that.
I’m with the mom who commented on how hard it is to make a trundle. Ditto the three-sided daybed. Impossible to tuck in and much, much harder for a child who is trying to learn to make a bed. I might reconsider and go with a larger bed with headboard and footboard. And although the first 2 dressers are drop-dead gorgeous, I wouldn’t put them in a boys room. Having raised 2 of those mystical creatures, I can tell you that as they get older, if drawers are closed at all (often not…), feet are often what closes them. The current dresser in his room is perfect. Finally, my boys are now 33 and 35, but I am fully onboard with the mom who warns you that your perfect 2 year old may overnight have MONSTER moments now that he’s three. It will stun you, but it will happen. He’s growing up!
In another situation where the room needs to last for a long time and grow with the child I would say the Prepster. But, as a designer let’s be real – you are probably going to be up for redesigning this room in another 3 years – so I would go with Prince George! It’s amazing and unique.
prepster! Though i’m loving the rug from the Prince George…want!
The prepster is my favorite as well with different bedding…not loving the plaid on the bed.
The red is just like you said …done already.😀
I just want to be sure you have Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things that Go. The BEST book evs for little kids who like anything on wheels — including carrots, toothbrushes, bagels, etc. It is also one of the few books we never tired to read over and over, and over and over again. Always something new hidden among the richly illustrated pages. Best wishes!
The all American! Seems to suit child and subtly very BOSTON sports fan, which I know you guys are!
The Prepster is my choice. Love the roman shade fabric!!
Is there a way to buy the burlwood dressers if you aren’t a designer or do you have any suggestions for others? I love them but can’t even see the pricing :(
Prince George feels as though you were thinking of Boston winters….lovely to be sure but I’m Prepster all the way.
The “Prepster” will be versatile enough that as he grows and expresses his own interests, they can easily be incorporated into this scheme. I like them all, but this palette is simple, fresh, fun and all boy!
The Prepster is my favorite!
All of them are awesome! My vote is for the Prepster.
The Prepster for sure. However, the most important vote of all is Henry’s! At 3, my now-14-year-old girl had very strong opinions about design and decor. She begged for the leopard faux-fur blanket at T.J. Maxx for her 3rd birthday. She still has it.
These are all great! I’d say give him your vision boards and let him choose! :)
All American. IMO, Trundles are a pain to make. Always tough tucking in them in on the closed side. Kids can’t do it. Great for sleepovers though and small rooms.
The room is small and I want to give him as much floor space to play as possible so I think it’s what I ahve to do.
You could just do a headboard without the complication of the trundle/daybed. They really are such a hassle to make, change, and they grow out of them faster than you think.
The Prepster – hands down! Love that room and think it can easily grow with him. The American would be next and the Prince George, for me, is a very distant third.
Also agree with the poster that said the redesign is great but the comments feature is tricky since the name/email address boxes are unlabeled leaving us to guess.
Prince Goerge appeals to me! The others are cute, but overdone! The first one has so many possibilities and can easily be converted to an older boys room/teen room. I’ve learned from my kid that changes aren’t accepted that readily (as mom would like to) with kids. It’s better to transition slowly and work things in gradually. I don’t remember your “baby” room now, but I think #1 would be on his way to a “boy cave”…. Henry’s curse is that his mom is a decorator, but you’ll be surprised to find out what your kid wants and doesn’t want is his room – even at 3 they can be quite vocal about it.
Prepster! My 9 year old boy Liam has a similar room and it’s perfect for him and will last for years to come.
My favorite is definitely the prepster!
Also – I know people talk about the terrible twos, but I found age 3 to be much, much harder with both of our boys. I was stunned – no one ever talks about how hard age 3 was, but when I mentioned it to other parents, they were all in agreement. It’s a well kept secret. The good news is that 4 may be the best age EVER.
Also – love your redesign, but it’s harder to post comments. The ‘required fields’ are not labeled, so I’m guessing as to which one wants a name and which one wants an e-mail address.
I just saw that! I am going to have that fixed!!!
I love the Prepster. As a mom of three (quickly) growing boys, the one wisdom I will share is that a full (or queen) sized bed last so much longer than a twin, and gives space for snuggles, book reading. etc. The little ones also fall out of bed much less often. Its worth the extra space it takes up in the room, IMHO.
Agreed, you and Andrew are tall and you’re likely going to have a tall kid and he will outgrow that daybed sooner than you think!
Preparer. Love blue and green.
The prepster. It’s a more sophisticated version of the American, and for the love of all things sacred in the world, avoid magnetic wallpaper! Kids have plenty to play with without thinking walls are up for grabs too. That is all.
Prince George! That wallpaper is insane!! What kid doesn’t want dinosaur magnets on their walls :) Or the Prepster, that wallpaper, rug, shade fabric is a great combo. The All American has been done, I think it would get old kind of quick.
Your client isn’t really you (but you do have veto power). Your client is a boy growing from age 3 to… how long before you re-do his roo? Age 10? Sooner? How do you want him to use the space? Playing? Sleeping and changing clothes? Someday soon he’ll have homework or want to collect matchbook cars or his favorite books or house his stuffed animals. Not everything has to be in the room right now, but you’ll want to leave room for stuff to change without ripping everything else out.
But the big question is how will he live in the space. It’s not a static room, it needs to be able to change and grow with him.
And I’m sure it will be wonderful.
My vote is the all American, with prepster a close second. They are both fun and fresh.
The Prepster would be my first choice with The All American in close second. Both are “happy” to me and he’d be able to live in them for at least 5 years at which point I’m sure you’ll be tired of them or want to change simple to change.
The Prepster!
Hands down the Prepster, it feels the most transitional from little boy to older
Definitely the preparer! It’s gorgeous but fun and masucline. But of course, all of them are amazing!
They are all fantastic, but I believe The Prepster feels the most young boy-ish and can grow with him! Lucky Henry, whichever you choose!
I like the All American for a little boy, and he will be little for a while. The other two are a bit too grown-up imho. I also think boys get the blue/tan treatment their whole life, so fun to have some red while young!
Prince George, with Prepster a close second. I think if you balance out the wallpaper with very boyish magnets, it would work – maybe just use it on one wall or as a framed panel???
They’re all really gorgeous concepts, and this is the first time I’ve heard of magnetic wallpaper! So fun for kids and adults, too. I like the All-American or the Prepster designs.
The Prepster
Ditto, The Prepster is perfect.
I like The Prepster.