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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: He’s Got The Whole World…

| By John Petersik | August 7, 2013 | 139 Comments

Reader Redesign: He’s Got The Whole World…

…in his bedroom. Well, most of it. Here’s Emma’s hilarious letter about the makeover they turned out for their son’s room:

We moved in to this three-storey 1876 “brownstone” (sidebar: it is neither made of brownstone nor located in New York City) three years ago – we’re in Ontario, Canada. We’ve been working our way through the house converting what was four separate apartments back into a single home. This bedroom is up on the third floor and it belongs to our 5-yr old son, Angus. The ‘Before’ photos were taken when we first looked at the house and, at the time, this bedroom was the living room of a medical student at the University nearby.

Emma Before Main

When we finally got our hands on it and finished some necessities in the rest of the house – like a working kitchen and toilet – we decided that (a) the room needed closets and (b) it should be out-of-the-park awesome so that he’ll never leave home and will look after us when we are old and can’t find our false teeth (sidebar #2: we will re-visit this plan when he is 16 and takes up the drums, or when he is married and his spouse doesn’t want to sleep on a bunk). Enter the built-in bunk bed loft, which my husband made while I helpfully pointed out where things didn’t line up.

Emma After Main

We were going for a campy/beach club look and he added in the cedar shake roof to make it feel like a real playhouse… or maybe a crab shack…

Emma Top Bunk

I was dying to try this map wallpaper after seeing it online. In fact, I think I impulse-ordered it well before we had even moved in to the house. We had heard a few times that wallpapering is a real relationship tester, so we armed ourselves with a bucket of paste and few glasses of wine late one night once the kiddos were asleep. The wall wasn’t quite big enough for the whole earth, so the most nerve-wracking part was deciding which parts of the world to leave out (sidebar #3: our son is going to be floored when he discovers the existence of amazing places like ‘New Zealand’, ‘Fiji’ and ‘Alaska’).

Emma Map Wall

This room was so much fun to do.  Hope you guys like it! -Emma J.

Emma Window

Angus is a lucky guy, right? I think Emma has as good a shot as any of us at keeping her kid around forever. You can see more pics and learn more about the makeover right here on her blog. Thanks Emma!

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Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

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Comments

  1. Avatar for LuLu says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:25 am

    what a transformation! I hope your vacay is going well!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Eric @ AddSomeCharacterEric @ AddSomeCharacter says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:25 am

    That’s incredible! I really like turning the whole wall into an atlas; what a great idea.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for AngelAngel says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:29 am

    This is my favorite reader re-design ever of all time. Seriously amazing, and I want it for my own bedroom!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for LesleyLesley says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Love the bedding in particular. Thrilled this is a local redesign, there is hope that I may be able to source it here…. off to her blog.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:30 am

    I love this! Especially the map wall and the beds. Great job!!

    PS. My son loves it too!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for EllenEllen says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Pretty amazing room! Great work!

    Given everything I’ve been hearing about the current young adult trend, I think it is a lot harder to get an adult child OUT than to keep them IN. So no worries, if that’s what you’re going for. :)

    Reply
  7. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:31 am

    What a great room and Emma is a hoot! Can’t wait to check out her blog.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Missy HomemakerMissy Homemaker says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:33 am

    I’d like that room! I’d even take the bunk. lol They did a fabulous job with that built-in.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Anne Weber-FalkAnne Weber-Falk says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:33 am

    That is the coolest room ever! I want that room for me! What an awesome space.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Ali BurttAli Burtt says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:35 am

    The makeover is super cute, but I just gotta say, her commentary is HILARIOUS. I’m heading over to her blog to tell her so myself!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Tandra@ Little Houses Big Dogs[email protected] Little Houses Big Dogs says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:37 am

    I absolutely love the siding/boards! So cute like a little farmhouse! I wish i was a kid again!Do you think I can persuade the hubby for a house in the bedroom;-)

    Reply
  12. Avatar for kathrynkathryn says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:38 am

    this is A) one of my favorite redesigns ever (I love the theme/vibe and the fact that it doesn’t go way over the top) and B) easily the funniest one ever. I can’t wait for her blog post when her son finds out about Alaska!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for cjwcjw says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I’m 31 (for another week, anyway) and I would like that loft bunk bed for myself…

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Melinda W.Melinda W. says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I WANT THAT WALLPAPER! Now. :)

    Reply
  15. Avatar for KaeseyKaesey says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:40 am

    This is marvelous! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for BethanyBethany says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:44 am

    LOVE this room. They did such an amazing job! I’m obsessed with that wallpaper! I’m mostly anti-wallpaper but I think I’d make an exception in this case. Now I just need to buy a house so I have somewhere to put it.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for SophiaSophia says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:44 am

    It’s beautiful!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Rene @thedomesticladyRene @thedomesticlady says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:45 am

    What a great room! That map makes the space! and I love the beds. Awesome job!

    http://thedomesticlady.com/2013/08/07/home-improvement-the-basement-overhaul-part-1/

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Lisa ELisa E says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:47 am

    Holy Moly, that is amazing! I wish I had that creative gene to think stuff up stuff like this!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lisa ELisa E says

      August 7, 2013 at 10:48 am

      Oops, ignore that first “stuff”! :/

  20. Avatar for TheresaTheresa says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Awesome! I love everything about it and I’m an over 55+ aged kid. Great job.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for IsraIsra says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:50 am

    WOW! I wish my room looked like that!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Sarah P.Sarah P. says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:50 am

    I LOVE THIS. That kid is definitely going to stick around to help find the missing teeth.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Andrea BAndrea B says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:51 am

    This is a fantastic makeover and that room looks awesome!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for ErinErin says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I love this room! Its fantastic. I think I would have moved in with my in-laws for this room :)

    Reply
  25. Avatar for ElisaElisa says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:53 am

    Wow! Lucky kid!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for heatherheather says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:55 am

    While the room is awesome, Emma’s side bars made me laugh and have now made me want to read more of her blog for her writing style alone. That’s pretty much the only reason I read the few blogs I do, because the writing style makes me laugh (in a good way, not a laughing at you way). Emma has just gained a new reader.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:39 am

      Amen! We were both cracking up over her letter.

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for SarahSarah says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:54 am

      I was thinking the same things as I was ready. She is hilarious!

    • Avatar for emem says

      August 7, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Ditto. I like Emma’s writing even more than the room!

  27. Avatar for Julie KleineJulie Kleine says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:55 am

    This is a great room! I can’t wait to show my husband and ask him to recreate it. The man can build anything. I also love their sense of humor.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for CarliCarli says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:55 am

    Such a cool makeover! Love this.

    Reply
  29. Avatar for Jamie P-MJamie P-M says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:59 am

    I am so in love with the map wallpaper! I’m 33 and I’d totally live in that room. My hubs can have the bottom bunk.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for GretchenGretchen says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:02 am

    That is amazing and very beautiful!! And the author is great with words, too!! A+++!!!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for Corrie @ Little House On The UpdateCorrie @ Little House On The Update says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Oh that is just fun. Love the map. Love that your hubby agreed to move into an old home without crying like a girl over it and making the executive decision to do new construction:)

    Reply
  32. Avatar for MelMel says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I think it’s funny that she expects her son to live at home after he’s married.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for christina @ homemade oceanchristina @ homemade ocean says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:04 am

    Oh holy whoa….I mean I know I say that for all of your reader redesigns but seriously. This one is right up my alley, or canal if you will.

    Reply
  34. Avatar for LuluLulu says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:06 am

    Look at all this hard work you are doing while on vacation! Reposting a room tour that someone emailed to you! A giveaway post! That got a whopping 86 comments! Some photos of you on the beach! A house tour, a recap of all the not much you have done, maybe tomorrow can be a monthly roundup. Or a walk through the new ikea catalogue! Maybe a photo of a sandcastle Clara made? Available in hi-res for download so we can stick it in a white frame next to her watercolour art? I’m done with this blog, and from the number of non Sherry comments on recents posts it looks like I’m not the only one.

    Reply
    • Avatar for LindaLinda says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:54 am

      I am not sure why you are so bitter, Lulu. They are on vacation. I doubt you work at full speed 52 weeks a year. Everyone deserves a break and no one is forcing you to read their blog.

    • Avatar for EmEm says

      August 7, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      If you don’t like it, don’t read it, and don’t bother to comment on it. Take your nastiness somewhere else.

    • Avatar for LindaLinda says

      August 7, 2013 at 1:46 pm

      A different Linda, but Lulu, did you notice the giveaway has something like 12,000 entries already? And, I suspect a lot of the regular readers are refraining from posting comments since we know that Sherry and John are reading each and every comment ON THEIR VACATION. Hey, I agree that some blogs are less than professional in maintaining their posting schedule – but that can’t be said about YHL.

    • Avatar for AllisonAllison says

      August 7, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      Lulu, head back over to the hate forums where you belong. This comment is ridiculous in every sense. They’re on VACATION. I’m not sure if you fully realize that a vacation is meant for but I would look into that if I were you.

      Bottom line is..if you don’t like the blog, don’t read it. No one is forcing you. Instead of wasting your energy posting mean comments why don’t you head over to a blog you enjoy and post there?

      John and Sherry are better people than I. If it were my vacation I wouldn’t give “work” a thought at all. I don’t think not having a single post for a week would be uncalled for.

      Enjoy your time off guys..everyone deserves a summer family vacation. <3

    • Avatar for VVVV says

      August 7, 2013 at 10:20 pm

      Oh phew – thank goodness! Yes please, stop reading (and commenting) on YHL :) NO ONE WILL MISS YOU HERE.

      Good riddance~!

    • Avatar for Kate @ This Wandering LifeKate @ This Wandering Life says

      August 7, 2013 at 10:52 pm

      Enjoy your vacay J & S and post whatever you want on your time off! We love you and know you of all people deserve a break! Thanks for feeding our crackersik addiction even while you’re away… and enjoy those cute Bowers in Destin! Sheesh, this is your space not anyone else’s. I agree with the other replies to Lulu… you don’t have to read it if you don’t like it people! (Sidebar: I like it!) :-)

  35. Avatar for BethBeth says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Wow! Indeed a Happy Space :)

    Reply
  36. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Wow looks great!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for NancyNancy says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:08 am

    LOVE this room!!! When the kid moves out (hopefully soon), I will move in!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for WendyMIWendyMI says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:14 am

    LOVE this room!!! And Emma’s sidebars are hysterical. Shoot.. what wife wouldn’t want to sleep on a bunk? Pshaw!

    New blog to read…yay!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for JoelleJoelle says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:19 am

    Emma is pretty hilarious! and a great decorator to boot. Made me laugh on an otherwise rough morning of wrangling twin 2-year-olds. I see that closet and just want to lock myself in it for awhile.

    Reply
  40. Avatar for LesliLesli says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:20 am

    Love the map wallpaper!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for KatrinaKatrina says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:22 am

    Wow, love this! I am lovin’ that map wallpaper. Headed over to her blog now to check it out!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for Linda BernsteinLinda Bernstein says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:23 am

    Emma, THANK YOU for making me laugh my butt off this morning with your commentary. I’m just waiting for your son to stomp down the stairs in a few years with a hurt look on his face.
    “Why…why…why didn’t you tell me? WHY AM I JUST NOW FINDING OUT ABOUT ALASKA?!”

    Reply
    • Avatar for CaroleCarole says

      August 8, 2013 at 10:19 am

      I’m an Alaskan who sometimes does feel slighted by our misrepresentation on many maps but this thought did make me chuckle :)

  43. Avatar for AndreaAndrea says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:24 am

    This. Is. Awesome. I love how the shelving next to the beds looks like windows.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for rachaelrachael says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Love it! Go Ontario!
    I clicked over to her blog but the font is INSANELY ridiculous to read, any one else have that problem? Is it just my eyes or my computer screen?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:38 am

      Anyone else having an issue with the font? Perhaps it loads as a “default” on some computers which makes it harder/easier to see for some folks?

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for KatieKatie says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:49 am

      I’m with you, Rachael, on the font being hard to read… seems like others have mentioned it in Emma’s comments too. Hoping maybe they can change that.

    • Avatar for Carrie M.Carrie M. says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:49 am

      I can’t read it either. Tried to highlight to see if that’d make it easier, but it made it worse. So I just looked at the pictures on several posts to try and get the gist of what they were showing, but ended up closing the pages since I couldn’t read any of it. Too bad, really, because her writing style was awesome! :-/

    • Avatar for KatieKatie says

      August 7, 2013 at 11:50 am

      P.S. It doesn’t seem as bad when I go directly to their blog instead of through the link above. Not sure why, but just a tip!

    • Avatar for EmmaEmma says

      August 7, 2013 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks for the font feedback, folks!! Looks like what we had wasn’t playing nice with certain browsers. We just updated it – hopefully a little easier on the eyes now!

    • Avatar for EmmaEmma says

      August 7, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks for the font feedback, folks!! Looks like what we had wasn’t playing nice with certain browsers. We just updated it – hopefully a little easier on the eyes now!

    • Avatar for The Happy SpaceThe Happy Space says

      August 7, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      Thanks for the font feedback, folks!! Looks like what we had wasn’t playing nice with certain browsers. We just updated it – hopefully a little easier on the eyes now!

    • Avatar for rachaelrachael says

      August 8, 2013 at 9:16 am

      Thanks, Emma! I went back this morning and I can totally read every word now.

  45. Avatar for Erin O.Erin O. says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:26 am

    This room is so awesome! I must immediately pin it. She sounds like such a cool mom.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for CatherineCatherine says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Holy beach shack, Batman! That is FANTASTIC and I want to move in myself. Like right now. Seriously though, that is a gorgeous room and they did a spectacular job on it. My son would flip for a room like that (except some airplanes would need to be added).

    Reply
  47. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:35 am

    I love it! What a fun room!!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for Whitney DupuisWhitney Dupuis says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:39 am

    Whoa! That is an amazing room! I would never want to leave either.

    Reply
  49. Avatar for Sarah @ Bend it Like BeckerSarah @ Bend it Like Becker says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Is it bad that I hate this kid for having a childhood 1,095,502x better than mine? That’s bad right?

    Reply
  50. Avatar for JeannaJeanna says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:44 am

    This is amazing! You have had some wonderful reader re-designs before, but I think this just might be one of my favorites!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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