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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Things Are Looking Up

| By John Petersik | June 7, 2012 | 83 Comments

Reader Redesign: Things Are Looking Up

Since we don’t have any excuse to decorate a little boy’s room, we live vicariously through friends and readers. Which is one of the reasons we’re excited to share Kat and Mitch’s awesome transformation of their son Ryder’s room. They not only did a bang-up job on the whole thing (and took on lots of DIY projects to keep it affordable) it was all inspired by a free bed they found. Here’s Kat’s letter:

We just finished my son’s room and we’re so proud of how it turned out. First things first, this is what this room looked like prior… well several years ago anyway when Ryder was a baby.

Ryder Before

What made us decide it was time for a wee makeover was when I saw a metal bed in my neighbor’s burn pile one day. I didn’t want to put a new (to us) bed in a periwinkle room, so it was time for a change. 

Ryder After Full

My husband did the pallet ceiling and I painted pretty much all the furniture in the room. The color we chose for the walls is Benjamin Moore Thunder. We had the swatch on the wall in our kitchen (actually it’s still there) and whenever someone comes over they give us a weird look when they see the words “BM Thunder” underneath the swatch. Funny. And yes, gross. Unless you don’t have a twisted mind like my friends and I.

Ryder After Bed Vertical

The ceiling was a lot of time-consuming work but totally worth it and actually really not that difficult. And the best part is that Ryder loves it and can enjoy it for years to come. I know that pallet craft seems to be all the rage right now and may be just a fad, but it really does look cool.

Ryder After Ceiling Detail

The curtains and duvet cover I found at a thrift store literally days before the makeover was complete. I really didn’t think I’d be able to find anything second-handed. But wouldn’t ya know, a few days later I walked into a thrift store and found this duvet cover and two pillow shams for $3. It was the exact size I needed and it’s from Pottery Barn.

Ryder After Bed Detail

So we were able to makeover Ryder’s room on a very small budget. Actually the only things we bought new were the ceiling fan and a jelly jar sconce. Everything else came from thrift stores, auctions, or was given to us. I love the thrill of finding deals… there’s nothing like it!

Ryder After Shelf Detail

Hope you like it! – Kat

You can see more pics and details about the makeover on Kat’s blog, where she’s got loads of links to the various projects that are peppered throughout the space (including this cool bookcase they retrofitted to match the ceiling). We’re so impressed with all of the thrifty finds she incorporated into the room. No wonder Ryder loves it! What’s your favorite part?

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Melanie@MailboxJourney[email protected] says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    I’ve fallen in love with that pallet ceiling, absolutely amazing!

    Reply
    • Avatar for NicholinNicholin says

      June 7, 2012 at 6:28 pm

      I completely agree.

    • Avatar for Tonya@mycozylittlefarmhouse[email protected] says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:20 am

      LOVE!!

  2. Avatar for kristykristy says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    So cool! My boy’s room needs a re-do, and this is really inspirational. Nice work!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Ainhoa@ALittleBite[email protected] says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I love the last pic! Vintage finds like that are always awesome. And metal beds are my favorite.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for stacystacy says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    love this. also, i never find thrift deals like that. never.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Karen FKaren F says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I love the bed! The ceiling is awesome, too!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Krystle @ Color Transformed FamilyKrystle @ Color Transformed Family says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    I haven’t ever seen a pallet ceiling before. That’s pretty cool!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for LindseyLindsey says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    WOW! I LOVE it!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for MariaMaria says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Ceiling is the best! WHOA.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Zandi @ Radical PossibilityZandi @ Radical Possibility says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    oh my god, the pallet ceiling!! my arms are getting tired just looking at it, but is BEAUTIFUL. i love how the room is still playful but stylish. amazing job.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Amy @ a new old houseAmy @ a new old house says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I love how they pulled all of the elements together from different places- making it a really unique room. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for BrendaBrenda says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    When I was a kid, I used to imagine what it would be like if I could walk on the ceiling. This ceiling would be even cooler!

    Reply
    • Avatar for PamelaPamela says

      June 8, 2012 at 1:18 am

      Brenda, oh my gosh! Your comment brought back such memories…I figured I was the only person in the world who, as a little girl, wished so badly I could walk on the ceiling!

  12. Avatar for Lisa MarieLisa Marie says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    I must be really missing the dirty joke here. Am i the only one?

    “The color we chose for the walls is Benjamin Moore Thunder. We had the swatch on the wall in our kitchen (actually it’s still there) and whenever someone comes over they give us a weird look when they see the words “BM Thunder” underneath the swatch. Funny. And yes, gross. Unless you don’t have a twisted mind like my friends and I.”

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 3:31 pm

      BM = bowel movement. And a thunderous one = middle school gigglefest. You just aren’t immature enough. Haha. Take that as a compliment!

      xo,
      s

  13. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    I love the textiles in the room. Very boy. But oh so sweet and cute.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for heatherheather says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    That ceiling is ridiculous – in a wicked good way. Oh goodness. Looovee.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for jodijodi says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    absolutely LOVE the ceiling!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for LouLou says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    I don’t get the bm thunder joke. #clueless

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 3:30 pm

      BM = bowel movement. Haha. And a thunderous one = hilarious. You just aren’t immature enough. Haha. That’s a good thing.

      xo,
      s

  17. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Love the ceilings!! Those the quilt, and the color scheme give it a real cottage-y feel!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Casey @ wafflingdesignCasey @ wafflingdesign says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    hahah BM Thunder!!!! this room is awesome and the ceiling is amazing!!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for LouLou says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    HAHAHA. the sad part is that I am immature enough. Still didn’t get it.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 3:43 pm

      Haha!

      xo,
      s

  20. Avatar for KerriKerri says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Love the pallet ceiling as well – never would have thought of that!

    And maybe soon there will be a reason to decorate a little boy’s room…. Clara is two after all… ;)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 3:44 pm

      Not quite ready yet- but someday hopefully!

      xo,
      s

  21. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    That ceiling is A.MAZ.ING. Wow!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for vronvron says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    That blog is awesome! She also seems as obsessed with ceramic animals as Sherry (is that even possible??):
    http://www.mapleleavessycamoretrees.com/2012/05/tale-of-horse-head-lamp.html

    Thanks for posting their makeover!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 4:45 pm

      Haha, you know I love that!

      xo,
      s

  23. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    June 7, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Love the ceiling!!!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for RLBRLB says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    My hat’s off to the husband who did such a fine detailed job on the ceiling. I’m impressed by the tight seams and pleasing random color arrangement of the board.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 4:46 pm

      Good point! It’s such a clean job and the range of colors is so gorgeous!

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for Jess @ Little House. Big Heart.Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Wow! I love it! I can’t wait to decorate my kids room (providing that Kev and I eventually are blessed with more than just the furry, four-legged, remote eating kind)!

    PS. The bed I grew up with is identical to that one! We have it in our guest bedroom now :) We found it in an old, falling down barn and rescued it. The barn fell down that winter.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 4:47 pm

      Aw, it was meant to be! You saved that bed just in time!

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for Pamela @ Pink Hammers & Sippy CupsPamela @ Pink Hammers & Sippy Cups says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Wow that ceiling is simply fantastic!!! I love it!!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for TracyTracy says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Did she get inspiration from Katie B? It looks like a really lovely “older kid” version of Will’s nursery. She did a great job, and I’m loving that ceiling along with everybody else.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 4:44 pm

      Yes, I think she linked over to Katie at one point as inspiration over on her blog!

      xo,
      s

  28. Avatar for MarinaMarina says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    Hi. I was wondering how to get featured on your blog? Me and my husband created a wonderful nursery for our son with lots of DIY projects and such. It was tiny room in the apartment we are renting in the old house. If you can take a look at it it’ll be great. http://multiplyingourlove.tumblr.com/post/18957798010 I would really appreciate if you can share your opinion.

    Marina xx

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 4:48 pm

      Aw, you did an amazing job! What a gorgeous room! We welcome all submissions for Reader Redesigns at [email protected]!

      xo,
      s

  29. Avatar for Bethany {at} Powell Brower HomeBethany {at} Powell Brower Home says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    I love this! BEAUTIFUL job guys! And large buffalo check/gingham is also all the rage – im lovin it (not mcdonalds song tho)

    Reply
  30. Avatar for kaylankaylan says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    that ceiling is now in my pinterest. love.

    Reply
  31. Avatar for sarahbclark!sarahbclark! says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    wow, that ceiling is amazing! and i love the wall color too.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for how2homehow2home says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    LOVE the pallet ceiling omgosh, that’s definitely my favorite part of the room! “BM-thunder” lol…..my 15 months old nephew still has a tendency to do this in a projectile way to my brother and its hilarious.

    I’m considering doing a pallet ceiling in my studies room….any recommendations for a beginner DIY-er like myself?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 4:43 pm

      I would head over to her blog for all of their ceiling details! Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  33. Avatar for Jen@The Decor Scene[email protected] Decor Scene says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Gorgeous ceiling!!! I love the whole room. What an adorable little boys room. Just so precious!!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for ErikaErika says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    I LOVE beds like that – can’t believe the neighbors were going to toss it. I have one similar that I had powder-coated (I think that’s the right term) in white.

    I love the before and after on this one! Excellent job.

    Reply
  35. Avatar for WrenariaWrenaria says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    I dig the ceiling and wall color. Nice choices.

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Lindsay HuffLindsay Huff says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Favorite part of the room design = The celing. Favorite part of the article = BM Thunder. I’m still laughing about that!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for CaitlinCaitlin says

    June 7, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    OBSESSED!! My house has popcorn ceilings in all of our upstairs bedrooms (gross) and so I keep sending my husband ideas (we’re going to need a team of his friends to help when we eventually get it done). He LOVES it and I think operation un-pop the popcorn is a go!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for AlexAlex says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    I’ve been a little skeptical of the safety of using pallets indoors ever since reading this article: http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/11264-why-we-should-not-be-using-pallets-in-our-interiors I love the look of the ceiling and all the other pallet crafts I’ve seen through Pinterest, but I’m not sure it’s worth the risk of bringing all that into your house, especially a child’s room. Just something to think about!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 6:55 pm

      Oh yes, there are many heat treated pallets that are safe, so as long as you know how they’re treated and avoid the chemical ones you’re good! You can also seal them with a product like SafeCoat, which is also what can be used to seal lead paint!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for AlexAlex says

      June 8, 2012 at 9:28 am

      Good to know! Thanks, Sherry!

  39. Avatar for SaraSara says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Love the pallet roof! The whole transformation is beatiful. perfect little boys room.

    Reply
  40. Avatar for BarbBarb says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    EHH…NOTHIING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT. REALLY.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for LMGLMG says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    I am such a thrift store loser. I look ALL the time and am never able to find anything good that can be re-used. I think I live in an area that is full of people crazy about thrift-store shopping, and they manage to snag all the good stuff ASAP. :(

    Reply
  42. Avatar for carlacarla says

    June 7, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Love the ceiling and that they painted the armour to match the walls – the closeup made it look like a built-in and I had to scroll back up to check. Also wondering how the neighbor was planning to burn a metal bed? Don’t think I’d want to live next door to him.

    Reply
  43. Avatar for Jenn R.Jenn R. says

    June 7, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    That ceiling is too cool! I’m going to have to Pin it for future reference!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for CathyCathy says

    June 7, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    I think it’s great. I like everything, but I would have to say that I just love the overall feel of it. It’s boy, but it’s not some contrived, overly theme oriented type room like some boys have (like baseball decals on the wall, dinosaurs everywhere, etc). It looks genuine.

    Reply
  45. Avatar for RandaRanda says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    I don’t often see ceiling fans that I like, but I really like the one in this room.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for Urban WifeUrban Wife says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    Wow! My favorite besides the pallet ceiling (swoon) is the metal bicycle on top of the chest.

    Reply
  47. Avatar for Donna JeanDonna Jean says

    June 7, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    I love the whole room, but my favorite part is that it can grow with the child so that they don’t find themselves having to redo it in 5 years because he’s bored of whatever phase he was in when the room was done. Even the bedding can grow with him into his teen years. I know that is what we plan to do with our kids – talk about money saving!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for AndreaAndrea says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    Sherry, that’s useful information about some pallets being safe — hadn’t seen it anywhere else. Also about the SafeCoat. I’ll be less afraid of pallets now, not that I’m handy enough to DIY much of anything. I live vicariously through you guys.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 10:11 pm

      Aw thanks Andrea! We’re definitely safety geeks so we did lots of pallet research when we heard about some of the potential dangers!

      xo,
      s

  49. Avatar for vanessavanessa says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    What a beautiful ceiling!! I am in love! If my future husband doesnt stop me I might try to do my whole house like that!… haha maybe not but at least a room!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for KarenKaren says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    Oh, I really love the bed frame and that ceiling. What a great space. It really has a good, old fashioned “boy” vibe. Well done!

    Sherry, I had a dream and you were in it! You were… Ahem… In the family way ;) A sign I spend too much time thinking about the Petersik clan and your great DIY projects, I’m sure.

    I’m behind on reading posts, so I will tell you here– LOVE those red adirondacks! Well worth the moola you paid! What a fun colorful space it’s becoming!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:10 am

      Aw thanks Karen! So funny about that dream! Definitely not prego, but you’d be amazed how many readers say they dream I am! Haha.

      xo,
      s

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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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