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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » A Boy’s Bedroom With A Wood Plank Ceiling & Checkered Curtains

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

A Boy’s Bedroom With A Wood Plank Ceiling & Checkered Curtains

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. Kat says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Thanks so much, John and Sherry, for featuring Ryder’s room today! You guys rock:)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 7, 2012 at 11:54 pm

      Aw, you’re welcome Kat! It’s an amazing and inspiring room! Love all the DIY details and thrift store finds!

      xo,
      s

  2. Julie Anne Delorino says

    June 7, 2012 at 11:54 pm

    So cool, I’m sure my little brother will love this style in his room..Thanks

    Reply
  3. John@RemodelingBIBLE says

    June 8, 2012 at 5:42 am

    I suddenly remembered my room in Tucson when I saw the third picture down.

    Reply
  4. Becky says

    June 8, 2012 at 7:06 am

    I have a new indulgence and that is saving ur blog for my middle of the night nursing sessions. So I assume that is why now the pair of you are making regular appearances as extras in my dreams! How funny!?

    Reply
  5. Diana @ Boy + Girl says

    June 8, 2012 at 8:59 am

    I absolutely love that ceiling!!

    Reply
  6. Ann says

    June 8, 2012 at 11:03 am

    I love the fan. I checked her site and didn’t see where she purchased it. Did anyone see that info? What a great room!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 8, 2012 at 11:03 am

      Here’s hoping she drops in with that info!

      xo,
      s

    • Kat says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:46 pm

      Hey Ann. We bought the ceiling fan at Lowe’s. Here’s the link. http://www.lowes.com/pd_144477-29369-3MVR44BSD_0__?productId=3283952&Ntt=modern+ceiling+fan&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dmodern%2Bceiling%2Bfan&facetInfo=

    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks Kat!

      xo,
      s

    • Ann says

      June 8, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      Thanks so much or the info! I really appreciate it.

  7. Norma says

    June 8, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    This room was published on Design Sponge 14 weeks ago! http://www.designsponge.com/2012/03/before-after-rustic-boys-room-redo.html#more-130285. Loved it then, still love it now.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm

      No way! Love it there too! Thanks for the link!

      xo,
      s

  8. Roeshel says

    June 10, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Wow, what a beautiful job! Love every vintage/rustic detail.

    Reply
  9. Erin says

    June 11, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I really like this- simple but very cool idea. I just have one question- I guess I will scour her blog in case she can answer it, but maybe you have some insight too.. where do you come up with “safe” pallets to use? I know lots of pallets are used and reused 100 times before they wind up in salvage piles and I wonder how anyone can possibly ensure if they are safe/clean to use? Where I work, thousands of pallets are used to store fertilizers/chemicals and inoculants for agricultural use- I shudder to think where they end up when someone gets a hold of one at a farm auction some years down the road and goes to town making salvaged wood projects with pallets that have been sitting in rat poison in a warehouse for ten years… but I love the look so much that I want to find some chemical free and clean ones!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 11, 2012 at 7:36 pm

      If you feel nervous about what’s on a pallet (ex: it doesn’t come directly from an organic farm that can vouch for heat sealing), my tip would be to use SafeCoat to seal your pallet. It’s the same thing they use for lead paint, so it makes a great safe outer coating on something that might have nasty things inside. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, 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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