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From Toddler to Big Boy

OUR 2nd HOUSE

Someone pinch my nose and tell me to blow.

Seriously.  I just need a few hundred mommy’s right now telling me that it will be okay.  And helping me take care of my leaky face.

My little boy is growing up.  And it is happening WAY too fast.

 

Remember when I told you about Will and how he developed opinions about his room?  And we made a little car rack together and then did a little cotton ball art?  Well, the room transformation continues.  It used to look like this :

It was a hot mess.  He still slept in his crib which converted to a toddler bed.  He didn’t like the light that shined in through the sides of the curtains so we draped blankets on the ends of the crib each night.  Then we did the toy-box-switcheroo.  The white toy storage that we built for him was great…and it got moved into Weston’s room.  And the Pottery Barn toy storage that was in Weston’s room was moved into here.  There was a random tallboy dresser in the corner that was completely empty and that got moved.  The rocking chair was also on its last leg…so we decided that needed to go too.

The mess actually got much worse before it got better.  But Will was super excited because the whole transition was so that he could finally move into a twin bed…also known as his ‘big boy bed’.  Long ago he started talking about big boy beds but he wasn’t 100% sold on the fact that it was for him.  He actually really loved his toddler bed.  And he tends to be rather cautious in general about change.  But we learned that Will needs to talk about stuff for a long LONG time before he’s actually ready.  This method helped us in potty training.  Sometimes it’s hard not to jump at the first mention of the next big thing…but when we wait, the payoff is that usually Will is a super happy camper and we don’t regret having patience.

So after changing out some art (he got to pick what could stay and what could go), putting in his new big boy beds (the one is his and the other one is either future Weston’s or just ready for sleep-over-buddies), adding some bedding and moving some things around, we have a very different space for a really big boy (sniffle sniffle wipe snot on my sleeve).

We still don’t have everything figured out in here but for the most part, it’s vastly improved.  I didn’t realize how much Jeremy and I would love laying down next to him to read night time books.  And I love the fact that Will likes his room so much more.

I had one set of twin sheets for one bed (they were my sheets in college! ha! #hoarder) and the quilts I got at the Pottery Barn outlet.  I bought them back in October and have been waiting till Will was ready.  The beds were picked out of the trash and we gave them a little makeover to bring new life back into them.  I have a full post coming about their makeover…it’s really quite fun 🙂

I love their imperfections…like the way the little ball details aren’t quite perfect.  And Will and Weston have both decided already that the top of the footboard is the perfect width for driving their cars.

We are still figuring out storage inserts for the toy box.  We had to take out about 25% of his books that he used to have in his room.  He tends to be like his mommy.  #minihoarder

Most of the art will change…but he likes everything right now that is in here….but I want to phase out the gold frames and old world style clock.  I also don’t love the burlap wall treatment with the new bedding, so that will probably go too.

There definitely needs to be more art and stuff over the beds.  I am thinking shallow ledges.  And pictures.  Perhaps a dart board…because the kid likes to throw.

Something like this….

Did I mention I want to repaint?  I think the walls need repainting (at least that is what I tell Jer)…and Will told me that he wants blue.  I’ll also have to repaint the ceiling.  It’s crazy to think that this might be the third paint job this room has had while most of our house has yet to be painted AT ALL.  But I guess that is what a mother’s love will drive you to do for your little toddler…I mean…very big boy 🙂

So what do you think?  Are you a madras fan?  I know that it can be one of those love-it-or-hate-it kinda things.  I happen to love LOVE it.  I mean…I still am saving my madras mini skirt from my pre-baby years just in case…

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Comments

  1. Wow, what a transformation!! I think it’s awesome that Will gets a say in how his room is decorated- you’re cultivating a small herd of mini-DIYers 🙂 I don’t know how you have time to raise 3 kids, design & DIY, blog about it, and still get the laundry done & food on the table. You are a rockstar!!
    Oh and for the record I love madras 🙂

  2. The room looks amazing. Very big boy! Love the madras quilts on the twin beds. You did a great job!

  3. I love that you let the boys have a say in what stays and goes in their room. And waiting for him to be ready is priceless. Good Mommy! Oh, and I love the room just as it is. But, I know it will be even better as you tweak it. LOL

  4. I love the Madras! I have two boys and my oldest went from a toddler bed to a queen-sized bed. He has the navy, red and baby blue Pottery Barn quilt. Big boy rooms are the cutest – and it is great to be able to all cuddle up to read bedtime stories!

  5. Well done Katie!! The two twin beds seem to make the room bigger for me for some reason!

  6. I never knew that was called Madras! had to look it up. Just called it “block-plaid.” I love it. Good job on the beds, they look brand new!

  8. I LOVE madras, especially for little boys! I’m excited to see the transformation with paint, the two-tone is such a great idea. Kinda helps that super-high-ceilinged room relate to kid-level, don’t you think?

  9. I don’t know how it will go with babies growing up, but I hope when you find out how to deal with it you’ll spill the beans because I’ll be reading avidly to get tips…

  10. Katie! We are so sisters from another mister. That is totally my son’s room. Same bed (except his is red), same bedding, same wall paint (the photoshopped version). I’m tagging you in a pic on IG so you can see. Obvs I love it!

  11. I love the beds and comforters! In fact, I’ve been looking for two twin beds similar to these for a while now – to paint blue! and I just ordered my little guy this same bedding for his toddler bed. Looking forward to seeing what else you do to Will’s room!!!

  12. Love the new look of the room. You’re right, it was a hot mess before! But that happens so quickly as our kids make the transition from not so big to big. We end up with such a hodgepodge of things.

    I agree that the burlap wall treatment doesn’t really work with the feel of the new room…I’d almost like to see a fun wallpaper on that back wall. I’m sure whatever you decide will be great. The room is shaping up to be a great place for two little boys to grow up. =)

  13. Madras for lyfe! I got that quilt for my son’s transition from toddler bed to big boy bed and we have loved it! I still love it about 4 years later!

  14. It looks awesome! I agree that the burlap wall isn’t really working, and it will look really nice when repainted a light blue. I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to really have opinions about what her room looks like, but then I guess the opinions never stop rolling in. That should be fun, haha 🙂

  15. My son had very similar twin beds that I painted that exact same navy color ten years ago. So classic! His were convertible so that they could be 2 twins, bunk beds or a bed with a trundle. Love the madras plaid, so versatile.

  17. I love the madras and am a big fan! The room looks great and so glad he likes his room again!

  18. Love it, love it, love it! Although it’s totally making me realize that my munchkin could probably use a little more, ahem, testosterone in his space. *sniffles along with you*

    In small doses (the way you’ve done it), the madras is awesome! A little shabby chic, but definitely perfect for a boys’ room.

    BTW, I totally “oooohhhh”ed out loud when I saw TWO twin beds. It SO changes the look of the room! (In an awesome way.)

  19. I love the blue idea for the walls! You should put picture rails up to separate the white from the blue and art looks beautiful hung from them!

  20. This looks great! What a transformation. You can tell that a lot of love goes into how you set up the spaces for your children 🙂

  21. My oldest has that Madras quilt from PBK and we LOVE LOVE it. Plus, don’t know if you knew this, but the more you wash it, the softer it gets. It hasn’t faded either, and Logan has had his “big boy bed” for 4 years now 🙂 The beds look awesome!

  22. Love madras and love the room so much better! Go Will! He has good taste! Love the photo shop as well. Can’t wait to see how it ends up being finished. Question and NOT a criticism….any reason you have that small table in front of the dresser with a lamp when there’s a lamp right on the dresser so close? Why not the lamp on the storage in between the beds? Great finds on the beds, too, they look really nice.

  23. Love Will’s big boy room & love that you take into consideration what HE wants in his room. I am a madras fan & think it’s perfect for boys. In fact, we have that bedding! 🙂

  24. Love, love, love it! It does look like a big boys room though–our babies grow up TOO fast!

    PS: It’s definitely OK to be a little sniffle-y about that whole growing-up thing. That’s what I tell myself, anyways 🙂

  25. Have you done a post about potty training Will? I’d love to know what approach you took and what you might change with that approach when Weston is ready.

  26. I love it! I love the madras! I wish my son’s room was large enough to do two twin bed. How about large maps on one of the walls or even map wallpaper.

  27. LOVE IT!

    And yes – Love the blue walls! DO IT! You have created such a special boy room and I love that you asked for his input. I love the quilts and the rug – the mix of colors is just so fun and is perfect for a growing little boy!

  28. Oh Katie, it will be OK. This is a hard transition for moms. When my son started becoming a big boy it was hard for about a day or so and then I went in with open arms. This is when you really see his personality shine through and you become friends. You get to do stuff together. I ended up loving this stage. You are a lucky mom though, you still have two other babies!!!

  30. You may have told this before (I’m new around here…), but where oh where did you get all of those things for the gallery wall? I LOVE the arrows and the maps and the owl and the silhouette…basically the whole thing. 🙂

  32. I love Will’s room! The madras quilts are beautiful and can grow with him for quite a while. When you mentioned ledges, I thought of another blog I follow and thought I would share her little boys’ bedroom with you. She actually used gutters in her boys’ room but other ledges would accomplish the same thing, and they were used for favorite bedtime books right over the bed. As they got older, she also used large letters (I know how you like those!) for shelving for favorite items for her boys over their beds. http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/boys-room/boys-bedroom-reveal.html

  33. Instead of art above his bed like you showed,how about something more childlike. I did train shaped shadow type boxes with shelves sized for matchbox cars,one in each little section, about 15 per train car. We had an engine, box car, and caboose. You could also put a vinyl saying up higher with something about artists, and then get the wooden frames at Michaels, and put his art into those and change it out as he wishes. Kids interests change quickly, but my sons kept their car carriers up until they got their apartments, and are saving them for their children. Sorry for the wordy comment, but I do love the room so far. You have a lucky little guy, to have great parents who listen to him. Will be waiting to see what you choose to do.

  34. Aww!! I love that big boy room…so cute! And I totally get it– my oldest is about 6 months older than Will, so I totally GET IT!! I often find myself with tears in my eyes! And I love that that Will is picking out what he wants!

    Can I get an A-MEN for madras! I love, LOVE it too!

    AND — is there ever such a thing as too many books?!?! I really don’t think so!

  39. love it!!
    alex and max have the same bedding!! and two twin beds in the same room = super cute. my boys still want to share a room, so i have the same layout you do.

  40. The bedding is super cute! It’s so strange to see little ones grow bigger, but I know it’s a good thing.

  41. Oh, I can relate! We have our #3 coming in early June. 3 babies in 5 years. We’re moving our little baby boy (almost 2) into a big boy room and letting the baby have the “nursery”. I keep dragging my feet on getting his big boy room finished (read: started). Booooohoooooo these little men in our lives just tug at our heart strings. I don’t want to believe that he’s moving to a big boy room! Can we cry on each other’s shoulders? haha I love what you did with Will’s room. Now you totally have me thinking I “need” 2 beds in his room! Hugs to you, momma! It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to train these boys to love, hug, and kiss their momma’s FOR-EVERRRRRR!

  42. I also have a pre-baby madras mini skirt that I am saving… *sigh* Maybe one day? 🙂

    Love the room changes! It looks very fresh and VERY big boy-ish (but still little boy-ish for Mom if you KWIM). I’m sure the blue/white paint will make it look even better!

  43. Where is the white dresser from? It looks like one I’ve seen at Ikea. If it is from Ikea, how is it holding up?

  44. LOVE the bedding! Am I remembering correctly that you made the arrow art? I was wondering if we could see it in more detail.

    I’ve been changing my little man’s nursery into a “big boy room”. I think the hardest part was getting started. We’ve entered the ‘this is getting fun!’ phase of the process though. We’ve hung this printable ( https://www.etsy.com/listing/151092382/our-little-man-deer-silhouette-printable?ref=shop_home_active_1 ), painted a chalkboard wall, made a teepee, put in a trundle bed, and now we have so much more room for book and toys.

  46. Oh my goodness, it’s super cute! And I totally feel the mommy tears too, my daughter is graduating high school this year and it just seems like it all went SO FAST! I’m trying to focus on being excited for her, it makes me want to cry less. lol

  47. Our approach was “say no till he decided to walk around naked and pee only in the potty”. Literally. We didn’t really train him at all. Then all of a sudden he was using the potty exclusively during waking hours and so we just gave him underpants.
    xo kb

  48. SO sweet. I happen to love madras! My son’s crib bedding was madras red/white/blue. It’s true that we will go to great lengths for our kids but my opinion is that kids rooms get dirty and need repainting more frequently. You’ll notice with the bed against the wall that it will get dirty where he touches it. I had to repaint only one wall (the one where his bed it) in our old house.

    Of course I love the burlap, but I know whatever you do will be amazing. Can’t wait to hear about the beds!

  49. I Love madras! My nine year old has the same quilt set on a full size dark blue headboard/ footboard. I also have a Gap madras plaid skirt that is waiting for warm weather. This winter, I finally lost the weight from my daughter and will fit into it this summer 🙂
    Love the changes you made and that Will is one happy Big/Little boy 🙂

  50. I love those chunky bed frames! I had a hard time transitioning out of the crib too! My youngest is our last, so I knew when he was out of the crib, that was it. sniff, sniff!

  52. Yes! It’s from Ikea. I got it originally for Weston’s room but the white wasn’t right so we switched things up 🙂
    xo – kb

  54. The art above his bed will probably not be like one shown…I should have clarified that. It will definitely be a childlike mix 🙂
    xo – kb

  55. I made most of it or it was gifts. The owl painting was a gift from a dear friend who gave it to me as a baby present when Will was born (she asked me what I wanted and I showed her some examples and she did an outstanding job), the arrows I did, the maps are just a print of Six Flags Great Adventure (my mom used to work there), the animal print is from a great artist named Ashley Percival (on etsy)…most of it is just collected over time but it all is stuff specifically about Will.
    xo – kb

  56. I didn’t think of that because I did want an open area in the middle. Will’s train tracks are tucked under his bed and he likes to pull it out to play…so I don’t know if the zig zag would work 🙁
    xo – kb

  57. I love Beth and her blog! She did such a great job, right?! I can’t wait till Will and Weston share a room and then Weston’s big W will go right in the middle!
    xo – kb

  58. My favorite little kid rooms are one’s with two twin beds! Growing up, my sisters and I always liked to share our room (until we were teenagers!). They will love having a room to share as they get older – love how it’s coming together, too!

  59. He said that he still wanted it in there. I think he thinks that if we take the table out then we take away his little lamp (which he likes because it has one of those dimmers on it) so I think what I am gonna do is find him a little nightlight that he is obsessed with and trade him for the table and lamp. But since he has nightmares, I want it to be something he is really comfortable with.
    xo – kb

  65. Hey… We have the same bedding but blue and white combo no red!
    I like the room now.. I agree the burlap gotto go.
    Also could u do a post on the kids dresser organization and their closet organization.. Always nice to see how a mom of 3 sets it up.. Without the fancy system or OCD system going on.

  66. SO cute! And oh my gosh, those beds are fantastic, Katie!!! We’re in the midst of a big-boy room makeover as well for our soon to be four year old boy and soon to be new baby brother (in September)! They’ll be roomies, and it’s been a lot of fun to change things up a bit and let the four year old have a bit of a say in the process. Love seeing their little opinions take shape! I think it’s also helping to build excitement around the idea of sharing his room…at least I hope… 😉 And I totally feel ya on the growing up thing…it’s such a bittersweet process!

  67. I may be missing something, but why would you need to repaint the ceiling if you did the two-tone paint thing? Isn’t the ceiling already white? (I’m a little frazzled lately so forgive me if this question is dumb!)

  68. Hi Katie! I have been following your blog for a few years but rarely comment! This post hits near and dear, I have 2 boys (3&5) and I am SO not ready for them to get any bigger! Such a bitter sweet feeling to transition them, I find myself fawning over them; even the things they say (I think it’s because in my mind they are still babies), but then reality hits me with the fact that they are more independent all the time. We are hoping for a third, either gender would be perfect, but I love that you have 3 boys, all are gorgeous! And yes, this little thing called life is moving just a little bit too quickly! The room is awesome, I am sure Will will love it for YEARS to come!!

  69. I LOVE IT! And I agree that the mess gets bigger before it gets better (see my 18 y.o. daughter’s room)! I love the way you style the boys’ rooms. Is Will doing any better with sleeping in his bed, or still roaming the house?

  70. Oops! I guess I was thinking of when you were talking about the high ceilings in Weston’s room. Houses are so strange! Either way, I like the paint idea. 😉

  71. I love it! Especially the wall colors. Very subtle and a nice choice for the long run. It’s a nice color for even two teens (ok I’ll stop so you won’t cry picturing Will and Weston as teens).

  72. It’s looking great! Especially love the plans for the walls. Maybe you could do the ikea spice racks on the wall by the door for extra book storage or even rolling drawers for under the bed?

  73. Love the room and love the madras!! Looks fantastic. I can relate about the boys growing up so quickly. My oldest son starts junior high next year and sometimes it seems like just yesterday when he was so excited to move into his “big boy bed”. Sigh. Cherish everyday right?

  75. The VERY first thing both my husband and I said when we converted our first son’s toddler bed to a regular sized bed was HOW NICE it was reading books together at night. And when they wake up and are sick. Or have a nightmare. Or just need extra snuggles and reassurances as they grow. It really is so much better than a toddler bed and whatever “baby”-ish part you have to grieve is SO made up by the new, extra space to cuddle. 🙂

  77. Can’t wait to see what you do in here! We’ve got the same PB quilts and are getting ready to do some redecorating in my boys shared bedrooms.

  79. Love it! Totally cute for a little boy’s “not so little anymore” room. Great pictures BTW! I am currently going through something similar with my little girl. She is potty training and converting to her toddler bed. We’ve been working the been issue for over a week now and it has not been easy, but it is getting easier. She is my world and she is growing up. It’s like watching the world change before my eyes.

    http://www.mysimplesignificance.blogspot.com

  81. We already have Will’s train platform under one bed but we can’t add anything that rolls because the casters make it too tall. It’s even too short for a trundle 🙁 I think we might make a shallow lego platform for under the other bed but I haven’t decided.
    xo – kb

  83. Still not awesome but better for sure. I’d say the night time wakings are down to once a week now. We completely have eliminated the nap and that did help.
    xo – kb

  84. Actually all the ceilings in our house are light beige…they definitely don’t look white in real life.
    xo – kb

  87. It looks amazing! Something out of a magazine. My little girls’ rooms are seriously lacking…

  89. I have the same bedding for my two boys (ages 9 and 6). They are positioned the same way as yours too. They do grow up way to fast. My 9 year old turns 10 next weeks and it is so bittersweet. It really has flown and the older they get the faster it goes. 🙁 I was hoping you’d choose another paint color other than that blue because I have the same exact blue in their room and I’m starting to get sick of it but not sure what color would work.

  92. Well, since his back is to the window now when he sleeps, it doesn’t seem to bother him. I think last time he could see in that crack between the window shade and the wall and now it isn’t as in-his-face. So far, no complaints but I’ll let you know if he starts 🙂
    xo – kb

  93. Love the makeover!! I have a serious weakness for madras (and didn’t know it had a name unitl this post – thanks). Some great inspriation for making over my boys’ rooms.

  94. First of all congrats on the arrival of LJ! The room looks great! I have to ask of you painted the beds and if so what paint you used. I am getting ready to re-paint my girls beds and was wondering. I used BM advance paint with horrible results, so it think i am going to go back to SW.

  95. they are totally particular about their hair now. both like it long and in their eyes. max (going by maxwell now) is a soccer star. alex just started baseball and loves it. he wants to wear his uniform everywhere and he tells anyone who looks in his direction that he’s a baller. max varies his clothes but insists on black socks with everything (even pjs).

  96. Yes yes! Give us more details, tutorials, close -up pics of gallery wall stuff, please! You are so stinkin crafty! (And a candy box into a tray? Giiirl.) The room looks great!!! And you are so productive!! (With 3 little boys!?) Rock on, Katie B.

  97. My son is transitioning to his big boy room as well. He’s also got the same madras bedding! Great taste btw. 🙂 Where did you get that rug? I love it and my son is obsessed with orange so it’s perfect for preserving the real carpet under it in his big boy room without having to paint our walls. (I’m lazy, they’re beige with a white ceiling, no need to paint while preggo if I don’t have to!) Thanks!

  99. Oh Maxwell, huh?! That is so refined of him 🙂 Both your boys crack me up HARD. I can imagine that you never have a dull moment 🙂
    xo – kb

  100. I love how the room is coming together and how the beds turned out. What is the little white rack up against the wall used for? Does it hold small cars? If so, where did you find it? You are doing great and thank you for all the inspiration!

  103. Love the madras! Funny that we have the same exact bedding, also bought and hoarded until I knew the boys would be ready for their big boy beds. I painted their beds navy as well. Check out my post – I did striped walls and love how they play with the stripes in the bedding. (http://www.foodfaithanddesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/updating-shared-boys-room.html) of course my oldest who is 3.5 has decided he also is claiming the guest room because he likes the double bed better. Gotta love a toddler.

  105. How does the dresser hold up? I have purchased ikea furniture in the past and it always seems to fall apart.

  106. So far so good and my boys are ROUGH on furniture so I’m hoping these last through the teenage years 🙂
    xo – kb

  107. I like the blue on the walls too.
    Maybe a planked wall? Or wallpaper? on the focal point/window wall…

    My son ( now an adult) always had input in his room decor-we went through wallpaper with bears as rock and roll musicians, Ninja Turtle bedding, Sport stuff, and flags/continent/maps/world stuff.

    As a teen, he just wanted everything PLAIN, LOL. He still does.

    He’s an adult now-and an artist who also plays a bunch of instruments, speaks three languages, and can quote stats on any team/player/whatever.

    (His sister had ballerina wallpaper. She earned a degree in dance/choreography.)

    It may seem like decor is superfluous in day-to-day living, but what we surround ourselves with DOES matter!

  108. Your son is cute! He’s growing up faster than expected. He might outgrow his room in no time. Haha!

  110. I’m looking at buying the madras quilt for for my son’s room. How much cheaper is it at the outlet compared to the regular store?

  111. For bedding it varies. The original price is $130 and then the outlet will have it on sale for $100. Sometimes they will have discounts for the outlet price and it will be an additional 20% off.
    xo – kb

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