Will’s room is at the top of our to-do list. The poor kid has been living in a hot-pink rag-rolled room with blankets tacked over his windows for long enough. It’s bad. Do you even remember how bad? I do. Every time I go in there…and then every time I leave, I deperately pray to forget. So that is why I have been brainstorming what to do in there. And the result is a little kooky.
First, I thought “Let’s forget the old nursery…let the kid be a kid! He doesn’t need a boy room…look at him…all adjusted to the hot pink…he can handle color! Let’s go crazy!”
And then I looked around his floor and every single color in the rainbow was there…with the toys that were creating mountains of mess. I was so inspired. And so I made this colorful, rainbow hued moodboard. I think I could pull it off…but it might be a little too much for our house. The rest of the house is NOT modern…and you kinda need some clean swedish lookin’ digs if you are gonna pull off rainbow in a boys room…maybe not but this kooky idea might be better suited for a playroom.
The other option is very…well…typical. I love the beach. and water. and anything that has to do with sailing. Did you know Jeremy had a boat when I met him? We actually set fire to water one time on that thing. No joke. But that’s not the point…the point is, the idea of nautical items is very dear to us…it brought us together…and we love the aesthetic of it. But I’m afraid that it’s a little boring. Like been there, done that. Although…it would be cheaper for us. And that is always a good thing.
So what do you think? What would you choose for a little boy? Rainbow too a-typical but awesome? Or does nautical put wind in your sails?
I love the nautical theme-however the rainbow theme is really fun but the boat theme is more peaceful! Also the nautical theme could allow for more thrift store purchases!
I love the rainbow idea but personally think that the nautical theme fits in with the rest of your decor. With it being a cheaper option, you would be able to redo his bedroom down the road and not feel as bad spending the money. Color is awesome but personally think its more fun on toys and clothes 🙂 It just seems like the nautical theme is so much more your style and it would be easier to move things around and in and out of the room to make it a bit different!
I love the rainbow. A lot. But I agree it might be better for a playroom. A nursery is a place to sleep and the brights might be too much stimulation, and I need you to get a good night’s sleep so you can keep posting a ton! And if nautical is cheap then that gets a point in the pro column. And if it has special meaning to you then it’s not been there done that for you! You’re passing a family pasttime on to your son! No matter which was you go I’m digging those built-ins in the last pic!
I love the nautical theme!! Such a great idea for a little boy and something he can grow into, as it is classic!
The color can grow with him. You’ll both be over the nautical by the time he’s five or six and you’ll redo the room–I feel sure of it. Going with a straight-color theme can make the place feel eclectic and put together over time… the perfect feeling for a little boy who’s going to have that room for years to come. I don’t think about bright colors being for any particular “type” of house… more a type of person. And you guys seem like you’ve got the personalities to pull off some color!
Both ideas are really cute! I’m always partial to nautical, but I think you could add pops of the rainbow in there to make it feel young and fresh.
I love the nautical mood board and I’m sure you can find a way to not make it so boring. Could you try to merge the two themes? Colorful nautical?
I LOVE the bright primary colors! We are expecting our first (a boy) in June and his room is all of that – green walls with white beadboard, black furniture, and then red, blue, and yellow art and bedding and sheets and everything! My mom cautions me that he will never sleep but I am so happy every time I walk in there! Will can totally handle the colors and it doesn’t have to fit the house – it’s his room 🙂
I was just looking at the brightly colored mirror today – which I love. Although for a totaly room– I love the nautical look. It’s something he can grow into and you can update as he gets older without having to redo the entire thing. Can’t wait to see what you decide to go for.
Love the rainbow but I have to vote for the nautical room. I am a sucker for anything nautical/ sailing/ Cape Cod/ preppy. Plus your mood board is adorable.
Katie, I LOVE the nautical theme. But the colorful room idea is so fresh and fun too. I think it would make a great playroom! Can’t wait to see what you end up picking. Fun! 🙂
I think the nautical idea looks so sweet and clean and the story is meaningful. But since he’s your baby, YOU get to decide! 🙂
I love the nautical theme for his room and the rainbow theme for a playroom. Soothing for his actual room and playful for a playroom. Can’t wait to see each you decide!
Nautical all the way. It is classic but you could add pops of color to make it a little more modern if thats what floats your boat (tee hee).
I usually love your stuff, but the rainbow room I think is a bit much. And you’re right – specially for your home (which is amazing by the way).
I love a nautical theme. There’s a reason it’s a classic. And you could totally put color into it – think Tommy Hilfiger. They have yellows and greens, and reds and blues, and even a bit of orange and purple sometimes. You could do bold stripes on one wall, vintage rowing/boating memorabilia, I love the lobster pillow. There’s so much you could do, and it’s something he could easily grow into – not just saving money now, but money in the future.
I’ve always loved the Nautical idea. With that theme, it can grow with him, or easily be changed to another theme down the road that would include the same color scheme. With the rainbow colors it would be hard to do something else with those colors later down the road. I am debating right at this very moment, and have for some time, to do my 3 yr olds room in beachy things. I think it’s adorable and would be relaxing.
I like the nautical theme. But, a rainbow room is gender-neutral and easily could be converted for a little girl. Then again, I’m sure you’d have a total re-do of the space (or a different room) if you had a girl!
Nautical!! I am all about saving some money and it looked like you were reusing/repurposing a lot of things you already have. I agree that the rainbow colors would be perfect in a playroom!!
I think the nautical fits in more with your previous home style, but I think if you really love the rainbow idea, you can always make it a little more cohesive with the rest of the house by muting the colors a bit.
http://gentlepurespace.com/blog/archives/vintage-art-on-wood-by-netherland-art
It’s not as modern as a true primary colored room, but it’s still a rainbow.
Just a thought. Although I will always adore anything nautical, so that’s how I’m leaning.
I feel like for you guys, nautical is what you’ll end up with. BUT…I love the colors. Not necessarily RAINBOW, but bright, bold, primary colors? YES. I love it. The nautical is more baby. He is now almost toddler’ish. I feel like that’s the more fun way to go. And less katie-bower’ish, and maybe a bit more edgy for you. It’ll shock us a bit. So do it! (thats my way of masterminding you into choosing the bright colors. HA. I’m awesome.)
Nautical would be great for a relaxing bedroom sanctuary. It would also be easier to convert as he grows up. He has a playroom (area) that would be great for the color explosion. I am sure that you will make either choice look amazing. Can’t wait to see the finished room.
I LOVE both idea’s equally! It must be so hard to decide! With all those room in your beautiful casa you could do both themes!?! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, both of your ideas!
Can’t wait to see what you decide!
~ Ali
I vote nautical! I l just love anything nautical for guys. And I think you can do it in a way that it will stay with him for several years. I see older boys rooms now that have a bit of a nautical theme to them without being to “little boyish.” Think cape house style!
Nautical!! Will be easier to redo in a couple of years when he is ready for a “big boy” room.
My vote is for nautical. You could even get artsy with an old wooden canoe or something. And I love the paddles in the inspiration photo.
I like Nautical… but with color. Did you ever think about the colors of the oars used for collegiate crew? Super-dee-duper colorful and fun: http://www.oarspotter.com/blades/USA/Uni/USA_Uni.html
I think rainbow is fun for a party, but I wouldn’t want to live in it full time. My vote’s for the nautical theme.
Nautical but bring in some nice bright pops of orange or yellow to keep it from being ho-hum. Go for it!
Rainbow! It’s not like you have to paint every single wall a different color. Stick with a neutral wall color and go for a lot of fun accents. I think it’ll make you smile a lot more then the nautical theme.
I think rainbow is fun for a party, but I wouldn’t want to live in it full time. And, as you said, I think the second option flows better with the rest of your home (unless you’re planning a drastic makeover?!) So my vote’s for the nautical theme.
Katie Bower could never make been there done that — it will be awesome.
I vote nautical but let’s not forget the whimsy (not that I’m worried).
You might want to first see how stimulating all that color will be for little Will. Both ideas are really good. The nautical one is very peaceful for sure and it goes with the rest of your decor. I really don’t think I helped much, but I would really see how Will will feel with so much stimuli in the colors.
Ignore this duplicate post!
If you go with nautical at least incorporate some brightly colored sailing flags. But I love the rainbow look.
the way you set up that beach set up is classic and could last him a long time, but the colors are oh so fun!!! go crazy!
Boo to the rainbow haters! I think that is such a fun idea. I had a pastel color rainbow painted on the wall in my bedroom growing up and I LOVED it! I think the room on the bottom left of the mood board is a great inspiration, to have a light basic color and rainbow accents! Plus, I think the rainbow theme will be easy to adopt to any future interests/decorating schemes (i.e. Bob the builder, sesame street, etc). I have a traditional home too but I think in the bedrooms you’re really open to decorate them in any theme because usually they are a very blank slate, with a door to separate it off from the rest of the house. My 2 cents 🙂
The rainbow theme is FUN and a bit CA-RAZY. I like it…but I think while it wold be so fun to do…you would tire of it quickly. It reminds me more of a playroom theme. Im not huge on themes though…when I painted my daughters room everyone kept asking what my ‘theme’ was. I started making things up to tell them, such as “WWF meets Roller Derby” or “Sketchy Clowns”. Somehow I think if you do run with it it will be fabulous.
I’m loving the beachy theme (especially those stripes) – it’ll grow nicely with him! But, it’s all up to you and what you think would be the most fun!
I would go with the nautical theme. The rainbow mood board is very cute but I think the nautical theme would be easier to transition as Will grows older 🙂 I also think it goes well with the rest of your beautiful home 🙂
both of the room are really cute but one is too wild and one is too blah, i think you could actually combine them but it would have to be done very subtly.
you see one of the pictures in the rainbow inspiration? it has light blue walls with a multi coloured flag/banner and in your nautical room there is a nautical themed banner, why not scratch the overload of nautical and throw in some rainbow ideas. make it more kiddy and less weirdo with a boat who makes you call him capy.
instead of the multi coloured pictures of houses, do some boats or sails.
instead of a pure wooden sail mounted on the wall, throw some colour into it.
whatever fabric you choose for the crib or curtains just throw some colour in there.
like make the curtain rods red or orange but the curtains are blue and white stripes.
the room doesnt have to go one way or the other. you can use the colours as accents but choose more than one accent.
The rainbow colours! They’d be so much fun! I find the nautical room doesn’t look like a kids room, it looks really grown up and I doubt a one year old would appreciate it.
I kind of agree that the rainbow is too bright and the nautical a little dull. I’m sure you could spice up the nautical room though… I think that’s what I’d try to do!
My sister did her daughter’s room in bright bold colors (red, pink, green, orange and blue), so kind of the rainbow idea. And it’s adorable. Green walls, orange rug, pink curtains, etc.
Love, love, LOVE the nautical theme. We live so close to the lake that I always thought that if we have a little boy we would go with this theme.
Someone above mentioned colorful nautical, and I totally agree. I love the idea of you taking something that is more “you” and more tried-and-true in your house and revamping it a bit. Keep with your style, but do a twist that feels a little more kid and personal to Will than just a nautical room straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog, and satisfying both your personal ideas/inspirations at the same time
More muted primary colors are found all through great preppy things like sailing and rugby like the flags you have in your board. Go with a nautical base and layer in lots of accessories that fit in the theme but incorporate more of the rainbow elements you’d find in things like colorful sails, crew uniforms, etc. instead of it being too neutral and beachy.
Nautical! Rainbow is fun, however, I agree that it would be more suitable for a playroom.
I like the rainbow colors, but when I first saw the board I thought you were going for a carnival theme. It might be easier to just do a carnival theme with lots of colorful accessories but to keep the wall colors and furniture colors a little simpler. Plus, if it turns out you hate the accessories, you could always switch them out for nautical ones, crisis averted!
Either way though, I’m sure it’ll be great and Will is going to love it because you made it!
oooooh, I love them both!! This is a really tough choice and I’m not sure that i can decide. I will say that I think the nautical theme is a bit ‘safe’, however if it’s near and dear to your heart then that shouldn’t matter.
G’Luck with the decision. I’m sure whatever it is that you decide to do, it WILL be fantastic!
My son is now 25…his nursery was gray, yellow,red and white with RAINBOW accents! So good choice with the rainbow theme 🙂
He had pale gray walls and a white crib and dresser.
Wood floors had a red rag rug; bumpers were red swiss dot; I also made him a rainbow pillow, a ribbon rainbow wall hanging, and had different colored knobs on a pale gray dresser. He had lil bears playing musical instruments on the lower half of a chair rail via vintage looking wall paper. It was cute yet very “boyish” looking.
We moved when he was 5, and we went into the theme room mode-he loved firemen/rescue stuff, so the neutral walls let us continue to use bright colors and accessories ( mostly his toys).
Next change was around 9, when we went to maps/flags. It was all globes and real flags of other countries…and stamps and coins from around the world. I think that was my fave of his big boy rooms 🙂
Sports was the last “theme” at about age 13.
Then he went to college and did the thrift store decor, LOL
Long story short-neutral walls and rainbow accessories are awesome.
The nautical theme is fine, just seems more YOU maybe than your boy-although he may grow to love those things much like you and yours.
Oh and be careful what you imprint on them when they are little- my Mike grew up to play 8 instruments ( the bear paper) and has a degree in International Relations
( the flag/map room)…and knows every stat for every sport ever played ( sports room). Hmmm…too bad I didn’t do his room like DR’s waiting room! 😛
I love the nautical theme! I’ve always liked that for a little boys room. My sister had a bright colorful room growing up and she got sick of it very quickly and it was a pain in the rear to re-decorate. In fact, my parents are STILL working with that bright red carpet!
A rainbow playroom seems very fun and appropriate to me.
I think some people posting comments are concerned you’re going to stripe the walls in rainbows a la zebra stripe gum and then use the 120 count box of crayola to put every color in! 😀 \
But, I think you can TOTALLY pull off the rainbow room. Knowing your style of design it’ll look amazing and classy (and not so 70’s horrorshow like people are envisioning me thinks) 😉 I vote for the rainbow scheme. Live on the wild side! You’ll be able to make it look so chic and baby friendly.
In the end it’s YOU who needs to smile every time you go in his room!
I love the idea of stripes in the nautical themed bedroom but the boldness of the rainbow room. I’m sure whatever you do will be fab!
nautical!
I’m currently planning a nursery around primary colors (inspired by a great print I found in the UK). WHERE OH WHERE did you find that mirror? I must have it, please and thank you! 🙂
Where did you find that mirror? I’m in love with it – it would fit perfectly in the nursery I’m planning.
Thanks!
Based on what I’ve seen from you in yoru last house, you will be happier with the nautical style. I think the rainbow room would be great in a playroom where you want kids to be creative and have fun. I think a bedroom should be restful and bright colors might be too stimulating for a little one.
I also like the nautical scheme but i think it would look nice with some green and yellow (like the color of the lobster pillow) accents mixed in. Not quite “rainbow” but blue-green-yellow is at least half of the rainbow!
Do both and go with something that will grow with him – nautical with pops of color everywhere. I love the idea of oars hanging on the walls. You want him to sleep at night so a calm beachy feeling might be better than loud and crazy colors. 🙂
I agree, nautical theme is more you…but I’d love to see you do a rainbow theme just to see how great Katie Bower could make it look!
I vote for the nautical! I would save the rainbow for a toy room too – where you want things bright, colorful, creative, and stimulating!
Either way though, Katie, it will be AWESOME because you did it and it’s for your little boy! 🙂
Happy decorating – can’t wait to see the finished result.
The nautical look is so cute! I think the rainbow would be fun, but more like a gymboree store! And it wouldn’t grow with him at all, where as he could have a nautical themed room up until he leaves for college! And obviously the room will probably end up changing over the years, but the rainbow wouldn’t blend well with the rest of your gorgeous house! 🙂
I love both, however I think sea theme is more for an older kid, like 10 year old ish.
Rainbow is fantastic idea!!!!!!!! You don’t need a modern house to pull it off !
Imagine a nice crisp white room, with a rainbow painted border swirling across one wall… Hmmmmm wish I could do it.. Lol
Rainbow room gets my vote !!! Very childish and fun and any thing goes with it, as its multi coloured !!
Can’t wait to see your decision! 🙂
“Sketchy Clowns” !!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA
This is exactly what I was thinking! Nautical with pops of color (like that yellow lobster pillow) and them maybe a brightly colored playroom.
My son is just a few weeks younger than Will and we did his nursery in all colors of the rainbow with blue walls. It looks really great and I love that it looks like a kid’s room- nothing drab there! I think the key is to keep plenty of neutrals in there to balance all of the bright splashes of color.
I love the idea to do a nautical room in the bright colors. It is so much more fun and unexpected than the second board. Also, your crib and other wood toned furniture can more easily be incorporated with the nautical twist on the rainbow room. Have fun!
OMG “Sketchy Clown”! The “nursery” at my grandparents had a clown theme (with random Noah’s Ark boarder at chair rail height, probably because my oldest cousin’s name is Noah) and there was the hobo/clown painting… I may need to claim that painting for my art room if no one else has….
I totally agree! The nautical is beautiful and safe. The rainbow is awesome! The photo on the bottom left really does give you a great idea of how to do a “rainbow room” without going over the top. Go for it!
I think either would be cute. I think the rainbow one is scaring people on here because it is so much at once. If you pair the fun bright stuff with safe neutrals, it could be great and you can still change it down the road to suit your mood/Will’s interests. But the same is true for the nautical room. I bet you will have us vote for which one we like and then you will change it completely like you did with your bed spread. ‘Cause that’s how Katie Bower rolls. 🙂 he he!
My vote is for rainbow! Check out this fabric – it’s SOOO cute. I ordered it for my son’s room, but it didn’t really go with the other stuff I had in there. But I used it for a table runner for his bright birthday party and it was so happy and fun!
http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/ann_kelle/remix/zig_zag_stripe_in_bermuda
Nautical!!! It’s a classic and you can’t go wrong with it!
I LOVE the rainbow room- fun, inspiring, different, etc. BUT I think you were right about it perhaps being best in a playroom. I think bedrooms, especially for children, need to be restful and a respite from their toys and the craziness of the outside world. Think how soothing the nautical theme would be…
And who cares if it’s “overdone”? It’s your home, your son, your money, your time, etc. If it’s what would make you, Will, your family, your wallet happy, then it doesn’t matter at all what anyone else thinks.
Whatever you choose will be lovely!
I love the little art print for the rainbow room, but not enough to design a whole room around it. My philosophy on babies’ rooms is to keep it focused on sleep. Toys and fun things go in play-areas, but the bedroom is for sleeping so that they’ll learn to sleep well without the distraction of toys in the sleeping space.
So I vote for the nautical room. Plus the blue color with the woven textures mixed in is just stunning!
Between the two, I’d probably vote nautical…
I think the rainbow idea is fun and playful, but might not be very soothing when it comes time for a nap – I agree that it would make an AWESOME play room though 🙂
If you don’t want to be stuck in the “been there, done this” rut though, what about another nature aspect? Instead of beachy ocean, what if you went with mountains? You’d still be able to incorporate pretty blues (I’m thinking lakes and skies) but switch it up with splashes of greens. Plus you could have lots of fun with camping/lodge/ski/hiking/etc. themes… Just a thought 🙂
Happy decorating!!
You actually could combine the theme’s if you do a Noah’s ark theme. I did this theme for a baby shower. If had like a boat/ark with nautical things (such as waves, etc). Then, there were rainbow flowers, balloons etc to represent the rainbow after the flood. So you could do the nautical theme and then represent the rainbow as well.
http://www.portugalponderings.blogspot.com
The nautical theme is so nice and you could thow on some other fun colors like yellows and greens to dress it up a bit more. And like you said it’s more in your budget soooo go for it! It would be easier to change up as he gets older too….
Love the Nautical theme. Rainbow would be great for a play room.
Sooo…I was thinking the same! Nautical bedroom and you could do his playroom in the bright rainbow colors!:)
Oh my gosh those are some good contenders. 🙂 I just did a super colorful and out of my comfort zone playroom for my girls. http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/2011/04/playroom.html
So I say go for COLOR! But, the nautical room speaks to me. 🙂 Tough choice girl, tough choice. Don’t know how you’ll do it.
xo
I like the idea of color, but I think too much is overstimulating in a bedroom. The rainbow might be better suited for a play room. With that said, and I don’t mean for this to be insulting, I think the nautical is a little too themey and literal. I like the striped wall, but what if you made a slightly modernized version? Like aqua walls with white and weathered wood accents. Then, you could add pops of yellow, orange and red for interest with lots of bold stripes, too. Maybe a few white knotted rope elements. Ooh, and if you could add a fish scale looking piece, that would be really cool, too.
I’m 100% Nautical. That’s just me.
Though, what if you combined the two. A little less rainbow-y, a little more primary colors nautical rainbow?
Something like this:
http://www.onestylishbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/6.bmp
(yes I know that is a cake)
Rainbow! As long as you pick a solid nuetral color for the walls you can easiy update the accesories as we gets older.
We’re doing a ‘hawaaiin’ room for my son – blues and reds and whites with neutrals. He’s 6 and pumped about it because he demanded to wear nothing but those crazy flowered Hawaaiin shirts from age 2-5! Framing some of those fabrics, blowing up pics of him tubing with Daddy and at the ocean for the first time… it’s gonna be so cool! So I vote nauitcal ha ha!
my son, ben, is a few weeks older than will and i had to pipe in here as we did a nautical-themed nursery. it is my most favorite room in my home. you can check it out here:
http://magidbaby.blogspot.com/2010/05/all-little-bitty-details-nursery.html
i worked at pottery barn for 4 years, so i was able to get the furniture and decor for a fraction of the retail cost. it definitely allowed us to go a bit “overboard”! 😉 happy decorating!
Nautical all the way. Age wise it will last alot longer. Rainbows and bright colors dont transition as easy. i still love the old nursery 🙂
Rainbow for sure! The nautical one is nice, but he has the rest of his life to be a grown up with that sort of room. He is only a baby/little boy once – let him have the fun room!
🙂
Hi Katie! I love the nautical theme, but agree, been there done that. What about a colorful scheme but not full blown every color on the planet? Maybe stick with a few bold choices, Blue, Green, Yellow with accents of white? Or something along those lines. I have two boys and recently we put them in the same room. The walls are a deep teal color and the trim is bright white. We even painted horizontal stripes on dressers my husband built in the same teal color and white. The bedding is a deep sea blue and we have accents of a kiwi green color. It really looks amazing. My decor in the rest of the house looks much like yours with greens and browns and lots of neutrals but I took the opportunity in a kids room to let my wild, more colorful, side go to work. Also, as they get older, this will grow with them.
I’m voting for nautical too–as a mom of 4 boys, I think you’ll all be tired of the rainbow–but maybe you could incorporate one or two bright colors into the nautical theme–blue and red, or maybe yellow?
I think that the nautical theme is perfect…my whole house is nautical and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet! There are so many variations and colors that you can plan for and it’s a classic style that never fades… I agree with the above posts, having your main color scheme navy and white and you can do pops of bright red, yellow and kelly green, switching them out when ever you’re board! Love the mood board!
Nautical
NAUTICAL!!!!!!!! ENOUGH SAID
Nautical Room, Rainbow Playroom. For sure. The rainbow would suit another child as well. Excited to see what you do!
Nautical, but with punches. Besides, when was the last time you heard of a serene sailor? Nope, their tattoos are full of vividly, if scantily, clad hula beauties. Why can’t you use some of the accessories in the nautical mood board, but ratchet up the color volume? Hooray for spray paint in the primary colors! Google image search “funky nautical” or “neon nautical” or the like, and there are some knock-out ideas. Granted, they may have to be adapted from clothing schemes, and I don’t recommend the hot pink bikini with sailor buttons, but you get the drift (har!)
Nautical with bold pops of color. Classic navy looks fabulous with bright yellow and orange. Blending your two ideas will also make it unique. Either way, have fun with it!
Love love love the Rainbow theme! Kids rooms should be all about fun and breaking the rules. Maybe just nix the tie-dye? 😉
Katie,
I’m thinking nautical in the bedroom AND if you will have a special room designated as the
“play room” down the road.. I would do the playroom in rainbow/primary colors……
I’d say a combo of both!! You could totally find the blues, reds and yellows in nautical type tings….add some greens in there…some deep colors…I think it would be really pretty. Pretty for a boy. Like manly pretty. I bet you could totally pull it off!
Anything YOU do will be awesome, but I vote nautical because of the history you and Jeremy have with it. One of the best gifts parents can give their child is loving each other and a reminder of that love in his room decor (not that Will himself isn’t enough of one!) would be really special. 🙂
My husband and I met working for a landscaping company. We’re still renting an apartment right now, but we look forward to having gorgeous flower gardens, trees, and shrubbery someday in honor of how our relationship started. (and I look forward to all the fun home improvement and decor projects I’ll be able to do that are inspired by this blog and YHL once I have a space to work in! I went dumpster diving for an almost-gorgeous desk that is dying to be sanded down and painted. The hardware has been replaced, but I’m itching to do more!!!)
Rainbow. The nautical theme is overdone. he is a little boy…let him have stimulation and COLOR. You don’t have to paint the walls crazy, just bring in some rainbow accessories. Plus, He doesn’t need a nursery much longer, he will need a room to play around in….that means bright fun colors. It is more fun and will be more age-appropriate for longer.
Can I vote for both? Nautical with pops of color?! And could you throw in a couple of owls to pay homage to Will’s first nursery? And on the homage note, maybe you could fashion some wall art from reclaimed wood? Like spell out Will -or- make a 2d sailboat with a flag pulled from the fabric of his first room?
I just decorated my infant son’s room in a retro rocket theme. It allowed me to keep it calm (mature blue gray Benjamin Moore walls) with pops of color (Pbk solar system mobile, Pbk rocket mobile, rocket books and art and groovy orange patterned bedding.)
I love the nautical theme, it seems great for a boy. I like the rainbow but it may get old quick. The nautical could be added to and maybe evolve to pirates as he gets older.
I say definitely the nautical! I just love that type of stuff and it makes for such a peaceful but fun room!
I love both of them, but I’d have to go with the rainbow one since that’s what I chose for my little girl’s room.
Nautical! The rainbow is cool on a moodboard, but a room full of it might look more like that kid’s room in the movie “problem child”.. with all the clowns.. agggh lol Although I’m sure if you do rainbow, you would make it work. I think the nautical is more soothing and in my opinion could be more easily evolved to be appropriate for Will as he ages.
I’m digging the nautical. Yeah, it’s safe – but that’s the beauty of it. He can grow into it easily & it creates a soothing atmosphere to sleep.
But definitely go rainbow in the playroom. Our house is REALLY Pottery Barn-esque & I went out on a limb with our playroom – red drapes with white poms, an aqua desk, Chinese lanterns in primary colors & red & white prints. It’s a great place for my kid to play & (hopefully!) imagine in the future.
Where are the baskets in the nautical moodboard from? I’ve been looking for something just like them for our living room blankets!
Of the two I prefer the nautical–but not too over the top nautical. I think the color palette is more to how you decorate. Have you considered vintage toys in Will’s room? We did a vintage Fire Truck and Train theme in our sons room when he was young–and adding in the “new toys” didn’t stick out so. We went with muted red, blue and yellow. Just a thought. What ever you do will be just fantastic as always…
Maybe nautical with pirate influences? 🙂 I like the idea of rainbow colors, but it would be too much for my personal taste.
I loved your old nursery for Will, though, so I’m sure anything you come up with will be great! Just need to push the design a little!
Nautical all the way! Rainbow made a very cute party, but I agree that it might get to be a little much for an every day room! I LOVE the nautical theme, just add a little something to it spice up the scheme a little!
P.S.- I’m purchasing some of the bathroom sconces for my own bathroom redo! thanks for the inspiration…cant wait to see Will’s new room!
First of all, I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now (I found it from YHL)… and love love love it. Thank you for sharing all that you do!
As for the theme to Will’s bedroom – I agree with those who say a combo of the two – blue and red nautical with pops of yellow! The mood board for this in my mind looks awesome, I swear – ha!
Hi Katie!
I love the nautical, I think it fits Will and also will help the house as a whole flow well. Love your blog 🙂
Blessings,
Danielle
Rainbow. Or spice up the other one- kids rooms should be fun if you are going to decorate.
I love the nautica theme. I think you can’t go wrong there plus it would flow with your home. =)
from2form.wordpress.com
I’m thinking the bright rainbow would look better in a playroom, and use the nautical theme in his bedroom – I think a bedroom should be soothing. But then again, what kid wouldn’t love a bright, colorful room?? Either way, can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I absolutely love the nautical theme. I think the colours are gorgeous and it is already starting to look like a big boy’s room. I love the flag garland, do you know where that it from? Thanks. Have fun with the room.
Nautical! It never goes out of style, and you always know how to put a spin on a classic theme!! Plus, Im all about budget baby!! Whatever you choose will be stunning, as always! Good luck!
Nautical for the bedroom, definitely, unless not! Hahaha! I think that a rainbow theme could ultimately be too stimulating for sleep, but it would be perfect for play in the playroom.
What about mixing it up “under the sea” style??? You still have the somewhat-nautical idea and a blue as the main color, but can add all kinds of crazy pops of color!!
This cake (from Annie’s Eats) was my immediate thought when I read this post…
http://annies-eats.net/2009/07/06/andrews-first-birthday-party/
Whatever you do will be freaking awesome as always – just had to share my brain waves. 🙂
Love the color. I want more of it my house, like pops of happiness.
Definitely nautical! I love nautical anything! It’s perfect for any room!
The rainbow seems a little bit too much for a boy’s room, to me.
Hi K,
Actually they are laundry baskets from Pottery Barn.
xo – kb
you are hilarious! love that you keep us on our toes – i definitely wouldn’t have expected the rainbow mood board coming from you. i am crazy about color, but think that the rainbow palooza is a bit too loud, and might cause will seizures. 🙂 love the idea of a funky, colorful nautical theme with some madras plaid bedding or curtains. whichever way you decide to go, it’s sure to be smashing! that’s just how you roll.
YES! I’m all for rainbow too! It’s happy, it’s fun, and best of all it pushes the envelope. Rainbow is a challenge but it CAN be done right and be amazingly fun too.
I with everyone on the Nautical themed room. It won’t take much to change it up as he reaches different ages and stages in life. More value for your bucks!!
I love the nautical idea. It seems a bit more you and to flow. I think the rainbow is a little over the top. I am planning on going nautical with our nursery if we have a boy some day. I like the red, white and navy color scheme. Very American, yet classy, think Ralph Lauren.
I love them both! I think the nautical is more practical for a bedroom and can be updated as he gets older!
Team Nautical! I think the Nautical idea will be adorable. It doesn’t have to be themed to a tee but touches here and there with that striped wall would be amazing. I like an idea that a previous commenter mentioned about using white washed/pickled/or driftwood. Can’t wait to see it all come together. 🙂
Wow both the themes look beautiful but even i think that the rainbow theme would look nice as a playroom. Btw I absolutely loved the rainbow colored sock monkey in the theme & would love getting it for my kid.Could you give me some information on it (website/store) about where i could buy it if u happen to know .
thanks
Okay, I was totally waiting for this to go live – and now it has! THIS is what I think you should take inspiration from for Will’s room – lots of primary colors, very nautical, sailing flags…
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/04/27/nautical-nantucket-wedding-from-iris-photography/
Nautical for sure! Too cute!
I just googled ‘rainbow sock monkey’ and that is one of the images that came up on Google Images.
Wish I could be more help!
xo – kb
I prefer the nautical moodboard over the rainbow one, but imho, I wouldn’t go with the ship steering wheel, it looks a little dated.
Loving the colors of the rainbow theme and how you were inspired! And here’s a great rainbow party I came across that may give you some ideas if you decide to go with that one: http://www.birthdaygirlblog.com/2011/04/real-parties-rainbow-brights-stripes.html
Both are great, do them while you can because when they get older, you have to start buying all that commercial crap they like (i.e., Star Wars). And it’s harder to get creative!
This is more agreeing with several others that the nautical is better over all but punch it up with some color.
And…find those fish from the rainbow board…they would be wonderful in the nautical room!
I would vote nautical because the rainbow would be too crazy for me (plus I like that the nautical would be cheaper). However, it wold be fun to see what you would do with rainbow since I’m sure it would be much more Bower chic and a lot less Romper Room. It will be great either way.
I would vote nautical because the rainbow would be too crazy for me (plus I like that the nautical would be cheaper). However, it wold be fun to see what you would do with rainbow since I’m sure it would be much more Bower chic and a lot less Romper Room. It will be great either way – nautical or rainbow – good luck.
maybe nautical with bright pops of color?
I like the nautical theme it’s more peaceful & tranquil 🙂
Love both ideas/ totally random – but I came across this site and a rainbow bed -thought it could inspire your own spin – if you go in that direction! http://www.ikeahackers.net/2010/07/fwd-rainbow-bed.html
I support the rainbow 🙂 just a toned down version that could be something like this boys room with a splash of rainbow.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5eugOoUYkI/TabN7OReboI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/m5tFFNcron8/s1600/12.jpg
I love the nautical theme! Very boyish to me! If you decide to get rid of the deer head in his old nursery let me know!! I’m using his old room as inspiration for my baby boys nursery due in July! 🙂
Could you share the source for that mirror in the rainbow mood board? I LOVE it.
I’m out on a wing going with the nursery from your last house. I LOVED it!!!!!
I know my comment is a little late, but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents! I love the nautical and usually would shy away from the rainbow theme, except that I REALLY love some of the inspirational pieces you’ve found: the mirror, the orange dresser and the art with the houses. It would be exciting to see a KB inspired Rainbow room 🙂 I think you could do it with class!
http://commontomoms.blogspot.com
Here you go Kate!
xo – kb
I vote for the nautical theme. The rainbow theme is very fun but I don’t think it would go well with your decor. Definitely like everyone’s ideas of a fresh and fun nautical room – pops of color! And you love the beach so much – it just makes sense. 🙂
I would do the walls a grey or white, and then have bright pops of colors like in the first picture. Then its still childish, but when he out grows it, you can redo the room without having to paint again.