Using racecars as a theme, Shari Hiller and Matt Fox decorate a boy's bedroom for both function and fun. With racing stripes on the walls, checkered flags at the windows, toolboxes used as a TV stand and a dresser, this room is ready to go.
Getting Started
A tiny pale floral print with matching border in the boys' room had to go! Hiller outlines the changes and additions she plans for the room's new look :
- The inspiration piece for the room is a collection of prints and posters with a racecar theme
- A comforter set and window treatments in the racing theme
- A red tubular bunk bed that adds color and doesn't take up too much floor space
- A chair rail low on the wall
- White walls above the chair rail, neutral gray below
- The dresser refinished to look like a tool box
- A TV cart
- The radiator cover removed and the radiator painted
In the Know
When shopping for accessories for a child's room, don't limit the search to furniture stores. Try unusual places--like a boating store for flags, oars and ropes for a nautical theme. A nursery might have things for a garden-themed room , and a map store might be just the place to find accessories for an international theme. For the racecar room, an auto-parts store provided some fun and surprising touches.
Out N About
Hiller and Fox visit Make Room for Kids, a store devoted entirely to furnishing rooms for children. They discover lots of themes for children's bedrooms, like transportation, sports, the wild west, the jungle and ballerinas. Bedding, stuffed animals, prints and wall coverings can all easily be coordinated to carry out a theme. The owner of the store explains that even though most themes will be appropriate for a number of years, they can be changed easily just by changing accessories when the basic furniture is sturdy and of good quality. She noted the most popular theme for boys and girls right now is a sports theme.
Kid's Corner Fox explains when decorating a room for a child, it is important to view the room from the child's standpoint. He suggests getting on hands and knees and looking around. Is the art work hung low enough? Is the furniture comfy? Are sharp edges eliminated? Are there good places to hide? Are there plenty of flat play surfaces?
The Process
Walls: To add some zip to the wall below the chair rail, try using pin striping, available at auto parts stores. It comes in a variety of colors and installation is a breeze : pull off the white paper backing and stick to the wall in any design. It can easily be cut with a mat knife. With the wide selection of colors available--even gold and silver--pinstriping can fit with a variety of decorating themes.
Windows: A pole bound roller shade is great for privacy and easy installation. It no longer has to be custom cut:
- Measure the exact width.
- The shade is perforated on the ends. Simply tear away the extra material (figure A).
- Remove the end piece on one end of the rod and push the rod in to the correct width.
- Replace the end piece.
- Hang the shade.
Pinstriping can be added to the shade for some zip in the same way it was added to the walls. Finish the window with a topper of checkered flag material (figure B).
The Unexpected
Try hanging a racetrack from the wall. Beside being fun, it saves floor space and its lights can serve as a night-light.
Wrapping It Up
Final touches for the room include the following:
- Hanging the most valuable race print where it can easily be seen with good lighting
- Replacing the center ceiling fixture with track lighting
- Adding a low shelf for display of model cars and racing helmets
- A lamp with a curvy stem base that looks like a curvy road
- A red bean-bag chair for comfortable seating
- Removing the radiator cover and painting the radiator black with stove and grill paint
paint above and on chair rail (Lined With Silver 17E-3)
paint below the chair rail (Gray Locomotive 18I-5)
Resources paint - Dutch Boy
Dutch Boy
Website:
www.dutchboy.com
Super Cliff Hangers (Model #: 6226 )
This is a substitute model for the hanging racetrack featured, as that model is no longer available.
Mattel, Inc.
Website:
www.mattel.com Also in this Episode
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