Wilder's Third Bedroom

THE DEXTER HOUSE Today I want to introduce you guys to one of my favorite rooms at the Dexter House: Wilder's bedroom. I shared a little about my son's room yesterday on coco+kelley, but before you head over there to see the finished space, let's talk about the renovation.

This is what Wilder's bedroom looked like when we bought the Dexter House last April:

I planned minimal renovations for this bedroom: paint the floors black, new lighting, redo the electrical, repaint the walls and ceiling, and install a chalkboard wall. The chalkboard wall - a must for my two-and-a-half-year-old who loves art and drawing on walls - is on an exterior wall of the Dexter House, which had prior water damage. Years of neglect had left the paint bubbling away from the wall behind it, so after we checked it for lead with a home kit, we started peeling off the paint. The plaster hidden behind the paint was the stuff of old house love. It was art without trying to be art, a 110-year-old canvas of wall colors from tenants past. So naturally, I decided to leave the plaster exposed and cover only the bottom half of the wall with chalkboard paneling.

After exposing the plaster, we started on the chalkboard paneling and paint.

With the bulk of the renovation work done, I began decorating. Since this room is just over 100sf, play space and toy storage are at a premium. But that hasn't kept us from designing a kids room that we love. If anything, it's helped us avoid the too-much-kid-stuff trap and focus on the things that really matter. Like a comfy bed that's big enough for cuddling during story time, a bookcase that holds Wilder's beloved Dinotopia and The Eleventh Hour, and space-conscious activities like the chalkboard wall and a folding trampoline in the closet. Here's a peak at the finished space:

The Grit and Polish - Wilder's Room Wide

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that this is Wilder's third bedroom in the past two-and-a-half years. I guess you could say that we have a little 'house-buying/moving problem'. Or if you're of my mindset, a 'heathy renovation addiction'. Either way, practice has made me better and this is our favorite of Wilder's bedrooms to date (you can see his last bedroom here). Pretty soon this room will transition into Wilder and Brooks shared bedroom, which will be a brand new challenge for a whole slew of reasons. But more on that later.

The Dexter House - Wilder's Dresser 2

Now jump on over to coco+kelley for tons more photos of Wilder's bedroom and a DIY on the chalkboard wall!

The Grit and Polish - Wilder's Room 1

xoxo -Cathy

p.s. The next room I do for Wilder (cause let's be honest...there will be another house) this wallpaper is going in it! Or maybe this dinosaur wallpaper!

p.p.s. Ever since having kids, I've love kids rooms. I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to them. But lately I'm even more excited about shared kids rooms. Here are two of my current favorites (this one and that one).

p.p.s. I've been getting into Ted talks as of late and this one on kids and school and creativity is a must! Dance people. Dance!