What happens when you take over your sister's bedroom? You scramble to rid the space of everything pink and girly. Even after a great deal of elbow grease had already gone into this space to rid it of girl cooties, Max's room still needed a little punch of hip and cool to better represent the grownup teenager he's become. Want to see what it looks like now?
We checked in with the latest happenings of a very busy family over at 71 Toes where Shawni has been busy, along with the help of her children, transforming the bedroom of her oldest (and only) son. Max swims in a sea of ladies at his house as he plays brother to four sisters and recently he took over one of their bedrooms.
They painted, built furniture, added simple decor and the end result was a space that feels fresh, clean and manageable. Even though it might not be identifiable as a teen bedroom without 1,000 posters all over the space, we think it's great that kids are starting to have a sense of home decor and design and don't always go for grungy.
This space is perfect for now and later when Max leaves home will be the guest room for the family.
Read more: 71 Toes
(Images: 71 Toes)
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Four-P...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
Haha. I don't know how many teenage boys dream of having a huge picture of themselves over their bed.
I like the box shelves on the wall. I've been trying to figure out a new solution for a table in my foyer, and I think that might be a better idea :)
Amen Jose! It looks nice but it's more like a what a parent thinks a college kid's room should look like. It's missing the Grateful Dead poster and strung lights.
@jose a
I was wondering that, too. XD
Well, at least it was a nice space with all the windows. I like the grassy rug with the actual plants and other green accents in the room.
In spite of the ambiguousness of the phrase "oldest son" (implying they have other sons, not simply that he's the oldest child), it seems there are 7 people in this family. I was thinking pets would be involved, but now I wonder where the 1 loose toe comes from...
(Or are multiple ppl missing toes. D: )
It is missing piles of clothing strewn about--boys are worse than girls in that aspect. At least at my house. :)
<reads the explanation on the blog itself>
Oh, thank goodness.... ^^;;;
My son & his friends have posters of girls in swimsuits being sporty.
OMG, there's a lot going on in that family but super mom keeps it all together with a wonderful team of husband, kids and her mom and sisters. I'm amazed by their I Love Lucy project and the way it has changed their lives. Incredibly inspiring and really shows what love can do. The room is great...big bro deserves his own space with clean and fresh colors. Nice work, Team Shawni!
What a nice room! I love the windows and I'm sure there will be plenty of clothes strewn about once Max has lived in there for awhile. Is that really him in the poster? Unless things have changed drastically since I was a teen, he risks extreme ridicule if he ever brings friends into that room.
I bet the big picture of him was his little sisters' idea. In which case, how can he say no?
I think it's fun to have a big-kid/teenager room on here for a change. We see so many (fabulous!) nurseries. As to the giant picture, my husband would totally do that. And anyway, it sounds like Mom and the sisters did most of the designing, so he may not have chosen it for himself.
@lepidoptery, you almost made me pee on myself. Hysterical!
My husband and I have that duvet cover and that white stand next to the bed. Does this mean our taste is juvenile?
I love this space! The picture that so many people are freaking about is sweet! I love the color that it adds to the space!! Great job!
I actually was just looking at this room last night before you posted it on here! I LOVELOVELOVE the room and think it's a great space for a teenage boy. And knowing what I do about the family from reading their blog, he's an outstanding young adult who seems like the best big brother those girls could ask for. He deserves a room all his own...and the picture above the bed? I think it looks great! The long board adds a great punch of color. And it fits in well with the rest of the home with all the great photographs hung on the walls. As always, nice work Shawni!
The 71 toes? They have a little girl named Lucy who's their firecracker and love who's just extra special! :)
Holy cow, I just clicked over to their site. If you are getting worked up over a picture you need to go and read why Shawni's site is called 71 toes. Sometimes a little perspective is all you need!
Everything Veslabeachgirl said!
Bright and airy! Wondering where you got the duvet cover? I'm in love with it!
Despite the accessories, it's a nice makeover in general.
I love all of the windows and those shutters. Gorgeous light and nice color in the pic too.
i don't know any teenage boy who would look after the plants
The mom takes amazing pictures, so I'm sure they all have their own pictures on their walls. It's like having your name on your door. I have framed pictures of myself and some of my fiance and I... The room is very simple yet very nice.
That poster-sized photo could be from the happiest day of his life, or otherwise represent a good memory for the young man. That's healthy.
Mr. Modtomic - Thanks for the heads up, since the links change each day we we update the post with new finds, you're probably checking it when we're busy editing and adjusting things! They all work as of this moment.
I love it - but as the parent of a messy 17 year old we have comprised - he just keeps his door closed and I don't worry about what his room looks like ;)
That live plant doesn't have a chance in the world.
Longboards are the wrongboards. Nice room, though.