Sam's Room

Sam's nursery was a modest affair. The colors were light blue and light green. The light blue ticking quilt we already had, and I found a discontinued Land of Nod crib set on eBay that sort of matched. We turned an old dresser into a changing table. We kept the double bed from the room's days as a guest bedroom, and let me tell you, it came in quite handy those first few months. But Sam's nursery days are behind him, and I'm planning on turning his room into a big boy room.

I've had tons more fun thinking about Sam's Room 2.0 than I did the beta version. I can only imagine that's due to my obsession with Pinterest. And, am I late to the game? I also discovered another fun website to wile away many the hour, called Houzz, which has some fun kid's rooms. And then, just in case I'd like to quit my full-time job to pursue a life of interior-design, I found Olioboard.

Olioboard is fun. I created this board in a half hour. I just pulled together all the ideas I've had floating out there for Sam's room into one place. People are doing some really amazing things with their boards on the site, but I've barely scratched the surface.

I'm thinking a mix of different, perhaps even clashing, hues of blue (really trying not to be too matchy) with some orange accents.

My goals for this room:

• To keep the chair we have already (a sweet deal from Urban Outfitters that I first discovered on -- wait for it -- Pinterest), in addition to our blue rug -- a great find from the Pottery Barn outlet in S.C.
• To reflect Sam's personality. His favorite color is orange. He has a passion for all vehicles. And we think he may have a real penchant for geography.
• To paint the walls a bolder hue. Maybe just an accent wall.
• To introduce elements that will grow with him.
• To turn his room into a place where he will actually want to hang out and play (he currently views it as a sleep-only space).
• To gain more storage. Currently his books are randomly tucked everywhere, and I'm sure we'll continue to accumulate toys. The plan is to get some variation of the Expedit from IKEA, perhaps coupled with some colorful storage baskets.

I have heard from a reliable source that my stepfather is itching to make Sam a toy chest, so that will be taken care of, if we're lucky. We're also thinking about buying him a trundle bed (see the image in the montage with the green quilt), in anticipation of future sleepovers. And I'm almost 100% sure I'm going to buy this sweet DwellStudio comforter I've had my eye on. Just don't tell Bruce.

What do you think? Is it a little too stimulating? We don't want him sleeping less than he already does.