Roman's been asking, for probably a year now, to paint his room dark green.
I ignored the request for a while, thinking he would forget about it and move on, but he was persistent!
I didn't want a dark green room in my house! I had worked hard through the years to make our house light and airy. I tried to explain to Roman a dark green room would make him feel closed in, like he was living in a cave.
Eventually he wore me down and I agreed to stop at the paint store for samples.
The tipping point was when he finally said, "Mom, it's just one room." I realized that was reasonable, and maybe I was being too controlling. It is his room after all. Well, his and Soren's. They share the room.
Soren was all in. So I decided, being a mother who delights in seeing children happy, that I was going all in, too.
Our home belongs to all of us, so... team green!
💚💚
I soon learned that agreeing to a dark green bedroom was the easy part. What followed was about a week of agonizing over paint choices!
20 dollars for samples and four trips to Home Depot later, I still didn't know which green to choose!
I finally grew so tired of my indecision that in defeated reluctance I sighed, "Roman, you choose!"
I was apprehensive but this was his idea and his vision. It's just paint, I told myself. He picked "Vine Leaf" by Behr. A very dark, rich, manly green.
I made sure there were no yellow undertones because I didn't want pea green. I also made sure there were no brown undertones because I didn't want a muddy green.
Oh, the anxiety!
But the moment I got the first brush stroke on the walls all my anxiety melted away...
I loved it!! It's deep, dramatic, and looks emerald in some light.
It makes the white shelf pop and the original woodwork sing.
The room is fairly large with windows on two sides, receiving morning light. So it isn't stuffy or cave-like at all!
I didn't want to go dark green because I didn't think I'd like it. But now I'm converted. Dark green is the new white! Haha.
Decorating was the fun part!
We wanted a warm, handsome outcome, using books, live plants, and brass accents.
We are over the moon with the result!
The boys' room, before and during...
Roman built this table and painted it using one of the sample paints we bought. It was nice to know at least one of those sample jars didn't go to waste. I think it turned out very nice.
I allowed the boys a lot of personal expression in this room.
They each decorated their bedside tables...
As well as the shelf that wraps around the room with their favorite artwork, toys, and books.
I also allowed them to each select one decor item from Hobby Lobby, which they found quite fun!
Other than that, the room was cobbled together using what we already had.
Their Hobby Lobby selections were this tree and bear silhouette...
And leopard throw pillows.
The purpose for this freedom of expression is that hopefully they will feel a sort of jurisdiction over the room, and keep it well and tidy.
Now I'm glad I was pestered into doing this! I love their newly painted room so much! Even though the process involved giving Roman our beloved antique brass bed.
