Before and After...

Well, tomorrow is our big day, our departure for our future as a family of four.  We've got a long journey before us (Tampa-Washington DC-Moscow-Vladivostok) and we've already traveled a long journey just to arrive where we are.  Part of the fun has been decorating the new room.  When Evan was born we, of course, created a beautiful nursery.  Little M is a bit beyond that stage and since Evan, for now, is so enthralled with the idea of sharing a bedroom with his little brother, I had the opportunity to create a new boys room.

We converted our playroom/kids guest room into the new boys bedroom, mostly because it had a window centered on a wide wall and it perfectly fit two twin beds, one on either side of the window.  Evan's old bedroom will become the new playroom/guestroom and now is home to a new desk for our school-aged boys.

Since we won't know for a while what theme will occupy little M's mind, and it wouldn't be fair to let Evan choose for both of them, I kept it pretty simple, just soothing cool grey tones, bright stripes and a fun rug with rockets, aliens, flying saucers, etc.  We took more than a few trips into Tampa to visit our closest IKEA.  The beds, as well as the closet conversion, are all from IKEA.  It will work out perfectly for now until they decide they've had enough of each other and want their own rooms.  The only thing left to do is finish up a valance for over the window.  It's half-built and can wait for our return.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our favorite next door neighbor, Ed, who helped us tear up old carpeting and lay down the beautiful new flooring and install lighting in the closet.  It couldn't have turned out more perfectly.  We are so blessed to have such a generous and talented neighbor who, luckily, has too much time on his hands.

So without further ado, the official unveiling of ......  

THE BOYS ROOM!

Before

Room for two and lots of storage.

Newly Organized Closet for Two!  

Stay tuned for the next post from Vladivostok!