When Alex was a high-school freshman, he asked for a room that felt more like a teenager’s space. He had outgrown the Magic picture and the red, white, and blue look. I set a $100 budget and went slightly over, using pieces we already had wherever I could.
A room based on his interests
Alex played trombone in the school marching band, so music became part of the room. I wanted it to reflect his personality rather than just my decorating preferences.
The Recipe for Success artwork added a little encouragement. I moved a pharmacy light from our family room after finding another light for that space.
Sheet music and a reused gallery wall
I bought a long picture frame because I liked the graphics already in it. I kept those and replaced only the center image with sheet music.
The gallery wall came from things we already owned. I painted a red star black to fit the new room. Getting the arrangement right involved making and patching more holes than I had hoped.
New bedding and black pillows
New bedding and black faux-leather pillows changed the bed. At the time, Alex hoped to attend Clemson University and become a doctor; those interests were part of making the room feel like his own.
Keeping the painted drop-cloth curtains
I moved the drum shade from his freestanding light onto the ceiling-fan light. The hand-painted drop-cloth curtains stayed: I had taped and painted them for an earlier project, and they still suited the room.
A display for his music and other interests
I displayed some of his Airsoft-related belongings alongside the music pieces. A Valentine card from his girlfriend also found a place in the room.
The wooden display came from Goodwill for $1; I thought it might originally have been a book display. The old music book cost $2, dated from 1940, and included music history.
Alex was happy with the result. For another makeover based on small changes to existing pieces, see our entertainment-center update.
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