How to create a guest bedroom for 7 grandsons…

My husband Barry and I are blessed with 9 grandchildren, 2 girls (each 11 years old) and 7 grandsons in-a-row (ages 10, 8, 8, 7, 5, 4, 4). AND we have a new little grandbaby on the way, due in July!

Last May, Barry and I moved from a historic home with a postage-stamp sized back yard (not too good for romping and playing) to a fixer-upper home with a huge to-be-played-in back yard and a harbor view.  The back yard for the grandkids was the easiest sell…

Next came creating indoor spaces for the grandkids to feel comfy while visiting and/or sleepovers, and that could grow with them. Our new old (1800’s) home has 4 bedrooms, each with interesting, angled ceilings due to dormers.  Each room in our new home (walls and ceilings) had been painted flat beige, and 1960’s-style trim, stained dark brown, was everywhere.  These things had to go; and every room in our home needed carpets ripped up and/or serious hardwoods repair and refinishing.

For our 7 grandsons, Barry and I chose the only bedroom with no closet, giving us a bit more space to accommodate all that energy; and we set about our work.  We wanted a theme for the room that didn’t reflect any one boy’s personality, talents or likes; so we thought and thought and walked in and out of that room many, many times.

Then it struck us.  We live near the harbor in a lovely harbor town, so why not a NAUTICAL theme?

The old, dull, stained hardwood floor was restored to its beauty (incredible transformation).  The old, impossible to open double window had to be replaced. Then we painted the walls Coastal Vista flat; and primed, primed, primed and painted the trim semi-gloss bright white.

We wanted this space to be the boys’ own coastal vista…

We squeezed in 3 twin beds that we slide together for sleepovers.  Coverlets and dust ruffles (had to be masculine!) are from T.J. Maxx.

I bought the pillowcases from our local Ocean State Job Lot and had each boy’s initial embroidered on them.  They LOVE their own pillows!  The plaid pillows are Tommy Hilfiger, also from Ocean State Job Lot- $5.00 each.

The 2 valances are a heavy navy blue weave, also Ocean State Job Lot– priced at $60.00. I got them on sale for a total of $4.00.  That’s $4, not $40.  Score.

Barry and I love our old, oak manufacturing piece, stamped The Tubbs Mfg. Co./Ludington, Mich.– we got it at a flea market decades ago and find it is perfect in the boys’ room to store a collection of books we’re building for them AND sleeping bags…

Then there’s the skull-head “pirate” bean bag for a touch of nautical excitement & adventure…

And the fun details…

Barry and I discovered this International Code gem, all framed and perfect, at Brimfield Antique Show in a pile of stuff – $20.00.  The boys are fascinated with the codes, the flags… and have learned more than we could have imagined.

We picked up this map at a local boating store and framed it.  The boys love finding familiar locations on this map.

Barry won this photograph at a golf function a few years ago… perfect for the boys’ room.

I recycled the mirror and lamp from another room in our old house; and thought our Maxwell Mays harbor print was especially perfect for the boys’ room…

Then there’s the message… nautical in theme, inspirational on life’s journeys and adventures, and on a clear or foggy day way to help make our 7 grandsons’ greatest dreams come true…

Our grandboys’ room in our new home is perfect for 7 guys who like to be together, who love learning new things and who love adventure.  They’ve even suggested an interest in sailing lessons this coming summer at the harbor in our new little town.

In the meantime, Grandpa and I are always on the lookout for awesome little touches (like fun headboards) to add to the boys’ room.  We hope our grandsons always remember coming here, sleeping here, laughing here, learning here, and most especially, feeling LOVED here.

Next up… How to create a guest bedroom for 2 ‘tween granddaughters!