This time last year we had just finished our first book tour stop in Cincinnati, where it was a joy to finally meet in person some of the names we’d long known from comments and the wider blog community. Now we’re excited to share a full room makeover for one of those friends: Sarah’s redesign of her son Carson’s bedroom. We first crossed paths with them in Ohio last October, and it’s wonderful to see how her project came together.
Hi John & Sherry! I’m not sure if you remember me — we met at your Cincinnati book signing and my boys were the ones who scribbled all over your signing book (which I still feel bad about). I recently finished redesigning my youngest son Carson’s room after transitioning him out of his crib last year. The space has changed a lot since we removed the crib:
[Photo gallery and full reveal on Sarah’s blog]
When I began planning Carson’s room, he requested a Cincinnati Reds and dinosaur theme. After trying, and failing, to persuade him toward another direction, I decided to embrace his ideas. It’s his room, so it should reflect his tastes and be a place he enjoys. My goal was simply to combine baseball and dinosaurs in a fun, kid-friendly way.
[More photos and project details on Sarah’s site]
Because the bed sits low to the floor and the wall above it offered a large, empty space, I wanted a big statement piece. I worried about anything heavy falling, so instead I painted a square of chalkboard paint directly on the wall and framed it with 1×4 pine planks attached securely to the studs. The result is a durable, oversized chalkboard that gives us a changing canvas for drawings, reminders, and creativity — perfect for a child whose interests change as quickly as his mood.
[Step-by-step instructions and materials list available on Sarah’s blog]
On the other side of the bed, I repurposed a small $7 Ikea shelf as a floating nightstand and turned an inexpensive wire basket into a rolling book cart. The book cart keeps favorites within reach and can be moved around for story time wherever we want.
[Photos of the nightstand and book cart]
Between the windows I installed slim floating shelves designed for books — they’re nearly invisible and hold Carson’s current favorites perfectly. I made the roman blinds myself using Premier Prints ZigZag Twill Storm fabric. A happy accident happened when I cut the fabric slightly short: I added grommets along the bottom to extend and finish the hem, and I absolutely love how that unexpected detail turned out. It’s one of my favorite little design wins.
[Custom blinds tutorial and fabric details]
My favorite element of the room is the gallery wall. A bright red Ikea cabinet inspired the red ceiling, which brings bold color into the space without overwhelming the neutral walls and simple furnishings. The red ceiling feels playful and energetic — ideal for a young boy’s room — while the neutral backdrop keeps the space calm and modern. The cabinet itself is perfect for hiding toys while keeping the room tidy.
[Gallery wall close-ups]
I had a ton of fun creating this room, and I’m thrilled that Carson really loves it. – Sarah
[Visit Sarah’s blog for additional photos, DIY sources, and project notes]
A quick note: Carson may have been the first child to scribble in our tour book, but he certainly wasn’t the last — and we loved every little drawing left for us. Those kid-made marks are tiny reminders of the joy and chaos that come with parenthood, and they always make us smile.
Overall, Carson’s room is playful, personal, and thoughtfully designed for a young child. Sarah struck a great balance between bold moments (like the red ceiling and gallery wall) and practical, kid-safe solutions (like the wall-mounted chalkboard and rolling book cart). We especially love the accidental grommet detail on the blinds, the sturdy framed chalkboard that can’t be pulled down, and the clever storage solutions that keep toys organized without sacrificing style.
Thanks so much for sharing this makeover, Sarah. It’s a fun reminder to let kids’ personalities guide design choices, to be resourceful with DIY fixes, and to embrace small happy accidents that can become signature details. What’s your favorite part of Carson’s room? We’re partial to the chalkboard art area and the red ceiling, but the rolling wire book bin and the custom blinds are strong contenders.