Having a tween is quite an adventure (having 2 is even more chaotic), but I’m truly enjoying every moment of it (except for all the endless driving, thank goodness for carpools). Throughout the day, they are exploring different personas, experimenting with various interests at lightning speed, but come nighttime, all they want is to snuggle with their mom. I remember writing a public service announcement last year advising against making any permanent changes in their rooms for this exact reason (Elliot was once so tired of her wallpaper that she pleaded for a change). She constantly wants to redecorate her room (I promised her we’d reconsider at 13, giving the wallpaper a 5-year lifespan – not my proudest moment, but I’m okay with it). On the other hand, Charlie is adamant about not letting me touch his room; he adores it and only wants to add things like posters and trinkets, fearing that I might add butterfly wallpaper. With other priorities on my plate (and having learned my lesson from Elliot’s room), I haven’t pushed for any changes. However, recently, he expressed a desire for a significant alteration that deviates from conventional design norms, and being the “yes” mom that I am, I gave him the green light.
But first… Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit what their shared room looked like during the first year we lived here.
2023 – The Shared Room
They used to share a room (by their choice, with Elliot’s bed left unoccupied) featuring two IKEA bed frames and a plethora of stuffed animals. It was incredibly adorable, and they occasionally still bring a portable mattress into his room for weekend sleepovers.
I began collecting charming vintage and pop-inspired furniture pieces that he enjoyed, albeit with the limited taste of a 9-year-old boy. However, I refrained from making any significant changes knowing that it was temporary.
2023 – Charlie’s Solo Room
Fast forward to when Elliot moved out (around 8 and 10 years old). The corner sofa looked charming at that time, before his drum obsession kicked in.
While not meticulously designed, this room exuded a childlike charm that never failed to bring a smile to my face. The green bookcase has since found a new home in his larger closet (which is currently a mess, to be honest).