Great idea! Do their Nerf darts actually stick to it? If so, I think it’s a great alternative to the cheesy Nerf bullseye. I do, however, see that chair getting very dirty as they climb over it to pull their darts back off. I would position it at eye level, somewhere they can get to it easily.

I just hope you realize that that art is going to become interactive very quickly, right? :)

This is such a good way to use up all those paint testers I have sitting in the basement right now.

Haha!

The bullseye art isn’t meant to be played with. But you could tweak it with some felt / velcro to make it work with Nerf, I guess.

Yeah, you definitely don’t need an entire quart of paint for this project.

The reading chair is great! Where’s it from?

The thin natural frame was the perfect finish for this piece. So perfect, Dana.

Can you tell us more about the wood frame?

Probably a dumb question, but does it matter what paint you use and/or how you apply it? I have several canvases that have paintings on them from Michael’s that I don’t like, have no personal meaning to me, and I have thought about just painting over them and doing something that more matches our style and/or letting the kids do something on them so it is more personal. Is it ok to use wall paint? Do you recommend a foam brush v. a roller v. a paintbrush? I should go back and look at your chevron bedroom print for some tips – just couldn’t remember if there was a tutorial with that one. I love the wood frame you did for yours – such an upgraded touch!

Don’t you have to move the chair to open up the drawers on the left side of the dresser?

Nope. There’s plenty of room for the drawers to clear the chair.

It depends on what type of paint is on the original canvas. But, generally, I use leftover wall paint and a small foam roller to cover the entire canvas for a blank slate. It takes ~2-3 coats. Then I’ll use acrylic craft paint (like I did for the chevron art in my bedroom) or latex wall paint (like I did here for the bullseye) for the actual design. I use small paint brushes or the cheap foam brushes to apply the design. Personally, I think the DIY art looks better if an eggshell or satin finish is used. These aren’t rules though.

Mostly I DIY art because I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for or because exactly what I want is too expensive so I’m making do with what I have. I would totally buy an original piece if I loved it and could afford it.

Where did you get the wool throw on the arm chair?

It’s unfinished pine trim. Technically, Home Depot refers to it as pine “lattice.” I found it in the aisle with all the molding and trim. It’s 1/4″ thick and 1 1/8″ wide. Mine was $0.52 / linear foot. I used an old hand saw to cut the mitered corners. (Sometimes I like doing things the old fashioned way.) I made all my cuts then attached the four lengths of pine onto the canvas frame with galvanized nails. I used 2 nails per side, nailing at the corners. The pine frame isn’t quite as deep as the canvas but it isn’t noticeable – especially against the dark wall. I like the raw look with the unfinished pine and nail heads showing. Originally, I was going to stain the pine but in the end I preferred the look of the natural wood. Plus, anything that allows me to skip some steps is a-ok in my book ;)

All in all, the frame cost ~$5 but I think it went a long way in giving the piece a more finished look.

The chair is Ikea. I switched out the original clunky legs for some tapered ones from Pretty Pegs.

I know. The boys and I were pleased with the bullseye canvas but after I added the frame we were all, like, “Okay, now it’s awesome.”

Etsy!

I’d love a wood-frame tutorial!!! Such a great idea to help make canvas art look more finished! Love your blog!

Scroll up a little…I gave more details on how I made the frame above in the comments.

Dana, this is fantastic. Once again you’ve added subtle textures and layering to make a space feel cohesive, yet unexpected and fresh. You are currently my biggest decor inspiration. I also love how your style has developed and matured since your last house–don’t get me wrong, it was great then, too.

I might just have to copy your bullseye art, like I did your gold canvas here ;)
http://beautifulprotest.com/blog/2014/4/22/canvas-reincarnation

Cute touch, looks like a quick and easy way to add some art.

I was most struck by the chair & leather footstool. I would have NEVER guessed that was an IKEA chair. Those Prettypegs really take it up a notch. I’m going to have to get some for our couch (same series as your chair). Where did you find the footstool? Love the clean simple lines.

I love how the room is growing.This makes a great grown up room, a den.Honestly doesnt look like two young boys live there.From a design perspective, is it practical or advisable to have a hanging planter,white slip covered sofa, leather ottaman etc in childrens room? Dont they get curious, try drawing something,use their pretend toys on them,throw some balls etc in the room?I mean my daughter tries rain shower with her blocks standing on her bed and and she is just 3.

Style wise this is excellently done,just curious , function and purpose wise how this play out.

Love this little corner! The art looks great and the concept could totally be used with different colors in other rooms, too.

The foot stool is vintage. I found it on ebay.

The boys requested plants in their room. They actually wanted a tree! I went with a hanging planter to free up floor space for play. We had white slipcovered chairs in our previous home and I got so many *gasp* “it’s white!” comments. But really they are kid-friendly. I just threw the covers in the wash a few times a year and they looked like brand new. Layne asked for a chair to read in. He absolutely LOVES to read – chooses reading over most things most of the time. I chose a cushy, slipcovered one in white because we had such a good experience with similar ones in our previous home. The ottoman is vintage and it’s vinyl which is ideal. It just wipes off! And since it’s been around the block already, I have no worries about keeping it in pristine condition since it didn’t come to us that way. Layne likes propping his feet up on it and they also use it to grab things off shelves in their closet.

My boys (6 & 9) can be rambunctious and curious and nothing in the room keeps them from being so. At the same time, I made it a point to incorporate items that would grow with them. Like you said, I can see many pieces following them well into adulthood…if they want them. So far, the boys are very excited about the changes in their room.

Oh! And it’s vinyl not leather so it’s perfect for kids!!

Very cool, but it’s not a bull’s eye. It’s a British Royal Air Force roundel. A roundel is painted on the sides of RAF aircraft to identify them. Google “RAF roundel” and you’ll see yours is a perfect match. The U.S. Air Force roundel is even cooler. Paint that next! Thanks from a fan, John W., Lt Col, USAF (Retired)

Oh, so cool! Thanks for educating me ;) The boys are going to be even more excited when I tell them this!! But most of all, thank you for your service.

Thank you for the reply! I too would love to add original art to out home, esp when found on any travels that we do. For now, some of our original “art” is done by our kids, which has special meaning to us.

I just looked up the U.S. roundel and it is very cool. I like the idea that your boys have a room that is more fixed up or mature or dressed up, I don’t know the right word. I think that it makes them aware of their space and taking care of it. Not that I think they can’t or won’t trash it sometimes but it is nice to look at and easy for them to straighten up. The chair is white and if they draw on it or wipe dirty hands on it they are aware and can see what it takes to fix it up again. I’m not verbalizing this well but anyway I like the room and the art!

Looks great! Well done you. Would you mind telling me where you got the cushion on the chair from? The half cream / half tan leather one… Many thanks!

Most of the Nerf darts have a mini suction cup, and stick well to solid surfaces, especially glass or mirror. I love it as art, but how fun for them if it was multifunctional since it’s in a boys’ room. I wouldn’t have a choice if it was in my son’s room, lol… boys!

The pillow is suede and faux leather. I found it on etsy!

They wanted plants or a tree. I love that! Boys around here asked for Superheroes (I bought vintage tins), and now (at 8 and 9) it’s posters of their favorite dirtbike racers. There was a day I never thought I would have an unframed poster ANYwhere in my house, but I have definitely given in. They’re only kids once. I love that I still get to make all of the decorating choices in my 1 yr old daughter’s room, which will soon be shared with her very soon to arrive baby brother. I think it’s great to see children develop their own likes and dislikes. I figure someday I’ll be trying to convince my daughter that a princess room doesn’t need to include a Disney princess packaged bedding set (crossing my fingers on that one!). Soft pink ruffles and luxurious sheets are much better for a Princess. ;) Maybe this baby boy I’m growing will want a vintage industrial room inspired bt the pages of a RH catalog, and I won’t need to make many changes to the nursery. Oh, it’s so fun decorating a nursery! My dream plan is that this nursery grows with them. If my kids were like yours, it certainly would. However, I know someday I’ll be avoiding the childrens’ character bedding isle as long as I can, and maybe I’ll even be pulling those 8 metal Superhero pictures out of storage someday. Maybe your daughter will be like your boys, or maybe you’ll be racing past the character bedding too. I’ll cross my fingers for you too. ;)

Great idea- perfect for the boys’ room design I’m currently working on!!

Thanks for sharing,
Jenna
http://pizzigatidesigns.tumblr.com/

Looks cool!

Could I just ask if the blind cord has some inbuilt safety feature? It looks a bit dangerous dangling at little persons head height.

There’s no built-in feature. The woven blinds are purely cosmetic for us – although they are functional. We have pull-down blackout shades installed within the window frames of all bedroom windows. In the two years we’ve lived here the kids haven’t messed with the shades but we try to keep the ends tied up on the wall hook somewhat.

Love it all! I don’t think anyone has asked this yet but where is the blue pillow on the chair from?

Etsy! The shop is OrientalTribe11. I have a few of their pillows and love them!

What an absolute treat for your boys to have a handmade piece of art from their mom — you! I can just imagine them thinking of you each time they look at it. What am I saying?! They’re boys, and if they’re anything like my boys were at that age, their minds are on so many other things that they don’t always think about what’s in their room. So let me say that it’s awesome that you made something so cool for them :-)

I love this! would you mind sharing the actual paint colors?

Sure! They are Martha Stewart maine lobster red and gabardine.

I opened this post to (try to) show my boy the duvets and he yelled for me to stop scrolling because he saw something awesome – that painting! I know what we’re doing this afternoon now :)

Now that it’s been a little, how’s the white chair holding up? Can the cover be removed to wash it?

The cover can be removed for washing. We had similar slipcovered chairs from Ikea in our previous home and I washed them several times. They always looked like new after a good wash. I imagine this chair will be similar in that regard but it’s actually holding up so well (we don’t eat in this room) that I haven’t had to wash it yet.

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