You know how good it feels to finish something you’ve been working on (edit: dragging your heels on) forever? Like you’re on cloud nine, right? I am TOTALLY up there right now because I finally finished (like yesterday – no joke), my son’s nursery to big boy room makeover, and I am ecstatic to finally be showing you his vintage airplane bedroom reveal! 
It was a total budget re-do and it is chock FULL of DIY projects that I’ll be spilling the details on over the next few weeks. It’s also full of hand-me-downs and thrift shop finds, but that adds to the vintage look of it all!
Before I show you the photos of what it looks like now, let me give you a snapshot of what it looked like as a gender neutral nursery. It was so cute (I think!), but it was time for my little guy to get his own space that was personalized for him. 
But now here’s what you see when you walk into the room!
The DIY flying airplane lamp that sits atop the chalk painted bookcase is one of my favorite things in here. 
This Target bookcase looks a lot better now that it has a fresh coat of paint, and the Ikea Spontan Magnetic Board is also much cuter with a paint job. (Did you notice the camera on the bookcase? That’s so I can spy on my little guy while he’s sleeping. I wonder how long he will allow me to get away with still using the baby monitor?)
And this little personalized banner is made out of envelopes. Fun!
Adding artwork above the bunk bed was a little tricky. I needed something super flat so that the person sleeping up there wouldn’t get hit by the art, or wouldn’t knock it off the wall. I came up with this DIY vintage patent art that I am OBSESSED with! When I was practicing law, I did several patent cases (much to my chagrin – patents were not my thing), so these amazing aviation patent figures are a great nod to my past as a professional and a fun, personal touch to this room! The super flat canvases also make the perfect backdrop.
And here’s the SUPER FUN chalkboard wall! Did you know you can tint chalkboard paint to almost any color? This one is navy blue. Love it. (And so do the kids, by the way.) Wait, actually it is kind of annoying to clean up the dust that the chalk leaves. So maybe I don’t love it. At least it looks cool. 
Here’s the dresser area. This was my childhood dresser that I gave a makeover just for my boy. (You can get all the details here.) I love that we were able to keep this piece even though it was outdated. 
And I just about did a backflip when I found that propeller at HomeGoods. Of course it threw itself into my shopping cart. Then I added an aviation-inspired print that used to be my Grandpa’s, and some thrift shop upcycles that include my son’s monogram and some special coordinates. 
Some DIY map art above the radiator adds to the adventure theme of it all. 
Being in this room just makes me happy. My little guy absolutely loves it, too, and that’s what’s really important. 
I have to say that as much fun as I had putting it together, I am glad it’s finished now. I have about 37 other projects that I’ve been neglecting, so it’s time to get moving on those! 
– Bre
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Sarah says
Where did you get the lamp with the airplanes inside?
Bre says
Hi! I made it! I got a plain fillable lamp at Target, and then used clear fishing line to hang metal airplanes from Dollar Tree inside! 🙂
Charlotte says
Where did you get bunk beds.
Bre says
Hi! We bought them used through a local resale site, so unfortunately I don’t know where they came from! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
What a fantastic idea! I love the theme, and that chalk wall corner is incredible. Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/06/11/home-matters-linky-party-41/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Bre says
Hi, Lorelai! Thank you! And thank you for the invitation to your party! I am sorry I missed it for this post; I was taking a little blog break. But I will check it out in the future. Thanks again!
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home says
Oh Bre! I just love Charlie’s big boy room. I love vintage airplanes as a theme for a little boy’s room. You did just a great job with all the special touches.
Bre says
Thank you, Carrie! I appreciate it!
Breanna says
Bre! This is so cute! And you know I have a soft spot for aviation 😉 I’m sure he absolutely loves it and I hope he appreciates all your hard work. Totally in love with those vintage prints too 🙂
Bre says
Thanks so much, Bre! He is definitely excited to have his room all finished! 🙂 And I’m grateful he still likes airplanes (I was confident he was going to change his mind halfway through the makeover).
Katie @ Little House of Four says
Wow Bre, you did an amazing job! I love all the DIY projects and fun airplane details. Your little guy is so lucky to have an amazing room.
Bre says
Thanks so much, Katie! I appreciate it, especially because your kids have such adorable rooms!
Elizabeth says
I LOVE THIS!!! It is so so cute. The details are amazing and your lettering on the chalkboard is beautiful. And bunk beds–so fun!! I’m sure those provided some fun. 🙂 awesome job. xo
Bre says
THANK YOU!! 🙂 xo
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
Bre, this room is adorable! Your little guy sure is lucky to have this super cool room!
Bre says
Hi, Jenny! Thank you!! Well, the poor little dude only had to wait about seven months for me to finish it. Ha! 🙂 Thanks for your sweet note!
Leia @ Eat It & Say Yum says
Wow, Bre! It looks awesome! I love all the DIY projects you did to make it so personal and fit your theme. Very cute!
Bre says
Hi, friend! Thank you!! 🙂 It definitely was not a painstaking project like your daughter’s room, but I am happy to have it finished and off the list of things to do!
Christine says
B, it looks amazing!! Your kids are so lucky to have such a wonderful mom – who is also super talented!! I wish we lived closer and you could help me with Baby Girl’s currently blank walls 🙂
Bre says
Aw sweetie I wish I were closer, too! I would litter your walls with gold confetti! (Babies like gold. Right?) xo
Kristi says
Oh my gosh Bre! You’ve totally thought of everything – each and every detail brings so much fun and personality to the space! LOVE the chalkboard and those plane patent prints, and that propeller was definitely the find of the century!!! It’s absolutely perfect and I bet that little man of yours absolutely adores his new big boy bedroom!
Bre says
Thanks so much, sweet friend! Your kind words are SO appreciated! 🙂 He is definitely happy to have his big boy room. I know your little man can relate now that he has his sweet digs! xo