Teen Boy Bedroom

It's the chill of New England Autumn and the lull of  a million outdoor fashion photoshoots is dying down with newly numb fingers and toes... so I have moved inside for a few interior updates., before opening the windows to let paint fumes out will mean letting snowflakes in. 

13 comes and suddenly your a pre-teen, spending the next 5 years of your 'childhood' finding your own identity and space. My son has entered that wonderful age where you endlessly love and adore him one second, then  the hormones hit out of no where and you realize: 'This kid needs space.'
Being 6'2" at 13, and finding that space, can be tough. My oldest son has "Goldilocks Syndrome". Meaning, our massive farm house, has been the spot where he likes to try one room after another. He is picky and is looking for the 'just right' bedroom to fit his needs, his space, his comfort and his size. He has landed on the in-law suite. So, we have turned the school room into his new tween pad. I mean... how surprising is it that a teen wants a mini apartment?

before & after

Here is the break down of what we used to create his new space. 
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PAINT
- As usual I went with my favorite paint - Ralph Lauren.
This time I tried their Polished Patina  in Historic Jasper. Its a sorta navy blue in the can and it dries a deep grey with flicks of gold., morphing as the sun changes and you move around the room.
*For warning; I was told 2 quarts (about 40 bucks total) would do the job., but it only did a small wall (6 feet by 7 feet high) and a larger wall that was mostly door opening. (about  10 - 11 feet by 7 feet total). 

- The cabinets I used a no-drip gel formula by Gidden Charcoal Grey High Gloss. Loved it! And excellent coverage. Would use again. Costs about 20 bucks a quart. 

*UPDATE: Although the fumes were terrible and we had to air out the room for 3 days now before he can sleep in there. 

CABINETS/COUNTER: 

- The counter top - that yellow., just wasn't working. This is a kids room., a 13 year old I-like-to-discover-and-destroy kid. I was not going install new cabinets or counter tops. 

-We covered the yellow counters with contact paper. Yes., that's right - the type you buy for 10 dollars and stick on your pantry shelves. Totally removable if he decides to change rooms or color themes. And he isn't cooking on the counters, only making toast or organic waffles at best. Its OK., it made the room look pulled together but close up inspection does show little imperfections. 

- We removed the doors to the top cabinet and I used just a standard white paint primer by Valspar.

- Anthropologie Hardware I had previously gotten, but are, unfortunately, no longer available. I still consider Anthro one of the best places to shop for unique draw pulls. 

Before

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FLOOR:
I was contemplating the floor for a while. but we have a few rooms that we need to sand and redo the hardwood., so we may eventually pull up that vinyl (that is currently place *stuck* over nice hardwood.) For now we covered the floor with a hand braided two-tone., grey and white wool rug from Homegoods and a cool grey and black rug from Anthropolgie. Also is a jute rug under that we scored on clearance at Lowes for $35. His floor is cozy and plush under your feet. 

ECT...

- The area to enter into where he has his bed and big antique chest of drawers is covered in Ikea curtains/panels that cost about $40. 

-The heavy wood sofa is tufted velvet from the 1800's. Heavy duty wood frame to support a big and growing boy. We purchased this in an antique store by the water front. 

After