Freddy's Avenger's Bedroom Makeover using Dulux Bedroom In A Box #asifbymagic

Dulux have a fantastic new concept in home decorating, the Bedroom-in-a-Box.  We were sent one to use in Freddy's bedroom, as part of a fantastic Avengers themed makeover.  The Bedroom-in-a-Box contains the matte emulsion paint for the walls, the quick dry satinwood paint for the woodwork, wallpaper adhesive and a wallpaper mural.  You just need the brushes and you are good to go!

The mural consists of 12 panels of top quality, thick, glossy paper, that is hung to create an amazing Avengers themed feature wall, transforming a bedroom into something really special.

Freddy is a huge superhero fan.  He loves dressing up as a superhero, playing with superhero toys, playing Marvel games on the XBox and watching his favourite superhero  movies.  So I was in no doubt at all that this bedroom makeover would make him happy!

We set aside a weekend to do the work and Ian and I double-teamed it to get the job done.  The painting was easy as the walls were a very similar shade of light blue, but a quick coat freshened them up.  We were impressed that the satinwood paint was water soluble so was easy to wash from the brush.  Gloss paint that has to be cleaned using turps was always such a pain to use. Satinwood is a much nicer way to paint the skirting boards and windowsills.  

 The mural hanging was something very new to us, as we have never used wallpaper in our decorating. But working together we were able to piece the panels together and trim the excess from the bottom edge quite successfully.   The Maximum Strength Wallpaper Adhesive was easy to make up and held the paper to the walls really well.  It was sticky enough to stop it from slipping, but had enough give in it to slide the pieces to match the pattern. Using a step ladder to hang the top half of the mural and using a soft cloth to gently work out any air bubbles and creases, we managed to achieve a smooth, crinkle-free end result, with the pattern pretty well aligned. We were impressed with the markings on each of the panels that made lining the pieces up much easier.  As total wallpaper beginners, I think we did a great job and we had a lot of fun working together! 

As with most houses, our walls and ceilings are not 100% straight and perpendicular to each other, which meant we had to trim some edges to make the mural fit at the corner of the room and this resulted in a very slight discrepancy when it came to aligning the last two panels, meaning Captain America's leg is not 100% lined up.  But it is very slight and doesn't show unless you look for it. It is only the perfectionist in me that notices it.  However, the overall quality and the finish of the mural looks amazing and it was very straightforward to do as a two man job.

The finished mural is vibrantly coloured and features Thor, Iron man, the Hulk, Captain America, Hawk Eye and the Falcon.  Unfortunately as Freddy's walls were a bit too small, we lost the Black Widow and Samuel L. Jackson's character who appear on the final piece of the mural, but that didn't distract from the finished wall at all. 

With the addition of a new Avengers duvet cover and with the placement of some of Freddy's superhero toys and books, we themed the room to match the mural and it looked brilliant.  The life size characters bursting into Freddy's room look so impressive.  Everyone who has seen it has thought it is brilliant!  It's a big improvement on his old room, which was looking a bit tired and a bit babyish for Freddy.

As for Freddy he was over the moon and used words such as 'awesome' and 'I love it'. The design features in imaginative games and he loves making up stories with his favourite characters in.  He knows who they all are and Captain America is his favourite. It is lovely for him to have a proper 'big boy's bedroom' in time for his 5th birthday.

Here is our video review of the Dulux Avengers Bedroom-in-a-Box featuring before and after scenes, tips on hanging the mural and Freddy's reaction to seeing his new room.  He was a little bit subdued, as he is ofetn is when confronted with something new, but ironically once the camera was switched off, he started jumping on the bed, cheering and shouting about how awesome his new room was.  (As you can see in the comic strip picture above!)

          

"We were provided with a Bedroom in a Box for the purposes of this review by Dulux and Tots100. You can find out more about the Bedroom in a Box range on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest." 

My Bedroom Dreams

Once upon a time my bedroom was a place for peaceful, childhood slumber.  A place to dream of wondrous and magical things, as vivid and as exciting as a child's endless imagination allows.  A bed filled with stuffed toys for cuddling and keeping any hint of monsters far away.

Later, it became a place for teenage solitude.  Away from parents, away from rules and regulations.  A place to hang out with friends, listen to angsty music and grow in the privacy of my own space.  With posters adorning the walls and shelves lined with books that would later shape my mind, my room helped me turn into who I would become.

Then came romance.  A love nest.  Somewhere to be alone with a loved one, safe, secure and happy in the company of the one I loved. A place for first kisses and the warm glow of  new romance.  Scented candles softly glowing and Endless Love playing on repeat to set the mood.

Being carried over the threshold saw the beginning of a new adventure.  Married life. The marital bedroom was a place for decision making.  Late night chats planning an exciting future together, snuggled in the security of each other's arms. A future full of possibilities lying ahead of us.  A wedding photo hanging on the wall.  Ornaments on the window sill.

Pregnancy made my bedroom my safe haven.  A cocoon to snuggle up inside at the end of each day.  Resting and waiting as the baby inside me developed and grew.  Extra cushions for comfort.  A cot positioned beside the bed in readiness for the new arrival, a promise of the changes to come.

A new baby brought sleepless nights, night time nursing and silent moments where I gazed upon my tiny miracle and felt the enormity and wonder of motherhood.  My bedroom was our sanctuary at 3am.

By the time that my fifth child came into my life, my bedroom had become a dumping ground for the kids' toys and clothes that they bring into my room with them as they seek me out to ask for things.  An overspill from their own bedrooms. My much loved bed has become a trampoline or a place to play hide and seek beneath the covers.  They play video games and watch TV in my room so my bed is always dishevilled by the time I get to crawl under the duvet at the end of a busy day.  My youngest wakes up most nights so his cotbed stays by our bed for convenience.  My sanctuary has become a family room. Some days the curtains don't even get opened in my rush to get up and out on the ever hectic school run.  I don't think I've had a full night's sleep for years.

With the cost and responsibilities of having five children, my bedroom has been sorely neglected and in dire need of some tlc.  The brown and beige paintwork is tired, the decor is shabby and there is a distinct lack of anything 'pretty' or feminine to mark it as my space.  My room is functional, but not personal, relaxing or tranquil.    Where once I had framed, family portraits hanging on my wall and beautiful wicker baskets on my shelves I now have a utilitarian storage unit holding plastic boxes filled with functional things.  The gorgeous co-ordinating bed linen  and cushions that once graced my bed have given way to mix and match duvet covers and fitted sheets. Spilled drinks, kids with tummy bugs or leaky nappies have ruined most of my luxury bedding.  Practicality and necessity has taken over from beauty and comfort.  I have no sanctuary anymore, nowhere to unwind and relax and simply be me.  I'd love to reclaim that space again.

My Drab Bedroom

A new colour scheme would be a simple yet uplifting start to a makeover.  Goodbye brown, dark and dreary, hello fresh and clean.  Natural hues would add a beautifully, delicate look. New lighting and fitted blinds would brighten up the room, inviting natural sunlight into our lives.  A beautifully framed mirror would reflect the light, opening up the room giving the illusion of extra space.  Luxury bedding, soft furnishings and rugs would give a fresh new look and add a subtle splash of colour.  Soft femininity would remind me of the woman behind the mother.  Shabby chic, vintage furniture would replace utilitarian storage units. A feature wall would add a striking statement and add a boldness that pays  tribute to the vibrancy of my remembered youth.

A wonderfully comfortable bed at the heart of the room would once again become a place to dream, to grow, to love, to reminisce, to relax, to unwind and to simply be. A comfortable space would help sleep to find me.  A room makeover could makeover my very being.

My Dream Bedroom by wendymcd83 on Polyvore

This blog post is part of the Silentnight Spring Bedroom Makeover Challenge.