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Dukes and Duchesses

Dallas Fort Worth Creative Lifestyle Blogger

Elijah homefront painting · Written by Randi Dukes

A Welcome Home Surprise

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Elijah arrives home tonight after a month away. I can’t wait to see his face and have him back home. A month felt like a very long time.
While Eli was away, I painted his room and added a couple of elements. I think he’ll be completely surprised. He’s been discussing color choices for quite some time so I’m sure the shades of gray will meet his approval. I painted the top of the room in Mountainside and the bottom in Wickham Gray.
Elijah’s loft bed is silver and his bedding is gray with a double-sided black/gray comforter.
A welcome home surprise
The lockers have to stay in all their banged up glory … not only do I love them but they’re just too darn hard to move! Even moving them a few feet to paint behind them was a trial.
A welcome home surprise
We hung this picture a few months ago … I took a photo of a display of very colorful skateboards at a local skate park, enlarged it, and framed it in silver.
A welcome home surprise
Elijah’s trophy collection has been displayed on narrow ledge shelves above his dresser but I’ve been disappointed by the sturdiness of those shelves. They’ve already fallen down once, mucking up the old paint job, and I didn’t want to deal with that again. Instead, I screwed a cheap galvanized box into the wall above his dresser and the trophies are spread among this shelf and the top of his dresser.
A welcome home surprise
I love this Lowe’s find … a silver, industrial-looking switchplate cover. A fun and cheap touch (about $1.50 – not much more than a regular switchplate cover).
A welcome home surprise
Elijah’s vintage desk is staying for now although I think it’ll soon be replaced by a larger, metal desk to accommodate mounting middle school homework.
A welcome home surprise
And I can never resist old metal letters. I had this E sitting in the cupboard and decided it would make a good paperweight on the bedside table.
A welcome home surprise
I hope Elijah loves the new look of his room … I do.
I’ve started truncating my posts … please pop over to my blog to read the rest!


15 Comments

About Randi Dukes

I’m Randi, a Dallas-based mom of five kids, ranging from third grade to college and including a set of twins. I love strong coffee, craft and DIY projects, my planner, and my big ol’ family. When I’m not creating something for my blog, I can be found in the car, running kids from one place to another. I’m the one knitting at the red light. Connect with me on google+ | twitter | facebook

« Attire for the Welcoming Committee
The Final (unless-insanity-kicks-in) Paint Job »

Comments

  1. "bigcanadiangirl" says

    July 29, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Looks great. Are you all meeting him at the airport?

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    July 29, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    What a cool room! I’m sure he’s going to love the changes! And I’m sure you can’t wait to get your arms around him!

    Reply
  3. barb says

    July 29, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    What a great room . I’m sure he’ll be surprised and will love it.

    Reply
  4. barb says

    July 29, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    Oh… and I love the pic of the boards. Very cool!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Butler says

    July 29, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    I love the room! You are such an inspiration to me..I don’t know how you do it all. You are one amazing wife and mother!

    Reply
  6. The Martin 6 says

    July 29, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    Perfect room for a teenager!!!

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    July 30, 2009 at 1:14 am

    Love the grey!! We just painted our room grey! It’s very boyish with all the metal accents. I hope he hasn’t grown up too much while he was away. And the mounting middle school homework… he’ll probably be way ahead and have none, Erin had less this year than elementary school.

    I am picturing a pregnant woman moving lockers 🙂

    Stop all the painting! You’re making us seem so boring with our same old colors 🙂 Your baby is going to be addicted to the smell of paint 🙂

    Reply
  8. Amy says

    July 30, 2009 at 2:27 am

    I love all of it! The skateboard photo is my favorite part!

    Reply
  9. duchess says

    July 30, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    Very cute room. What boy wouldn’t love it?
    I stopped by from Kimba’s & have to say – I love the name of your blog….my real name just happens to be Duchess. Fun.

    Reply
  10. Sara says

    July 30, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    The skateboard photo is cool. I am also diggin’ on the galvanized box shelf and the light switch. I have a 10 y.o. son who would love this room!

    Reply
  11. sarah says

    July 30, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    I love the light switch plate. Very cool room redo!

    Reply
  12. Lindsay@ THAT'S SO CUEGLY says

    July 30, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    What a fun surprise! A a great look! I love it! Thanks for sharing!Come check out my TRANSOFORMATION end table at DIY DAY!

    Reply
  13. Gina says

    July 31, 2009 at 1:27 am

    I love all the “cool” metal, and hope he does too. You made a great surprise.
    Found you through DIY Day. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Linda says

    August 1, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    So any reaction to report?

    Reply
  15. Green Willow Pond says

    October 9, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Awesome job! Looks like your son and mine share similar taste in decor! I love the light switch cover…we don’t have Lowe’s around here, only home depot. I don’t think they have these, but I’ll check. That textured metal (I think it’s called tread-tex?) was what I wanted to line the back of my son’s shelves with…until I found out it’s over $400 for a 4 x 8 sheet!

    Reply

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Welcome to Dukes & Duchesses!

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I’m Randi, a mom of five living in Dallas. I love strong coffee, long lists, bright colors, thrift stores, repurposed junk, and power tools.

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