We've taken a few pages from beloved comic book superhero Superman throughout this youth room contruction process.
I present them now for your mental edification and continued construction prowess. Read on if you dare:
1. Everyone needs a Fortress of Solitude where paint samples, fabric swatches, and all accessory choices are banned like kryptonite. Go ahead. Take that Dove moment. You're going to need it. After all, Superman balanced reporter Clark Kent's life of newspaper deadlines with that of saving the world on a daily basis. Its going to get crazy, but I think you can handle a little sawdust and drywall mud thrown into the mix....its all about balance.
2. Despite the formidable name, Superman's good friends, Batman and Lois Lane were allowed entrance into the Fortress of Solitude. Its important to embrace the positive influences and people involved in the construction process. Encouraging the heart is important...especially when floor plans....or plans in general go awry. And they will! Oh, they will. Batman and Lois will come in handy when the drywall dust is flying and the paint fumes are beginning to permanently mess with your sense of smell. AND...Batman might actually be better at building things that Superman so just let him run with it. He is the Caped Crusader after all.
3. Bring out the red cape only when necessary. Very few things in life (and youth room construction projects) are really. really. for sure. absolutely. positively. without a doubt. worth fighting over. (You just got a general life lesson for FREE!)
In fact - they are so few that we at Jasper Nazarene are all still friends. Paint spattered and prematurely gray with all that drywall dust - but still friends.
No really! Its true! We still really REALLY like each other. We hug a lot around here ya know.
But what about paint colors?.....Nope. Always ask yourself this question: Will looking at this (insert color here) wall permanently burn my retinas, cause motion sickness, or otherwise scar the youth of America?
As long as the answer is "NO" then simply let it go. As long as the kids like it (and lets face it...they won't even realize the wall is painted for at least 6 months) that's what counts. It's their room after all. Their very own Fortress of Solitude....or in our case...Hormonal Teenage Angst and Chaos. :)
Come on. Pry those fingers loose. Take a deep breath.
**NOTE** IF you and your NYI sponsor HAPPEN to be smart enough to choose a pallet of darker, cafe-ish colors for the kids to pick from in the first place you MIGHT be able to skip the whole Fuschia vs. Electric Blue and Lime Green debate altogether.
Just an idea. Its not like Susan and I would know anything about that kind of thing ;)
Moving on....
Lighting choices?.....Not a chance...Well, maybe if someone tried to put a giant sparkly chandelier in the youth room. Or a replica of Mr. Parker's leg lamp from A Christmas Story. But only then. Do you hear me? Only then, young grasshopper.
Furniture/Accessories?.....Nada.....IF after big strong wonderfully-perfectionistic construction men have volunteered hours and hours and month after month of labor constructing a lovely room capable of teenage containment you actually have the energy left to haul furniture of any size, shape, or color up two flights of stairs...THEN thank the Lord above and refuse to desecrate their hard work with an unseemly fuss about fabric colors.
Its just not right I tell ya!
Lucky for us we all really like scarlet red and camel colored accessories. We're thinking we'll just smother the whole place in it ... bathrooms included. We really know how to make a statement.
What if the men get tired of sanding and hanging drywall and sanding and hammering and sanding and decide to replace the youth room with a man cave filled with lazy boy recliners for the sole purpose of watching sporting events?.....Go ahead. Knock 'em out! Permission granted. I mean it is your sanity at stake here. If this unfortunate event should occur just send about 15 teenagers up there and let them talk at their normal decible level for an hour. Problem solved.
4. The Man of Steel wasn't afraid to embrace his softer side at every opportunity. I bet he really got a kick out of the days he was able to throw on some jeans and flip flops and head down to Starbucks for a frappachino. How else would Lois Lane have fallen in love with him? (Forget the tights and giant red "S" for a few minutes, k?)
You too, my friend, must resist the constant use of bright primary colors. **See # 3. This is the only time you get to reopen the wall color discussion.**
Trust me. They'll love you for it later. Neutral is much more versatile. In fact its the new hot pink. Stand firm. You can do this. Go neutral. Go low key.....
Then at the last moment, rescue your room from a life of Clark Kent ordinariness and throw in a scarlet red couch (complete with fun loving accessories) - your very own giant red "S" to the world.
Best of luck....may the force be with you....or something like that ;)
Mandy
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