Decorating PreTeen room. Swords, Knives.....?

Question

Anyone out there with aboy that loves ninjas? swords? knives?
We are currently moving and I need a new theme for his room and I just cant come up with one. His last room was white and I hand painted Kanji ALL OVER his room! Now he has grown up a bit and loves swords and ninja stuff and knives. And I don't know where to start. He was thinking of red walls which i think is a bit bold. He also said gunshot walls. Big "no" there! He has caninets for his knives/swords. Anyone out there done any kind of boy themed room anything like this and care to share it? Oh, I should add that he has bunk beds and black comforters for those brainstormers. He has 2 large windows in his room and a huge wall length built in dresser like thing too. No clue what to do with it! Its waist high, counter topped, and full of drawers. He has more wall stuff. Not much to put on the counter top. Any ideas would be appreciated if they are serious! Thanks!

Answer 1

For one thing, I'm not going to try to tell you how to raise your sone. This has obviously been an interest of his for some time, and secondly you mention there are customized cabinets for his collection. Sounds like you already have the basics for a really great room. I agree with you in that the read as an allover wall color is over the top. Why not choose one wall behind his bunkbeds for an accent wall in crimson. You can then either freehand or use an overhead projector to sketch Kanji symbols. I would then use gold leaf or something similar to paint them and etch in the outside borders with black charcoals from the art department. I would then paint the three remaining walls in a steel color and paint all his trim and the built in dresser unit in black laquer. You can purchase brass drawer hardware pretty inexpensively. Depending on the top, it could be sanded and painted in the red, or a length of red silk cut and sewn to cover.

Keeping with the theme of the room, why not a matched set of tall brass candlestick lamps and a bonsai plant or even a water feature for the top? Maybe a black handpainted valet tray for grooming accessories or just to empty his pockets each night. You can puchase roll-type matchstick blinds and use simple, unembellished, black drapes on the windows.

In oriental design, less really is more. A few personal touches and your son will have a room that will carry him to college. Good luck with the project, and cudos for helping him create his own space in the family home!

Answer 2

If the gunshot walls were a big "no", I cannot imagine why anything with swords and knives wouldn't also be a big "NO". What is a teenager doing with a knife/sword collection? OMG.
This is a teenager's clever way of maintaining an interest in weapons without alarming parents. Parents think oh, it's all about martial arts but in reality, I think it is more the romance of weapons, which for boys that age is exciting because it's taboo.
If he's interested in martial arts, maybe you could do his room with an asian theme yet skip all the weapons. Maybe you could use a subdued red paint and then paint a metallic gold dragon on the wall.

Answer 3

Try this: Paint the walls a medium maroon color. Then in Gold paint, put HUGE Kanji symbols on the walls. That will make the room seem brighter. Then hang his swords and stuff on the walls. Also for the room's windows, you should see if you can find some window paint and make the windows look like they are the doors of a Japanese house. (I have no idea what the technical name of the doors is.) Also check out this website, they have ALL kinds things. www.haikudesigns.com
I have included two websites that can give you some ideas for things to put on the dresser. Hobby Lobby is a craft store that usually has tons of stuff for whatever you have in mind. Oriental Trading has all kinds of stuff too. Hope that this helps! If you need anything else feel free to email me! [e-mail]

Answer 4

My macho nephew, age 16 was fascinated with a 'peaceful lion' wall hanging. Everyone loved it...
Just a thought...
If your pre-teen son hates that idea, and insists on Ninja
it may be too late to build appreciation for the lofty ideal
namely, peace. I sincerely hope not

Answer 5

I wouldn't want my teenage son to have anything that falls into the weapon category because there are so many things that can go wrong. Teenagers (especially boys, and especially if they are with friends) are notorious for being irresponsible. I would tell my son he can have weapons on his wall when he moves into his own home.

Answer 6

since he seems to like crimson you cood make a color like black or a steel gray with a chinese dragon on eatch wall or something like that. ^_^ if he likes dragons that is