More Work on Bryson's New Room!

I just had to share these 2 pictures. Bryson got a car for Christmas that will go along any black drawn line on paper, it is really cool! I got out a piece of butcher paper and let the boys draw their own tracks. They quickly learned that rounded lines worked much better that sharp corners when the car went on them.


I had grand plans to finish Bryson's room before Christmas break was over, well that isn't going to happen! But I did get some painting completed in his room as well as install some molding and wallpaper. I painted the south side of his room a pretty blue color that was on the same color stick as the navy blue that I am also going to use in his room.
Then I bought sheets of mdf and Todd helped me use the table saw to cut them into strips and I installed them on the wall (which was cheaper than buying pre-primed mdf moulding). They do not go up to the ceiling because I plan to add a shelf up there.
Here I am 8 months pregnant working hard! I finally am completely confident when using a nail-gun, I used to be scared of it but not anymore!
Making sure every piece was level before installing. I will need to use putty or caulk to fill in little gaps before painting it all the same blue as the wall.

Next, I also installed mdf strips along the rest of the room at chair-rail height. I cut a piece of mdf to use as a measuring piece to fit in-between the vertical slats (it is the horizontal pieces and will not stay there).
After making sure that everything is level then I used the nail gun to secure the mdf boards to the wall. I didn't worry about making sure that I attached them to studs, they held secure just into the drywall.
This is the finished pattern that will be on the wall behind Bryson's bed. This took forever for me to create these squares and measure the wall to make sure everything looks square and even!
Both of these pictures were taken at night, above with the flash off and below with the flash on.
I wanted to add some detail on Bryson't new built-in shelves and I got the idea of adding textured, paintable wallpaper to the sides:
I bought the wallpaper at Lowes, I think it was about $20 for the roll.
It was very simple to apply, thankfully since this was my first time putting up wallpaper, albeit a small amount!
First I cut it to length (I was not worried about the width as I was going to trim it out). Then I just soaked it in water in the laundry room sink for 5 minutes and applied it to the mdf. It held really well, while I straightened it and brushed the water bubbles out with this wallpaper brush that I borrowed from my dad.
While I let it dry I put a couple pieces of frog tape to keep it secure.

I still need to trim out the built-ins, install the top of the window seat, and paint, paint, paint!