In the Big Kids Room with What’s Up Moms’ Brooke Mahan

Let’s just call this amazing collaboration what it is—a perfect match made in design heaven. We first saw Brooke Mahan of What’s Up Moms team up with PN contributors and interior design team extraordinaire J&J Design Group when they collaborated on Brooke’s second son Calvin’s colorful and creative nursery. She hinted that she would love to work with Jen and Jo again, this time on her older son Lincoln’s big boy room, and—spoiler alert—her wish came true.

We couldn’t wait to get a peek inside the finished space, and it’s every bit as amazing as little Calvin’s nursery—even with the high expectations and uber specific requests of their four-year-old client. So without further ado, here is Lincoln’s modern eclectic big boy room.

Tell us about the design process. We know you worked with our friends and PN contributors, the fabulous J&J Design Group. How did you jumpstart the project with them?
We went on a trip over the summer, and my three-and-a-half-year-old son Lincoln slept in a grown-up bed for the first time. Once we got home, he did not want to sleep in his toddler bed (which was basically his crib with the side removed) anymore. I knew I had to move fast, so I made a desperate call to Jen and Jo from J&J Design Group, and luckily they were up for the challenge. Since we needed the bed ASAP, that’s where we started. Lincoln really wanted a blue bed (which I wasn’t so sure about since his favorite color changes on a weekly basis), but they found this amazing navy tufted bed from All Modern that both Lincoln and I loved. They recommended a full so it could grow with him into his teenage years, and I’m so happy because now there’s plenty of room for us to read stories at bedtime.

Bed | Duvet Cover | Mattress | Cassette Tape Monogram | Wallpaper | PacMan Light

Rug

What was the most important thing you wanted to achieve when creating this space?
Putting together a room is a lot of work, so I wanted to create a space that Lincoln would love now but that would also grow with him through the years. Jen and Jo are so great at making their rooms personal and special without having them revolve around a theme that the child may grow out of quickly. They chose really beautiful furniture that seemed perfect for a four-year-old or a 14-year-old. And then they added in elements like pillows, books and toys that reflect the things Lincoln loves right now.

Bookworm Vintage Storybook Letters

Did your son have any particular requests for his big boy room?
Haha, yes, my son has lots of opinions and was very involved in this process! The blue bed was a big one, and he also wanted a desk “like mommy and daddy.” Then we made a list of his favorite things, and it included music, trains, animals and anything related to trash. Jen and Jo came up with the most amazing and creative ways to layer these themes into the room.

Desk | Roman Shades

Chair

What is your favorite thing about the room? What is your son’s favorite?
My favorite thing is probably the aviator sunglasses mirror over the dresser. Jo made it by hand, and it’s incredible. Lincoln’s favorite is definitely the hanging chair. He thinks it is so cool that he has a swing in his room!

Aviators Mirror | Half Moon Basket | Grid Basket

Clock Radio

Hanging Chair

Two things we also paid special attention to were his mattress and window coverings. Lincoln has never been a great sleeper, and now I think it was in part due to his mattress and how light his room was. We installed blackout roman shades and splurged a little on a really nice mattress, and he sleeps SO much longer now! Totally worth it.

Photography by Lu Tapp of Dustylu Photography

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