Room of the Day: 3 Brothers Share 1 Big Bedroom in Hawaii

When an American couple living in Asia decided to build a vacation home on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii, they asked architect Tony De Jesus to create a single bedroom for their three boys. Although there was enough space for everyone to have separate rooms in the house, the owners wanted the youngsters, who ranged in age from 3 to 9, to experience an old-fashioned shared bedroom. “They wanted the room to be a great play area for the kids,” recalls De Jesus. “Most of all, they wanted it to be fun.”

The owners requested places where the kids could sleep, study, play video games and read. To fit all those functions into one 14- by 24-foot space, De Jesus built a loft and tucked two full-size beds and a desk underneath; the loft holds a pair of twin beds.

“It’s not a beach house, but they wanted it to feel like it was near water,” says the architect. To give the room a maritime feeling, he covered the walls with board and batten and applied PPG Pittsburgh Paints’ Sheffield Gray. “The whole space is wood paneled, so it’s very durable,” De Jesus says.

A TV hangs above a custom cabinet adorned with colorful drawer fronts chosen by the boys. Valances over the windows conceal shades.


The full-size beds accommodate sleepovers and are fitted with drawers underneath for extra storage. The railing above is inset with a decorative panel inspired by the heliconia plant — a common design motif in Hawaii.

The loft was designed to be a refuge for quieter activities, like reading.



Alternating stairs lead to the loft and double as display and storage space. (De Jesus designed a similar system for his own home.) The railings ensure a safe ascent.

The floor is koala wood — a hardwood that resembles Hawaiian koa but is more affordable and sustainable.


The shelf above the beds gives each boy a place to display personal possessions, so he can feel a sense of ownership for his space.

As the boys age, they can move into their own private rooms. But for now they’re building relationships and memories.

More: A Place of His Own: Boy’s First Bedroom

URL: Room of the Day: 3 Brothers Share 1 Big Bedroom in Hawaii http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-22767.html