What about waiting until they have arrived and settled in. All of you can make the decisions together and it can be the first "family" project. That way you can guide them and they will end up proud of "their" room.

I think it's wonderful that you are trying to involve and please them and make them excited to have a new home that is "theirs." You may be locked into trying to make those colors work, but all I can think about is how emotional this change is going to be for them, they're boys, AND are going to probably have some BIG feelings as they make this transition and adjustment. I'm wondering if the emotional impact of a RED room might have the opposite effect they may need for a while. Perhaps a more neutral and ccalming wall color and use their colors for bedspreads and other accessories that are easier to change out and wouldn't be so in their faces and overwhelming.

If they seem disappointed, maybe you can tell them that you want to wait on the brighter colors until you can all be involved in picking them. They may be so happy with the room in even a more neutral background palette that you won't have to paint it all red and cherry!

Very good advice. If you do decide on cherry (and their idea of cherry may be almost purple, so it might be good to wait) or red, then painting the woodwork to match the palest color in the floor might make the whole business come together.

I'm of a different mind, I think that by doing what the boys want will give them something to think and dream about and finally see when they arrive. I'd do the red and cherry, you can find two that are just a little alike and then throw a big white fake or real flokati in the middle of the room. Throw on some white bedspreads or puffs and white drapes and that brings the room back down to a normal bedroom. Then let them add their own little memory
items that you can all find together. They and you are both so lucky that you all found each other, this is just the beginning of the best time of your lives. God bless all of you.

One reason I want to paint the walls "their color" is because it is something that I am doing for them instead of buying for them. When I wrote in our last letter that I was finishing up the trim in the room to get it ready and offered to paint it how they wanted, I got the tearjerker response that they have never had someone remodel just for them and it made them feel important. (Get the tissues out!)

I have goggled a few deep red rooms that have a calm feel to them and I think one of the tricks to the rest will be to keep the toys/furnishings sparse. It is funny because when we heard that we will be getting boys, I remember thinking, perfect, all boys love blue. Nope!

That is so sweet to hear! Congrats on your pending adoption. Please post the finished room.

dainaadele - that is the best reason of all to give them a red and cherry room! Can't wait to see what you come up with to make it work.

What a sweet story....

Red seems pretty self-explanatory, and yo probably cannot go too wrong there. But cherry -they could be thinking a pinkish red, or they could be thinking the deep dark burgundy of cherries, right? So I would definitely share some photos with them and try to get a solid idea of what 'cherry' means.

I do not have any colors to offer I just wanted to say congrats on your new editions to your family! You are all so lucky to have found each other! May the transition be smooth and filled with love and joy!

My wish for your new family is that, like all families, you learn to roll with the punches, laugh and love whenever possible, and accept that with love and joy come anger and frustration, but you can choose to focus on the love and joy and find ways to manage the anger and frustration.

With heartfelt wishes for a rich life together - full of wonderful colors, laughter, and experiences you cherish. Please share pictures of the finished red and cherry room. Seems to me you and the boys are off to a good start - even before you meet. OG

Definitely do it before they arrive. You've raised their hopes and they are dreaming of their new life. If they arrive and you haven't followed through I think they'll be a couple of disappointed kids. Don't let them down. And I wouldn't tell them any more unless you are certain to follow through. They will probably love ANY shade of red you pick for them!

Congratulations on your expanding family! How about a stripe using both colors on at least one wall? Something like this....In the chosen colors.

{{!gwi}}

I can think of nothing more classic "American" (I'm assuming you're in the USA), than a Red, White, and Blue room. I think you can make it all come together easily. Use Houzz for some inspiration, and Congratulations!!

I don't have any real advice on how to incorporate both but congratulations on adopting kids. Especially older kids. I agree you should have it done before they get there. And if the color isn't what they want its cheap enough to do again. Have fun with them!

What a great thing you are doing--the adoption and giving the boys ownership to their room!

My DD moved into a new-to-them home and told my grandson (7 ) that he could pick the wall and carpet colors for his room. He chose RED paint and carpet. I thought "oh no!" but I didn't interject my opinion. The far wall is a rich red and the carpet is the same color. The other walls are dark tan. On the red wall we got a very large wall decal of a football. Maybe a decal could be added after they get acclaimed and develop interests. It turned out beautiful! Of course the inspiration was our local NFL team (Bucs). I say go with it and hopefully you and the boys will enjoy it as much as my little guy does.

*My little guy takes ownership of his room seriously. When ANYONE walks into his room he is looking at their feet. I don't know how many times he has yelled "Grammy, your shoes!" He does not allow shoes on his carpet; I don't know where that came from.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wall Decals

Thanks for all the well wishes. We are still waiting on a court date, so I do have time. I pulled together some double red/cherry combinations that I will email them. That way I will be in the correct color family with the cherry. Part of me wonders if the effect couldn't be pulled off with using one paint and then putting a gloss on half to create a darker, richer color.

Mustangs: That is too funny about the carpet. Does he take care of everything else just as nice? The decal idea may work. That way they have the initial room ready and waiting, but they can decorate it with their own interests as they develop. I do not think they realize yet how well they chose for our state. Nebraskans have a serious love affair with red...

What a wonderful story, I do hope you keep us updated !!
on the room and also on the boys !!

Congratulations on your new family members. I haven't any advice, but can't wait to hear about their arrival and how they like their room.

Beth P.

I think it would be nice to have the rooms painted when they arrive... to make it feel welcoming and also who wants to live in a room during the painting process with the mess and fumes?

Just pick a nice red, I am sure they will be happy. I always thought "cherry" is just a shade of red.

As for it not feeling welcoming, I find most rich shades of red very cozy and warm myself. I don't think that everyone thinks of red as an "angry" color I find it quite soothing. Yellow and bright primary colors on the other hand bother me and disquiet me - and always have even when I was a child. In fact a teacher once expressed concern to my parents because I preferred to paint only n dark purple, blue and black!

I'll also always remember how upset I was when my mom asked me to choose a paint color for my room when I was about 10. I had almond color furniture and I chose a very deep wedgewood blue which would have looked great with the light furniture. She had the paint store dial it down to a pale blue because she thought it would be too dark. I was not happy when I saw the result! I figure if she was just going to pick the color then why ask me in the first place?

To each their own and your kids have voiced their opinion - kids think a lot about color and they know what they like! Also I don't know what their native country is but in many cultures red is a happy color - the color of life. In China and India people wear red to be married and celebrate happy occasions, while white is the color of death.

WONDERFUL story! Just thinking...is there such a thing as red/cherry chalkboard paint? Even do one wall in this and the other walls a neutral? They could have fun w. the chalkboard.
Please keep us posted!

Pick a cherry red and they will be happy! I wouldn't attempt two reds.