#Tips For Teen Bedroom Design

[vmsplusblog]

Décor Ideas for Teenage Bedroom | VMS Plus

The main goal of 2024’s teen bedroom ideas is to design a unique, practical area that embraces contemporary style and originality. Make a statement by including striking hues and patterns, such as abstract art or geometric motifs. Space is maximised by multipurpose furniture, such as loft beds with desks or storage underneath. To create attractive lounging places, include warm features like beanbag chairs or plush rugs. Convenience and the atmosphere are improved by intelligent technology, which provides Bluetooth speakers and LED lighting. Since personalization is important, encourage teenagers to display their interests on walls, posters, or in a special hobby zone. An active and vibrant room is the product.

When you envision your home or move into a new apartment, you need everything perfect, right? The main bedroom is dedicated to the grownups in the household, and it takes little time to hone in on the belongings you want in your haven and compactly put them. However, putting your teen bedroom ideas into reality is a different ballgame. One of the most tedious jobs of all bedrooms is to design your teen’s bedroom and gain approval from your teen. They can be quite tricky, as teens have their own opinions and choices, and you’ll have to take their opinion before starting with the designing of their room.

Beautiful Teenage Bedroom Designs for 2024

Teens' room design may be a fun project that captures their individuality and sense of style. Teen bedroom ideas for 2024 centre on designing a room that is enjoyable and useful simultaneously, providing a haven for rest, learning, and self-expression.

Innovative Teenage Bedroom Décor Ideas

If you’re looking for teenagers' bedroom ideas, consider using vibrant colours and textures that speak of your teen’s passions. Adding personality without committing to a long-term look is possible with wall decals, removable wallpaper, and murals. Motivate your adolescent to help decor ideas for teenage bedrooms, by giving them suggestions like making a gallery wall or including a chalkboard paint section to showcase their ingenuity.

Teenage Themed Bedroom Ideas

Designing a bedroom is more accessible by deciding on a theme. Bohemian chic, industrial style and minimalism are popular bedroom idea themes these days. Accessorising these teen bedroom ideas with complementary carpet, drapes, and bedding will make them look even better. Select a colour scheme that unifies the theme and leaves space for customization for a unified appearance.

Some design advice for teen bedrooms

Here are some Tips For Teen Bedroom Design: Give preference to multipurpose furniture, such as desks that can be used as vanities or beds with built-in storage. Lighting is a critical factor in establishing the mood, so think about using string or LED lights that can be adjusted to create an ambience. Urge your adolescent to decorate their room with things that represent their interests.

Harmonious Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Teens and Parents

For practicality and longevity, weighing the teen’s tastes against the parent's bedroom decorating ideas is crucial. Invest in long-lasting furnishings that will fit your growing adolescent’s changing tastes. Use wall-mounted shelves or under-bed drawers as storage options to keep the space neat and clutter-free.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

A Daughter's Plan

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black Female OC

Warning(s): Pure Fluff. Single Dad. Girl Dad energy. Terry's POV. Low angst.

Summary: Terry Richmond is a lonely single dad caring for his ten-year-old daughter, Pilar. When Pilar's mother re-marries and moves overseas to start a new job and family, the pre-teen thinks her dad needs to find someone for himself, too. Unbeknownst to Terry, his clever daughter has her sights set on the new neighbor, Allegra, who might be the perfect match.

Word count: 7,481

"Isn't she pretty

Truly the angel's best

Boy, I'm so happy

We have been heaven blessed"

Stevie Wonder—"Isn't She Lovely?"

Terry Richmond heard the familiar rolling sound of his ten-year-old daughter's skateboard crossing over into the cul-de-sac of their gated townhome neighborhood. He could always pick out the unique sound of her board's ka-kump, ka-kump, ka-kump rhythm compared to her school buddies as they raced each other home.

Pilar always did a few kick flip tricks by Mr. Rhea's property before she jumped the curb and circled past a speed bump near Mrs. Purdue's home. While hand sanding a rocking chair, that he made for his pregnant sister, Terry paused.

He didn't hear Pilar's skateboard anymore.

Her crew of three friends whizzed past his open garage door toward their homes, but Terry didn't see his only child roll up to greet him with her angelic smile and chaotic energy. He lifted his protective goggles and wiped his hands on his work apron. Still no sign of her.

He strode out of the garage to take a peek and he noticed her lingering by their mailbox, still wearing her protective helmet and staring across the wide street. A furniture van blocked the driveway of the townhome facing across their property. A Black woman in her late twenties or early thirties directed two burly movers to carry a brand new sofa covered in plastic through her front door. The cute bob and conservative pastel colors of her sweater and pencil skirt had him guessing she was a teacher, or worked in corporate.

He glanced at Pilar who kept her dark brown eyes laser-focused on the recent addition to their quiet corner of the world. She chewed on her lip and rolled her board back and forth with her left foot. The new neighbor bought the house of Pilar's best friend since kindergarten. Little Leslie Gardner left Ville Broussard, Louisiana a year ago, and her old house stood empty for nine months until the For Sale sign finally came down three months ago. Terry knew that Mr. Gardner put a pretty penny into renovating the place before putting it on the market, and the expense of the renovation drove the price up.

The woman across the street probably spent over two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the two-bedroom property. Pilar pretended to dig in the mailbox, knowing he had already gotten the mail, and stared at the woman. From that distance, he couldn't tell if Pilar was still upset about Leslie moving or if she was upset that a stranger was moving into her bestie's old home.

"Pilar," he called out.

His daughter looked his way, and so did the woman across the street.

Whoa.

Terry never got a full view of the neighbor before. He always caught sideways glances or the back of her head. But the full frontal turned out to be something else. She looked like a gorgeous Black Barbie doll. He peeped her figure a few days ago when she first showed up in form-fitting pale green sweatpants and a matching hoodie. The fall weather brought out the layers, but she must've ignored the forecast because she walked around double-cheeked up in sportswear not designed for cooler temperatures.

Miss Neighbor turned her attention back to the interior of her home and Pilar ambled over, carrying her skateboard. She pulled off her skateboard helmet.

"Hey munchkin," he said, ruffling her thick two-toned curls pulled back with a light blue scrunchie. From the roots to just above the tips, Pilar's hair was dark brown. The ends had turned their annual summer-in-the-sun reddish brown that matched her skin tone. She looked exactly like his oldest sister Brianna and had her spirited personality, too.

Pilar's down-turned lips reflected a little 'tude.

"I don't see any kids," Pilar said.

She sounded bummed.

"Checking out the neighbor, huh?"

"She's pretty. Do you think she's pretty, Dad?"

"She is very attractive."

"Very?" Pilar said with a smug grin.

"Don't read anything into that."

"We should go say hi."

"She's busy with furniture. Let her get settled in."

He guided Pilar into their home through the garage, and she dumped her board and helmet by the dinette table. She washed her hands in the kitchen sink and he pulled a PB&J sandwich on a plate and a Capri Sun from the fridge, placing them on the table for her after-school snack.

The landline rang, and he answered it.

"Hi Terry, is Pilar in yet?"

His ex wife's voice sounded perky and happy.

"Yeah, hold on.'"

He carried the cordless from the living room into the kitchen and handed it to Pilar.

"It's your mom."

Pilar's face brightened, and she chatted away on the overseas call. Terry returned to the garage and began sanding the armrest of the rocking chair. He swept sawdust on the ground and closed the garage door after he finished.

Back in the kitchen, he rinsed his hands. An uneaten sandwich remained on the kitchen table without Pilar in sight. He looked in their living room and didn't find her there.

"Pilar?"

Terry climbed the stairs to the second floor and found his daughter weeping on her bed, her face buried in a yellow Big Bird pillow.

"What's wrong?"

He sat his big body on her twin bed, and she shook her head on the pillow. He laid a hand on her back.

"Babygirl, what is it?"

"Mom isn't coming back for Christmas. She eloped with that man in Italy and they plan on flying me out there for a boat cruise instead of coming to the lake like she promised. They'll have a big party in place of a wedding in Rome next July."

Pilar never addressed her new step-father by his name, Bryson. It was always "that man" despite her mother dating him for two years. Bryson was east coast respectability. A Black Archon Boulé with a prestigious prep school background and long family money. The complete opposite of Terry's country boy/military roots. He drove a 2015 F-250 truck and drank beer. Bryson drove a 2025 Jaguar and sipped Chardonnay.

Yolanda leveled up to the Black bougie life she always wanted. Terry knew in his heart that Yolanda would never be happy building a life with him. They were both twenty and naïve, getting married the moment they found out Pilar was conceived. He quit college and joined the marines to support them. Yolanda worked as a flight attendant after their daughter was born, so Terry stayed the primary caretaker, training other marines and not deploying out of the country.

Yolanda wanted more out of life than he could provide financially and asked for a divorce when Pilar turned six. Both their families had been shocked when she granted Terry primary custody of their only child. Yolanda wanted to travel the world and her career let her do that. She eventually settled in Atlanta, working for Delta. Pilar adjusted to being shuttled back and forth for holidays and summers.

Then Bryson popped up, freeing Yolanda from the working class. He was older, established, and child-free. Also very generous with his money.

Terry had made arrangements to send Pilar abroad for a lavish wedding the following summer as her mother's flower girl. She and Bryson had planned to spend the Christmas holiday with the entire Richmond family so that they could all meet the new man who would be connected to them through Pilar. Christmas was going to be the rare treat of being with both her parents for a holiday. The Richmond clan had reserved fancy cabins by a lake for a week and planned on turning it into a family reunion of sorts. Yolanda offered to arrange her Christmas plans for the reunion so Pilar wouldn't miss out on seeing all of her cousins from all over the states. Now she eloped and switched up on their child three months in advance.

Terry kept his anger in check in front of Pilar. He'd call Yolanda when his daughter was back in school and give her a smooth cuss out. He offered to switch Thanksgiving for Christmas because it was important for Pilar to experience a big reunion for the first time on his side of the family.

Pilar turned her head from the pillow. Big, wet eyes stared at him. Her bottom lip trembled and his heart squeezed in his chest. His daughter was the light of his life. Watching her expectations crumble hurt his soul. Pilar came first before anything, and that was the difference between him and Yolanda. Their daughter became a secondary consideration with her. His ex wasn't a terrible person. He loved her once a long time ago. She was ambitious, energetic, pretty, and gave him a perfect child. Yolanda just wasn't cut out to be a mother saddled with the responsibility of putting her daughter's emotional needs first. To Yolanda, whisking Pilar off to Rome probably sounded like giving her child the best in life. Bryson was an American Express Exec for their Italian branch and lived in a lavish home with staff and chauffeurs. Yolanda shopped, dined, and played tennis every day in luxury. She wanted Pilar to experience that lifestyle. In his own way, Terry wanted their daughter to have that chance, too. But without pulling the rug from under Pilar. She set her heart on having them all together for once since their divorce.

"Tell you what…I'll talk to her and try to convince them to come for Christmas."

"She said the cruise is their early honeymoon and they want me to go so we can bond as a new family. I already have a family!"

Pilar buried her face in his chest, and he stroked her hair.

"How about we go to Cholly's Burgers for dinner and you can mope over a double cheeseburger and a big chocolate malt?"

Pilar sniffled and wiped her nose.

"Okay, I'll go…but I can't guarantee that I'll feel better."

"Deal," he said.

He left her alone in her room and went down to the kitchen and put her sandwich and juice away. Checking emails on his smartphone, he spent the next couple of hours watching TV and then ironed Pilar's clothes for school. He showered and called his daughter down for their dinner trip. Outside, their new neighbor carried some things from her cream-colored Mercedes S-Class in the driveway.

"Excuse me," the woman called as Pilar jumped into his truck's passenger side.

"Yeah?" he called back.

"Hi, I'm Allegra…new neighbor…um, can you tell me what day the trash and recycling go out?"

"Thursdays!" Pilar called out.

His daughter had her head stuck out of the window with a big grin on her face.

"Yeah, Thursdays. They normally roll through around eleven a.m.," he said.

"Great, thanks."

"I'm Terry, and this is my daughter, Pilar—"

"Are you married? Have kids?" Pilar asked.

Allegra smiled politely, holding a small box. Her eyes bounced from Pilar's to his, then back to Pilar.

"I'm not married. No kids."

Pilar whipped her head around to look at Terry. He ignored her.

"Have a good evening," he said.

He climbed into his truck and started it up.

"You're really not good at finding a date, Dad."

"What are you talking about, little girl?"

He backed out of their driveway and headed toward the main road that led to the highway.

"A single, beautiful woman with a fancy car asked you about trash day. She could've called her realtor or looked it up online."

"We were right there in front of her. It's quicker to ask a neighbor. That woman is not looking to date people she lives around. Besides, she saw me with you, so she'll think I'm married with a family already."

"She'll know pretty soon that it's just you and me."

"I don't think most upwardly mobile Black women are interested in men that already have children nowadays."

It took them twenty minutes to arrive at the burger joint, and Pilar's mood lifted considerably. They talked about her upcoming soccer game and she slurped down her chocolate malt content with life once again.

Back home, he washed and braided her hair in two cornrows, tying it down with a black satin hair scarf so he wouldn't have to do her hair in the morning. Their evening bedtime routine went off without a hitch and he allowed her to watch a cartoon before she went to sleep in her room.

The next couple of weeks were normal in the Richmond household. He'd ride his bike in the morning to take Pilar to school, following behind her as she skateboarded ahead of him with her classmates. Later, he'd ride his bike over to check on the restaurant he invested in. He spent a few days with his financial advisor and moved some money around that he received from a police settlement. His current financial status allowed him to enjoy not having the worries of steady employment until he found something he wanted to do. He put funds in stocks that did well, paid off the townhouse, and Yolanda's monthly child support covered the rest for Pilar. His woodworking kept him busy during the afternoon while Pilar was in school. But once she was home, he went straight into daddy mode. Soccer Dad duty, carpooling to games, checking homework, cooking and cleaning, fixing things at his parent's house and running their errands…they all filled his time.

Once a week he went bowling with friends and drank at bars, chasing a little tail, but not really trying to catch much. His three older sisters rotated keeping Pilar with their kids so he could have some adult time. The last few "dates" he had were with single moms who complained about their ex-husbands or ex boyfriends. He thought one woman named Michaela would be a long-term situation, but she reconciled with her boyfriend and moved to Dallas.

After a Saturday soccer practice, Pilar came to him and asked if she could bake some cookies for a school party. It was nearing Halloween. He pulled out some easy to bake pre-made Tollhouse cookie dough from the freezer. All Pilar had to do was place the small chocolate chip cookie dough squares onto a baking sheet and use the stove timer to keep them from burning.

He kicked up his feet to watch the news and when the stove buzzer went off, he trotted into the kitchen to make sure Pilar didn't burn herself by taking them out of the oven with the oven mits. She only baked a dozen.

"Shouldn't you bake more for your class?" he asked.

"It's a potluck, so people are just bringing whatever to share."

After they cooled, she used a spatula to scoop them onto a decorative plate of pumpkins and fall leaves. He covered them with plastic wrap.

"Maybe you should put them in some Tupperware," he suggested.

"No, this is good."

He left her to handle her party business.

Terry didn't think anything about the cookies until three days later when Allegra showed up at his open garage door. His electric sander and earplugs prevented him from hearing her approach. He turned toward the street and almost jumped, not expecting someone to be standing near his truck watching him. Shutting off the sander, he pulled out the earplugs and stared at her with his goggles on.

"Sorry to startle you…Terry…right?"

He nodded.

"I came over to bring you back your cookie plate. That was such a thoughtful housewarming gift. I ate every single chocolate chip cookie. Perfectly gooey in the center the way I like! The note you wrote was really sweet, too. Thank you so much."

"I'm sorry?" he said in confusion.

Terry pushed up his goggles. Allegra handed him the plate that wasn't empty. On it were slices of banana bread. He looked at the baked goods, then back at her.

"To show my appreciation for the cookies…I just made it last night. I didn't put nuts in it because I don't know if anyone in your family is allergic to nuts."

"No, we aren't."

"I'll remember that."

Allegra's pretty eyelashes curled over naturally, and her lips had just enough red lipstick to give her plump lips a rosy tint. She was dream girl material, and the cut and style of her bob reminded him of something the old Black starlets wore in the sixties, but it looked contemporary too with a soft flip on the ends. Terry became lost in her face and she seemed equally lost in his, her gaze never leaving his eyes. That was one of the physical traits that women always said they loved about him. The green, lion-like eyes. She looked up at him and their size difference was quite obvious. She was petite-chic, the cut and color of her clothes making her seem taller far away. Allegra was shorter than his ex wife. He felt like a big giant standing next to her. She smelled so good. Her perfume hinted at jasmine in the summer.

"My daughter and I will enjoy this. Thanks for bringing it over with the plate," he said.

Allegra smiled and his chest caved in. Was it possible for her to be even more attractive with a smile on her face?

She glanced around his makeshift workshop.

"Woodworking? You do this for a living?" she asked.

He stepped aside to let her see the dining cabinet he built for another neighbor.

"Actually, it's a hobby of mine."

"Hobby? This is true craftsmanship."

He touched the side of the cabinet.

"I learned it from my dad and kept at it in highschool."

"If I paid you, could you make me a couple of custom bookshelves?"

"What type of wood?"

"Not too expensive."

"I can make some maple wood shelves and stain them to look expensive.'

"I like your way of thinking. When I get the time, I'll measure my walls and let you know what I need."

"Still settling in?"

"My god, I haven't unpacked all of my boxes. I'm still eating takeout because I dread unpacking everything in my kitchen. My new job keeps me busy and I'm usually too tired by the end of the day. I should be unpacking right now, but I have to leave for an event soon."

She sighed and pushed back a flipped curl on her forehead.

"I better let you get back to work. Again…thank you for the sweet welcoming gesture."

Allegra left him alone in the garage and he watched her walk back across the street to her place. She had a little sway in her hips as she walked in her well-fitted navy blue dress pants and structured white button-down shirt. The light pink cardigan sweater tied around her shoulders was such a classy touch, along with her chunky blocked-heeled pumps.

He looked down at his dust-laden ripped jeans and brown work apron. Not too shabby, but he almost wanted to spruce up. He took the plate into the kitchen and checked the time. Pilar would be there in half an hour. He wanted to know what she wrote in that note to Allegra.

Running a hot shower, he cleaned his body and stared at his reflection in the mirror afterward. Time for a fresh line-up. His facial hair looked a little ungroomed. He took time to shave and then changed into better jeans and a fitted long sleeve shirt. He waited at the front door, peeking out of the screen.

Allegra stepped into her Mercedes wearing a pastel coral cocktail dress with an upswept hairdo, looking like Diahann Carroll with a smidgen of Grace Kelly. She drove off to wherever she needed to go and he imagined how breathtaking she'd look, stepping into a crowded room with all eyes on her beauty.

Ka-kump. Ka-kump. Ka-kump.

Pilar glided onto the sidewalk near their house and headed for the garage.

"I'm right here," he said.

She looked at him through the screen. He opened it and stepped outside. Folding his arms over his wide chest, he gave his daughter a questioning look.

"Am I in trouble?" she asked.

Her friends Caleb, Trudy, and Aisha waved at her and kick-pushed their skateboards toward their houses while yelling hello to him.

"You baked those cookies for Miss Allegra. Not a school party."

Pilar gave him a sheepish grin.

"What did you write in the note?"

"I just said something like…welcome to the neighborhood. Enjoy these homemade cookies. Then I put your name on it."

"Just my name?"

"Yes."

"She brought the plate back and made us some banana bread."

"Ooh!" Pilar said, rubbing her hands together. "My plan is set in motion."

"What plan?"

"Dad…c'mon. Miss Allegra is the best-looking woman around here. I think you should ask her out on a date."

"I don't need my ten-year-old setting us up."

Pilar put a hand on her hip.

"Well, Auntie Brianna and Auntie Sloane said she's gorgeous and they think you should get to know her. She might be your perfect fit."

"How would they know? They've never seen her."

"I snuck a picture of her on my phone and sent it to them."

"Why the sudden interest in getting me to date?"

Pilar's gaze dropped to the ground.

"No reason. She's new and you don't go out as much anymore."

"That's because I have to take care of you. You're my priority. Dating can always come later."

He stepped aside and let her come in with her skateboard.

"It was a nice thing you did…giving her the cookies," he said.

Pilar grinned.

Terry was an adept father and took pride in keeping a meticulous home, and his child put together well when she exited the front door. Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Pilar started coming home from school with wildly disheveled hair. Even if he put protective styles in with twists or high buns with little curls framing her face with cute tendrils, his daughter returned looking like her head went through a blender.

She'd claim it was the weather. Bad rainfall, or the wind messing it up, but for ten school days, she rolled back home with her hair every which-way, rubber bands busted, barrettes missing, and knocker ball hair bobbles vanished into thin air. She'd roll through, and each time, their neighbor Allegra would be outside collecting her mail. Pilar would wave and say "Hi!" really loud and Allegra responded in kind before stepping back into her house.

He assumed she wanted her hair out, craving to wear hairstyles like her older girl cousins. Rather than make a big deal about it, he started putting a headband on her.

One Saturday afternoon, Pilar played outside on the curved part of the cul-de-sac with her friends, kicking a soccer ball into Caleb's two netted goal posts. A typical loud day of children freely running around screaming and playing in the street. Pilar rocked a bushy 'fro and had the loudest voice out of the bunch.

He kept an eye out for them while watching a football game by leaving his livingroom shades open. Snacking on some chips, he turned his head to check on the action outside.

He quickly ducked his head down low.

Allegra played outside with the children.

Terry hid behind the couch and secretly watched Allegra interact with the neighborhood kids doing soccer ball tricks with her knees and sneaker'd feet. She kicked the ball to Pilar and his daughter charged her, heading for a goal post. Allegra wasn't shy about her defensive moves and easily swiped the ball away from his daughter, kicking it with a curved arc into the opposite goal post. All the children squealed in delight and high-fived her. She stepped aside to let the children continue their boisterous match up.

Terry's back ached from being hunched over spying. Pilar spoke to Allegra for a long time, ignoring her friends, and her bouncy energy kept a smile on the woman's face. Allegra glanced toward his open window and Terry dropped to the floor, hiding his body.

He waited five minutes.

"Why are you on the floor, Daddy?"

Pilar stood above him with a quizzical expression. She'd come in the house through the garage door.

"Stretching my back out," he said.

"But you're on your stomach."

"Can I help you with something?" he said, standing up.

Outside, Allegra stood watching him through the window.

"I asked Miss Allegra how she kept her hair so pretty and she told me her hair care routine. I'm coming to get a pen and paper for her to write it down so you can take care of my hair."

"What? I know how to take care of your hair! I've been doing it since you were born."

Pilar grabbed a Bic pen and tore a piece off some junk mail envelope sitting on the coffee table.

"Daddy, please. Work with me here. I've been looking raggedy for two weeks to get her attention. She finally asked about my curls and I asked about her hair."

Pilar dashed out the front door before he could stop her. She handed Allegra the pen and paper. Terry became flustered. His daughter pretended to be unkempt to fool a grown woman into having sympathy for him.

Allegra scribbled on the paper outside and he felt exposed for something that wasn't true. Pilar ran back into the house through the front door and handed him the half envelope. Most of what Allegra listed, Terry already had in his bathroom for his daughter.

However…she wrote her phone number down, too.

"Boo-ya!" Pilar said, flinging her fingers open like an explosion going off.

"Come into the kitchen with me," he said.

Pilar followed him.

"Sit," he commanded.

He stuffed the half envelope in his back pocket.

"Pilar…babygirl…I know you mean well, but please…stop the antics."

"But Daddy—"

"I mean it."

His voice went down an octave, his baritone sounding harsh. Pilar ran from the kitchen table and stomped loudly up the stairs. He closed his eyes in frustration and waited fifteen minutes before going upstairs.

Pilar cried on her bed. Her loud bawling startled him.

"Munchkin…I'm not mad…I just…you don't have to do this."

"I do!" she wailed.

He sat in his usual spot and let her get her emotions out. She eventually calmed down to gaspy shudders and sad moans of pain. He brushed her hair back, and she threw her arms around his neck.

"I don't want you being alone. Mom married somebody and now she gets to be happy. I want you to be happy, too, Daddy."

"Munchkin, I am happy. I have you…grampy and grandma, your aunts, my friends—"

She shook her head against his neck.

"It's not the same as having someone for yourself. I'll grow up and go to college and you'll be here by yourself. Everyone in our family has someone. Grampy has Grandma, Auntie Brianna has Uncle Mitch…Auntie Sloane has Uncle Kenny. Even Auntie Monique has her boyfriend Gordon. I'm scared for you, Daddy. You're such a good, kind person and you deserve what Mommy has."

Pilar burst into more tears and his eyes grew blurry. He wiped them and pulled back from his daughter.

"It's not your responsibility to worry about me. My job is to worry about you, hear me?"

Pilar kept crying. Her nose ran, but she nodded at his words.

"When the time comes for me to find my special someone…it'll happen. Naturally. Understand?"

"Y-Y-Yessss," she blubbered.

He kissed her forehead and used his thumbs to wipe away warm tears.

"Can I tell you something that will make you happy?"

"O-O-Okayyyy," she choked out.

"Your Mom and 'that man' agreed to change their plans back to coming out for Christmas. And, I don't have to trade Thanksgiving."

"For real?"

"For real. In fact, Bryson urged your mother to reconsider, and he rescheduled the cruise for next year. He's not so bad, huh?"

Pilar sniffled, and her swollen red eyes pained him.

"I guess not."

"Let's make a deal, okay? You don't worry about hooking me up and just enjoy being a little girl with a happy father."

"Are you happy?"

"I am. I have you and a very full life. Promise. Go wash your face and get back outside with your friends."

"Okay, Daddy."

She jumped off the bed and ran to the hall bathroom. He went to her bedroom window and peeked out from the blinds. Allegra went back into her home. He pulled the scrap of envelope from his back pocket and stared at her phone number.

Saturday afternoons were usually Terry and Pilar's time to decompress and watch movies together. Sometimes there was a slumber party with her cousins at their house or one of his sister's. But on this particular Saturday, it was football fever on the flatscreen TV with his buddies while Pilar was at her grandparents' house.

Terry had plenty of pizzas and beer, and his sound system blasted the play-by-play of the game. He enjoyed the company of his buddies, all Black men with families, and very little free time except for the small moments of respite at Terry's place. The Steelers beat the Commanders and the guys talked shit, then they played his AuxGod Hip Hop Edition game. He rapped his ass off while playing Nas's "One Mic" on his smartphone and got his friends hyped to share R&B music. They all howled when someone messed up playing the wrong songs based on cards they pulled, thinking they had the perfect jam. Good clean fun.

The afternoon wound down into late evening and he cleaned up pizza boxes and empty beer cans. His friends bumped fists and gave each other dap as they left out the front door. Rain started falling, and he noticed Allegra pulling into her driveway. The late hour had him guessing she had a night out again. Her job didn't keep her from a busy social life. He often caught sight of her coming and going on the weekends. One time, another car brought her home and stayed overnight in her driveway.

He waved his friends away and pulled out his cell to call his father.

"Hey Junior," his father said.

"Hey, Pops. How's it going over there?"

"Good. The girls are playing and your mama is letting them stay up late to watch some Godzilla movie on Amazon Prime."

"I wanted to say goodnight to Pilar."

"No problem, hold on…Pilar! Your Dad is on the phone!"

Terry waited for his daughter, and soon enough, her voice rang in his ear.

"Hey, Dad."

"Being good?"

"Of course. What time are you picking me up tomorrow?"

"After you get back from church."

"Aw man. You can't get me early, so I don't have to go?"

"I had to suffer through it. It's your turn now."

"But they take forever. Even God goes to sleep by the time that preacher gets done."

"Hey, don't blaspheme, and don't you two keep Grampy and Grandma up too late, okay?"

"We won't. Night, Dad!"

Terry swiped his smartphone and noticed Allegra's car lights were still on. She hadn't left her driveway. He guessed she was talking on her cell phone.

His house smelled of cigars, pepperoni, and Budweiser. He finished cleaning up and sprayed the dining room with air freshener. Rolling his neck muscles, he climbed up to his bedroom. His blinds were open, and he checked the street again.

Allegra stood near her car in the rain looking up at the sky. She stuck her tongue out, tasting the droplets, and spun around in a circle with her arms outstretched. He smiled. She looked like a big kid having fun.

The rain drenched her hair, and she swiped it back, her tresses turning into slick ringlets. The playfulness she exuded cracked something open inside of him. Maybe Pilar was right. Maybe he did want someone to share his life with. He and Allegra barely exchanged enough words in passing for him to sense that she would be open to going out for a coffee or dinner. She never got back to him about the bookshelves, and he never called her phone number to ask about the hair care products she suggested for Pilar.

His confidence in asking women out had waned that year. Each time he thought he might want to spend time with a woman, schedules didn't match up, or he didn't feel that pull to pursue a relationship. The spark wasn't there. Part of him was afraid to put his heart back out there. His ex, Yolanda, had been a heartbreak he finally let go of two years ago. It frightened him into not wanting to be vulnerable with another woman again. Romantic love was for the brave, and Terry was not feeling brave anymore.

But Allegra?

After shaking her arms, she finally went inside her house, not caring that her snazzy outfit was soaked clear through to her skin. He looked at his dresser. The envelope with her number sat next to his hairbrush.

He texted her number.

Hi, Allegra. This is your neighbor, Terry. I was going to pick up some lumber at Home Depot tomorrow and wanted to know if you were still interested in getting bookshelves made? No rush to answer. I'm always going there every other week. If you changed your mind, that's cool, too.

He sent it off, and seconds later, she rang him up.

"Hello?"

He sounded breathless.

"Hi…Terry? It's Allegra…from across the street. Got your message."

"Oh, great. Sorry for texting so late. I was about to turn in and wanted to ask you before I forgot and left tomorrow."

He winced. His words came out in a rush of nervous energy.

"I do want the bookshelves made. I've been so busy I just never got around to measuring anything. Could you come by tomorrow before you leave and take a look at my floor space? You'd have a better idea of measurements than I would."

Terry stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes turned into saucers.

"I can do that. I've got to pick up my daughter from church tomorrow at one. I can drop by with my digital tape measure before then and then go to Home Depot."

"Can I go with you? I'd like to see the wood you're considering besides the maple you told me about."

"Uh…sure."

"What time should I expect you over here?"

"Let's say ten?"

"Great, see ya then."

"Goodnight."

He hung up, stunned.

She wanted to go with him to the Depot?

"So, what do you think? Two shelves here and then two more in my office room?"

Allegra watched him make final calculations on his phone. He surveyed her living room set-up one more time to ensure efficient use of her space. They'd spent a good twenty minutes upstairs in her stylish office and he made a quick sketch on his notepad of the shelving unit he could make for her in there. She would pay for the wood and any extra supplies he needed, and he insisted on doing the work for free.

The layout in her house was roomy and leaned toward a mid-century modern styled interior. She liked rich and luxurious wood furniture with mustard yellow and avocado-colored accents. Her home fit her personal style the way he imagined it would. It had a timeless quality. He told her a little about the family that lived there before she bought the place, and the conversation meandered into her own hobbies of painting and gardening. She showed him her patio space in the back and he offered to build her plant containers to grow her favorite flowers. Those were easy to put together and would be cheaper than her buying them pre-made online.

He learned that she had been a highschool soccer star, and that talent landed her a full-ride scholarship to Brown University where she almost landed a spot on the Olympic team. But a skiing accident ruined her shot. She still liked to watch the game and play occasionally.

Allegra worked from home mostly as an In-House attorney for a legal firm with document heavy cases, thus the need for bookshelves to hold all her law books. She did contract reviews, legal research, and dealt with a lot of intellectual property research for her clients.

Terry listened to her talk about herself, and her warm personality gave him the courage to open up about himself. Of course, he bragged about Pilar, and on their way to Home Depot, he pointed out places of interest to her.

"I always wanted to live in a small town," she said. "I grew up in New England, but my grandparents were from here, so I had annual trips for holidays and always liked it. Now that I can work remotely from home, I put stakes in the ground and live here full time. Getting away from the east coast has been a relief. This place makes me happy."

"We love it here. Excellent schools, nice people who look out for each other."

"It's just you and Pilar?"

"Yep. My ex remarried and moved to Europe."

"Co-parenting overseas must be rough."

"Yolanda…my ex…she recently moved there. It's going to be a change for sure. I'm used to Pilar flying a quick hop to Atlanta. Now, she'll have partial summers there and I don't know if I can handle her flying so far away where I can't get to her fast, y'know?"

"I had to do it when I was young. My parents divorced when I was twelve. I hopped from Boston to England to stay with my dad and his new wife on my school breaks. My mother was a nervous wreck at first, but you adjust."

"I hope so. I try to be stoic for Pilar, but I know I'll be in shambles when she flies out there next year."

Allegra laughed and the sound of her voice so close comforted him.

"I'll help talk you down when those nerves kick up," she said.

They walked up and down aisles at the Home Depot, and since he was a regular, the workers there were quick to help him because he didn't waste time. Terry explained the different type of wood options and they compared prices. He did his best to keep costs down for her, and she went along with whatever he thought was best. She'd seen his work output and trusted his skills.

He loaded up the truck bed, and they swooped over to his grandparents' church to pick up Pilar. His daughter's eyes widened when she noticed Allegra sitting in the truck. She ran past Terry and chatted with Allegra. He soon introduced his parents to her, and they invited her to attend a church service in the future.

Pilar hopped in the seat behind Allegra, and he drove them back to their home.

"I'll unload this and start working on your shelving units tomorrow," he said.

"Great."

Pilar watched them interact. She wore the goofiest grin on her face.

Allegra took off across the street and he watched her leave along with Pilar. When she was outside of earshot, Pilar grabbed his arm.

"You hung out with her?" she enthused.

"We talked about her bookshelves."

"So you went inside her house and spent time with her, right?"

"I did."

"Isn't she cool? She plays soccer, and she likes monster movies…"

Pilar stopped gushing about Allegra.

"I forgot. You told me not to interfere."

"I might've been wrong about that," he said.

Pilar's face lit up.

"Oh, yeah?"

"I like her. She's really nice and smart."

"My work here is done," Pilar said.

She skipped into the house, and he unloaded the truck.

Making bookshelves and planter boxes was the beginning.

Next came inviting Allegra over for football game gatherings with his family.

He introduced her to his oldest sister who gave birth to a baby boy, her first, and he watched Allegra nervously hold the newborn with trepidation in her eyes.

"You got it…just hold his head like this and keep him close to you…yeah, see, you got it," he said.

Terry's new nephew was a little chocolate drop.

"He's so tiny and adorable," Allegra said.

All of his sisters liked her, and his mother took the grand gesture of inviting her to join them on their family Christmas trip. Allegra looked genuinely receptive to the idea, but she already had plans to fly out to Boston to spend the winter holiday with her family. Terry felt bummed about it and realized that he was catching feelings for her.

He kept their budding friendship platonic, but by the following spring, it was clear to everyone around them that something was blooming past friendship. They hadn't been physical with each other yet, not even kissing. He liked the slow, easy pace. It gave him time to know her before jumping into anything serious, especially since he had Pilar to think of.

His daughter was crazy about Allegra.

He was too.

As time ticked on and it grew closer to the time that Pilar would have to fly overseas, his anxiety spiked. He was not planning on attending the celebration. His former sister-in-law, Zarah, was going to fly the long distance with Pilar to Rome.

The day his daughter was to leave, he paced in his living room, going over Pilar's packing list several times. Allegra hung out with him, reassuring him that all would be well. Zarah was on her way in a Lyft to pick up Pilar. They all thought it best that he say his goodbyes from home and not go to the airport.

"Go to the restroom one more time before you leave," he told his daughter.

Pilar ran upstairs to her bathroom.

"I'm going to put the roast in the oven for our dinner tonight," Allegra said. "Be right back."

He walked her outside of his home. When Allegra reached the sidewalk, she turned around to face him. For the first time, she slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him.

"You're a great Dad, Terry. Pilar is so lucky to have you…and so am I."

Terry locked eyes with her, and any fears he had about taking a chance on finding love melted away.

"May I kiss you?" he asked.

Her eyes twinkled like she'd been waiting her whole life to hear him say those four words.

"Yes, you may, Mr. Richmond."

He placed his forehead against hers first and savored the moment before the moment. Yes, he deserved someone for himself. His wily daughter had been so correct in her assessment of him. Forever grateful for Pilar's push to get him out into the world with the special woman in his arms, Terry lowered his head and kissed Allegra.

His full, lush lips were nothing compared to the soft place of comfort he found pressed against her mouth. Her lips coaxed a passion out of him he hadn't felt in years. He kept the kiss a little below chaste…she gave him a little teasing of her tongue to entice him for more later, when they would be alone. His grin broke their physical contact and the butterflies in his stomach told him she was the one to take a chance with.

He pushed a fluffy bang away from her left eye and Allegra glanced up toward his second floor. Terry followed her gaze, and they both glimpsed Pilar looking down at them from her bedroom window. She fist-pumped her right hand, and the expression she gave them was pure joy.

Her little plan worked.

Author's Note:

I wanted to write something fast and fluffy to put out the day after the horror of that anti-Black orange menace being put back in office by racist white people and their non-Black PoC racist minions. Black women need soft, joyful things to get us through. We all we got. Remember that.

[forest-falcon]

The Butterfly Effect

Chpr 10

⚠️ Trigger Warning for angst

This could have probably been an earlier chapter, but hey, better late than never! Alan and Gordon arrive home post-TB4-mission.

❤️💛 🚀

Alan let the warmth of the shower seep into his bones. He was sure his squid brother was secretly cold-blooded. Stepping into a shower after Gordon, was akin to performing the ice bucket challenge - the water barely more tepid than the sea itself. Alan, was the polar opposite - disassociating in the molten mist until he'd generated his very own steam room.

The teen grabbed a towel and headed for the lockers.

"Gordon, what the hell?"

He slammed the locker door shut.

Asshole had taken his spare clothes.

He searched through the other lockers. John's was empty, Virgil's; locked. He opened Scott's and pulled out a finely pressed shirt and jeans. 

Gordon had better hope that Four had no further call outs today or he'd drown the fish himself.

The designer jeans were far too long in the leg. He had to fold the ends up twice to avoid tripping on the excess material as he waddled. The shirt was equally ridiculous. He looked like a child trying on their father's work clothes. It wasn't too far from the truth. But he was nineteen, not nine. And he loathed anything that could be used as ammunition by his brothers to remind him that yes... he was the baby of the family - he got it, alright?

He hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of Scott's jeans, desperate to protect himself from further embarrassment and shuffled his way back to his room. Brothers sucked ass.

*.  *.  *.

The astronaut's mood subsided a little on seeing that Grandma had been and spruced his room in his absence. His favourite green guitar top had been washed, ironed and laid out on the end of his bed.

Scooping up the casual wear; he buried his face into the soft fabric and inhaled its floral scent. Grandma was one of the few members who actually bothered to remember to add the softener to washes. He was so used to the Birds, bedrooms and gym smelling like...well, a gym; that it was a secret pleasure to enjoy the floral scent of cleanliness. Alan decided that it was the little things in life that brought the greatest pleasure.

He headed to his closet to grab his go-to shorts; pulling the tee over his head as he walked.

"FUCK!"

The floor beneath him shifted. 

His room, the villa, maybe even the island shaking with a ferocity usually reserved to a Two Bird callout.

Alan was flung to the floor. He groaned. Where was his super-plush rug to cushion his fall-

His world suddenly tipped.

Blindly reaching out; somewhat encumbered in his half-dressed state, Alan managed to grasp the doorframe to his closet. 

"GUYS! HELP!"

It sounded like a volcanic eruption...

His room roared like fracturing rock.

Steel screamed and splintered above him.

"Agh!" The sound was deafening, but he didn't dare let go.

Alan's thoughts were racing faster than Fireflash.

John. John would not have missed an impending  eruption?

...Other than that one time with Professor Quentin Questa at Hrómundartinhurmindur. 

No, this was nothing like a volcano. So what then?

His mind flitted through other possibilities. .

Earthquake? Landslide?

His room stopped shaking with one last feeble quiver.

Alan dared to pull his head through his top with a singular hand - the other still firmly glued to the doorframe.

The teen blinked; not trusting his eyes with the reality they presented him with. 

One of his bedroom walls...

His floor length windows...

They were just... gone.

A wall of silver filled the space.

[starssaroundmyscarssblog]

𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 (part one)

pairing: teen!noel gallagher x fem!oc

summary: noel's going nowhere, and fern's going everywhere

word count: 2.2k

warnings: mentions of drugs, smoking, swearing (possible ooc noel but i wanted to write a soft lil' teen fic 😩)

PART TWO IS HERE

it had hardly been in fern's nature to do anything other than keep her nose close to the grindstone in the run up to her a-level exams, so when noel knocked on her bedroom door one evening proudly announcing that he was done with his qualifications at the tech college it was fair to say she'd fallen silent.

the crackling of her record player and the subsequent crooning of john lennon was all that could be heard in the room, fern eventually breaking and laughing at noel as he pushed open the door further to cross the threshold of her room. "what ya laughin' for?" he questioned, taking a ball-point pen out of a pot kept on the desk and balancing it on the tip of his finger whilst he waited for an answer.

"because i assume you're joking." fern retorted, glancing at him from over her shoulder before returning to scribbling away at her flashcards. when there came no responce, and noel had fallen uncharacteristically silent, her hopes plummeted. "oh, noel, you haven't."

his sheepish smile gave him away instantly.

instantly, she had snatched the pen away. "what were you thinking?" noel had moved away from hovering near her desk and instead used two fingers to peer out of the curtains. the window in fern's room backed onto the large garden, and if you tilted your head at just the right angle the city-scape of greater manchester hoved into view. from the large suburban houses and roads worlds away from burnage, noel saw that between the pair of them only fern had a permanent ticket out.

after thinking, all he could muster up was "dunno."

"you've only been there for two weeks. you're lucky they let you onto the course - you applied three months late and you got expelled from school before you could take your exams."

"don't make me feel worse, fern." he groaned, falling backwards onto the ottoman at the foot of the bed. reluctantly, fern tore herself away from her revision and tucked it all away again so she could sit next to him. "i bet your mum went ballistic."

"yeah."

even the way she spoke was different - not once would she shorten a word for the sake of a mancunian dialect, something she tried and succeeded at after winning a scholarship for one of the grammar schools in order to 'fit in'. privately educated girls and secondary-school dropouts weren't meant to fit together on paper, yet fern and noel did. they met accidentally, whilst she was working part-time in a record shop and they'd gotten to talking.

"still, r'kid thought it was hilarious. nearly pissed 'imself laughin' i think."

they sat in silence for a few moments, until the call of fern's mum broached the peace of the room. "fernie, tea's on the table." she waited patiently at the foot of the stairs until the pair of teenagers descended the stairs into the hallway. "staying for tea, noel?" she questioned.

fern and noel acted in routine, him pulling out the plates and her extracting the cutlery from the draw before trooping into the dining room. "hiya, audrey. if tha's not a bother." it wasn't, he just asked out of courtesy because that's what his mum had taught him. more often than not, noel would stay for tea or if they'd eaten audrey was more than happy to put something into the oven for him.

they sat around the dinner table, fern's dad at the head eventually putting his newspaper away to ask her about her day. then he moved onto noel as if it was second nature to do so - the boy even had his own designated seat at the table. "alrigh', mr gibson. n'owt interesting me at the moment, so i-"

fern kicked him under the table, catching his eye in warning. mr gibson looked at him expectantly, patiently waiting for a continuation of the answer. "-decided to give it a week or two more. y'know, see how it goes."

this received a nod in approval. "good lad."

there was the sound of cutlery scrapping on china plates as the four sat around the table finishing their food, fern and noel finishing in synchronisation before getting permission to leave the table.

if he was at home, liam would have said something he thought to be comical within five minutes of sitting down to eat, and noel would have left the table in a huff to dig out a spliff from a pocket of a strewn-somewhere jacket. at fern's house he abided by the rules of matriarch audrey gibson, where correct manners were used at the table and teenagers didn't go about declaring they'd quit college and were relying on music-making to provide them a stable ground for the future.

after climbing up the stairs and re-entering her bedroom, noel beelined for her shelf full of records and mixtapes whilst fern made herself comfortable at her desk again. "hey, where'd all the singles go- fuck me. you're not revising again are ya?"

"test tomorrow. that cow jessica thinks she can get through the whole thing without an ounce of revision. i'm trying to prove her wrong."

"by constantly revisin'?"

"she doesn't have to know that." they stared at each other for a few tension-filled moments, fern daring him to question her logic with her glare. noel held his hands up in a motion of concede, turning his attention back to the records organised perfectly on the shelf. "ye' know you don't have to revise tha' much. i'm sure you could do it without."

"i don't think i should be taking academic advice from you, noel, no offence."

he sighed, tried to take offence as he lay down on the freshly washed sheets of her bed, and found he couldn't. watching her scrawling away at her revision, textbooks and wider reading strewn about around her all over the desk as she tried to absorb the written word on each individual page. fern's shoulder's hunched upwards in focus, vaguely aware of noel flicking through a book left on her bedside table before twiddling his thumbs, restless. "give 'em to me, then you loon."

"what?"

"them cards. i'll test ya, see how yer doin' an all tha'."

fern could hardly believe what she was hearing. more often than not, noel would catch the train for the hour-long journey from burnage to hale without paying for a ticket just to get a change of scenery from the council estate and liam's nagging. sometimes, he'd stand by the window and try to light a cigarette without getting any of the ash onto the windowsill. fern would chastise him, but eventually join him and the pair of them would lean against the window passing a marlboro between them.

"yeah. you'll get good grades and piss off down south for uni - you'll go everywhere and i'll hold down the fort in burnage. always meant to be that way, since ye won tha' scholarship to a school for posh twats."

"you're going everywhere too, noel. i know it. no-one writes songs as good as yours and stays in a council estate while living on the dole their whole life. something good'll come along, you wait."

noel stared at her, watched her move around the room before settling herself along the foot of the bed, laying her head on his stomach. "you're a sop."

"i thought you were helping me." fern handed noel her stack of flashcards, patiently waiting for him to read out questions about thomas cromwell's reformation and katherine howard's promiscuity, her essay about cardinal wolsey abandoned half-completed on the desk. "obviously they're purple."

the two of them sat like that for two hours, not registering that the record player had stopped spinning only twenty minutes into the constant firing of question and answer nor noticing when audrey poked her head into the door to supply them with two mugs of tea (lots of milk and one spoon of sugar for fern, black and the tea bag still steaming for noel) whilst her daughter was busy working her way through more and more questions.

steadfast darkness had fallen by the time they'd finished, fern passing over a new stack as soon an noel thought he was finished. she was rubbing at her eyes as she glanced to the clock - 10pm. "bollocks, you'd better go. your mum'll go mad if you're not back soon."

"trains won't be runnin' this time of night, love." he only ever called her that on nights where the two of them knew he'd be spending the night. "and i won't let you drive me in the dark - mam'll kill me if she knew i'd left you to drive home alone at this time of night."

"alright. i'll go and let mum know."

slowly, fern padded down the stairs leaving noel to get changed into some clothes he always kept in a draw somewhere in her room, popping her head in through the door of the living room. her mum and dad were settled together on the sofa watching the tele, the latest episode of 'emmerdale' flickering from the screen. her dad held a shallow glass of brandy in his hand, her mum a small glass of wine. "everything okay up there, fernie? you two were very quiet when i popped up to check on you both."

"yeah, everything's fine. i was revising for that test tomorrow and noel was helping me. and by the way, he's going to stay over tonight - the trains have stopped and you know what he's like with me driving in the dark." she shrugged, leaning on the door as it swung forwards to peck her dad on the balding patch at the crown of his head. "alright, lovey. don't forget to ring peggy and leave the door open. i don't want to walk in on you two-"

she cut him off immediately, "yes, thank you daddy... oh. look what the cat dragged in!" fern immedietely bounded over to the window, where her small grey cat was clawing at the glass panes. she cracked them open slightly, enough room for him to slink in, a quivering door-mouse clamped between his sharp teeth. "you little assassin." she muttered close to his ear, holding the rodent in the palm of her hand and opening the front door to settle him under a bush on the driveway before heading back inside, taking the feline from her mum waiting in the doorway. "night, mum."

as fern walked across the landing upstairs, she stopped en-route to her bedroom to grab a fresh pair of pyjamas out of the airing cupboard and darted into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. she exited the tiled room, padded the few remaining steps to her bedroom door and pushed it open by the toe of her slipper with the small grey cat still in her arms.

when she stuck her head round the door, felix wrangled against her arms and eventually set himself free from the warm confines of fern's hold, and began to paw against noel's chest from where he was lying down in the middle of the bed. absently, he lifted his fingers up to scratch the cat behind the ears. "mum says you can use the phone to call home, and dad wants us to leave the door open."

noel turned his head, "used the one on the landing, mam sort of assumed i'd be here. better than her thinkin' i'm out with me mates from down at college."

they lay on the bed in silence, noel eventually stretching his arm out to allow fern to roll into his side. "what are you going to do now you've dropped the course?"

"was wonderin' how long it would be until you asked that question."

fern looked up at him expectantly. "if you don't know it's alright. i still don't know what i want to be."

he pressed a light, awkward kiss to her head and reached into the pocket of his jacket tossed over the back of her desk chair. noel produced a packet of cigarettes and his lighter, flicking the box open to pull one out with his teeth. the lighter clicked until it produced a flame, and he pointed it towards the end of the cigarette - took a long drag before settling further back onto the pillows on the bed. "it don't matter if you don't know what you wanna be. you can go to uni and get a degree then work for some posh toff at a publishing house in london or edinburgh."

"what will you do?"

"i don't know. probably end up the same as every other burnage kid. on the dole, a dad at twenty and a drinking problem." at fern's wide, shocked stare, he smiled at the corners of his lips. "only joking. r'kid will have definitely knocked up some bird by that age, though. i'll probably try and get some gigs roadying if i can. just to keep me busy n'all that."

"you should be playing those guitars instead of warming them up for someone else if what you've let me hear is anything to judge by. playing and writing. but for the meantime, stay out of trouble and wait for me after school every once in a while?"

he truly smiled then, in the dark and towards the ceiling so she couldn't see. out of the corner of his eye, noel could see that fern had shut the door upon her return. his fingers tapped out the cigarette in to a burnt out candle against which he crushed the stub with his fingertips. then he titled his head enough to press gentle kisses that held more confidence against her jawline and down the delicate column of her neck. between ministrations he spoke, "if i do that, the lads'll think i've gone soft for my posh bird."

"and have you?"

"maybe."

🪩⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊🎸

[zerotwentysims]

Contemporary Family Mansion IV

Contemporary luxury family mansion for your Sims. With this one, I tried to blend in a modern buid into the surroundings of The Crumbling Isle. Fully furnished, CC free, build.

Lower level : entry, utility room, entertainment space, half bathroom, creative studio, bedroom, full bathroom (Jack and Jill style, shared with the creative studio), garage, butlers bedroom with ensuite. One unfurnished room, coul be a potential home cinema, music room etc.)

Main level : combined formal and dining room, large kitchen, butler's kitchen, laundry, 2 half baths and the kids wing (3 bedrooms, for a toddler, a child and a teen, 2 full bathrooms, living area and study corner)

Upper level : master bedroom (with walk in closet and full bathroom), office, gym and full bathroom.

Garden : seating areas, outdoor kitchen, pool and playground.

Lot size : 64x64, designed for Von-Windenburg Estate on The Crumbling Isle

Packs used for the shell/exterior/gardens : Get Togther, Eco Lifestyle, Spa Day, City Living, Get Famous and Journey to Batuu. Many others for the interior.

Tip 1 : I would suggest to use the Ravasheen "Uplifting Elevator" mod (the shells), considering the scale of this house. Elevator "shafts" are already placed in the central staircase on each level.

Tip 2 : It would be very easy to add another bedroom by moving the gym to the empty space on the lower level -or- moving the creative studio to the empty space.

Download from the gallery, ID : zerotwenty-sims

[dlife]

Choosing the Right Bed Size: Which One Offers the Best Sleep?

Your bed is more than just where you sleep; it’s the centerpiece of your bedroom and plays a significant role in the overall layout of your space. Choosing the right bed size isn’t only about how much room you need to sprawl out—it’s also an essential aspect of interior design. The size of your bed can influence the balance, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of your bedroom. Here’s a guide prepared by our interior designers in Mangalore to help you choose the perfect bed size, with tips and insights into how it affects not just your sleep but also your room’s design.

Why Bed Size Is Crucial for Comfort and Sleep Quality

Sleep is the foundation of good health, and the size of your bed has a significant impact on sleep quality. Think back to a time you slept on a bed that felt cramped. Chances are, you woke up feeling stiff or didn’t sleep as well as you could have. A bed that’s too small may restrict your movement, leaving you tossing and turning throughout the night. On the other hand, a bed that’s too large for your room can make your space feel crowded, which might indirectly affect your rest by creating visual clutter.

From single sleepers to those sharing the bed with a partner, kids, or even pets, your comfort depends on having enough space to sleep comfortably. Choosing the right bed size blends functionality and interior design, ensuring your bedroom meets both practical and aesthetic goals.

Exploring the Different Bed Sizes

When it comes to bed sizes, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding the dimensions and uses of each type is key to making an informed choice. Here are the most common bed sizes and their ideal applications:

1. Twin (38” x 75”)

Perfect for children, smaller guest rooms, or single sleepers in tight spaces, the Twin bed is common in compact layouts. It’s a great choice for bunk beds in shared bedrooms or for a minimalist aesthetic in small spaces. However, it may be limiting for taller individuals or those who like to spread out.

2. Twin XL (38” x 80”)

With an extra five inches of length, the Twin XL caters to taller teens, college dorm rooms, or narrower guest spaces. It provides a balance of comfort and minimalism for one person without sacrificing functionality.

3. Full (54” x 75”)

The Full-size mattress offers roomy comfort for single sleepers or cozy quarters for two. It works well for smaller master bedrooms or guest rooms, providing flexibility for both adults and children.

4. Queen (60” x 80”)

One of the most popular sizes for bedrooms, a Queen bed is ideal for single sleepers looking for ample space or couples seeking a balanced compromise. It fits into most standard bedrooms without overpowering the room’s layout or design.

5. King (76” x 80”)

King beds are the epitome of luxury. They provide couples (and pets!) with plenty of personal space to sleep comfortably. However, a King bed requires a larger room to avoid a cramped appearance and maintain a harmonious interior design.

6. California King (72” x 84”)

For tall sleepers or anyone looking to add a touch of grandeur to their bedroom, the California King delivers. Slightly narrower than a standard King but longer, it’s a sophisticated choice for spacious rooms, adding elegance without compromising functionality.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bed Size

Your bed isn’t just about dimensions—it’s a vital element of interior design that must fit cohesively within your space. Here’s what to assess when selecting the perfect bed size.

1. Room Size and Proportions

Bed size must complement the dimensions of your bedroom. A Queen or King bed can dominate a small room, leaving little space for other furniture. On the flip side, a smaller bed in a large room might feel insignificant. For a balanced look and optimal functionality, keep at least 24 inches of walking space around the bed. Measure your room and prioritize flow and mobility in your design plan.

2. Number of Sleepers

A Twin mattress might work for one person, but couples or families sharing the bed need more room. For example, a King or California King bed can prevent elbow wars and ensure a peaceful night for everyone involved. Additionally, those who co-sleep with kids or pets may find that a larger bed quickly becomes a necessity.

3. Sleeping Habits

Do you or your partner toss and turn? Do you like to sleep spread out like a starfish? Understanding your sleep habits plays a major role in selecting the right bed size. Sleepers who share the bed but value personal space may prefer a King over a Queen for added comfort.

4. Long-Term Changes

If you’re planning on moving to a larger or smaller home or transitioning a child’s room into a guest room, think ahead. Opt for a size that aligns with future needs while still fitting your current space.

5. Budget

Larger beds can be more expensive upfront, and the costs don’t stop at the mattress. Larger frames, bedding, and even headboards may be pricier. Consider these factors when budgeting for your interior design project.

The Impact of Bed Size on Interior Design

The right bed size can elevate your bedroom’s design by making it feel cohesive and intentional. However, an ill-fitting bed can do just the opposite. Here’s how bed size affects your bedroom’s aesthetics and functionality:

Proportion Matters: A bed that’s too small can make a room look sparse, while an oversized bed dominates the space and feels cluttered. Achieving proportion helps create balance.

Focus and Flow: Your bed is the room's focal point, and its size determines how other elements should be placed around it. Larger beds might require rearranging other furniture, such as nightstands or dressers, to maintain an organized look.

Style Statement: Certain bed sizes have instant visual appeal. For example, a California King paired with a tall upholstered headboard exudes luxury, while a minimalist Twin bed with under-bed storage offers a sleek and functional vibe.

Tips to Optimize Space and Design with Your Bed Size

Once you’ve settled on a bed size, make the most of it by optimizing your space and enhancing your interior design:

Use Smart Storage Solutions Choose a bed frame with built-in storage or invest in under-bed containers to maximize space in tighter rooms.

Keep Balance in Mind Use bedside tables and lamps scaled proportionally to your bed. For smaller rooms, consider wall-mounted lighting to save space.

Create a Cohesive Look Match your bed frame and bedding to your room’s color palette and decor style. Neutral tones or light colors can make larger beds less intimidating.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space Especially in smaller bedrooms, use wall-mounted shelves or artwork above the bed to draw the eye upward and create the illusion of more space.

Don’t Forget Measurements Before purchasing, measure your room to ensure your desired bed will fit comfortably. Use painter’s tape or an online design tool to visualize how the bed will look.

Final Thought

Choosing the right bed size isn’t just about personal comfort—it’s also integral to effective interior design. From the compact practicality of a Twin to the opulent allure of a California King, bed size influences not only your sleep quality but also how your bedroom looks and feels. By considering your room’s dimensions, your lifestyle needs, and the aesthetics you want to achieve, you can create a bedroom that’s both functional and beautiful. Consult a team of interior designers in India to invest in the right bed size, and enjoy your personal sanctuary for years to come.

[ringtownrangerlark]

Gourgeist Festival

So, the Gourgeist Festival is not particularly celebrated in Fiore, since it's a Kalosian holiday.

However, in elementary school, there were days we learned about different regions and their customs. When little six-year-old me found out there was a holiday where one could dress up as a pokemon, I apparently got so excited (and/or so tantrum-throwingly devastated at the thought of not celebrating it) that I insisted on doing so.

My parents, bless them, were supportive. Now, since the Gourgeist Festival wasn't local, we couldn't just head down to the nearest department store and buy a pre-made pokemon costume. One of our neighbors in Ringtown, a woman named Mrs. Sarto, was a tailor. She was the one that did most of the measuring and designing and sewing, and became part of the tradition for years. My first costume that year was a Taillow. My dad, always a birder, got super into getting the little details right. I think there were individual feather markings that he copied after one of the neighborhood wild taillow that he would watch.

[Photo: A picture of Lark, age 6. They are wearing a bird costume with wings that attach at the arms. It is dark blue on the top and white on the underside. A few of the feathers are detailed with small spots or bands of coloration. Lark has dark blue socks on, as well as a red bandana around their neck, and a blue-and-red knit cap with the taillow head pattern. They have a yellow beak attached with a string around their face. The fabric of the costume has two long tails dangling down the back, the tips just barely trailing the floor.]

The next year I was a Spinarak. Sometimes I re-used costumes, but I'd also switch it up. From the ages of 10-12, I just kept adjusting the same Rockruff costume. I got Sedge at 10 and I liked matching, and the adults found it precious. As I got into my teen years I gradually developed enough skill to start doing parts of the design and costuming process myself. I can handle it solo now, though I still don't think I'm as good as Mrs. Sarto was, and I rely on some closet cosplay of altering clothing rather than making it from scratch. Trying unique things every year has become and increasingly fun part of the challenge. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think I've repeated a costume since I was 18.

Last year around this time, I had just come to Paldea and was a little swamped getting settled. I'm pretty sure I was catching an Iron Thorns the day of the festival. So all I did was a very minimal closet costume that I didn't really get to show off:

[Photo: Lark taking a mirror selfie in their bedroom. They are wearing long tan pants and a yellow hoodie. The hood is pulled up and cinched tight, hiding their hair. They have swim fins/flippers on, and have used eyeliner to draw spirals around/over their closed eyes. The arm not holding the phone is out like a psyduck waddling.]

So that's last year's minimal effort. But this year I'm ready! And I can't wait to show you all what I've prepared.

[972getasam-dfw]

Tips for Renovating Your Attic

For many, the attic is a nearly forgotten catch-all that is home to dark spaces, insulation, spider webs and boxes of mementos that rarely see the light of day. It’s sort of a “‘no man’s land” in your own home that is more often disregarded than acknowledged. So, why would someone choose to renovate that boring, largely unused attic space? Reasons to Renovate Your Attic Space There are a host of reasons why homeowners choose to renovate or upgrade their attic space. If more family space is needed, the attic is a great place to start. Looking for a lively and personable “man-cave?” The attic can become your best friend.  You could also use that space to add a home gym or an office space or study. It might be a separate television room for teens who want a space of their own. An attic could also be transformed into a new bedroom suite that could then be used to generate revenue from potential renters. Whatever the reason, renovating your attic means that you are also increasing the square footage of living space in your home. That makes your home more attractive to potential buyers. Whether you want to sell soon or, maybe never at all, this translates into an obvious increase in the value of your home and that is never a bad thing.  Now that we understand the reasoning behind renovating your attic, here are some tips for renovating your attic. How to Go About Preparing Your Home for an Attic Renovation For most, a true renovation goes beyond installing a new floor and tossing in a couch or desk. Attics are tricky spaces and often read as that “haunted” room upstairs that no one ever talks about. So, yes, when it comes to renovating these spaces preparation is needed and in more ways than one.  First, you will want to consult with a professional who will advise you about building codes and permits. There might even be a list of restrictions that are specific to attic renovations and it would be very good to know about that before making any big plans or putting money down.  Are the attic beams or an existing attic floor strong enough to support new flooring and furniture? How will the addition of these floors and possible walls affect the attic’s ability to provide for pre-existing energy efficiency and comfort for the rest of the household? These are questions that can be answered by a qualified structural engineer.  How Much to Spend on an Attic Renovation? Next, you will need to consider your potential budget. Repurposing your attic space can be costly and that cost will vary according to what that new purpose might be. As an instance, it would cost less to create space for a home gym or an office but more if adding a bedroom or a space that might require more electrical and possibly plumbing work.  Then there’s the matter of the accouterments. Will this be a high-end space with proper ventilation and air conditioning? Will it involve the acquisition of new furniture or will an old sofa and TV do the trick? Depending on the purpose, these elements will need to be considered and then added to the budget at hand.   While on the topic of ventilation, this is no time to go cheap. Attics are usually designed for storage. As a result, they are not built to support proper ventilation and an additional type of attic insulation might be called for. Insulation is a key factor when it comes to creating a comfortable living space out of your former attic.  Since you’re now replacing a storage space with an attic space, it’s time to consider the cost of a portable storage container as one option for storing the now displaced belongings. This is especially true because your attic is typically the highest room in your house. This means that this is the space where all the heat in your home naturally gathers. Make sure your cooling systems are able to take on this new load of heat. What about lighting? Thankfully, today’s lighting technology allows for smart bulbs and LEDs. This means that today’s lighting sources don’t generate the heat they used to. Where possible, windows and skylights can lift the load but when relying on light sources for your new attic space, the suggestion is to use programmable smart bulbs or even consider strip lighting for a more resilient and cost-friendly effect.  In Summation An attic renovation can be a fun choice for your home and family. To start with, it’s a great way to add true value to one of the most important investments in your life. It’s also a wonderful way to beautify what is otherwise an empty and largely unused space.  There are a number of reasons why homeowners choose to upgrade or renovate an attic space. It could be for personal or even professional reasons but some also choose to make use of this space in order to generate a return on that investment. This can be done either by way of renting the space or simply allowing that additional square footage to accumulate in value along with the rest of your home over the years to come.  Whatever your reasons for making this choice, be sure to consult with the professionals first. A structural engineer will be more able to tell you what you can and cannot do with the space. Also, there’s the matter of local codes and permits that will be required before the first hammer comes down.  In the end, make sure that this new area is properly ventilated and well lit. Attics can become a beautiful new space in your home but these new spaces might need to be plumbed and they will assuredly require proper heating and cooling as needed. For your displaced goods from your old storage solution, contact SAM Store and Move for moving and storage solutions in Dallas-Fort Worth. Read the full article

[press-rrewind]

Innovative Bed Designs to Optimize Your Living Space

Maximizing the available space in your home is essential, especially when it comes to bedrooms. With clever bed designs and strategic interior decorating, you can double the functional space in your sleeping areas. This article explores various this website space-saving bed options that not only enhance the aesthetics of your room but also provide practical solutions for storage and multipurpose use.

Think Vertically: Elevate Your Bedroom Design

When it comes to interior design, it's crucial to utilize the vertical space within a room. By incorporating elevated bed designs and storage solutions, you can significantly increase both the floor and storage space in a bedroom.

Futons: Versatile and Space-Efficient

Futons serve as a smart choice for rooms that need to be multifunctional. In a study or den, a futon can be a comfortable couch by day and transform into a guest bed when needed. This flexibility ensures that the room remains useful for daily activities without compromising on guest accommodations.

Loft Beds: Ideal for Teens

Loft beds are perfect for older children and teenagers who desire a space for both sleep and social activities. By elevating the bed, you create room underneath for a study desk or a cozy seating area, offering a private and quiet corner for work or relaxation.

Bunk Beds: Fun and Functional for Kids

For bedrooms shared by siblings, bunk beds are an excellent way to utilize vertical space. Not only do they provide individual sleeping areas, but they also free up floor space for play and activities.

Murphy Beds: A Smart Solution for Small Spaces

Murphy beds are a transformative option for studios and one-bedroom apartments. When folded up, they reveal a spacious area that can be used for daily living, effectively adding the feel of an extra room to your home. Murphy beds can also be integrated into home offices or dens to create a dual-purpose space.

High Platform Beds: Storage with Style

The shift from traditional box springs to platform bed supports has opened up new storage possibilities. With the extra vertical space beneath the bed, you can gain up to 42 square feet of storage area under a king-size bed, perfect for keeping your belongings organized and out of sight.

Air Beds: Convenient for Unexpected Guests

Air beds are a practical solution for homes where dedicated guest rooms are not an option. These beds are portable, easy to inflate, and offer a comfortable sleeping surface. Some models even feature self-inflation mechanisms, making setup a breeze.

Trundle Beds: Sleepover-Ready

Trundle beds are a clever addition to children's rooms, providing an extra bed for sleepovers without taking up permanent space. When not in use, the trundle bed neatly tucks away under the main bed frame, eliminating the need for additional temporary bedding solutions.

Day Beds: Dual-Purpose Design

Day beds are an attractive and functional choice for any room, offering a place to sit during the day and sleep at night. They are particularly well-suited for apartments, girls' rooms, or as a stylish option for guest rooms.

Captain's Beds: Ultimate Storage Solution

To maximize storage in a child's bedroom, consider a captain's bed. With built-in drawers beneath the bed frame, you can eliminate the need for separate dressers and free up valuable floor space.

By embracing vertical space in your interior design, you can effectively double the usable floor space in your home. For additional bed resources and design tips, you can visit authoritative sources like Apartment Therapy or Architectural Digest.

[studiokiransingh]

5 Tips for Creating a Bedroom Your Teen Will Love

As your child progresses into their teenage years, their bedroom should grow with them. More than simply just a place to sleep, a teen’s bedroom should be a sanctuary that reflects their personality, interests, and style.  When you’re designing the perfect bedroom for your teen, you need to strike a balance between functionality, comfort, and aesthetics. So, if you’re preparing to embark on a…

[beardedcreatorcreator]

Black Bedroom Accessories Set: Is He / She Worth Getting This Done?

Luxury bedding is not necessarily just to take part in at the final of time when bodies and minds are exhausted. Who does not like to walk past their bedroom door and try to see rich colors and patterns that temporarily relieve? A beautiful bedroom is an origin of pride and simple joy. Putting together sheets with regards to a fine thread count with that merely right comforter or duvet cover, fluffy pillows, good lighting onto the nightstand- all of these things set very picture.

If such as the brass bed look, but the original brass is price prohibitive - this feature it costs too much for your allowance - not a problem. Find a faux-brass bed, one along with steel or some other less expensive metal, but coated or veneered with the brass come across as. Truth is, all of these faux-brass finished are brighter and maintain their shine better than real brass. But that's up Egg chair to a whopping you.

Don't buy kids furniture that are not to be moved around the room because from tweens to teens your child is bound to request some furniture rearrangements.just because she will rattan headboard !

The fabrics that are generally used in modern bedroom decor include men and women a sheen or silky effect. This finish is quite fitting for window treatments or throw pillows. Nubby or rough fabrics may as well, as long as all patterns or prints complement one one another. A nubby throw tossed casually on the bed adds texture and pursuit. Area rugs that have been designed in unusual or abstract shapes make an uplifting addition towards room.

Like a four-poster bed, even canopy beds have four vertical columns that extend very much four feet high in the four corners of the bedstead. Setting a ceiling too that is covered with decorative clothing. Draping of decorative fabric is present at some hanging chair corners throughout on some vertical copy. Such bedsteads appear like beds utilized by kings and queens present in the olden times.

If you're just starting out, working around a well used injury, maybe want some other ideas regarding how to bank strength in your joints and ligaments, there are some easier pushup exercising. Firstly, you can try wall pushups. Start with your feet together, the particular body aligned, along with palms facing flat against a . Your arms in order to kept straight, shoulder width apart. Hands should attend chest lvl. Bend your shoulders and elbow slowly until you can softly touch your forehead to the wall. Push away from the wall, to be able to the start position. Many . one representative. I recommend starting with one regarding 10 repetitions.

Use easy tips to inspire in order to create an enchanting bedroom design with simplicity .. The results will make you gush. Your room is sure to delight and beckon you to chill and unwind with that special someone. Now that's romantic!

[bedforkid]

Teen Bedding Guide: Uncover the Secrets to a Cozy Teen Haven

Your Ultimate Teen Bedding Guide: Styles, Tips & Trends

Teen bedding is an essential part of creating a personalized and stylish space for your teenager. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right bedding. This guide will provide you with the latest styles, tips, and trends to help you transform your teen's room into a comfortable and trendy sanctuary. Key Takeaways: - Teen bedding is an important aspect of creating a personalized and stylish space for your teenager. - Choosing high-quality bedding sets ensures durability and comfort. - Consider the colors and patterns of the bedding to match the desired aesthetic. - Styling tips include using different pillow arrangements and layering textures and patterns. - For college dorm rooms, consider bedding that is suitable for the specific requirements and provides extra comfort.

Best Teen Bedding Based on Quality

When it comes to choosing teen bedding, quality is an important factor to consider. Your teenager deserves bedding that is not only stylish but also durable and comfortable. To help you make the best decision, we have analyzed customer reviews and ratings to identify the top options in terms of quality. Top Teen Bedding Sets Based on Quality Bedding Set Rating Customer Reviews Sohil Multicolor Reversible Striped Cotton 2 Piece Quilt Set 4.7 "This quilt set exceeded my expectations in terms of quality. The stitching is impeccable and the fabric feels soft and luxurious." Powhattan Reversible Comforter Set 4.6 "I love the quality of this comforter set. It's super cozy and the colors are vibrant. Highly recommended!" Mangesh Microfiber Modern & Contemporary Comforter Set 4.6 "This comforter set not only looks great but also feels amazing. The material is top-notch and it washes well. A fantastic choice!" These bedding sets have received high praise from customers for their outstanding quality. Whether you choose the Sohil Multicolor Quilt Set, Powhattan Comforter Set, or Mangesh Microfiber Comforter Set, you can rest assured that your teen will have bedding that stands the test of time. Investing in high-quality teen bedding is a smart decision as it ensures your teenager's comfort and satisfaction. Not only will they enjoy a good night's sleep, but they will also have a stylish bedroom that reflects their personal taste and style.

Best Teen Bedding Based on Colors

In addition to quality, the color of teen bedding is an important factor in creating the desired aesthetic for your teen's room. The right colors can add vibrancy and style to the space, making it a reflection of your teen's personality. Here are some of the best teen bedding options based on colors: 1. Alcaraz Comforter Set https://youtu.be/xWmKekCf76A?si=oxyV1mMH0HE0xjUu The Alcaraz Comforter Set is a popular choice for adding color and style to a teen's bedroom. Its vibrant shades and floral motif create a cheerful and eye-catching look. The set includes a comforter, shams, and decorative pillows, providing everything you need to complete the bedding ensemble. 2. Pfeiffer Microfiber Reversible Traditional Quilt Set https://youtu.be/YKGViZRLcZA?si=IWypmqgFN6BEC_rn If your teen prefers a more traditional and timeless look, the Pfeiffer Microfiber Reversible Traditional Quilt Set is a great option. It showcases a paisley and damask patterning in various colors, adding depth and visual interest to the room. The reversible design allows for versatility in styling. These bedding sets are not only trendy but also provide comfort and durability. They are made with high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting use. Whether your teen prefers bold and vibrant colors or more subtle and classic tones, there is a bedding set available to suit their style and preferences. Product Design Colors Set Includes Alcaraz Comforter Set Floral motif Vibrant shades Comforter, shams, decorative pillows Pfeiffer Microfiber Reversible Traditional Quilt Set Paisley and damask Various colors Quilt, shams

How to Style Your Teen's Bedding

Styling your teen's bedding is an exciting opportunity to showcase their personality and create a visually appealing space. By following these tips, you can achieve a stylish and cohesive look for your teen's bedroom. Choose the Right Pillows One popular styling formula is to use four sleeping pillows and one extra-long lumbar pillow. This arrangement creates a minimal and pulled-together look for the bed. Consider using pillows with stylish pillowcases or shams that match the overall theme or color palette of the room. Additionally, you can add a decorative pillow, such as a round or square pillow, to add a pop of color and personality. Layer Textures and Patterns To create visual interest and depth, experiment with layering different textures and patterns in your teen's bedding. Mix and match colors and patterns to reflect their personal style. For example, combine a solid-colored comforter with patterned pillows or add a textured throw blanket for added coziness. Don't be afraid to play with different combinations to find the perfect balance. Showcase Personal Touches Add personal touches to your teen's bedding to make it truly theirs. This could include incorporating their favorite sports team logo on a pillowcase, displaying their favorite band's merch on a decorative pillow, or even customizing a throw blanket with their name or initials. These small touches will make the bedding feel unique and special. Pillow Arrangement Texture and Pattern Personal Touches Four sleeping pillows and one extra-long lumbar pillow Layer different textures and patterns in the bedding Add personal touches like favorite sports team logos or customizations Create a minimal and pulled-together look Experiment with mixing and matching colors and patterns Make the bedding feel unique and special

Tips for Buying Bedding for College Dorm Rooms

When it comes to outfitting a college dorm room, choosing the right bedding is essential. Here are some tips to help you find affordable teen bedding that meets the needs of your teen's new living space. 1. Opt for Teen Room Essentials: College dorms often have specific requirements, such as extra-long twin beds. Look for bedding sets that include extra-long twin sheets to ensure a perfect fit. These sheets are designed to accommodate the longer mattresses commonly found in dorm rooms. 2. Consider Affordability: College life can be expensive, so it's important to find affordable bedding options. Look for bedding sets that offer quality and comfort at a reasonable price. Keep an eye out for sales or discounts to help you stay within your budget. 3. Prioritize Comfort: Dorm mattresses are known for their lack of comfort, so adding a mattress pad to your teen's bedding can make a big difference. Look for a pad that offers extra cushioning and support to ensure a good night's sleep. 4. Practicality is Key: College dorm life can be hectic, and frequent trips to the laundry room may not always be feasible. Consider purchasing multiple sets of bedding to have on hand. This way, your teen can easily switch out the sheets when needed, without the added stress of constant laundry. By following these tips, you can find affordable teen bedding that meets the specific needs of a college dorm room. Remember to prioritize comfort, practicality, and affordability to create a cozy and inviting space for your teen's college experience.

FAQ

What are the best teen bedding sets in terms of quality? Based on customer reviews and ratings, the following bedding sets have been identified as the best in terms of quality: Sohil Multicolor Reversible Striped Cotton 2 Piece Quilt Set, Powhattan Reversible Comforter Set, and Mangesh Microfiber Modern & Contemporary Comforter Set. What are some popular choices for adding color to a teen's bedroom? The Alcaraz Comforter Set, with its vibrant shades and floral motif, is a popular choice for adding color and style to a teen's bedroom. Other options include the Alcaraz Comforter Set with a white backdrop and printed floral design, and the Pfeiffer Microfiber Reversible Traditional Quilt Set with paisley and damask patterning. How can I style my teen's bedding? One popular styling formula is to use four sleeping pillows and one extra-long lumbar pillow for a minimal and pulled-together look. Adding a decorative pillow, such as a round or square pillow, can add a pop of color and personality. Layering different textures and patterns can also create visual interest and depth. What should I consider when buying bedding for college dorm rooms? When buying bedding for college dorm rooms, consider getting extra-long twin sheets as most dorm beds require this size. It's also a good idea to buy multiple sets of sheets to avoid frequent laundry trips. Investing in a mattress pad can provide extra comfort, and using a bed scrunchie can keep your sheets in place. Look for bedding made of natural fibers like cotton for breathability and comfort.

Source Links

- https://www.wayfair.com/sca/ideas-and-advice/guides/top-10-teen-bedding-T20030 - https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/how-to-make-a-bed - https://www.collegefashion.net/dorm/college-dorm-room-shopping-part-1/ Read the full article

[angiehomesonline]

Looking to transform your teen's bedroom into a space that reflects their personality and needs? Look no further than this ultimate guide to teen room interior design! With expert tips on everything from color schemes to storage solutions, this guide will help you create a bedroom that your teen will love to spend time in.

[gvawood]

We've got an awesome bedroom makeover to show you today - a basketball-themed room for a lucky teenager! We're pretty sure this space will score major points with any basketball-loving teen! Check out our latest video for some seriously cool design ideas and inspiration! And don't forget to follow us for more tricks and tips on how to upgrade your home decor game!

Let's get decorating!

[makebank]

secrets & suds

request: long request but to summarize jj is involved with a kook but hasn’t moved past hooking up, he gets in trouble for pope sinking the boat, and she decides to help out. 

word count: 2.3k

warnings: mentions of smut but none, cussing, typos, angst, fluff

He presses a quick kiss to your cheek as he throws his shirt over his disheveled head. His skin is slightly damp and glistening and some of his tufts of hair plastered to his forehead. “Gotta bounce, see you tomorrow?”

You beam at the blond from across the room and send him a smirk, “You always do”. He rushes out of your house just before dawn. JJ was always good about making sure to leave before your parents woke up, specifically your dad. You never minded the class division, but it was easy to say from your spot on the kook throne. You take a moment to regain your breath then toss yourself back onto your silky king size bed. Your satin pajama set lay wrinkled off the side of your bed, you knew he was going to love ripping off the matching outfit as soon as he saw you. 

For some time now you and JJ have had a little arrangement. And by arrangement that meant he came over most nights to fool around. Sometimes you’d get him to watch a movie or cuddle, but it was always interrupted by your parents waking up or his friends texting him for something. You weren’t exactly sure when you started to fall for the troublemaker, but it came with ease. He seemed so rough and mysterious, which is what amplified your want for him in the first place. But after closer observation, he is kind, gentle, and would do anything for you. Of course you knew it would never happen. He is too caught up in the division and himself to even want anything more than this. Not that you don’t love the time you get with him, but you crave more. 

You sigh as you stand up wrapping yourself in your fluffy robe. Peering out of your bedroom window, you watch JJ sprint across your lawn and expertly hop the high gate. 

-

Alternating between mindlessly scrolling through your phone and checking out your window, you grow impatient. JJ had never missed coming over without texting. You were worried something happened or maybe he was just bored of you. It was getting late, so you send a single text hoping he was okay and try to lull yourself to sleep.

-

The next morning you wake up and for a moment your fears weren’t there. Slowly blinking your eyes open, it all comes back to you. You reach for your phone hoping for some relief. To your dismay no new messages were from him. You jump out of bed and rush to take a quick shower. Some slight snooping wouldn’t hurt. 

You definitely weren’t close with any of JJ’s friends, but you did know where to find them. You enter the Wreck looking overwhelming overdressed in your designer shoes and this season’s newest sundress. You find a vacant booth and make yourself cozy until a curly haired girl you recognize as one of his best friends comes to get your drink order. After she introduces herself, it clicks. Kiara right you had a class with her freshman year of high school. Hm small world. She comes back with your coffee and asks what you’d like to order.

“Have you seen JJ lately?” you awkwardly ask. She shoots you a confused look before settling into a glare. “What’s it to you?” You stumble on your words, “Oh… nothing. He just normally mows our lawn on Wednesday mornings, but he didn’t show up. Just thought I’d ask”. She seems semi satisfied with your answer and doesn’t press for more detail. “Well, he’s busy. Not that it’s any of your business anyway. So do you want something to eat or not?” You weren’t sure why she was being so hostile it's not like you two ever had any direct problems. Maybe she was just being protective of her friend. You weren’t going to take it to heart. 

You slump down in your seat resigning to the fact you weren’t going to get any answers from her. “No, I think I’m good with just this. Thanks”. She huffs whatever and walks away. Just as you're about to leave you see a frantic boy rush up to the counter to Kiara. You knew it was Pope from the pictures JJ has shown you. He looks like he’s on the verge of meltdown. 

“I can’t believe JJ covered for me. Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money. I feel so bad! What do I do?” He’s running a mile a minute and Kiara tells him to lower his voice. She brings him into the back room to comfort him away from eavesdropping ears. However, you heard it all and can’t comprehend what happened that he would owe that much money. Nonetheless, you conclude that you’re going to find a way to help him, wherever he is. You drop a couple twenties leaving a hefty tip and rush out of the restaurant. 

Walking down the street you bump into the three bozos that rule your side of the island. They ogle you and shout their vulgar ‘compliments’ at you. You scoff but are well accustomed to their barbarian-like nature. As you strut away, you overhear Rafe yelling at Topper. “Dude, get over the boat! You won’t even hit on y/n with us. That Maybank kid will have to pay one way or another”. What was with today and perfect timing? You thought you were going to have to dig a little deeper.

You walk home to think of a plan. You had lots of money, but your parents would notice if you took that big of a chunk out without something nice to show in return. There was no way you could get that much, but you could find a way to get fifty percent. That would be enough to get the authorities off his back and give you time to talk down the Thorton’s. You decide you could easily sneak a couple thousand without your parents noticing, but you were going to have to figure out a way to come up with the rest. 

It dawns on you after spending all your childhood watching teen rom coms. A car wash! Everyone was always searching for one after a storm. Plus, it wouldn’t take much but a simple tweet and an instagram story to have people lining the block. You immediately text the girls’ group chat to set the plan for tomorrow. 

- 

You wake up with a spring in your step ready to put your plan into action. You frown a little knowing it was another day with no word from JJ. You hope he’s safe and just taking time to himself. 

Putting on your skimpiest bikini and shorts you gawk at yourself in the mirror. It’s not like you had a problem with showing yourself off, you just knew the attention you were in for today regardless. You were doing this for JJ though, you wanted to help him out and show him there’s a lot more to you than having money and pretending to be perfect. 

You greet all your friends and start setting up. As cars start to line up, you can’t help but giggle to yourself thinking of the stereotypical ‘Cherry Pie’ or “Milkshakes’ playing in the background of every car wash scene. You get to work flirting and scrubbing cars as you all work for every dollar. The nice thing about Figure 8 was that they were willing to spend whatever. Just as you were about to head to another car you hear someone shouting your name.

You whip around to see a red faced and furious JJ. “You’re alive!” You try to lighten the tension. “What the hell are you doing y/n?” You frown in confusion. “What do you mean? A car wash?” He doesn’t seem satisfied with your sarcasm. “You're half naked out here and all these guys can’t keep their hands to themselves,”  he remarks annoyed while flailing his arms. You grin for a moment realizing he’s jealous, then it dawns on you, “First of all, you just disappeared off the face of the earth for days. No text or anything. Second, since when you do you care about what other guys say to me?” He crosses his arms over his body clearly irritated by your logical retort. “It’s none of your business. And I don’t care”. All the energy drains from you at the impact of his words. “Fine. Then keep not caring and leave me alone.” You swivel around stalking off to another car leaving him alone. Even if he didn’t want you, you were determined to finish your job and then move on.

You turn over your shoulder to see JJ storming off in the other direction. Your heart aches at seeing him actually leave. At least you knew he was breathing now. The next car pulls up with Pope in it. “What was that all about?” Your eyes widen at one of his friends catching you. He chuckles, “It’s okay I know about you guys. He tells me everything”. You soften knowing you weren’t a complete secret. “I’m not sure. He’s upset with me though.” He sends you an empathetic smile, “Don’t worry. He’s dealing with a lot right now. He’ll cool down eventually.” You nod your head, “Yeah, I heard about that. That’s actually what this is all for,” you admit sheepishly. Pope’s eyebrows raise with confusion. “My mom had me bring the car, because she said it was raising money for the high school”. Yikes. “That’s my bad. I kinda said it was for whatever people would listen to, so people would come”. He laughs, “Quick thinking y/l/n. You want some help?” Now it's your turn to laugh. “I’m sure we could find you some short shorts somewhere.” He parks the car off to the side and grabs a sponge to contribute. 

The rest of the day goes by with a breeze while joking with Pope and the girls. The last car drives off and you all plop on the curb for a break. You dry off your hands and start counting the money. You could almost cry happy tears. You raised over four thousand dollars. You thank everyone and promise to buy them mimosas at brunch tomorrow. For spoiled rich kids, they sure knew how to help someone in need. Pope pulls you into a side hug, “Thanks for doing this for him”. You smile squeezing him back, “thanks for helping”. 

After putting on some real clothes you stalk off to the Thorton’s. They promise they’ll leave JJ alone about the couple thousand left so it can be paid off slowly, now that they have a down payment for another boat. You breathed a sigh of relief knowing you did all you could. 

-

JJ was relaxing at John B.'s when he got a call. After hanging up, he’s elated and full of energy. He yells to the pogues, “Guys they said I don’t have to serve any time for the boat!” They all jump up excited and ask how. “They said over half of the debt has been paid, so they said I’ll have to sign up for some payment plan. But this means it won’t be on my record or anything”. They all join him in a group hug congratulating him. John B. pipes up, “Who paid it?” JJ stops for a moment considering that it wasn’t just magic, and the only person he knew that had money that knew was Kie. “Did you have your parents do it Kie? I seriously can’t thank you enough,” he picks her up into a giant hug. She shakes her head once he lets her down. “No, I wish I could’ve though. Sorry man.” 

Pope is smirking thinking about his day yesterday trying not to blow his cover. JJ notices. “What do you know, Pope?” He just shakes his head not budging. JJ throws his arm around his neck putting him into a choke hold wrestling move. Kie and John B. are enjoying watching them fight until Pope taps out. “Fine! It was y/n. That’s what the whole giant parade of cars getting washed was”. JJ freezes speechless. He turns on his heels and instantly busts out of the chateau. 

Meanwhile, you’re getting into comfy clothes preparing yourself for a lonely movie marathon tonight. Just as you settle into your thousand thread count sheets, your door swings open making you jump. “JJ you scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?” He crosses your abnormally large room beelining to you. He grabs your chin and pulls you into a kiss. Your hand naturally falls to his arm as you allow him to passionately lead your lips. You pull away gasping for air. “What was that for?” 

He sits down next to you. “I am so sorry. I’m sorry for disappearing and not texting you. And I’m really sorry for being such a dick yesterday at the car wash. I didn’t know you were doing all that for me. Either way though I shouldn’t have acted like that. Thank you for what you did. It means a lot. I’ll repay you I promise”. You smile rubbing your thumb against his hand. “I forgive you. You don’t need to repay me, we worked for it. You were right though, it wasn’t my business”. He shakes his head, “I wasn’t right. I like you a lot. I’m stupid for not saying it before. I just didn’t know how to tell you about all my issues and thought I’d scare you off.”

You lean over kissing him on his cheek to soothe his obvious tension. “You can’t scare me off. And I really like you too. You can trust me with your secrets, but I’ll try not to meddle anymore if you don’t want to tell me.” Grabbing your arms to scoot you closer, he brings you in for another long and deep kiss. “Don’t worry. You can know all my secrets now,” he winks as he pulls his shirt off easing you back onto the bed. 

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[listentothelittlebird]

This was an early draft for interactions between Damian and Tim in my fic series Code Bat - at this point, I was still experimenting with what Damian would wear for a costume when striking out on his own, so he’s not Canvas, here.

Word count: 756 words

Enjoy! :D

Only one bedroom in Titans tower was sound-proof.

Back when it was first constructed for their team, Tim had made sure that each of their rooms was what they preferred - designed with them in mind.

For himself, that meant privacy from two super-hearing friends. The others were slightly reluctant to allow that, but had still allowed their friend his space.

Tim’s room became something of a safe space - he could do casework about Gotham, contact his family, and after a long day, pull out the only batarang that he had in the room and stare contemplatively at it.

Sometimes he just needed a reminder of his connections - his roots.

Fortunately, that was not the only thing in his room which reminded him of home. Nightwing had dropped by once to check out the new tower. Tim stepped back into his room that night to find a neatly folded jacket on his bed. It was Titans merch with all the previous Titans, the original members, having their respective emblems patterned on the grey wool.

Tim took to wearing it until it was absolutely too small for comfort - constant washing from blood stains and coffee stains caused the fabric to shrink pretty fast.

Now he was moving out of the room - Young Justice was returning, fully trained this time, and much more experienced. There was a new generation of Teen Titans to be trained.

“Red Robin.”

Speaking of.

Tim turned to incline his head at his younger brother. Damian was dressed in the get-up that Kon had first met him in - a black scarf and a trenchcoat. His green eyes were hidden under brown lenses. He was fourteen, and had grown to be Tim’s size. 

Tim counted it a blessing that they were on good terms, even if that meant receiving constant jabs at his stunted growth.

“What is it, D?” Tim questioned politely, feigning ignorance while tipping his head at the still-opened doorway. Damian quickly stepped the full way in, allowing the door to slide close behind him. His stance relaxed minutely.

“Drake,” he greeted, letting his accent slip out more prominently. The name he used to address his older brother had long lost its malice. He gazed about the room - packed up aside from a box in the corner. His eyes lingered there.

“I was going to give you that,” Tim stated. Damian’s gaze flicked back to him curiously. Funny, how Damian was just beginning to learn childlike traits at the age that most people became prickly teens.

“May I…” he flicked a wrist out towards the box, and Tim helped to slide it over to his waiting hand.

Inside was a navy blue utility belt, and a T-shirt with Titans tower on its front, looking more like an impressionistic painting than anything. 

“Your yellow belt wouldn’t work with your current choice of costume,” Tim explained, nodding to the deep blue of his trenchcoat, “There’s an emergency button to contact any of us, and there’s also a tracker on it. Just so you know.”

“As for the shirt - well, I thought you’d appreciate something artsy,” Tim commented off-handedly with a shrug, “Plus, you can always wear it underneath that trench coat of yours, if you don’t like it.”

Read: if he secretly loved it, but refused to openly acknowledge it.

Damian was trying on the utility belt as he spoke, strapping it underneath his coat and humming in approval. He buttoned the coat back up, then quietly admired the design of the shirt.

“Thanks, Drake,” he spoke softly, the sound barely reaching him through the muffling from his scarf. Tim smiled softly, and risked a quick ruffling of the boy’s hair. 

Damian squawked and batted away his hand with a scowl. He huffed, but still carefully replaced the shirt back in its box. 

“I came here to discuss using this room as my own,” he stated, eyeing Tim and silently seeking permission for that very request. Tim smirked, and patted the newly-opened box, “Why do you think I had this here? Housewarming gifts are placed in rooms that are used.”

Damian paused at that. He gave a fleeting smile, visible only through his eyes, then he was striding out the door. Jon Kent was quick to latch onto his side and ask what the two had talked about.

“Transferring of ownership,” Damian stated, resisting the urge to glance back at the closed door behind him. 

This handing down was much more peaceful than the first - it made Damian feel much more content than the first time.