to want equality for boys....

[JimJammum]

...when it comes to soft furnishings and clothes?

It's already been well documented and lamented on here about boys clothes being confined to 2 rails of uninspiring t-shirts covered in transfers while there are racks and racks of gorgeous things for girls, but now I discover the inequality extends to the bedroom.
Wanting to decorate my ds's new bedroom and playroom when we move and am sick of seeing loads of lovely pink bedding, curtains and accessories, while boys get a digger shaped shelf and one set of football themed bedding. Or Thomas. Can anyone recommend somewhere that sells anything remotely more exciting, individual or original that is not going to costs my entire redecoration budget (you know who you are, White Company and Cath Kidston).
Ps - what do you do if your little girl doesn't do pink? Non-conformism at 4yo?

I agree

Dunno about Kath Kidston and such like but IKEA had some origional bedroom stuff for boys when i last went, it was lovely and not like all the usual boyish crap ive seen before

Dunelm mill used to have an ace space theme stuff for bedrooms - not sure if they still do

oh, it appears to have been swapped for dinosaurs - but they have generic trains too (not Thomas)

YANBU

Boys soft furnishing stuff is absolutely crap - mainly sodding football which would be OKish if I didn't have the only boy on the planet (seemingly) that hates football.

I have resorted to making curtains/blinds/cushions etc.

I would recommend somewhere that sells nice stuff but after wasting days on the internet I have come to the conclusion that all shops sell crap stuff for boys.

Grr.

Mind you it must be a nightmare to have a DD that doesn't like pink.

I got some nice stuff from Next - red & blue & not too girlie for DD (who doesn't DO pink!) & some stripes and stars (NOT USA stars & stripes!) blue-based patterned stuff for DS

That was in hte last catalogue, haven't looked at the new one, but they usually have a nice range of variations of stuff rather than the usual "fairy princess" and "football" options

TheCrackFox My two DSs are also the freaky type who don't like football.

There is some very cool wallpaper around (check out Wallpaper Direct), so when I do my DSs rooms, I'm going to do a feature wall, and then some brightly coloured roller blinds. Ikea do good bright circular bathroom rugs v. cheap - will dot them around the room.

Also, my BIL just bought my boys an old printers tray each, which we have hung up and they are displaying all their little nick-nacks - party bag toys, Go-Gos, lego people etc

I like the Boden boys stuff.

antiques.shop.ebay.co.uk/Woodenware-/37941/i.html?_nkw=printers+tray&_catref=1&_dmd=2&_fln=1&_trksid =p3286.c0.m282

In case you don't know what Printers' trays are .....

Not bought anything from here yet but I found it when I was browsing one day and it has quite a good selection of things for boys (and girls of course!) try here

DS has an underwater scene bedding set from IKEA. Gender-neutral.

I believe Verbaudet are good for clothes and furnishings, too.....

Try kidzdnes for almost anything and this for curtains or just material to make bedding from.

I agree choice for boys is often crap limited, but at least not pink !!

Ooops, x-posted with preggers - great minds, and all that

Its a great website, great minds indeed PacificDogwood

www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-childrens/Bedding.aspx?CategoryId=4127&&Path=4127/4135&&ChmCatId=4135

Vertbaudet

zapostrophe -how divine, a ouiga board for the princess in your life.

Jamie - glad to hear that there are fellow hating football boys out there. The link for the printers trays is great - it really would keep DS1's collection of shite nik naks under control. I might get bidding.

DS1 likes this rug but it is a bit pricey so hoping to find something the same but cheaper.

I think Great Little Trading company have similar to that rug, Crackfox

My Mistake - 'twas Next that has the union Jack Rug - maybe too small though ?

My sister bought my nephew some bedroom things from here recently. None of it is branded as far as I can see, and not all blue.

Lots seems to be quite unisex too - ie jungle type stuff.

DS1 has a duvet cover from Ikea - it has animals driving vehicles on it drawn in a sort of sketchy style. So not girly but not really very testosterone loaded either. Here

Their stuff is very reasonable too. Otherwise John Lewis? But I agree, is v frustrating

Don't think anyone has mentioned harlequin fabrics - I have this in DS room, it's lovely. Though yes did have to make the curtains, etc as this is just fabric rather than bed-sets.

How old is your little boy? Saw a really nice room in a Your home magazine done for a 5 yr old. Pale blue walls, navy curtains and all the furnitute painted in a bright shiny red(japlac). His name in stickers on the wall (gltc stock them) 'held up' by some red balloon stickers on the wall. Duvet was stars design in blue and red £9.50 from M & S. Looked really smart and wouldn't grow out of quickly.