The most magical bedroom you’ve ever seen was designed on a budget by a barista in Thousand Oaks, California, just in time for Halloween. Brian Thompson, Gryffindor, worked for one and a half years to finish his creation, which would look right at home with the sets at Universal Studios or Disney. Here’s the story of how he accomplished it.
The Inspiration
“I remember the feeling I got when I first walked through the interior of Hogwarts in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios,” says Thompson. “It left me baffled, mesmerized, and inspired. How could human beings construct something so grand…so complex and aesthetically perfect? All based on the inspiration of a world created within the mind of one person (JK Rowling). The process of bringing a vision into reality is what fuels my inspiration. On a (much) smaller scale, I knew I had to bring everything I possibly could into the only space of my own that I had. My bedroom. On a barista budget, I knew it would be a challenge, but that only fueled me more.”
The gears started turning in Thompson’s head as he studied the brickwork in the “Forbidden Journey” ride at Universal, and wondered what it must take to create something so beautiful. “They must have had to make it as cheaply as possible, but strong enough to last for a lifetime with the least amount of maintenance and repairs,” he said. When he put his mind to it, he was able to work out his own version that would work for his goals and budget.
The Materials
“ALL of my furniture is from the Goodwill or other local thrift stores,” says Thompson. “Each red chair in my room was about six bucks! The black display case was FIVE bucks! I must have made over 100 trips to thrift stores over 18 months to find everything I have. But every single time, I walked every aisle twice…making sure I didn’t miss the potential in something that could have given more life to my vision. It’s important to stay open and be confident in your resourcefulness.”
Thompson used insulation foam boards cut into cinder block sizes to create the brick walls, and the columns are made of concrete form tubes. “Everything…EVERYTHING is covered in a thin layer of caulking so I could protect and paint it all easily. The trees have a chicken wire fence structure that I covered in ‘Great Stuff’ insulation foam (cheap and goes a long way).” He is still working to make the trees more realistic (iPhone photos can hide a lot of imperfections, he points out), but he is still happy with how they turned out.
The Process
A lot of people have commented on the astoundingly beautiful ceiling, which was Thompson’s favorite part. “I found the perfect LED string lights on Amazon and ordered about eight strands (they each had 100 lights). I painted the wires black, painted my ceiling black, then used a staple gun to sporadically distribute them throughout the ‘sky’.” Although they’re a bit hard to see in the photos, he also used light puffs of white and grey spray paint to add some clouds. “The perimeter of the top of the walls are lined with door mirrors from Home Depot (five bucks each) to give the sky a bit of an ‘infinity’ effect that reaches beyond the castle walls. The chandelier is from (you guessed it) the thrift store. I painted it gold and hung it with chains that I painted black to make it look like it was floating. The floating candles are very light and were hung by fishing line.” He adds that although the candles are currently stationary, he has plans to make them move up and down.
And what did his family think while all of this design was taking place? “My family had no idea I was doing it until the ceiling was done. Then they started asking questions. They’re pretty hard to impress, so their compliments really fuel me. There were a few times I had to take all of my original belongings out of the room to make space to work, and my stuff would be just sitting in the garage or living room for a week at a time. It frustrated my parents once in a while, but they knew it was a small price to pay for a good investment. At least, that’s what I told them!”
Starting a project like this involves pausing to take inventory over your abilities. “I find that my skill is not in knowing what will look great, but in what is not working about something,” Thompson says. “I’m good at finding something that’s ‘off’, and I problem-solve until it’s not ‘off’ anymore. Things just end up working out that way. It’s like climbing a tall mountain. You can’t get to the top unless you’ve taken every step it takes to get there. Each person has a different path, and finding where things fall short is my forte.”
Overcoming Challenges
One obvious challenge to creating something like this is the budget. Although life as a barista often means living paycheck to paycheck, Thompson found ways to work around that. “I went as far as I could possibly go, and then did all the things I could do for free until my next paycheck.” He estimates the total cost of the room at around $1,500. Although he feels he did not always make the best financial decisions, his vision was ultimately more important to him than saving for a house. “The benefit of being on such a budget is it forces you to the extent of your creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness,” he says. “I found it a healthy challenge to get through.”
General life distractions caused other issues and procrastination along the way. “I started the project 18 months ago, but was only actively working on it over a total of two months or so,” he explains. “There were times I felt like giving up…I felt like I took on more than I had the ability to do. But I would see a movie, hear a song, get affirmation from a friend…that gave me a tiny spark of motivation that was strong enough to light the fire again. In the end, I knew I HAD to finish it in time for Halloween so I could show my friends who knew I was working on it. Necessity is a huge motivator, I’ve learned. Don’t give yourself the option to fall short, and you won’t.”
The Results
Thompson says that although he had an original idea in his head, the end product actually looks very little like it! However, he is now able to feel a sense of accomplishment just sitting in his own room. “I didn’t believe in myself halfway through, and now I’m convinced that the possibility of success is always there. It’s independent of your emotions and fully dependent on your actions. If anything, this was a great way for me to learn that I can bring dreams into reality if I don’t stop.”
When asked what JK Rowling might think of his accomplishment, he says, “I suppose by now, JK Rowling would be used to seeing such amazing artistic interpretations of the world she has created. However, over the night sky, the hundreds of foam bricks, and forest trees, I would hope that she would see how real magic actually is. That her countless days of pouring her vivid imagination onto pages in a coffee shop would one day turn into the inspiration for others to follow their own dreams. If she saw it the way I do, I think she’d believe in magic, too.”
What’s Next
Unbelievable as it may seem, Thompson does not have any background in set design or art! “I disliked school very much because I found it kept me from more ‘hands on’ experiences…from which I learn thoroughly and quickly.” He adds that, having completed this project, he would be fascinated to take some design courses to learn more about it.
Although people are probably breaking down the door by now, the room is not suitable to open to the public, as it is in his parents’ house in a quiet neighborhood. But Thompson mentions the possibility of one day having his own place to allow the public in. “The idea of that is extremely motivating!” he says.
Thompson says that his ultimate dream is to be a Disney Imagineer. “I’ve wanted to be one since I heard the word ‘Imagineer’ when I was about 10. I’m also passionate about roller coasters and would love to create an experience for people that would have them lining up for miles. My passion is ambience, inspiration…a deep sense of wonder. I’d love to just wake up each morning, contributing a little more to a vision that will make people feel the way I do when I ride my favorite rides, or watch my favorite movies.”
Disney, hire this man! And if not, then Universal, hire this man!
Other Projects
Thompson and his family put together a graveyard in their front yard each year for Halloween. They even have a Facebook page where you can view videos of their projects! “We each contribute unique skills and ideas to make it what it is each year,” he says.
He is also collecting funds for a very young family member with leukemia. Donations for Naomi can be made here.
Closing Words
Thompson offers advice to those who are saying that they wish they could do this: “I’m not an artist. I’m not an interior designer. I’m not an engineer or a painter. I didn’t go to school or work for a studio. I don’t have unlimited funds or all the time in the world. I’m a barista with a normal family, I have a normal IQ and got average grades in high school. For me, it’s not so much about the end result. It’s about the challenge that’s in front of you in the moment and the person you make yourself to be in order to complete that challenge. I apply the same mentality to figuring out how to make a night sky as I do to making myself get up in the morning to go to work. I don’t give myself the option, or I wouldn’t have a job!”
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See also: This amazing Harry Potter-style wedding venue!
Also, for American witches and wizards, check out your Ilvermorny house analysis!
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