Friday, April 2, 2010

Guest Room Before & After -- Or: The Amazing Power of Paint!

With my kids on Spring Break this week, and all of the little (and BIG!) projects I'm working on right now, I had completely forgotten that I never showed y'all our

Guest Room Makeover!

Get ready for a Before & After
where the only $ that was spent in the room was for PAINT!
We used what we had to decorate & furnish the room.


BEFORE:


Sky blue with sponge-painted clouds above the chair rail,
and grass green below.

Yikes.



AFTER:


We primed & then painted a soft buttery creamy color (SW Decor White). What a huge difference the new paint made!

It went from a themed kids' room, to a lovely & soothing retreat for our guests!



The bedding is a cream colored matelesse with matching euro shams (from Linens-N-Things, which is now gone), two PB pillows, and the black pillow with the floral design was from Target a few years ago.

The curtains hung in our old dining room in NC. And the antique botanical prints were found on a trip to Door County, WI years ago, then framed in inexpensive frames from Michael's.

The lamp is a fun one :) from Homegoods, and the wicker chair was my mom's when she was in her early 20's.



I still have plans to make an upholstered headboard and also get a new dresser (this one is an old hand-me-down) and a mirror to hang above it.

We're going to paint the doors to match the trim, too. I'm sure the previous owners loved the doors this way, but to me they just stick out visually too much. Would you paint them?

I also would like to add maybe some plates or something pretty to the wall around the dresser, but in time....


I love how simple yet fresh & pretty this room is!

Since it is our guest room, I like to put a couple of pictures of those who use it most in here, which is our families.


Black is the bold accent we're using in this space.
It's picked up in picture frames, a pillow, candlesticks, and a lamp shade, as well as the curtain rod.



I love how the modern floral look on the throw pillow really plays off of the antique botanical prints hanging above the bed!



I am always amazed how just a little paint can completely transform a space! Now I really want to get moving painting the dining room & living room!!

Don't be afraid to just pick a color and get your project "rolling" (haha!)! Move a few things you already have around, and you'll end up with an entirely new look for very little money! Give it a try!

I'm linking to The Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday Linky Party!

{Oh, and since so many of you had written to tell me that you wanted to do the Linky party again, be sure to come on back tomorrow to link up for the
Green Thumb Gardening Day linky party!
See ya then! :) }

24 comments:

Kelli said...

How pretty. You did a great job and how cool that you only spent $ on paint. Well done.

Mama Sue said...

So pretty and cool that you didn't spend much money! I like painted doors my self. Ours were stained when we bought our house and now they are painted and I love them.

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

It's fantastic! You did an absolutely stunning job! Love those framed artwork above the bed and that accent pillow is the perfect touch!

I think that dresser would be completely modernized if you painted it black, added new pulls, and updated the mirror above it. Much cheaper alternative to buying something new!

Have a Happy Easter!
Judy@cutest-little-things

Unknown said...

That is a beautiful and calm guest room. It really is amazing what paint and some styling of pieces we already own can do to a room. I'm on the fence about the doors, but leaning towards keeping them wood. I like both wood and white doors, especially since your wood doors are better quality and not just flat and outdated tones. Do you have similar coloured hardwood in any of your rooms? That would be a big deciding factor for me.

Richella Parham said...

Way to go, Stacey! You're absolutely right: paint can transform a space! And yes, if I were you, I'd paint the doors to match the trim. I've never been a big fan of wood trim or doors, unless the wood is some spectacular variety that needs to be showcased.

Don't you love how black can add such a dramatic pop to a room? I find myself including just a little black in nearly every room, and I always like it.

I hope you and your beautiful family have a wonderful Easter!

Sherri said...

Wow! AMAZING make over. Yes, that is some power in the paint. Love accenting with the black. Paint the doors? I would.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Job well done, Stacey!! My first thought was that the "Before" just had to be a kid's room...fun and cute, BUT the "After" just oozes warmth, taste, and sophistication. Have you considered redoing the dresser, or is it beyond help? Love the prints over the bed. :)

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Wow, what a difference! I love re-doing rooms. They looks so fresh and clean. And, it's great when you already have everything! Very Nice...
Joyce

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

Wow, the room looks fantastic, so peaceful and calm! I feel so relaxed just looking at the pictures- I bet it feels even better in person!

I'd paint the door, too. :)

Margo said...

I always love following your room transformations. Paint is such an inexpensive way to change the whole look of a room. Love it, great job.
Margo

Tidy Brown Wren said...

Your guests are very lucky to have this room to stay in. The wall color is divine.

Musings Of A Gem said...

Lovely colour..what a transformation!

It's great that it didn't cost you much either : )

Gemma X

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/

Melanie said...

What an amazing transformation! The room looks GORGEOUS! I love the framed botanical prints & the black candlesticks. I could have gone either way on the door (paint vs. not), but then when I saw the photo of the closet doors, I agree that painted would flow better in the room. I also agree with several of the other comments on painting/refinishing the dresser. I think it is a great shape & then you could get a big mirror to hang above, possibly oval?
Thanks so much for sharing, LOVE the transformation! Also, I received the box this week, THANK YOU! Can't wait to blog about it!!!

Jennifer Aspenson said...

Wow...this room looks great! The tone-on-tone color palette is so calm and inviting. I love that you left the chair rail--it really adds some architectural interest in a room where you are decorating with one color. Way to go! :)

http://thethriftycardinal.blogspot.com/

Ann said...

You have done a great job revamping that bedroom!! I agree with the others that have commented on the dresser...paint it black. Give it a shot and let us see how it looks. :)
I love the black and white in the room, it will certainly make any guest feel welcome!

Seizing My Day said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Seizing My Day said...

I love it! =) My sons room looks like your before picture!! ;) with darker colors and the colors are broken with a chalk board painted black road! too funny! The room looks so elegant now! ;) but I did love the green and blue if it were a kids guest room! =)

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I think this room is so calming and soothing. I really love it.

Anonymous said...

This room is lovely. It looks incredibly relaxing. I wouldn't want to leave if I were your guest. :-)

-FringeGirl

Unknown said...

What a great transformation. The guest room looks so serene and inviting! And I'd definitely paint the doors to match the trim!

Sarah said...

Beautiful makeover!
God's blessings,
Sarah :D

sweetpea0944 said...

I love the room! It is amazing how much different it looks. You did a great job. I agree that the doors would look great painted and I would keep the dresser and paint it black. Be sure to post more pics.

Recaptured Charm said...

What beautiful and serene room! You did a fantastic job!

TidyMom said...

I love what you did with the room - simple yet beautiful and peaceful!!