Shannon reminds us a bit of ourselves (well, mostly Sherry) since she completed an inexpensive room update while very much pregnant (I’ve yet to accomplish that feat). Check out the simple but awesome makeover she sent our way:
I thought I’d share our recent guest room makeover that got done with zero paint, $300 bucks, and an 8-1/2 month pregnant belly. I’m sure you can relate ;) It is a large open space over our garage with slanted walls that make the room awkward and angular. I wanted it desperately to be a warm, inviting guest room, especially for our post-baby visitors.
Here are the deets:
- I used a lot of the existing pieces and went “shopping” in my garage and basement for furniture and accessories.
- The size of the room, plus the short time span, plus my bloodhound pregnancy nose made painting the walls a no-go. Same thing for replacing the builder’s berber carpet and contractor-pack light fixtures. They were all staying.
- I’m a cheapskate… everything came from Craigslist, Ikea, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Target.
- I finally made my own headboard! And I also managed some no-sew throw pillow covers. Add some free artwork from the interwebs and I was DIY’ing all over the place!
It took me about 3 – 4 weeks to pull it together and with six weeks left before baby, I was feeling much more prepared! There’s more info and pics on my blog Shannanigans too. Thanks! -Shannon
Shall we all give Shannon a round of applause for this $300, paint-free room refresher? It looks totally warm and ready for guests. It’s also a great reminder that room projects don’t have to be backbreaking (especially if you’ve got a baby on board and your back hurts enough already). Here’s an early congrats on Blinky’s any-day-now arrival! And we’d love to know what you guys deem your favorite part of the makeover. We’re especially loving those sculptural bedside lamps.
Psst- YHL will be down for an hour or two on Sunday morning EST due to some server upgrades (which will hopefully result in faster loading and site navigation). Fingers crossed…
liz @ bontempsbeignet says
Just add some long white curtains and bamboo shades, and this room looks like it might be an addition on your house!
amy says
I’m not quite understanding how the walls became creamy yellow with no paint… ?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
It’s just a case of the after pics being taken in different lighting (due to the new lamps and the time of day). If you check out the before pics you can see that the walls are slightly creamier than the ceiling in those shots as well.
xo,
s
Dianne says
agreed! totally awesome redo…and love the tripod lamps :)
Kenn says
What a great makeover. Balancing the neutrals with coordinating dark accents (dresser, chair legs, mirror frame, lamp bases, bed spread, blinds, and even the waste basket) really brings the room together without it feeling too macthy-matchy. Simple and understated, yet very elegant. Love it.
Jean says
This is gorgeous — so warm and inviting. I love the no-sew throw pillow covers. Genius!
Megan says
It looks great! And it looks very similar to what we’re doing with our guest room that I was planning to send in! Might be some de ja vu in a month or so! ;)
Alondra says
I am in awe at how gorgeous it turned out! Way to go Shannon! It really is warm and inviting. Now I feel like a bum with my still-bare-living-room. Time to get crackin’!
Melly says
Bravo! When you said you did not paint, I thought there was no way that room could look much better than it did in the before photos. Boy was I wrong.
Carolyn says
Love the lamps, the shades give off a warm glow. The headboard is also fabulous!
hi-d says
Another great room redesign!
Bethany says
I love that green ampersand on the desk! Where is it from?
Rob says
My favorite part is the sitting area. The dark brown throw on the chair really ties in the dark wooden dresser. It’s a very inviting space compared to the storage area it once was.
Cecilie says
This is a beautiful room and what a place to be a guest! Our guest room is in need of some love and attention and I am slowly working my way there so it is fun to see some one else working on their guest room.
I love the lamps but I will also say that the “office” for the guests is great!
Jane says
I love how cohesive it feels without beeing too-too theme-y. Great job, Shannon!
hyzen says
Love this–the transformation for $300 is really pretty stunning! Definitely a comfortable and inviting place for guests to stay! My only “complaint”–what happened to that adorable little nightstand from the before picture? I hope it will find a good use somewhere else around the house–I thought it had some nice lines and character. I might be inclined to move that tall white shelf into the corner behind the chair (or, honestly I don’t love the shelf that much–I could see ditching it entirely and putting art on that wall instead), and put the old nightstand next to the chair with some pretty coasters and a little bouquet or some such–a reading nook isn’t quite perfect without someplace to set your drink! Anywho, I’m just nitpicking, because, again, your space really looks excellent!
Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife says
Yay! There is hope for pregnant DIYers!!!
This is awesome!
Jodi says
Totally great. I love all the green accents. One suggestion – if you lower the mirror over the desk, your guests could use the area to apply make-up and primp.
bridget b. says
yay! i love reader redesigns! great room shannon.
Sue says
I like the chair on the left – where did you get it?
Sue
AbraCat says
What a transformation… it looks great!
Kristi W. says
What an awesome makeover! It really looks cozy and inviting. If I were a guest, I would feel very comfortable in that room. I love that she didn’t have to paint or change the floors in order to create a great space. Good job!
Heidi says
Love this little room… looks so fresh, I can’t believe there’s no new paint! I would agree to lower the mirror over the desk, too but it’s not going to make or break the room.
My favorite thing are the two storage boxes at the foot of the bed… I’ve been searching for something like that but haven’t had any luck with that size unless it’s a basket, which I don’t want. I love the fabric finish on those Anyone know where I can find them or somethig similar?
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Beautiful transformation!
Shannon says
Wow, thanks everyone! You guys, especially J & S, are awesome! Way to make a miserable very-pregnant girl’s day!
The green ampersand seems to be popular. Unfortunately, I got it on clearance at PB sometime last year and had it sitting around my basement.
@hyzen – don’t you worry! That little table is still up in the room, I’m using it for the powder room that is almost complete. And you’re totally right about the tall shelf, I thought the same thing. I just got really lazy and didn’t feel like moving it. When in doubt, leave it and accessorize.
@Sue – the slipper chair was a Craigslist find
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Love all the darks and lights together. It really warms up a room nicely. I’m lovin the green pops in the room….pillows on the bed, the green desk chair, the green vase in the thin bookcase and of course that green “&” on the desk. I love brown, green and cream together. What a goreous room you have made Shannon. Guest will love to stay over. Awesome job.
Maritel says
What a great job and 8 1/2 preggers too?! She is awesome!
Christin says
Really, really, really love it. Great job!! :)
CarMaj says
Beautiful!!! Wonderful job!!!!
Haley (Cardigan Junkie) says
I’ve never thought about using storage boxes an ottoman/bench of sorts – that’s so clever! Now I don’t need to save the $200 version. :)
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
Wow, what a transformation for such a great price!!
Katie says
I love this room! It’s like when you watch Olympic gymnasts and they make things look so easy- I feel like Shannon totally nailed the cohesive but not matchy-matchy look. The fact that she was so resourceful and economical takes this makeover to Olympian level to me :)
Cait @ Hernando House says
This looks awesome, and very impressive with a baby bump!
Also, we have that same carpet in out living room and guest room, it’s the only carpet in the house and we want it gone!
The Virginia House says
Wow, I love it! She did such a great job and on a budget. My favorite kind of makeover!
Kim@ NewlyWoodwards says
This is such a great room. I love the lamps and the boxes at the foot of the bed. And, I love that Shannon, too. She’s a thrifty little thing. =)
Amanda @ longroadset says
I actually really like the carpet even if it’s builders stock.
I think the room is really warm and inviting now. You did a great job! Kudos!
Mary says
This is totally amazing, a total transformation from plain to beauty – for only $300. Hey Youngsters, I just started my own blog; is it possible to show your blog address to send people your way? I’m already stopping people in the grocery store to tell them about YoungHouseLove!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mary,
Congrats on your new blog! And of course we always appreciate any and all link love, so feel free to send people our way!
xo,
s
Jen R. says
I like the layering of the bedding, rather than just leaving the “boring” brown coverlet by itself. Definitely has some pops of color, without being too much. I was wondering what fabric was used in making the diy headboard? :)
Erika says
WOW! Shannon…..IMPRESSIVE!!! I love the whole bed nook area. It looks so inviting. Having completed some similar work on my home at 8 months preggers I can relate, yet I am still so inspired by what you accomplished. You go Mommy!
Jill Stigs says
Wow…..looks fabulous. Great job and that far into your pregnancy too? Just wow.
LizzieBeth says
Hoorrraaayyyy for Shan becoming famous!! And that end table was my dumpster dive that I refinshed for her!!
LB
Christy says
Awesome job!! I couldn’t believe how different it looked despite not painting or changing fixtures. I love the desk area with the black and green accents. It is so warm and inviting. Way to go!
Erin @ Two Story Cottage says
Oh how I miss those nesting hormones.. but I like the fact that I can climb on ladders & rearrange furniture again. :) Enjoyed the makeover pics! I like the boxes that create a bench at the end of the bed.
Shannon says
It looks really good. You did a fabulous job working with what was there. Your guests will love it, I’m sure!
Shannon
http://www.akainteriordesign.wordpress.com
http://www.akadesign.ca
MaryGene says
I loooove the bedside lamps!! Want them! And I love the green pillows on the bed!
The Modern Gal says
Love it! Moving the dresser made that space seem so much more balanced. I would love to stay there anytime!
Erin says
I love it! Especially because it is so budget friendly! Way to go Shannon!
Kristin (Australia) says
What a beautiful room – so warm and inviting for your post-baby guests…. I’d be considering moving in there myself though, so gorgeous!!! I actually think the carpet looks great, even if it is just the builder’s standard one – the pattern works really well with the room.
Great work Shannon – when I was 8.5 months pregnant, I could barely move off the lounge, let alone decorate a room! Well done :)
Erin @ Where Beauty Meets Function says
I love this guest room! It has what I am contintually striving for (and missing)…clean, uncluttered and yet warm!
hyzen says
Shannon, thanks for the response! I’m glad the little table will find a good home! I hope we’ll get to see pics of the bathroom when it’s done. And doing all this while very pregnant makes you anything but “lazy”! I should know–I’m 7 mos pregnant with my 2nd baby, and trying to work on our house now too–but some days even just getting through the day is exhausting!
Shelley @ Green Eggs & Hamlet says
Holy awesome! My fave part is the gray boxes at the foot of the bed. Looks like a bench but I imagine provides some great storage and they’re a great color.