When Lee sent over her Design Dilemma after pictures we couldn’t wait to share them. We know that many of you are chomping at the bit to see how our mood boards turn out (believe me, we are too) so we’re always thrilled to see how those spaces transform after some pretty major room makeover-ing. You may remember that we whipped up this custom mood board for Lee a while back when she came to us for help turning her hodge-podge of a room into a space to sort mail, do homework, and store a few things in a more appealing way. Since the room’s visible from a plethora of other adjoined spaces, it serves as a pass-through but also needs to bring a lot more function and style to the table. Here’s the before picture to refresh your memory:
And here’s the mood board that we created to inject order, balance and tons of eye-pleasing function to a formerly undefined and unfinished looking room (see more mood board details here).
And now for Lee’s big after pic. Here’s her newly spiffed homework and mail zone right off of the front room and the kitchen:
Isn’t it endlessly more inviting and useful? We love everything from the big round pendant to the woven baskets that mimic the texture in the round jute rug under that great desk that stems from that fantastically functional wall of bookcases from Ikea. And here’s what Lee had to say about her big room makeover:
This overhaul was so exciting! We got nearly everything you suggested and as soon as we built all of the Ikea stuff it immediately started to look great in there. Your ideas really did make for a big change. We love it. The bowl on the desk is always changing (sometimes it’s full of fruit but I also love your crayon idea – we’ve got boatloads of those!). Brilliant work! Thanks so much! -Lee
No thank YOU Lee, for sending us your room update. You don’t even know how excited we get when they turn up in our inbox. Didn’t Lee do a fantastic job? We love that she added as many boxes and bins as she needed to meet her storage goals and that she’s having fun switching out the desktop bowl depending on her mood. This is one of those great transformations that shows how just a few quick and easy changes (like Ikea bookcases that mimic the look of built-ins, and a simple pendant light along with a textured jute rug and some affordable Ikea art) can really pull a formerly mismatched room together and add lots of form and function in a snap.
Plus Lee’s big presto change-o proves that you don’t have to break the bank for a big room makeover either. The entire bookcase and desk system was just $317 while the pendant light was only $49 and the rug was a mere $84 (so all those major pieces only set her back a total of $450). Not bad for starting over practically from scratch, right? So let’s all shower Lee with praise for being so wonderful and sending us her eye-pleasing pictures. And here’s hoping more Design Dilemma after photos will be landing in our inbox very soon…
Update: We sadly can no longer find the time to take on client commissioned mood boards (and just whip up general inspiration boards instead) but if we ever reinstate them we’ll make a big announcement!
Jannell says
Sherry, John- that was such a fun mood board project to see.
Lee- I bet you’re loving your new room!
Congrats to you all on a great job done!
Susan says
This is so fabulous! I can’t wait to get to ikea and get this system for my office! You guys truly inspire me!
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
A+ for Lee! Not only did she do a great job in making over her room… SHE SENT IN AFTER PICS! My fave? The circular jute rug under the desk to soften all the hard lines. Fa-an-TAS-tic!
Lori says
It looks amazing! You guys do wonderful work….
Lesley says
I love this and was wondering if someone that owns this system can help me since IKEA is an hour away and I can’t find the info on their website. What size are the cubbies (measured from the inside)? I was thinking of using this as a scrapbook station but it will only work for me if it can accomodate 12 x 12 paper. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lesley,
These baskets slide right into the cubbies for the Expedit bookcase and they’re listed as 12.5 x 12.5 x 13″ so they should accommodate your 12 x 12 paper. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Torne Brown says
It’s so nice to hear that your lees design has been solved. Great working
Nicole says
You made a mood board for my living room in the fall ’09 issue of DIY Magazine. So far I’ve painted my brick fireplace white and we are talking to a custom cabinet maker to get started on built-ins around the fireplace. Lee’s transformation has really inspired me to get my room finished so my beautiful “after picture” can be displayed as well!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Nicole,
So glad to hear that you’re whipping your house into shape! Of course we’d love to see pictures (don’t forget to take befores!) whenever the decorating dust settles. Good luck!
xo,
s
Lesley says
Thanks so much! that does help and I may just put this project in motion.
linda says
WOW! makes me wish i had a room to makeover like that! just LOVE it!
Holly says
Looks great, I LOVE before and after pictures!!
Lee says
Hi! It’s Lee.
Thanks for the comments. We really love this room and can’t wait to do another one with Young House Love!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for stopping in Lee! We’re so glad you got to soak up all the praise from everyone for your fantastic makeover- and we’re still super thankful that you took the time to send those after photos our way.
xo,
s (& j)
Tahra says
I love this blog!!
Bromeliad says
Awesome makeover. The IKEA table and bookshelf combo looks really good.
Romi says
Hey YHL! This mood board and after pictures have inspired me to do my office. It’s bright and crisp. I will have to adapt it a bit but am hoping the end product will be spectacular!Thanks!
Erin says
Do you know where the pear art is from? I love them. Thanks,
YoungHouseLove says
I think it’s from allposters.com. Hope it helps!
xo,
s