We’re so impressed with how much style Marianne packed into such a small room. So for anyone out there struggling with the small space blues (our last bedroom was tiny with no closets – so we can totally relate!) hopefully this will inspire you! Enough chit chat, here’s Marianne’s letter:
I gave the smallest room in our house a total makeover. And when I say small, I mean small:
The room is barely even 4 square meters big (about 43 square feet if I’m not mistaken) but I feel I still managed to give the space some oomph and character. Since I know you guys love living a ‘simple’ life without a lot of unnecessary clutter I thought you might appreciate it too!
The bookcase I used is an old Ikea Billy bookcase that I gave a new life by turning it into a built-in.
Almost all of the other bigger and smaller projects where done using thrift shop finds or by revamping old objects that I found in my own basement or attic.
Since I live in the Netherlands I don’t think sharing paint names or resources would be of much help to you, especially as I ended up mixing my own colors anyway. But I hope you and your readers enjoy it! – Love from the Netherlands, Marianne
Oh and you can get more info on Marianne’s blog. Of course we were crushing on the subtle striped walls (they remind us of the ones we added to our first house’s bathroom). Ah memories. Oh and did you notice there was also a key leaning in front of a map in a printer press letterbox? This room’s just a few dozen white ceramic animals short of the Dutch version of us!
Psst- Just wanted to make sure that everyone in or near Portlandia is planning to check out The Portland Bazaar (Grace Bonney is one of its founders) this weekend on the 10th and 11th! We hear it’s going to be full of crafty slash DIY goodness, so we wanted to shout it out for you West Coasters. Wish we had time for a Portland road trip...
Ashley @ DesignBuildLove says
totally love the airy, bright feeling of the room, as well as the casual elegance that the stripes bring in! Nice job!!!
SingleMama says
Love the suitcase nightstand, beautiful room!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
What a great makeover! I love the night table with the white suitcase on top. It’s so charming :)
Christina says
Hey Guys,
I hate to point this out but there are 2 mistakes in the first paragraph.
I love the Redesign! It’s so encouraging for fellow DIY-er’s!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Christina! Serves me right for trying to multitask with Clara. All fixed!
xo,
s
Linda says
I am loving that basket under the nightstand (the one holding the towels)! It adds such great texture to the room. I might be jonesing for one of those now. Hmm…
Well done, Marianne!
Michelle says
So pretty!
Samantha says
Just fell in love with the luggage/end table. I really thought it was one piece from across the room. LOVE!
Karen L. says
Beyond awesome!! Beautiful! Such an inspiration to all of us. I am cleaning out our basement right now so this really helps to keep me going toward the simpler, less cluttered life! I’ve moved a lot which has helped, but after being married for 40 yrs there are still things we could clear out. :)
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Ahh! After seeing the horizontal stripes in your bathroom and now in such a small space like this I am determined to do them in my future home! Be it a 1/2 bath or a laundry room! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Arlene says
This room is so cute! Even though it is small, it really doesn’t appear to be! Wonderful job Marianne!
Kathryn / Eventually Ever After says
This is gorgeous! I love the color palette and all of the details. The suitcase is amazing. Great job!
Kelly says
I love the striped walls and the suitcase night stand.
Stefanie says
I triple love this! It’s adorable. My absolute favorite part of this room are the accessories. What a cozy little place to sleep.
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
On her blog she also posted a picture of 2 ferrero rochers for her guest. She REALLY knows how to treat her guests. hahahaha. Yummm.
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, so sweet!
xo,
s
Sami says
Also for those in Portland – what what! There’s Crafty Wonderland this weekend at the Convention Center. Should be awesome… http://craftywonderland.com/ Looks like I know what I’m doing this weekend…
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- so jealous of you crafty Portlanders.
xo,
s
Tia says
Thanks for sharing! See you there Sami ;)
Lizzie says
love love love love looooooooove the nightstand.
Lindsay says
That’s a very sweet room, so cozy. I love how the light colors make the room look bigger.
Brandi @ His Shabby Her Chic says
The suitecase on the side table is by far and away my favorite part. It looks great and so much bigger!
Melissa says
I wouldn’t mind staying in that room!
LOVE the suitcase nightstand and the shelves with the odds and ends (umm, HUGE skeleton key?! I’ll take three)
Andrea @ the yellow cottage says
European shabby chic – looks so airy and cozy. The pattern on the windows was there in the before pic, but I like how it works with the room. Reminds me of lace curtains. I loves it.
Marianne@Songbird says
Oh, Thank you guys so much. I love seeing my little guest room on your blog. Makes it look even better.
And you sure have a friendly bunch of commenters. I love them too. Thank you.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks again so much for sharing the inspiration Marianne! What a charming little space you’ve created!
xo,
s
WendyMI says
Marianne…. your room is adorable, and so bright and airy! Wonderful job!!!
Kasey March says
Marianne your room is fantastic! You’re blog is firmly planted in my reader.
Also, loved your paper garland on the tree!
Clair says
“This room’s just a few dozen white ceramic animals short of the Dutch version of us!”
oh.em.gee. Sherry this made me LOL. My favorite thing on this site besides house updates is reading your cheesy goodness! Love it!
Katie says
Marianne, het is heel mooi!! Vooral de muren en de kleuren. Dikke proficiat!!
heather says
I have an almost *identical* wall pattern picked out (colors too) for our guest bedroom, similar styling. LOVE IT!
Gabbi says
So very beautiful! I love every detail in that room…especially the subtle stripes and suitcase nightstand. We are in the middle of painting subtle stripes almost those exact same colors in our family/main bath right now! Hopefully our bath is 1/2 as pretty as that loveable room!
Jessika says
Wish you were coming out here too! I’d be headed up there (a short drive away) if I hadn’t just gone up there this weekend.
Wrenaria says
So cute and cozy! Love the nightstand.
Izabela says
Wow…I’m speechless. Marianne is one talented lady. I’m so glad she shared, and you shared with us. Thank you.
Aly says
Sweet space!
I had to read that sign over the door three times before it made sense, I swear it said, “DARF TO DREAM”. What?!
Lydia says
Hup Holland Hup!
Ik zag de eerste foto en dacht bij mezelf: “dat is net een Nederlandse kamer” en ik had gelijk, ha! Marianne: super mooi gedaan, meid! Je maakt me ook meteen weer helemaal nostalgisch voor thuis…zijn de pepernoten al helemaal op?
Marianne@Songbird says
Dank je wel. Yup een hele Nederlandse kamer. En nee de pepernoten zijn nog niet op. Heb net een nieuwe zak pepernoten met chocolade gekocht in de na-Sint uitverkoop. :-)
leila says
Adorbs as always! Just a thought – our local market sells potted rosemary plants trimmed into a “tree” shape around this time of year… We got one for my grandparents’ small space and it was the cutest table-topper with a few ornaments and smelled delish. It’s now in their backyard and has grown about massive over and has been “harvested” throughout the year. Happy Holidays! :)
Jillian@TheHumbleGourmet says
I just want to take a nap in there. So cozy!
Ilse says
How funny! As soon as I saw the first picture I tought ‘This doesn’t look like America, could it be The Netherlands?’
Then she was talking about square metre’s and in the end it turned out I was right! Well done Marianne!
And for you guys, you should know that you are very well-read over here too!
Much Love, Ilse
p.s.
Marianne! Je hebt een nieuwe volger voor je blog gevonden ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ilse! We love you chic and stylish Nether-folk!
xo,
s
leila says
oops… and that was meant for your tree post, obvi. although this room is lovely.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha no worries!
xo,
s
Sarah says
Great room! It feels bright and open, yet cozy and inviting at the same time.
Carol N. says
Love her design and am so looking for the old wire basket for towels in my new master bathroom. Thanks for featuring other designs! This is lovely.
maribel says
I’m weird…I kept focusing on the curtains, too short. Other than that the home has lots of character for being a teeny tiny room.
Susan says
Love going up with everything!
As for Portland – I do expect you guys out here on your book tour…right????
YoungHouseLove says
We actually plan to be in Portland for a fun event in Feb! Stay tuned for more details in January as we hammer things out!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Ahhh my brother lives out in Portland. Love it so so much!
Liberty Builders San Antonio Siding says
Wow! That looks absolutely adorable. I love what she did with the nightstand. I’d like to have her come decorate my house :)
Liliana says
Love the cozy little space! I can also see it as a little private reading room/library = )
~ L.
Katherine says
If you go and look at her blog, she has a different post that does just that!
http://www.songbirdisnesting.com/2011/04/guest-room-becomes-reading-room.html
Jess @ Life Happily Ever After says
Hey that room is gorgeous! I love the stripes too. That is an insanely tiny room!
Also on a side note, I am not sure how close you are to VT, or if you know anyone there, but I am keeping Virginia in my prayers.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, such a sad time. Thinking of everyone there!
xo,
s
Christie says
Beautifully done! Just goes to show that square footage isn’t everything. Its gorgeous and looks very functional as well!
mp says
Wow!!!
ellis says
Adorable space! Thanks for sharing!
sofie says
I soon as I saw that room and the size of it, I thought to myself: that looks European! :)
Heel mooi, Marianne, ik zou er zo willen wonen. Groetjes uit België.
Ampi says
It is absolutely beautiful. I wouldn’t add another thing. I love all of the white. But, mostly, I love the wall treatment.
Erin @ His & Hers says
This is so pretty! Marianne did a great job!
Rachel H. says
You guys never cease to amaze me!!! All of the trees you have decorated are so beautiful. I think the citrus one is my favorite, though! I haven’t even started decorating yet…ugh!
Paula M. says
This is ADORABLE. So creative. Nice blend of the white background to keep things light, expansive, airy AND the colorful, quirky touches.
I especially LOVE, love, LOVE the cubbyhole box on the wall, with all the found-looking or vintage-looking, textural white, gold and brown objects.
Fabulous! Bookmarking now for inspiration and the sheer pleasure of looking at it.
Lacy @ downMODERNhome.com says
It really is a great use of space!The simplicity and color are terrific.