Sometimes, you just gotta let things “shake out” – haha. John kept rolling his eyes while I ran back and forth from the guest room to try “one more thing” all day yesterday, but I just love playing around, tweaking things, adding this, subtracting that, and seeing where we end up. It’s probably my favorite part of the whole process, all that final-hour-switcheroo business. And we’re so glad that we shared yesterday’s in-progress pics to show how just a few tweaks in the last 24 hours can really change things up. Not über dramatically, but enough to make a difference for sure. Sometimes it’s those last minute changes that make you step back and go: There. Done. At least for now.
Who am I kidding? I’ll probably be back in there hanging art above the chairs and switching out the bookcase for a proper dresser when we hunt down the perfect one on craigslist in a week or two. And then there’s the crown molding we’d love to add down the line along with a million other changes that we’ll probably roll out over the next few years. But those are projects for another day, because my mom and stepdad will be arriving in T-minus-four-hours. So here’s what the guest room looks like now that we picked up three things from Tar-jay yesterday afternoon.
Those three things were:
- a large $24 faux leather tray
- a round $49 oil-rubbed bronze mirror
- a cute green $19 table lamp
You’ll remember that yesterday’s to do list included hanging something above the bed to balance out the big window to the left (hence the purchase of the big round mirror) and adding a nightstand and table lamp (hence the purchase of the cheap-o table lamp and the tray that we attached to the top of the green luggage rack that we got last week while thrifting on our little V-day beach trip last week).
First I repaired the straps on the luggage rack with thick brown ribbon and a staple gun.
Then John came up with the genius plan to use Command removable adhesive strips…
… to securely fasten the tray to the luggage rack in a way that’s 100% un-doable, thanks to those removable strips.
After placing our new luggage-rack-turned-side-table next to the bed with that cute green lamp…
… and hanging the oil-rubbed bronze mirror above the bed…
…we both really loved the idea of bringing in the leather storage bench that was sitting unused in the playroom for the foot of the guest bed.
That way we could remove the patterned brown blanket that we had folded at the foot of the bed (for a splash of dark color) in exchange for the more “classic” and less busy brown ottoman (which would also serve as a place to sit down, store linens, drop bags, set out magazines for mom, etc). All hail function. And ottomans. Seriously, we can’t get enough of them. So for those of you who hated the brown blanket with a passion that can only be described as intense, rest assured that it’s been beaten and burned. Just kidding, it’s sitting in playroom purgatory with all of our other “leftovers.”
And on the subject of stuff we already have, we knew that our guests would love a place to charge their cellphones, so I brought in a ceramic stool from the sunroom and placed it between the two chairs that I shifted apart so the outlet was easily visible right behind the stool. Bam: cellphone charging central. Note: I’ve since come to my senses and removed the cute blue vase to actually make room for cell phones.
And in separating those chairs I nixed the faux sheepskin and brought over the two happy yellow pinwheel pillows for some easy balance. Of course we still have to hang some art above those chairs, but we’ll get there someday.
So that’s the room as it looks today with mom and Jack on the road from NY. Just for fun, here’s another shot of our cute little $1.25 closet door pull and the empty closet with a bunch of wood hangers just waiting for our guests:
The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure my mom would sleep on the floor for a chance to hang out with Clara, so she probably won’t even notice the walls or the curtains or the bedding because she’ll be so busy staring at the bean.
Speaking of our little helper, here she is hanging out while we hung the mirror above the bed.
Gotta love that girl. She already has an appreciation for rugs and other accessories.
Oh and since you know we love a good budget breakdown, here’s what we spent for the guest bedroom & adjoining guest bathroom makeover:
- Olympic Premium No-VOC primer: $12
- Olympic Premium No-VOC paint (color matched to Martha Stewart’s Plumage): $22
- Target bedskirt: $10
- Ikea curtains: $76 (around $19 a panel)
- Target curtain rods: $18
- Hobby Lobby closet knob: $1.25 (50% off thanks to a hardware sale)
- Target oil-rubbed bronze mirror: $49
- Target tray for luggage rack: $24
- Target table lamp: $19
- Target bathroom shower curtain: $20
- Target bathmat: $20
- Target Waterpik showerhead: $14
- Home Depot toilet seat: $12
- TOTAL: $297.25
Thanks to working with a ton of things that we already had (like our DIYed headboard, existing linens, the two slipper chairs, the ceramic drum stool, our yellow Pottery Barn rug, and our old bookcase) we came in well under a 1K Trading Spaces budget, even if you add our $488 bed purchase to the total above (which takes us to a grand total of $785.25). Now we just have to do a little last minute vacuuming and dusting before my mom swoops in and steals my child. That’s right, our family voted her as Most Likely To Steal Clara for a reason.
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
mribaro says
The room is fabulous! Fun too. I know the room will for sure evolve with time, and sorry if someone already asked this (I haven’t read yet all the 8 pages of comments) – will the other guest also get a nightstand with a lamp? The green one with the green lamp looks so cute, but I guess even if the other one is different it wouldn’t matter much. That is, I’m sure you could pull it so it looks charming :)
YoungHouseLove says
For now we’re thinking we’ll leave the area on the other side of the bed clear for slipping in and out. It’s a really small room (just 11′ wide) so we don’t want it to get too cluttered. Hopefully sharing a night table won’t be too much trouble for our guests (we only had one night table in our last guest room too, and it seemed to work ok- at least we hope it did, haha).
xo,
s
Stephanie Phillips says
Sherry, step away from the blog. Go visit with your mama!
I popped back on to see how the commenters were today (much more positive!) and am SHOCKED to see you still responding to people. Girl, you need to WALK AWAY. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, mom’s right here. She says hi!
xo,
s
Stephanie Phillips says
Hey, mama! I bet you’re proud of your daughter and her lovely family. The house isn’t looking too shabby, either!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, she’d write back but she’s too busy stealing my baby.
xo,
s
Jessica says
So cute! I really love it 1000% better without the brown blanket.
Jessi E says
This is one of my favorite things that you guys have ever done.
Catherine says
Absolutely love it! So fun and inviting!
Clara is precious, too…she really makes the room!
Amy says
Absolutely love all the pops of color, especially the way the green headboard bounces off the wall color. We’re going through a similar process now – trying to add some serious color to our guest bedroom http://www.trianglehoneymoon.com/category/guest-bedroom/
We hope it comes out half as well!
Shannon Wirth says
What makes your blog so wonderful is your absolute humanity. Nothing has captured that more than this entry: “The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure my mom would sleep on the floor for a chance to hang out with Clara, so she probably won’t even notice the walls or the curtains or the bedding because she’ll be so busy staring at the bean.” I have a 9 mos. old at home as well (born 5/19!), and while I try and incorporate child decor into our home and make the space as comfortable as can be for “Gramma & Pops”, I know that when all is said and done, what matters most is the time that we share with the people we love. You guys rock.
Erin L says
Wow, you two did an AWESOME job getting that room ready in, what a week?! I think this is the cheeriest dark blue room I have ever seen :) Love the pillow cases!
Kerry says
I want to stay in that room!
Also, I have the same green lamp from Target, and I love it!
Leah Richardson says
I love it! The wall color looks so awesome with the bright green. The little side table you made is great.
Conanananananan says
Love the changes, John and Sherry! That mirror was such a good idea, and I love the bench. You guys are my decorating superheroes.
Staci says
I love the room! There’s so much inspiration in there for me and my love-to-redesign-but-on-a-college-budget self. (phew, that was a lot of dashes!)
I understand you’re in a rush with a baby-snatching grandma, but can we see pictures of the accessorized bathroom?
Happy visiting!
YoungHouseLove says
Done! Just posted them a few minutes ago. Enjoy!
xo,
s
Anne says
It looks fantastic, and I am totally inspired to bring more color into my home. I loved the brown blanket, and I still think it would look nice in the room :)
Jamie B says
I too like how the mirror, ottoman and tray tie together, very nice.
Although my first thought on spotting what I thought was a cactus right next to the lamp was “Oh, that’s a disaster waiting to happen for someone reacching for the lamp in the dark,” lol. On closer inspection I think that plant may not have prickles. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thankfully that’s a little faux succulent from Target a while back. I love that I can’t kill it even if I try!
xo,
s
Carol N. says
Love it! But my favorite accessory by far is the cute thing in the last 2 pictures! She is just adorable and I know her grandparents will have the best time being with her. Take some time to really enjoy them this weekend!
Renee says
STUNNING! I’m practically speechless. I love all the patterns and the way you made the colors work together. Amazing! Excellent work!
Sara T. says
Bring back the brown blanket!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, poor brown blanket. He’ll find a home someday!
xo,
s
Sarah Mc says
Does little Clara ever wear socks??? Her bare feet make me cold even in SoCal!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, she pulls them off every time we put them on. So the answer to that is that she wears socks while asleep. But if she’s awake, they’re toys. Haha.
xo,
s
Robin says
Hope the inlaws enjoy it! I know I would! How down are they with cloth diapering? Are you still loving it? Any baby related stuff to perhaps post on the babycenter blog?
YoungHouseLove says
They change the occasional diaper for sure! And of course we’re still loving it. Clara’s growing like a weed but thanks to the diapers being adjustable they really are one size fits all!
xo,
s
Leanne says
I love the side table and the new lamp with that headboard. also loving the chairs with the yellow pillows on both, and the ottoman at the foot of the bed. What a fun room!
Kelly says
Very pretty!! I’d love to be a guest in that room! :O)
xo
Kelly
Sarah says
Oh my goodness, I am in love! I adore your bold, bright color choices — makes me want to completely redesign my master (which hasn’t really been executed yet, but I thought I knew which direction I was headed). Do you find that the dark paint makes the room feel smaller at all? It seems like I’ve read that it can have that effect.
YoungHouseLove says
It actually feels bigger in there now that we actually have a bed and not a ton of junk! Even with the dark walls! We’ve heard sometimes dark colors can actually make a room feel bigger because it blurs the boundaries of the room so it feels less defined. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Evelyn says
I saw the last post and thought that the luggage rack would look perfect in there and then this post you had put it in there!
Love the idea of the command strips. And I am glad you took the brown throw blanket out, it kept making me twitch.
kristin jo says
Yes!!! Love the tweaks guys.
My bedrooms have nearly the exact same layout, except I don’t have an adjoining bathroom.
I placed my bed in the exact same position. :)
Question: how many inches did you allow for the crown when you hung the curtain rods? ie, how high is high (and wide) ;-) ?
Enjoy the visit with your parents!
YoungHouseLove says
We only went 6″ wide on the curtains (since we didn’t want them to encroach on the bed) and we went about 5″ below the ceiling for height. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lacy says
I love the curtains! Not sure what everyone’s deal was yesterday
kristen f davis says
looks so cute! glad you guys are embracing color :)
JenniG says
Wow! Wonderful job, you guys! Those small changes really made a big difference! Thanks for sharing your process as well as the “final” designs – even though it opens you up to a whole world of criticism! You guys rule.
Kate says
Wow! My jaw actually dropped open when I saw these pictures. It looks so, so good! The bright, punchy colors are awesome!
Sara says
I love this room! What an improvement from yesterday (I also wanted to say kudos for you for taking the criticism so well. I just didn’t say anything about it being my cup of tea. I had faith you’d figure it out.)
It is funny I didn’t think the green of the headboard was working yesterday but you tied it all together so well now. I am so on the hunt for a luggage rack or bamboo table now. I heart it. Have a wonderful time with the fam.
Emily says
LOVE it! I really just wasn’t feeling it yesterday, there was way too much going on. I thought the curtains were the issue, and I didn’t hate the blanket. Guess I was wrong!! Looks amazing.
Joy says
Fabulous, absolutely fabulous.
Robin says
Love this room – All the bright colors work together in such a professional way! ps. I think “oil rubbed bronze” is a Young House Love buzzword – I read it in so many posts. :-)
Sarah says
I love the bright pops of color – especially the green! The guest room looks great!
Melissa says
Thank you for removing the brown mod quilt on the bed. Love the quilt, just not in the room. Made me tilt my head yesterday, smile today.
Stephanie L. says
Everything looks so adorably cute. I love the contrast of the wall color with the green accents. I can’t believe how quickly it all came together.
Mary @ stylefyles says
I love that you used the luggage rack as a side table. Super inventive, and a great way to create a unique side table on the cheap. Side tables seem to be the one thing that consistently give me trouble – when I find one I like, I can only find one (not two) and the others are all too expensive of course. But I also like to have a perfect side table, since it’s such a heavily used piece of furniture (at least for me, that is).
And I’m the same way you are, with tweaking the guest room until it’s just perfect when guests are on their way. My extra room is nowhere near as finished as yours, but I still like to primp it to my fullest capabilities, and add little touches like flowers to make it feel more homey and colorful.
Rachel says
Yesterday when I mentioned it, I hadn’t yet seen any other commenters wish the brown blanket away, and I just thought I was being a curmudgeon. Guess some more haters came out of the woodwork!
Anyway, I still think it looks better without. And I love that you separated the slipper chairs! I didn’t mention it yesterday, but if I were a guest I wouldn’t have sat on them before, because you could see they were just sort of “pretended” together with the sheepskin. Now, they look better and function has followed form. Well done!
Alex says
I love the room, and think your mom and step-dad will have a wonderful stay in it.
I kind of can’t believe I’m even saying this, but as a suggestion, for the future, when more art for the walls becomes a reality, I would move the mirror to the wall with the chairs and put something else over the bed.
I love the mirror in the room, but at first I thought it was too small because the dark frame didn’t stand out from the wall enough (I saw in the close-up pics of the bed that it is an excellent size dimensions-wise). Also, if it were over the chairs it would be more functional; you know, for that quick lipstick/hair check before you leave the room.
Love the blog and the room!
brenda says
the brown blanket was bad, bad, bad…
Katie says
Love it!!!
Donita says
You two are amazing!!! LOVE the finished *so far* room. That mirror is delightful. My friend bought that lamp for her nursery. I love it. Clara is a doll!! She sure looks like BOTH of you. You know, sometimes a baby will resemble one parent more then another. She is a great mix of both!! ;-)
Vanessa says
This is an improvment from yesterday for sure. The new lamp helps tie in the green headboard much better. It looked a bit out of place before. I really don’t understand the posters who are getting worked up over the negative comments…isn’t that the point? You’ve said a million times that not everyone has the same taste, it would be uber boring if everyone liked everything all the time, and all the comments just gushed about how wonderful everything looks. This is the first entry where I’ve read every page of comments. That being said, those that miss the brown blanket are out of their minds:). I’m sure he’ll be happier in a different spot.
Elissa says
Nice – I like how the bronze mirror and the bench/ottoman balance out the other ‘extra fun’ elements in the room. They keep the room looking grounded. I think if I were shopping for a mirror I would have looked for something silver that would pop against the wall, but no, the bronze really works, it lends a moody feel to the walls with that paint.
Kim Olson says
Love it! I have an idea for something on the wall above the bookcase, one of those picture frames with the write-on matting for guest to sign when they visit…
Brenda says
You guys totally rock at pulling all those colors together yet still making it look cohesive! I on the other hand am no expert at that. I recently painted my living a bold color(at least to me), it’s a orangey terra cotta color (burnished copper to be exact). I’ve been playing it safe by keeping the furnishings and accessories neutral (browns and tans)but I would like to bring in some more color. Any ideas as to what other color I can use to bring in some fun? Yellow? Red? I have no idea.
YoungHouseLove says
Yellow sounds gorgeous! Aqua also looks awesome with orangey tones. Both could work together if you really wanna have some fun!
xo,
s
Cathy says
Seriously loving the play-by-play posting. It’s really encouraging to see the simple and inexpensive ways you’ve transformed the room in just a few days. Makes me want to overhaul our office/random stuff room in a weekend.
Amy says
Any chance you would take a close up picture of the bookcase? I am obsessed with putting out books and nicknacks on all surfaces in my house. Would love to see a closer look on how you arranged that.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
With company here it might take a while but we’ll try to get to it! It’s basically just stacks of books and magazines with some vases and nicknacks worked in.
xo,
s
Lauren says
I have to admit I was not a fan of this room makeover yesterday, though I did give you credit for making some bold color choices that I am much to wimpy to make in my own home :) However… I love the changes you made. A little editing and your room looks wonderful. Well done, and so quickly!
I hope you plan on keeping the luggage rack as a bedside table. It’s so cute and ties in the headboard!
Jessica E. says
I love the color on the wall, and I am so happy you separated those chairs!! The room to me makes so much more sense all because of the chairs not being squished together. This may sound silly, but I totally understand that it takes some time for a room to get comfortable. A good switch-a-roo can be your best friend!!
Hope says
Looks GREAT! I love it! We’re moving in a couple months, so I’m not allowed to do any projects or buy anything right now–can’t wait to get our new place!
Where did you get the ADORABLE itty bitty plant on the bedside table? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fake plant from Target! A little (and surprisingly real looking) succulent that was on clearance a while back. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Meredith K A says
I was thrilled to see the slipper chairs separated with a little table in between, because the second I saw them in the first “in progress” post, I thought to myself that they would look better split up with a small, round table in the middle. I was also thinking maybe tilted in towards each other slightly, but only if the table was a smidge bigger than the little stool you’re using, and I can imagine that might crowd the room too much, so FYI: I love that change, and noticed it immediately! Perfect! (for now. haha. I know.)
For what it’s worth, I feel like mocha walls in the bathroom might make it feel smaller, and also suck too much light – I like my bathrooms as bright as possible (hate it that our master bath is windowless!), but I guess it’s a personal preference. Perhaps a lighter shade of the same blue as the bedroom? Like 2-3 clicks up the color card?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s definitely another option for sure! It might have some nice flow- we just have to make sure it works next to the yellow-beige tile. Can’t wait to get some swatches and see what happens.
xo,
s