Good + Glam: makeover

June 3, 2011

Good + Glam Kid's Rooms

Are you looking to makeover your child's bedroom this summer? Here are 13 inspiration rooms and a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Redecorating a room can get expensive so first, set a budget and stick to it. If you aren't in the market to purchase new furnishings, try changing the color of the walls, textiles and/or flooring. There are numerous style and color options in paint. One of my favorites is chalkboard paint, consider painting an entire wall with chalkboard paint (Hudson Paint offers a wide variety of color options). If you are adventurous, you could infuse color into your space by repainting your furniture. Try transforming that white French provincial dresser by painting it hot pink or electric blue.

A great way to add fun and whimsy to your space is through accessories. Artwork, toys, seating and lighting are simple to change as your little one grows. Try hanging a decorative light fixture in the center of the room or above the bed. Frame and hang your child's artwork, you can change it as often as you like. Toys or stuffed animals can be displayed on shelves. In order to keep things looking neat, be sure to select a few favorites and stow the rest out of sight in a toy chest or closet. If you have room, include comfortable seating in the space. While most children like to play with their toys on the floor, an upholstered bench placed at the end of the bed or under a window provides flexible seating for guests or story time.

No matter what be sure to include your children in the makeover because nothing beats the creativity of a child and more importantly, this is a space they will occupy the most. Have fun!

Subtle pink girl's bedroom via Cullman & Kravis

Madeleine's black and white bedroom via Apartment Therapy

Tatiana's Modern Nursery, designed by Candice Olson (Episode 910 - HGTV). Via Divine Design

Boy's room via Cullman & Kravis

Blue room via House to Home

Bold use of color in a small space helps redirect attention to the design of the room rather than the size. Photo credit unknown.

Bright girl's room via House to Home

Bright poppy red via Oh Dee Doh

Boy's room with yellow striped ceiling via House to Home

Romantic pink girlie bedroom via House to Home

Graphic Black and White Wallpaper via House to Home

Twin beds placed end-to-end, forming one large sofa like bed. Via Sarah 101

I am a huge fan of chandeliers in the bedroom. This red chandelier paired with the bare brick wall adds youthful fun to a simple grown up space. Want brick in your space? Try using wallpaper to get the look. Via House to Home.

May 24, 2011

Design Studio

Finally! Here are the before, progress and after pics from my in-home design studio makeover. The room was completed last fall with the help of my handy husband. Initially, I was looking at melamine cabinetry from the local home improvement store. You know the typical off-the-shelf kind typically used in closets, laundry rooms or garages. I wasn't happy with the style of this option, nor the cost.

Then, my husband suggested I look at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The ReStore offers recycled construction materials including complete kitchens, hurricane shutters, bathroom tiles and so much more. "Great idea" I said and I decided to give it a shot. I called ahead and asked the clerk what they had for sale, she said they had three different options in cabinetry. With my dimensions and measuring tape in hand we headed for the ReStore.

I found two recycled kitchens, both were gorgeous and obviously came from model homes as they didn't even show slight wear. One of the kitchens featured hard wood cabinets and doors with hand carved details and the other looked like something from Ikea. For a minute I thought "hey maybe we'll redo the kitchen"...believe me I was tempted. Staying on task, I kept looking. And then there it was. The third set was neatly piled together in a back corner of the store. At first it didn't look like much, but I could see dark wood and glass paned cabinet doors. I tried to not be too excited at first, telling myself not to be upset if this set didn't measure up, literally. I measured the set three times (no joke). I had to be sure it would fit my space plus the store has an all sales final policy. I couldn't believe it, it would fit like it was custom made for my space. The cabinets, doors and drawers were all constructed of hardwood, not a bit of pressed wood was used in making this set. The drawers and doors were "soft closing" and all of the hardware and trim moulding was included! The best part of this deal was the price. I was shocked...coming in at $150.00 less than the cabinetry I saw at the local home improvement store, this set (made by Downsview) was priced at $250.00! SOLD!

We got to work clearing out the guest room/storage room/office space and began prepping for paint. I chose Behr paint in Soft French Grey for the walls and white for the trim. We spent more than a week contemplating the layout of the cabinets. Mainly, because the set came with a wall-hung bookcase. At first I was going to install it above the small cabinet on the right side of the room, but I was afraid it would have looked cramped. Then, it dawned on me, we could cut the cabinet down in size and place it between the two upper cabinets. Amazingly, it fit perfect, like it was custom made for the space. Under the upper cabinets, I re purposed a bathroom towel bar and hooks to store gift wrapping supplies (ribbon and paper). Additionally, a baby food storage carousel was re purposed into a office supply storage caddy. I pulled the look together by adding a comfy and stylish task chair from Hand's Office Supply (our local independently owned office supply store) and storage accessories and curtains from Ikea. Overall, the room cost under $600.00!