Move over man cave, this post is all about a mom cave. When HomeGoods contacted us to offer us a gift card to create a mom cave in our house, we asked if we could pay it forward instead. And they were game. Oh and then we asked what the heck a mom cave was.
It’s actually a little haven for any mom in her own home. The mom’s answer to the man cave if you will. It can just be a small corner of a bedroom with a chair for relaxing and reading or an entire room devoted to crafting, pedicuring, or anything else that your little mom heart desires. So I set out to find a deserving momma in need of a figurative cave to recharge her mom batteries. And Farah (mom to adorable two-year-old Laila) of eMommie seemed like the perfect pick. Here she is now with little Laila and her hubby Luke.
So we popped over to her house to see what we were working with. She showed us into this rarely used office that she had always been meaning to transform into a quiet room for reading, meditating, relaxing, and just calming the heck down after a long day of working and moming.
You can see from the paint swatches on the wall in the photo above that Farah was planning to bring in a serene blue color for those walls. But when it came to actually picking the color she was experiencing a bit of paint paralysis. So we whipped ’em out (our paint decks, that is) and helped her choose a color (Catalina Blue by Benjamin Moore color matched to satin Behr paint). Then we dropped the H-bomb (aka: told her we had some HomeGoods swag that we could add on their dime). That was fun. I can’t imagine what it’s like to tell someone they won a million dollars or a house on HGTV since it was so darn exciting to announce that we had some free furnishings and accessories for her future mom cave.
After we all simmered down (we were as excited as she was) we left her with some homework a la Trading Spaces. We assigned her and her hubby Luke with the job of picking up our pre-selected paint color and going to work on those white walls. And we ran to HomeGoods and a few other stores to shop for her mom cave makeover in the meantime. Here’s John holding the lamp and the print that we knew would be perfect for Farah’s room.
And here’s her mom cave after the big makeover:
The wall color definitely set the stage for relaxing and escaping the daily grind. And thankfully Farah had a few basic items already on hand that we could work with. Like the two Ikea tables in front of the window, a pair of white Ikea curtains from another room, the white armoire that she had tucked behind the doors to this very room (why were they hiding such a great piece?) and a few accessories like the picture frames, the blue vase on top of the armoire, the blue pillow on the chair, the blanket rack, and the brown branches. And once we moved those things around and worked out a new layout, it was obvious that all we needed were a few things to polish the room off.
Like a new chair for the corner, some larger hanging lanterns (in an easy-on-the-eyes grouping of three), a nice textured and cozy rug, a sculptural table lamp, some inexpensive art, and a small basket for next to the chair (to corral books and magazines).
Farah’s favorite thing of the entire makeover is the chair, which actually has a cool greeny-yellow Ikat fabric on it. We love how it works with the lamp shade and some of the coloring in the lotus art to bring a nice warm glow to the cool blue space. Oh and it’s comfy. Clara and I tested it out extensively (ok, so I fed her in it mid-makeover… a girl’s gotta eat!).
And you know we’re cheap right? Well, we are. So when we needed a few finishing touches we decided to flex our cheapskate muscles and hunt down some serious deals for Farah (since she agreed to foot the rest of the makeover beyond the HomeGoods donation and gave us a budget to work with- so official, right?). Anyway, when we happened upon these $15-for-all-three paper lanterns from World Market…
… and a $15 clearance rug at Target (yes, a fifteen dollar 4 x 6 Thomas O’ Brien rug!) we snatched them up faster than you can say minemineminemine (that’s a Finding Nemo reference FYI).
Here’s the full budget breakdown:
- Paint: $20 (Benjamin Moore Catalina Blue color matched to Behr)
- Chair: $120 (from HomeGoods)
- Lamp: $50 (from HomeGoods)
- Lotus art: $25 (from HomeGoods)
- Rug: $15 (on clearance from Target)
- Paper lanterns: $15 (from World Market)
- Magazine basket: $16 (from Target)
- Total: $276 (just $81 spent by Farah thanks to HomeGoods!)
Not bad right? Especially because most chairs can run you $300 or more, and we also managed to squeeze in paint, art, a rug, a lamp, and a few accessories for under $280 (and Farah only had to break out four twenties). But the makeover fun isn’t over. We’re greedy little buggers. So when we laid eyes on Farah’s potential-riddled living room we knew we could do a little somethin-somethin in there too. So we did. That post in a minute (there are too many pictures to merge it with this one).
In the meantime what kind of inadvertent mom caves do you guys have going on at home? I admit that anywhere I’m nursing around the house becomes my temporary mom cave because I get to zone out and focus on Clara for a few moments every 2.5 hours or so. Gotta love that baby for the self-imposed breaks that she gives me.
Kelly says
I love this! Great job on the mom cave! My husband has a “man cave” so I think it’s about time I have a “mom cave”.
Ashley says
I think I need a “wife” cave! Or a dog mom cave?
Sara says
Wow, that is a very pretty room! The paint color is sweet. I won’t lie, I would probably throw a tv in there…that is how I like to unwind! ha
Laura says
Love the mom cave! The color is so soothing and makes you want to totally break from it all! Great job YHL and friends!
On another “Mom” note, are you guys still digging the Joovy Kooper? Is it continuing to hold up well?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Laura,
Yup we love it and use it every night for our 2 mile evening walks!
xo,
s
kristy says
Beautiful! And so generous of you to pay it forward. Nice work, Youngsters!
Mike @HA says
That’s a great chair for that price! Way to stretch a budget and then stretch it some more. Farah’s pretty lucky :)
Barb says
I know you guys are super busy but I hope this is something you do more often. Maybe a couple times a year? It could be a replacement for the custom mood boards? I know I’m greedy, but I’m a sucker for before and afters!
Kati says
truly beautiful! I can’t believe the rug was on clearance for $15.00 at Target!
Samantha says
Very nice! Am I spying some baskets under the twin tables? Can’t tell if that’s just a shadow.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Samantha,
Yup, those baskets were existing so we’re not sure where Farah got them. Here’s hoping she drops in with that info!
xo,
s
Jackie D. says
Amazing! I love this room!
Andrea says
Mk.. I feel silly asking this.. but here it goes: a) do those little lantern things have bulbs in them? b) if the answer to a is yes then how the heck do you hang them without power chords hanging down from the ceiling?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Andrea,
They can be hung with a light kit if you want to actually use them for light (but the cord would have to be swagged as you mentioned). We just used them for ambiance because we liked how soft and sweet they looked (and at five bucks a pop the price was right!).
xo,
s
stacy says
LOVE it! You two have such an amazing eye. I love that lamp! Good work and looking forward to seeing the part II! =)
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
Just as I was finishing reading this post, I heard the beginning of The View starting in the background and they teased a segment on Mom Caves. So funny, because I’ve never heard the term until today!
Great makeover and so nice of you to pay it forward!
Kate @ Twenty-Six To Life says
What a great room makeover! I love that chair! And the two tables in front of the window are just perfect there. I can’t wait to see the next space!
Reem says
A Mama cave indeed! I like this idea! Unlike a man cave, it is relaxing and serene. You always hear of a play room or a man cave, now the moms have a room too.
When I’m a Mom I am going to call my special room “Mama’s throne” because of course the home is already my castle ; )
marianne says
Gorgeous! Would love that mom cave in my house, sadly we don’t have the room.
Robyn in Chicago says
I am in love with that lamp – great job! Fun post!
Is Farah your friend? Just curious as to how you found your person to pay it forward to….lucky lady!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Robyn,
We actually hadn’t ever met Farah or her sweet family but they were recommended to us through a friend of a friend (when we mentioned the mom cave challenge and said that we needed a deserving mom) so we asked them via email to send pics of their house and we loved what we saw!
xo,
s
liz @ bon temps beignet says
Woah! Lucky Mama!!!! I think I need a wife cave, as I’m not a Mom yet… someday ; )
Nota Supermom says
Really lovely and great colors.
lianna says
Beautiful! Enjoy your new space, Farah!
Jason says
This is awesome!!!!!
Great job and just the kind of posts I was talking about the other day that you could do outside of the Casa. Accept the sale of the Casa I tell myself:)
Didn’t know it was a ’56 either until reading your sale flyer, mine is too!
Lesley H says
N-I-C-E! What a great space to cozy in. Love it all. That rug is the most amazing deal yet! Lovely job youngsters (and how great that Clara got to work in the chair).
Liliana says
Wow, nice room! I need my own cave that can provide: office, reading area, stretching area, space for a twin sleeper when we have company!
You guys coming down to Raleigh, NC?! = )
Good job!
~ L.
Irene says
Paying it forward is so great! Great room and even without a giftcard, that is an inexpensive change
carolyn says
Wow, that looks great!
My mom cave is currently a hide-it-from-houseguests room that houses furniture that doesn’t fit anywhere else, children’s clothing I’m hanging onto just in case, and a huge mess of crafting supplies I rarely get a chance to work with. I would love the willpower to clean house and start over with a TV room for just me to unwind after a long day.
(headed to homegoods on my lunch break to look for that chair!)
Diana says
Love it!! That is quite the efficient makeover and so dramatic…cold storage to pure tranquility! Will hopefully have a new home project (as in a completely new home) in the next year or so…will definitely be on my list ;)
Rebecca says
This makes me love Home Goods even more than I already do, as well as you guys for sharing the love! Love the blue walls, I have a very similar color in my family room and it’s just so relaxing and clean.
Laura@JourneyChic says
What a great makeover! It looks so much more relaxing in there.
Lindsay says
Wow! So, I don’t actually like the phrase “mom cave” (though I don’t like “man cave” either – so it’s nothing personal, HomeGoods!), but overlooking that (heehee) – how fun! Looks great, and it looks like you had fun to boot. Win-win! :)
Jennifer says
If I could get my office in order, it could be my mom cave…but once that is completed, I am sure it will become a room for someone…(that’s wishful thinking anyway!!) Unless I have some that are willing to share a room….hmmmmmm
Marie says
you guys are so inspiring! I’m totally brainstorming ways to change my house up with just some paint and moving stuff around. Um…How do you guys feel about a trip to Portland, OR to fix my master bedroom? It’s needing some serious help!
Sarah says
Ok, I’ll say it… do we really have to call this a “mom cave”? If men can get a man cave (as opposed to a dad cave or husband cave), how come women have to have a mom cave or a wife cave? Can’t we just have our own room? It really is beautiful, I just had to point out my little irk with the name :)
Melissa S. says
Oh, what a gorgeous room! You guys were so generous to pay it forward, and I’m sure she’s going to get a lot of use out of that beautiful space (I have to admit, I think I was drooling a bit over all those after photos).
My Melissa space (can’t say mom space since I have no kids) is definitely my craft room/office that I share with our guest bedroom. http://www.scrappyjedi.com/search/label/Scrap%20Room It’s been rearranged more times than I can count now and is definitely not super-gorgeous, but it’s definitely my favorite space in the house.
Wendy says
I need a mom cave. I have been sewing in the media room (see man cave) during baseball season, but lo and behold, enter football season and I got kicked out. I am now in the garage and it is by no means a mom cave. Cave? yes. Relaxing escape from the everyday…not so much. But I am working on it.
RC says
Beautiful room – very serene. I really like the lotus painting. I always enjoy seeing before and afters.
Shannon says
Reem – Mama’s Throne would work great in our house since the bathroom is about the only place I get any Mama space!! I think its due for a spa makeover for just that reason. . . :)
YHL – great work. I’d use that room for yoga or just laying on the floor relaxing. Can’t wait to see the living room after!
Stacey@Stuff by Stace says
Great job on the room! I like that blue and golden color combination. Reminds me of a lot of the rooms that Candace Olsen does on HGTV. :)
Looks like you can get some cool stuff at Home Goods. There is one 45 minutes from my house. I may have to go on a little trip…
Jackie says
The room looks awesome!
Any chance you remember the name of the paint color by Behr?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jackie,
It’s actually a Benjamin Moore Color (Catalina Blue) color matched to Behr paint (in satin). So just grab the swatch at BM and bring it to HD to get it color matched. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Quinn says
That paint color is to die for!
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
<3 it! I'm not a mom but I could use a relaxing room like this! great job!
Amanda says
This is one of my favorite rooms you have done!! LOVE IT! It looks so calm and peaceful, yet still modern. I’m swooning!!
Jennie Gift says
Love the rug – can I ask how long ago you scored that at $15? Also, what is the likely hood of finding the Lotus at my local HomeGoods? I adoore that print!!! You guys are awesome for paying it forward and the room looks amazing!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jennie,
It was within the past two weeks- maybe eight days ago! It was in this little end cap section with other clearance rugs with red stickers on them. We thought it might be too small for the room but at that price we snagged it just to see if it would work. Happy day, it did! And as for the lotus print, you have a good shot! We got it recently and saw at least two.
xo,
s
Chicago Cuisine Critique says
Love this makeover and the idea of the mom cave! I’m not a mom yet but I could see where something like this would be necessary for sure. :)
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
My mom cave is my office. I love spending time reading blogs and other sites in there.
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/office-progress-2/
Amy Wolff says
so.. not commenting on this post BUT..
I had a dream I met you guys in person and Sherry was VERY annoyed with me because I was asking her a million questions. Also, I was visiting you guys in an apartment and not a house…
My husband said I need to lay off the blog for a few days!!! LOL
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
So sorry I was annoyed! In real life I’d be awkward and blush-y, but not annoyed! Promise.
xo,
s
Heather D says
Love the whole Ideal of a Mom Cave, would love to redo the guest room for this purpose. We rent right now, but I am waiting to hear about renewing our lease soon…hopefully, because it’s up in a few weeks. Then i might get to work on dreaming about what to do. If you are ever in Virginia Beach I would love for you guys to give us some tips on our home (kinds challenging with it being a rental)
Amy says
Great room! I looove that chair, too. I am most envious of the $15 Target rug find though. I am constantly there looking for sales and got a few clearance throw pillows recently for $3.74 each. I was very happy!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
Love the idea of the mom cave! So necessary! I also am obsessed with HomeGoods. Even if I am not in the market for anything, just perusing makes me happy. Also love all of the chairs they have!
abriana says
this is such a nice post! good project :) you should do more like this- going into other people’s homes and working your magic. you’re welcome to my home in Denver anytime!!
Shelley says
First off, I loved nursing my babies. It was just one of the best times ever in my life. My favorites were those at 3 am when it was so quiet and peacefula nd just the two of us. I would talk to them and pray for them and sing to them. Babies are the best.
Now that they are bigger and I need to hide from them…haha…I have an art studio in our basement. The walls are beige with 2 orange accent walls, a large dark wood work table, white desk and storage units for all my yummy supplies, a big light blue/aqua hutch and a dresser (more storage) painted in the same light blueish aqua colors. Then I have lots of light blue, orange and green accents. And don’t forget a little bit of playfull black and white touches. Everything I decorate or create in my art has a touch of black and white. I just can’t help myself ;) And I LOVE my studio…mom cave!