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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » A Fantastic Attic Makeover

| By John Petersik | February 2, 2012 | 82 Comments

A Fantastic Attic Makeover

When I was growing up and my parents would take us to open houses for fun, my little sister and I always picked the most interesting room as “ours”: the one with the secret compartment, the one with the biggest windows, etc. If we were to tour Kristin’s house, I’m sure the attic they transformed into their daughter Ella’s bedroom would take the cake by a landslide… and quickly turn into a big fight between my sister and I about who had “dibs.” Here’s Kristin’s letter all about it:

Hi guys! I’ve been torn for a while about which project to submit, but I’m going to go with my daughter Ella’s room because a) the story involves dead pigeons – and what good renovation story doesn’t? – and b) it’s not a kitchen – our kitchen still kind of stinks – and c) you seem to enjoy a good kid’s room with lots of play value and the flexibility to change things up.  So here’s the story.

When we first saw our home, we were drawn to the mansard roof and the attic beyond. Undeterred by the deteriorated brick walls, the water damaged wood, or the pigeon remains, we saw the possibility in that attic for a treetop bedroom and we were sold.

Kristin Before

Demolition began and we removed the rotted pine flooring and salvaged a single wall made of tongue and groove pine.

Kristin During 1

Then we designed wardrobes (we had them fabricated at a local millwork shop) that went in, providing storage and a hiding place for the ductwork that serves this floor and the one below. Next, we covered the exposed rafters and installed beadboard in between.

Kristin During 2

The best part? Those old pine boards were installed on the front wall, adding texture to a wall that has become an ever-changing activity and display wall for our daughter’s creativity.

Kristin After 1

See the map sitting in front of those boards on that angled wall? They’re hard to notice in the photos but are really great in real life. The view of the Gateway Arch and the summer fireworks from that dormer are just icing on the cake.

Kristin After 2

Kristin After 3

I’ll include a before and after of the mansard we rebuilt (well, mostly my husband did since I was pregnant and then we had a newborn.  The mansard is an integral part of her room, but was an expensive necessity!  So I always joked to Ella that she had the most expensive nursery on the block  (slate and copper ain’t cheap, but our own labor is!) Enjoy! – Kristin

Kristin Roof Before

Kristin Roof After

If you wanna read and see more of Kristin’s makeover, hit up her blog for the full scoop on what a lucky girl that little Ella is. Thanks for sharing Kristin! Now, who wants to fight me for that room?

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Comments

  1. Becky Collins ( Ella's Nana) says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    Hi,
    I am Ella’s Nana, and I, along with her other three grandparents, helped clean out the pigeon poop in the attic. While awaiting Ella’s arrival, I insisted that Kristin go ahead with the hand painted tiles, The Little Prince.
    In fact, on a visit I sat beside Kristin for hours as she began the painting. She even let me paint a pale blue background on one of the tiles. The room is awesome; however, even the lovely photographs don’t do it justice. Ella is a lucky young lady, but her grandparents are truly the blessed ones!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2012 at 7:48 pm

      Aw, so sweet!

      xo,
      s

  2. Emily M. says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    I LOVE the blue on the ceiling!! Mind sharing the paint color?

    Reply
  3. Niki says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    I love your blog!! My hubby and I are 2 weeks into a major flooring remodel (much trickier than I expected) but you guys make it easier (its nice to see DIY experts still run into little speedbumps too). Keep up the awesome work :)

    Reply
  4. MaryB in Richmond says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Best “How-to” video in the history of How-to videos. No, in the history of ALL videos! Thanks for making me laugh while also teaching me that I can do stuff like that, too!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 2, 2012 at 7:47 pm

      Aw thanks MaryB!

      xo,
      s

  5. kelly says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    from a native st. Louisan, awesome!!! so bright and cheery and such a cool space to be in. i am constantly amazed at what you can do to change a space with some work!!

    Reply
  6. Kristin says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    I did not pay my mother to write that comment above, but she’s correct. I give the parents and in-laws plenty of props in my blog for all the pigeon poo cleaning – and for helping us out in tons of ways over the last 11 years. We thought we’d be forever in their debt, but we’ve made it up to them pretty well with the granddaughters! :)

    I’m working on that blue paint color – I’ve had a billion emails on it. I think I have it somewhere on file. And I know it was painted twice. My husband was not smiling the second time around (because the first right blue just wasn’t…right!)

    Reply
  7. Whitney says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    Wow, that is awesome!

    Reply
  8. Justine says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Crazy transformation! Loving all the white and built ins, it looks like this space has been there the whole time.

    Reply
  9. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    February 3, 2012 at 12:40 am

    Fabulous foresight to see what adding the window would do. It’s beautiful! Something so special about an attic room. Love it!

    Reply
  10. angie says

    February 3, 2012 at 8:36 am

    coolest bedroom… EVVVVVVEEEEER! They did an amazing job. That is one lucky little girl :)

    Reply
  11. HRCK the Herald says

    February 3, 2012 at 9:10 am

    That is an UNbelievable transformation! I’m so impressed!

    I always think slanted walls like that look so cozy :)

    Reply
  12. chelsea says

    February 3, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Great pick! This is an inspiring room!

    Reply
  13. Christine says

    February 3, 2012 at 10:38 am

    I love this! I like how they used the unusual shapes and spaces to make the room even better. I’d love to hear from Kristin about how they figured out where to put all the cabinetry and nooks, etc.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 3, 2012 at 12:18 pm

      Stop by the blog later this weekend. I’m putting together a post on the bedroom that should answer a lot of the questions I’ve been emailed about. Sherry and John are pros at this. I’m not used to all of these questions! :)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 3, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      Haha, thanks Kristin! That’s so helpful!

      xo,
      s

  14. Claire says

    February 3, 2012 at 10:48 am

    wow, stunning! what a gorgeous reno!

    Reply
  15. Sally says

    February 3, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    So I totally expect Peter Pan to fly into that dormer window and whisk Ella off to Never Never Land. It’s just such a magical room. *Swoon*

    Reply
  16. Roeshel says

    February 5, 2012 at 11:08 am

    What a sweet room and amazing transformation {not only the adorable space itself, but that mansard}. Great job, Kristin!

    Reply
  17. Penny says

    February 5, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    What a beautiful, cozy, happy room! I love it but I won’t fight John for it. He has Clara on his side and I’ve seen how that child can body slam stuffed monkeys and Santa balloons. :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 5, 2012 at 1:49 pm

      Haha, it’s true. That girl won’t back down…

      xo,
      s

  18. Kacey says

    February 5, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Wow, I was very anti-white walls after living in apartments for so long; but, this definitely has me rethinking my no white walls (a la no wire hangers) philosophy. It looks very classy and clean.

    Reply
  19. Melissa N. says

    February 6, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Beautiful transformation! Excellent job. I absolutely love it.

    Reply
  20. Kate @ Stripes and Polka Dots says

    February 7, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Kids rooms have always been my favorite! This one is AMAZING!

    Reply
  21. todd says

    February 7, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    It’s very nice. Wish they left the brick exposed.

    Reply
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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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