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:
Jess says
fantastic, as always! :) enjoy your visit with your parents! will this be their first time seeing your new house and all the work you’ve done on it so far?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We can’t wait to introduce them to our new house! If they stop staring at Clara for ten seconds and pay attention. Haha.
xo,
s
Claire says
I loved the room yesterday, brown blanket included, but I love it even more now. Great tweaks. Such a cheerlful but chic room. I can’t even decide which part is my favorite!!
Elizabeth says
ha claire, funny seeing you here!
Relevant Notes says
I thought it looked good yesterday – today it’s looking AMAZING.
susan says
Ahhh…so much better. I love the tweeks. Chairs split with yellow pillows, blanket and sheep skin gone, add bedside table with lamp. It looks like a great place to relax. Great job! susan
Andrea B says
What inspires me most about this room is that you did it on a budget that most “real” people (like me) can afford. This is why I keep coming back for more! I am so inspired by people who can make their home lovely and functional without taking out a loan.
Y’all rock. Just sayin’.
Claire O'Connor says
I could definitely see the yellow rug at a jaunty angle…
LOVE the rich, yummy wall color — and the modern palette overall! Fab!
Darlene says
Is there anything quite as exciting as waiting for special family to arrive for an extended visit? I think not, and I’m easily 20 years older than both of you. Nothing puts me into a cleaning and reorganizing frenzy quite like an eagerly anticipated visit from someone special. Hope your time the Clara-stealing-Grandma is wonderful.
Melanie Huffman says
I’m loving how much color you guys are embracing this time around in the new place! That wall color is amazing!
J'Anns Boutique says
Love the pops of green, I have that colour popping through my kitchen (which is all white), everyone loves it!
Oh and your little bean looks too cute on the floor hehe.
Confessions of a Purse-a-holic
Joanne says
Hi guys,
I think this is the best room you’ve done to date! It’s so colourful and full of fun patterns and accessories. I love the wall colour and the punches of green accents in the lamp, headboard and your amazing little luggage rack turned bedside table. It’s so fresh and fun and I’m sure it will make all your guests feel happy and cozy! Great job!!
Lauren (in PA) says
OMG.
I can’t believe you got that lamp. And paid $19 for it!
I was at my Goodwill near work, where the local Target sends salvage and saw that EXACT lamp and instantly thought of you guys. And when I just saw that in the picture I burst out laughing (at work…d’oh! so much for secret blog reading in my cubicle!)
Seriously, I saw it at Goodwill and though Sherry and John would LOVE that lamp. And there it is in your guest room!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, that’s too funny! It’s crazy that a new lamp is already at Goodwill. It shows you how awesome thrift stores can be!
xo,
s
Ro says
I love how if you hesistate for a second on your blog it goes from 20 comments to 1783y478y4 comments. Thats an actual number where I come from.
Anywho.. Loving it.. I was not Team Comforter so Im happy to see it go.. I also love the separated chairs… and I now am 98% in love with the room… Im waiting on the crown molding for the other 2% to kick in!
Great job!
Ro
http://randomroro.blogspot.com
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Love the little changes you made in the room. I really like how you separated the chairs and put the ceramic stool in between. And I love that mirror above the bed.
One question, if you put a dresser with a mirro in place of the bookcase, would that be too many mirrors in one room? I’ve been trying to figure out what to put over my bed and we have the one off set window in our room too. But we have a mirror over our dresser that is across from the bed. Too many mirrors? http://thedecorscene.blogspot.com/2011/01/tour-my-master-bedroom.html
YoungHouseLove says
I love mirrors. It takes a lot for me to declare that there are too many, so we’d totally add another one over a dresser (it would open up the room and bounce around more light). I say go for it!
xo,
s
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
I think I might be making a trip to Home Goods or Target to check out mirrors. I can always return it if it doesn’t work in the room. Thanks for the “Yes” vote! ;)
Elizabeth says
I love all this color. LOVE IT. and thats funny about the brown comforter at the bottom of the bed, I didn’t think it went well either, and voila other people had the same idea!
Sarah K says
I loved the room yesterday and somehow, I love it even more today! As in, I think it’s time to bring some color into the master bedroom, just like John and Sherry did in their guest room, love. (I have two primed nightstands, just waiting for a sunny weekend and for me to pick a color to pain them.)
I was on team keep the brown blanket, but the room looks even better with it tucked away.
Oh and one question – I think you said that was an Ikea comforter – is that the same as their duvet inserts or different?
YoungHouseLove says
We think it’s the same. It’s sort of a big fluffy white quilted comforter, but adding a white duvet down the line would make it even more polished looking. Someday…
xo,
s
Christine says
Clara’s got the best smile. It’s like a laugh-smile! I think your room looks adorable, and it’s very thoughtful functional. The space is really well-used. You are right about your mom probably not really noticing the new decor and honing right in on the baby! Have a great visit.
Julie M. says
I love the look that the pillow cases don’t match the sheets. Sometimes it is so hard to think beyond the matching sheet set, you know? Love those pillow cases. You really gave me something to think about here. Thanks!
Kristin Dennis says
Geesh! Reading through some of the comments on yesterday’s Guest Bedroom Progress post…people are not shy about sharing their negativity & criticisms are they!? and what’s amazing is that you always stay positive & respond back in such a great happy way.
IMO if readers don’t like something you guys do they shouldn’t take the time to write negative comments that could potentially deflate your “happy balloon.” b/c you guys obviously love the room or you wouldn’t have done it that way. I say keep the comments to Kudos or refrain from commenting at all.
You guys have your own style & that’s what makes you, well you!! Also, you’re awesome for sharing your lives & everything DIY with us, I hope comments like that don’t discourage you.
Anyway, bottom line is the room looks amazing, I love it & I love YHL!! Be encouraged! Let’s face it, you guys ROCK! xo, KD
p.s. hoping you enjoy every minute of your fam visit :)
Heather says
Nice job editing! I posted yesterday and was not a huge lover of the whole look. But now seeing the slight changes you made it’s made a huge difference for me. Mostly the removal of the brown blanket and the yellow pillow from the bed, made it a a little less pattern competitive. I loved the addition of the mirror/ new side table / storage bench and how those seem to tie in the room – especially the sidetable pops of green. Good job guys! Hope your parents enjoy!
Blaine says
Great tweaks… nice work as always!
Anna Taylor says
What a fun room full of energy. I love all the colors! Oh, and the little knobs/ closet door pulls you got from Hobby Lobby are the same ones we got for our entry way closet my husband built for us! I LOVE them ;)
Melissa says
I love everything about the room, the boldness yet crisp feeling. Only thing is that mirror, not my favorite, seems dark, unless its the lighting? I would have loved to see something like this from target, Wire Capiz Sunburst Wall Mirror, just seems it would really fill the space up more.
Really do love it all! Can’t wait to see the rest of the house!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah you’re right about it being the lighting. We took the pics at 8am (before the room got nice late morning light), so the mirror definitely reads as darker than it is. In person it ties in with the side table tray and the ottoman beautifully- we love that those things sort of fall back and feel like neutrals so the brighter accents feel more balanced. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Melissa says
You are right! I forgot about the table and ottoman, ugh, you guys are amazing! That’s why you design and I live vicariously through it :) xoxo
Nadine says
It takes some guts to break away from the ‘neutral’ atmosphere of your previous home (which I loved) and you’re getting there. And of course, many of us here in the cyberspace aren’t even seeing the actual color mix!
And… congratulations for making the deadline!
K (BarkingBabyMama) says
I love it! It looks so great and colorful. I was actually going to suggest that you pulled the chairs apart and put a little table between them, it looks perfect. (I, sadly, am not a fan of the push-them-together-to-look-like-a-loveseat – I just think they’re so great as chairs!) And the luggage rack looks AWESOME as the side table (I was skeptical – I don’t like it when things look temporary or rickety, but this totally doesn’t at all – love the command hook idea) -and the green luggage rack totally ties in the green headboard! The mirror is beautiful and the ottoman and mirror look really great together. Yay for a guest room! And I LOVE the curtains – I just can’t stop admiring! :)
Clare says
What lucky guests! Well done! The room is beautiful.
Patti says
You’re an amazing tweaker Sherry! The room looks fancy free! And I’m definitely stealing the make-shift tray-luggage rack-nightstand idea. The grands are never gonna leave!
Carrie says
I’m so glad you brought out the luggage rack from the closet – it works perfect with the room – and adding a tray to it with sticky strips? Brilliant!
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation says
Love the slipper chairs with the yellow pillows!
Stephanie@cre8tive says
The room looks perfect for the time span you had to pull it together. I was reading through the comments last night and ouch, some people are a little too critical for my liking. I thought of a whole bunch of ideas for the room that you could use from your stash in your house, but decided not to chime in. And low and behold you did every single one of them while I slept :) Wonderful job, and you are right, us mom’s could care less what the room looks like where we lay our head, spending time with the grand kids is priceless.
CTDT says
Great job in a short amount of time on a tight budget.
I actually really enjoyed this little series of posts, because I felt like yesterday’s in-progress update almost posed a “quiz” to my design mind. What I mean is, I liked a lot of the initial elements in the room but definitely saw the potential to tweak. So I played around with it in my mind all day, visualizing different changes.
It was then super cool to see this morning we all actually converged on some similar ideas about what to adjust. Fun!
Kristal says
Holy amazing room!! You guys stepped out of your comfort zone and nailed it out of the park! Love it all. So fun and colorful!
sarah (sarah learns) says
i love the room! i think the deep blue + green is one of my favorite color combinations! i’ll be making note of that for my future house!
renee kristine says
I always love catching up on what you guys are doing. LOVE this room! clara’s getting so big! that first picture, her big ol’ smile and hands remind me of this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLPZmPaHme0
[in the absolute most loving and positive way, of course! we compared my son to this video for a good two weeks, too!]
hahahah, sorry, i crack myself up sometimes, i hope you enjoyed that as much as i did.
but back to your lovely house, blog, and family; i just love you guys, keep up the good work.. and being awesome, of course!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, we loved that clip the moment it was on SNL. Too funny!
xo,
s
Jen says
Forget the room – that girl of yours is the cutest!
Katie Himiob says
OMG this looks so good! The paint color rocks and I <3 the pillows on the chairs! So bright and cheerful!
julie g. says
Perfectly eclectic and such great colors, it really feels like a vacation. I love the added black/brown wood as an anchor. As a fellow Craigs Lister I would suggest one of the shorter Hemnes style dressers in that room where the little bookshelf is in the black brown color. I love that series because it is solid wood and always available on Craigs List for at least 1/2 off. It would be perfect with your style in there!Enjoy your visit!
Wom-mom Ethne says
The cell phone charging station: genius! The wall color is FAB. Have fun with your family!
http://www.wom-mom.com
Melissa says
I like this SO much better! Well done guys!
Many Blessings,
Melissa
Sally G says
You’re winning me over. Since the move I’ve been wondering whether I will like the new direction you’re moving with your style. I loved the style of house #1 so much. :) But wowzers do I ever love this guest bedroom! It’s really beautiful and fun. Also, love the light grey walls elsewhere!
Melissa says
What a genius idea to use the luggage rack as a night stand! :) I might just steal that idea. The room looks great. Love the green with the blue.
ronda w says
Great job on the guest room. The first one was a littly busy for me but the final touches make the room really nice and warm!
Kristin says
WOW! What a difference with those last minute additions made. The room looks really pulled together and polished now! Such a cheerful space, I’m sure your guests will love it. Great job and on such a small budget!
Susan says
This is my favorite EVER room you guys have done! I love it. I was weary of the color, but now I think it’s the greatest paint color ever. So proud of you guys, and glad you moved, so we can see you tackle this house. I caught myself g-chating a friend today saying, omg have you seen Young House Love’s new spare bedroom?! I thought, apart from blogs, that would never happen! Your biggest fan.
jenn says
i love it! it looks way more like a room now. i mean it obviously looked like a room in the first reveal shots. but now it looks more lived in, more put together. very inviting. at first i thought the plant next to the alarm clock was a cactus! i was like oh nooo what a horrible idea! every time someone turns off the alarm they risk smashing their hand into a cactus. but the close up reassured me it was not. :P
Thuy says
Love the yellow pillows against the teal. Those Hobby Lobby knobs are straight outta Anthro – nice steal!
Also, please post a picture of Clara crying so we know she’s not some perfect alien baby! (I do mean that in a good way – she’s so stinkin’ cute I can’t stand it!)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, she definitely cries sometimes. Promise! But she is a pretty smiley girl…
xo,
s
Jane says
very pretty!!! I have that exact mirror (with the beveled edges and all) from Goodwill last week in Milwaukee, WI(still in original packaging) for $9.89. I just about ran to the register with it. Then while checking a few other goodwills, I found the same mirror. I painted mine white. I thought maybe they were discontinuing them, but then I saw yours.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s amazing! We went two three thrift stores twice over the past week but had no luck when it came to finding a big round mirror. You’re a lucky lady!
xo,
s
Jane says
oh, is that plant on the stand real? I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Nope! It’s a little faux succulent from Target a while back. I have a set of three of them, and they migrate all over depending on my mood. Haven’t killed them yet- haha.
xo,
s
DJ says
Just WOW!
CB says
That room looks really nice – very well put-together and so welcoming to guests.
At first I thought that was a small cactus on the nightstand, which could have made for some unfortunate middle-of-the-night-groping-blindly-for-the-light moments!! ;)
I love how the two chairs look. That picture has a very geometric feel to it, with the square chairs, pillows, doors, rug, etc., (which works well and looks clean), and makes me think that a nice tilde-shaped mirror or something similar, stretching about the width of the two chairs, would really fit well. No matter what, the room looks awesome!!
Becky S. says
Wow! I can’t believe what a difference a little tweaking makes. I wasn’t quite into the way it looked in the pictures yesterday but I couldn’t put a finger on what I didn’t like. But, today….LOVE it!!! The little side table looks awesome and I am just so in love with the color of the walls…and of course, that yellow rug! You guys are so amazing. And, Clara is adorable!! Quick question, where do you get her clothes from?? I love having unique clothes for my daughter, but I feel like we always end up with the exact same outfits as every other kid in town.
YoungHouseLove says
A lot of her clothes are gifts (since she has three sets of adoring grandparents, haha) but our favorites come from Old Navy. Carters also has some cute stuff (most of their clothing is a bit more traditional, but they have so fun greeny-yellow, purple, and gray combos going on that are really cute!). There’s a Carter’s outlet near John’s parents’ beach house that we always hunt through for cheap finds.
xo,
s