If you haven’t gone through my archives to read each titillating past post, well, I don’t blame ya.
But since 99% of you aren’t familiar with this space, I couldn’t help but whip out some oldie photos to help ‘splain the process we went through with this room. And just so you know…I am thrilled to be able to write a meaty home-related post. I’ve missed writing you, dearest reno post!
First of all, when we bought this house we knew withoutadoubtinoureagerDIYheads that one day we would finish the basement. We knew that this would NOT be our forever home. But since we live in a pretty decent school district and this would give our house a fifth bedroom, we knew that this would be the perfect home for a growing family while still being affordable. So we began to finish this space using it as sortof a guinea pig for our renovation skills.
It started off as a blank slate. The walls were roughed in but nowhere near finished.
First we drylocked the cinder block wall, then studded it out, insulated, reran duct work, ran electrical, installed drywall, mudded, painted, laid engineered hardwoods, installed trimwork, and finally my brother-in-law moved in.
Here it is from another angle:
Right after Torrey moved in, well, he moved right back out. He left his stuff for a while…so we stalled on incorporating decor. It kinda stayed vacant for a few months until this past February when we began brainstorming ways for us to make this a more usable guest bedroom.
I began the decorating process by ordering a duvet cover and some shams. Then we built a headboard from some 2×4’s and batting and leftover fabric…leaving it unfinished due to a missing slipcover.
We had a plan of sorts…wanting to place frames above the headboard and a sconce light next to the bed (under the bulkhead) as a reading lamp. Here’s my very hightech plan:
Well, I finished the headboard slipcover recently. Round of applause please. And yes, that means please clap in a circle. I will post how I sewed the slipcover later. Promise.
We also hung the pictures above the bed. It was the first project we attempted after Will was born. At the time, it seemed more impossible than a Houdini magic trick to actually do something around the house. It was like HEY WATCH THIS! WE ARE HANGING A PICTURE FRAME WHILE HOLDING A NEWBORN. IT’S UNBELIEVABLE!
The frames were from the master bedroom. They hung on the wall opposite our bed for a very long time. And actually they aren’t frames at all. They were cabinet doors from the clearance section at Ikea. For only $1 each I got the door which has a glass front and a little tiny knob. Then I bought custom mats from Hobby Lobby for the art (which was also from Ikea).
The chest was scored at a yard sale and originally a lovely shade of green. I used it as a shoe chest for a while in my dressing room. Now it holds bundles of fabric. I think it needs a new coat of paint…the bright white isn’t doing it for me in here.
We also pulled out the red elements of the bedding. It was just too much. The muchiness was overwhelming. Not exactly soothing. And we really wanted this guest bedroom to be a relaxing space. So instead I put a cream blanket on the bed and a woven pillow I bought at Pier 1 a little over a year ago.
I like how the texture of the accent pillow is similar to the woven-i-ness of the sidetable. Actually that is no sidetable. It’s a tv table. My mother gave it to me. Hence – FAH-REE!!! When I was diggin around in our ‘stash’ of stuff, I figured I would go ahead and put it in place until we find something a little more permanent. It definitely works because it picks up on the tones of the art above the bed.
I also decided that I wanted to incorporate a little bit of fish decor here. Like the little guy on the windowsill. Remember him? Yeah, I scored him at Goodwill a while back and he feels right at home in the window. His color is perfect. And yes…I may have started a fixation with fish that rivals my love for birds.
The other big project that we finally tackled was installing the closet doors. My boyfriend just followed the instructions and they were installed within an hour. I still have to touch-up the paint and install the knobs but I love how clean they look. Don’t you? I mean, this closet has serious storage space. And when I say it has serious storage space, I mean it will. Right after we install some shelving. That’s project #739274565 on my list.
In the spirit of keeping it real, I thought I would share the other side of the room. Yup. That’s the dresser in this room. At first we were going to put other dressers in here as we explained in a previous post. When it came down to it, this size dresser was just a better fit. It’s from the Pottery Barn outlet and we scored it for about $220. I know. Unbaconbelievable. Especially since PB still sells it online for full price. And yes, a dresser needs a tiered plate holder at all times.
So where do we go from here? Well, I definitely have my eye on some pretty specific changes.
First, my mother gave me some decorative shutters that I plan on putting up to spruce up the window area. I also bought a Pottery Barn sconce on clearance (you really won’t believe the price!) but I need to buy a piece to support the shade before we install it. I also have to sew a bedskirt out of matching navy fabric to hide the ugly metal legs on the bed. Lastly I am thinking the chest needs a fresh color. I photoshopped an option below.
Whew! I love posts like this one. Beefy.
What do you think? A definite improvement, right? And do you like the ideas I have for further improvement? Or maybe you have some suggestions? I love to hear more ideas. Like would a jute rug work? It would lighten up the floor….and give a little cush. Or maybe I should put up a big ole mirror above the dresser? Or paint the chest a different color than cream? Give me your notes friends. and your bacon. You knew that was coming 🙂
You are so fortunate to have a daylight basement! That’s a real window down there. You finished this yourselves?!? Wow.
I like the dark flooring. We opted for a lighter laminate in our basement b/c we had no natural light, but I really like that dark, glossy floor. I don’t feel a rug is mandatory. If you get a rug, I like the look of jute, I just don’t like how it feels.
A mirror above the dresser would be nice. Maybe it would bounce some light around from that window?
I can’t get over that you finished this room yourselves… wow. My husband and I need to get our skills up!
that looks like such a cozy space – excited to see what you do with it. i also really love that chest – great find!
I love this post! Great work! The photos above your bed I have hanging in my master bathroom and i LOVE them!
So far, so good! Really, the changes are very refreshing, I think editing the red in this room was a good choice, and I like red.
I think your rug choice sounds really perfect it will lighten up the room and add a nice texture, and the cream would definitely work for the chest, but if you wanted to a little color, a nice blue would be good too.
Looking forward to the headboard post.
I love how you show us what decor elements are going on in your room. And I am impressed by all the work you accomplished in your basement-go you!
I love the idea of a jute rug underneath the bed, but I’m a sucker for jute rugs. I’d have them in every room of my house if left to my own devices! Do you usually hit up the PB Outlet up 400? It sounds like you’ve found some amazing things there!
That room is looking great! And that chest is an awesome find! I’m completely jealous of your spacious basement. Can’t wait to see more details!
I LOVE the TV/nightstand, any clue where your Mom bought it? I would get two and use them as nightstands also- thanks!
I love the room transformation! Great job so far. I believe the shutters will really complete the room. My suggestion woul dbe not to paint the chest cream. Maybe do a rub and wipe with some gel stain to dirty it up a bit if it’s too white? Just a suggestion. Also a mirror above the dresser and a rug of some sort would really make things look complete. I think it looks just great and I love the fish ;).
Looks good!
Have you thought about painting the chest in Dark blue to match the Headboard? – i think it would look like a nice statement whilst matching the bed also…
Katie, I love it!!!! Here’s my two-cents; I would definitely put a jute rug down because it would break up all the beautiful hardwood and coordinate really well with your pillow. Also, I would paint the chest a soft cream color because, well, it would go with pretty much every decor and future colors you implement into the room. And lastly, a mirror over the dresser would bounce light around and make it that much more airy and bright! Basically – I agree with everything you suggested! LOL
I love your house. It is so beautiful! I’m wondering why it won’t be your forever house?
Yes, big improvement. I like how you placed the photos to add height. And the yard sale find is fantastic!
Also agree on the rug suggestion from above. Somehow rugs make gust rooms so much”home-ier” / “cozier”
I’m jealous of the $15 chest. Why can’t the yard sales I go to have things other than ratty old toys and books? Cream would be a good color, but maybe even a bit more straw-colored would look good too.
Love the way the room is coming together and find your diy skills so inspirational! You’ve done an amazing job!
As for the decor in the room, I like the idea of a jute rug, it will pull the look together. I can’t help but think the chest would look better stripped and stained a deep colour to match the chest. I’m not one for matchy-matchy furniture in a bedroom (& I do love me some painted furniture) but I think it will tie in the dresser unit – at the moment, you have dark chocolate stained floors (beautiful), black frames, a white chest, white closet doors & trim and a lighter dark wood dresser. The other option would be to go with black to match the frames.
And can I just say I’m totally jealous you picked that up for $15?! 😉 I’m absolutely certain that whatever you do will look fantastic x
WOW! Looks great! I’m sure guests will love staying in there. I think the ideas you have for the future of this room sound and look great.
As for suggestions: maybe some shades (or another window treatment) on the window for privacy would be a good addition? Whatever works with the shutters.
Beautiful and inviting! Where did you find the duvet cover and shams?
I’m liking the changes you’ve made Katie! Does this mean you will have 2 guest bedrooms? And whatever happened to Jeremy’s new basement work space?
Hi Vivian,
Good question! It does mean that we have two guest bedrooms. Actually if you count the twin daybed in my dressing room, then technically it is three guest bedrooms. Don’t worry though…we plan on filling those suckers up 🙂 And as for Jeremy’s workspace…right now his space is in the basement living room…that is until we finish his mini-office 🙂
XO – katie
Hi Vanessa,
The duvet and shams are Pottery Barn from ebay.
XO – katie
Katie, I love how the guest room is coming along! I can’t wait to see the additions that you have in mind. We have trouble getting projects done without child – I can only imagine what it must be like for you guys. Kudos!!
Katie, I have been following (stalking?) your blog for a few months now but this is my first time commenting. I am floored by the basement transformation! You guys are awesome. I am drooling over the white chest! But I agree, it would definitely look great painted cream. Can’t wait to see more!
Katie, I am a new (for the past 2 weeks I stay up until midnight looking in the archives) to your blog and you have inspired me in so many ways. Thanks for such great and honest posts. The guest room in the basement looks PHENOMENAL! I absolutely LOVE it.
Love the basement bedroom, Katie! So glad there’s a bedskirt coming, too.
As for the chest, I think you should just distress it a bit for a “shabby chic” look. Hopefully, there’s wood underneath the green!
I’m a sucker for jute rugs and painted furniture (especially if it’s a color that pops), so I would probably get the rug and paint the chest a blue-grey color (or really I guess, if it was my house, green).
Hey Katie, the room looks great! I love the bedding! The only idea I had was for the chest at the end of the bed. Instead of re-painting it (or maybe even if you do paint it) I think a little throw or blanket over the chest would look good! Just a thought! 🙂
I love your ideas for future decor, can’t wait to see what it looks like all put together but awesome guest room so far! Taking the red elements off the bed was genius, made such a difference.
If you repaint the chest, it might be cool to do a little something different. Maybe paint most of it cream but paint the crest/trim details navy? Or paint a “B” for Bower on the crest?
I think a mirror over the dresser would be great so your guests can do a little hair/makeup check without having to go to the bathroom. And your rug idea is a good one too. Especially in a basement, I think they make things feel more cush. A pattern (Best of Both Wools? Faux Bois? Fret Knot? Natural Born Talent?) from Flor might be fun.
o bower crew, how you impress me! you really have done such a great job. a jute rug,yes please.whenever you get around to it.the chest is too bright of a white(say it ain’t so)then i like the suggestion of dirtying it up with some stain maybe.yea.or… a creamy white,then you could paint the frames same color? welll you could.just sayin’. you can tell me to mind my own business now,cause i’m just a lurker and you do a fine job on your own(really fine job)o and can not wait to see the shutters on the window. i love shutters. do that first so i can see. ok i’ll stop being pushy.sorry <3 donna
I like the new bedroom! However, since apparently I had some time on my hands at work today, I played with the color of that chest and came up with this:
Here’s the Direct link:
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/8231/colora.png
Just thought I’d share – I liked it better than the cream and with a jute rug underneath I think it would really pop! love you!
Me too!
I love what you’ve done with your basement. It looks very inviting. I love the ideas you have for the cream chest and the sconce and the navy bedskirt. Your closet is huge! How nice to have that kind of storage in a guest bedroom.
Love your blog! I just discovered it through The Lettered Cottage. I’ll be back.
Welcome Tammy! Love that Lettered couple, don’t you?! They are adorable.
XO – bowchicabower
Great space! I know you took the red out of the bedding, but I can’t help thinking the chest would look GREAT painted red…maybe a weathered barn red….
I would definitely paint the chest cream instead of another color (like navy or something) because that way you can change the bedspread and you’ll still have a matching chest.
And yes to the mirror above the dresser! I don’t know what I’d do in a guest bedroom without one, lol 🙂
My husband is going to make two queen sized daybeds for both of our children to give them a little more space in their rooms. I plan on upholstering both headboards and I’m struggling with what the best “material” is for that. I’m wanting something decently soft but durable as well. I also don’t want to spend too much money since I’m doing two at the same time and that way I won’t feel guilty if my kids want to change it up in a year or so. What did you use on your headboard? Any suggestions from anyone else, it would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
Hi Roni,
When I tackled the daybed upholstery, I found my fabric at a discount fabric place. It cost $1 a yard…which is uber cheap. And since I needed like six yards of it, that would work for me. As for type of fabric, I used a heavy duty twill (and for other projects I have even used indoor-outdoor fabric for those pieces that need extra durability!). Anyone else with some ides on what Roni should use?
XO – Katie