Sunday, April 15, 2012

Come and Stay Awhile... Guest Bedroom Reveal

Did everyone have a fantastic weekend?  Mine was extremely productive - So happy to have some energy back!  Those commutes to and from Salt Lake City have been whooping my arse for the last few weeks and the result was = no result... for anything!  

During my last reveal, my Living Room, I mentioned that I began yet another makeover project: the destination o' junk, future guest bedroom.  I felt bad that I often sent my guests to the sofa or to the den where a blow up mattress would deflate over night (sorry, Alex and Joyce!).  

Before

Due to budget restrictions, this took a little over a month and a half to complete.  Being the impatient person I am, this delay was utter torture for me!  Bad host, no more!  I present to you....

Our Guest Bedroom

I was giddy with joy this morning when everything fell into place.


What did we change, you ask?

Painted the room three different colors: 

Top Half: Treasured Moment by Glidden
Middle Strip and Trim: White
Bottom Half: Bali Hai by Glidden
To see where I got my inspiration see my Color Palette Inspiration post.

Installed new flooring

Threw away the "booby" light fixture and installed a new, more classic one.

Made my own headboard

Added some guest friendly furniture and fixtures

and of course... eye candy.


There's also an open bar in the kitchen, if sparkling water doesn't cut it for you.
 Now this room is fairly small.  It's 9' x 10', so purchasing a separate vanity was a no-go.  But where were my guests suppose to get ready?  I don't feel like having to share my own vanity in my Master Suite, no matter how wonderful my friends are.  Yeah, I'm kinda selfish like that.

No hurdle is too large, I say!  Let's just make one and still have room!

The most inexpensive built-in ever made!  Bookshelves, which I painted white : $20 ea from Walmart, 1' x 4' piece of wood and mounting pieces: $10 from Lowes = $50!!!  What?!  That's so cheap, it's obscene!
Stool: $5 from IKEA, Mirror: $35 from Ross

Just enough space for makeup and jewelry storage.
 Just a little bouquet I threw together from my tulip explosion is the front yard.

I am *smitten* with this journal!  My out-of-town visitor, if he/she chooses can write about his/her Utah experience and also use it as a mini scrapbook.

Lovin this fab $3 vase from Marshalls.

Aren't the pugs cute?
 Ever since my Living Room makeover, I've been eyeing the oodles of chinoiserie decor everywhere!  Maybe it's a phase of mine, maybe not.  Either way, I think they're fantastic!

Did you know the "Foo-Dog" is actually a "Foo-Lion"?  I like to research all that I'm obsessed with.

Touch of vintage and Asian-flair.
Just a little sumpin sumpin contemporary that I whipped up.
In Utah, you can have both city and excellent mountain scapes at the same time.


I made sure to include all of Mr. Smitten and my fave books.

My Maple tree and a few snips later.... instant jumbo vase filler and money saved!

My very first upholstery job.  Not perfect, but damn proud of it!
$35 elephant garden stool from Ross

...and one of my favorite decor magazines has made its home on top of it.
 Do you remember my mentioning that I HAD TO incorporate laser cut metal into this room, I just didn't know how?  It's kismet, I tell you!!  On my first trip to Homegoods after I had posted just that... I find this magnificent piece of art..

I find myself humming "Isn't she lovely.." every time I'm around her.

My favorite lamp to date.
A note to friends and family extremely missed by moi, this is for you.  


Come... and stay awhile....

~*Abigail*~


Linking up to Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
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Sunday, April 8, 2012

DIY Headboard Tutorial

I know..  I feel terrible!  I've neglected all of you for a few weeks now and I promise I have a real honest-to-god excuse.  I just acquired a position at a new insurance firm in Salt Lake City.  That means, my commute everyday is much longer and more exhausting.  I come home from work and crash out after dinner.  I've only been able to work on a couple of projects here and there if I can keep my eyes open.  My body is slowly adjusting to getting up at the butt crack of dawn... so I promise.. soon I will be back in full force!

About a month ago, I took a gander into the cutest little home decor shop in Historic 25th Street in Ogden, UT and had my breath taken away with all the gorgeous furniture and accessories.  Once I spotted these babies, I made a beeline for them.  I needed a headboard for my guest bedroom and pronto!


My breath was taken away again... by the high price.  Yikes!  No can do.
  

So, the DIY gears in my head started turning...  and I made my own headboard for a total of $25!  You wanna try it out for yourself?  Here's what you'll need:

Mattress Foam Pad from Wal-Mart 
Plywood or particle board cut to size
2 - 3 yard fabric (I bought mine from the clearance section at Joanne's)
Staple gun
Plenty of staples
Scissors
20 - 30 minutes (Seriously)


Love the fabric!  It's faux leather.
 Step 1: Staple on Foam Pad

Back

Front
 Step 2 (optional) : Staple on Batting.  I decided not to because I wanted some of this funky foam design peeking through.

Step 3: Staple (make sure it's taut) on fabric

My camera's not doing a very good job tonight.  You can hardly see the details, but it's looking pretty awesome!
 Step 4: Hang it up!!

Okay, I couldn't take a picture further back because then I'd be giving away too much of my Guest Bedroom Reveal.  I'm just putting the finishing touches to the room and I'll show you everything sooner than later, I hope!

I may be adding a bit to this headboard sometime in the future.

Good night, all!  I gotta get some shut eye if I want to beat that morning traffic!

xoxo,

~*Abigail*~