Saturday, November 27, 2010

Alicia's bedroom

I finished my friend Alicia's bedroom finally and here's the end product. I didn't take any before pictures so you'll have to imagine it. Let me set the "before" scene. Imagine white walls... and a king sized mattress. That's it. We got rid of her old furniture she'd had since she got married so I had to find all new stuff. Here are a couple before pictures of the furniture and other items I got on craigslist and thrift stores. I also used a few accessories she already had.




I painted her room Gobi Desert from Behr. It's absolutely my favorite neutral tan. She really wanted a relaxing retreat so I knew I wanted to do a ton of white. And blue's her favorite color so the palette was the easiest thing about this room.

The damask print on the focal wall was done using a stencil my friend cut out of vinyl lettering. I stuck it onto a blank stencil I bought at hobby lobby and used an exacto knife to cut it out. Then I just drew it on the wall and painted it by hand.

The chandelier was from my lovely sister Tara. We spray painted it white and made a white cord hider from an old sheet.

I got the mantel from my Mom. She was kind enough to donate it to the cause and we painted it blue.

My carpenter/husband built this amazing storage solution/reading nook. Did I mention what a hunk he is? I guess he will think twice before coming with me on a job! We built the window seat with a door at the top you can take off and store stuff you don't want out. Plus it makes a great nook for reading or watching the kids sword fight in the back yard.

I got the bench at the foot of her bed on craigslist. It was a beautiful mauve color. Ok, maybe it wasn't so beautiful. After a quick slipcover made out of duck cloth for %50 off at joanns, it fit much better in the room. And I didn't have to use a seam ripper once. Which was a first for me.

The art piece was my favorite project. I've never painted on canvas before and it was really fun. I don't know if you remember me talking about Alicia before but she recently lost her sweet boy. She has 5 children still here so I wanted to do an art project that reminded her of her family and the one who "flew" away. When I gave it to her she started crying and said she loved it so I think she got the message.

She wanted a little memory box made for her son. So I made a shadow box from some kind of antique sifter. We pinned his blessing outfit to it and put up a picture of him.

The headboard was out of that door in the "before" shots. I used some 1x4 pine and a little molding and then painted it blue.

Now here's a breakdown of the costs. Once I wrote them out, I was surprised by what I spent the most on. You'd think the furniture would be the most expensive.

$250 on bedding (ebay and home goods)
$100 on furniture (end of bed bench, dresser, night stands, mantel and headboard)
$100 on paint and accessories
$ 50 on lumber for the window seat

That's a grand total of $500. Yes I spent every penny of our very small budget. Yes I shopped at Goodwill and dug lumber out of the cull bin at Home Depot. But I stayed on budget. One more image just because...

62 comments:

  1. It is beautiful! And the picture you painted is amazingly touching.

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  2. Totally Fab. Congrats on a great project!

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  3. So pretty, Nik. You did an amazing job.

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  4. Oh my goodness, they are the colours I have picked out for my room makeover!
    I love it even more now, hope I can do as good a job as you have!
    Love the artwork, and can understand why she cried.

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  5. gorgeous and how creative! I am impressed with the furniture finds too!

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  6. It's absolutely beautiful. LOVE the painting.

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  7. Ok Nikki, you are the most talented decorator I know! I just found out I am having another girl! So I would LOVE to revamp one of my rooms to make into our "girls" room. So if you have any ideas...
    plus I would love one of those chandeliers, maybe you and Tara could keep an eye out? I would totally pay you to help me do something like that... (Someday I want to ramp up our master bedroom, but i'll have to see if my husband wants me putting any effort into it when we may not be here forever:-)

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  8. What a beautiful room.

    The artwork is the best. What a sweet idea.

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  9. Oh my gosh, what a lucky girl she is to have such a talented and caring friend such as you! That room is absolutely beautiful and the painting you did for her of the birds and the memory box for her son brought a tear to my eye, it's all very lovely!!

    Tania

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  10. Its beautiful~ you did a wonderful job! I love all the little touches you added in to make it personal and so warm and inviting~ well done! Stopping by from Funky Junks~ nice to meet you! :)

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  11. Beautiful room redo! Some very creative and thoughtful touches :) Stopping by from Make It For Monday.
    I have been thru Queen Creek- we had some friends who lived in Gilbert!
    I hope you will post a how to on your window seat- it really is great!
    I'm your newest follower~

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  12. Your friend is truly blessed to have you for a friend!

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  13. Nikki..I am leaving you a comment! HA!
    Great job...it looks amazing!

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  14. You did an awesome job on the redo. I could definitely sleep in that gorgeous room.
    Debbie

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  15. Great job! You are so talented!

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  16. brilliant! everything so well thought out. the sentiment behind the artwork brought a tear to my eye and brings such sweetness to the room.

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  17. Caaauuute!! Awesome job. The room looks fab!!

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  18. How relaxing. I could just see myself moving right now! It's beautiful!

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  19. This room in stunning. It looks so comfy and cozy - I bet you could not be more pleased. Visiting from MSS and I am so glad I stopped by! I am your newest follower.

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  20. I just found you while on DustyLu's blog... This is amazing, what a wonderful job! I love the colors and the way you redid the old dresser and tables.. and the painting is amazing and so sweet... I will be following your blog for sure, anyone that can do what you did on that budget is awesome!

    Cindy

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  21. GORGEOUS!!!! Just found your blog!
    Shannon
    www.akadesign.ca

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  22. Oh, my gosh, that room is to die for! I'm your newest follower, and I can't wait to look through your previous posts. I live in AZ, too, but I rarely/never find furniture like you found.

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  23. Found you from DIY Showoff, and so glad I did. This is room is wonderful in all ways. I love what you did with the headboard, you may have just given me an idea for my guest room! (Which is currently the white walls and mattress as your friends was, hehe). Thank you for sharing this!

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  24. I came across your post from DIY Showoff, and am so touch by the painting you did. So meaningful and absolutely beautiful. Now if only I could stop crying :)

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous. Incredible for just 500 bucks...makes ya wonder why people spend thousands on a room. The headboard reminds me of a bed my dad made, http://cottageonrosewood.blogspot.com/search/label/guest%20bed
    You've got a new follower! Can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve.

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  26. Beautiful job! and the picture sure tugs at the heart strings!..it's very precious. I'm a new follower..I love your "eye" for things!
    Beth

    http://myserendipity-beth.blogspot.com

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  27. Oh my gosh now I'm crying at work after reading about that amazing wonderful painting.

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  28. The room is gorgeous! Is that Shabby Chic bedding? You did an amazing job, that whole room just looks so romantic! I love your blog, I'm a new follower! We like vintage style as well, stop by our blog!

    http://hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com

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  29. What a beautiful room! I just love your heart for the picture and the attention to detail for your friend. I did a similar room for my sister on $40, so I get the budget deal :)

    http://dharmainthefalls.blogspot.com/2010/04/because-i-love-her.html

    Again, lovely.

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  30. I just found you through The house in the roses and want to tell you how talented I think you are. I became a follower of your site because you do what I love doing! Visit me sometime. Terry

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  31. Just found you through DIY show off. I'm loving everything you touch! Ha. The painting (and room) is simply amazing! I got a lump in my throat and don't even know the whole story! What a sweet friend you are!

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  32. I am so impressed by you! Your friend is very lucky to have such a beautiful caring friend. The artwork made me cry. The room is beautiful.

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  33. Hi there! I just saw your pic from MMS and had to check out your post. What a lovely room! I have to say your painting is my favorite part. I do not know the story his photo in the shadowbox and that painting say a lot. What a beautiful expression. I look forward to seeing more of your blog.
    Have a blessed weekend,
    Missy

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  34. I love the room. It is very serene but I have to say the picture is my favorite. That is such a blessing for her to have received this from you. I am adding you to my blog list. Awesome work with the budget and outstanding results.

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  35. I am so touched by your project. The painting made me want to cry. How sweet! Our daughter has 2 kids (and one who flew away too soon), and our son has 4 kids in 5 years, so I can empathize with both of you! You are a wonderful decorator, and obviously a cherished friend. Linda

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  36. you are truly talented! i LOVE everything in that room! God bless you and your sweet painting! so very touching!

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  37. What a beautiful room you have created for your friend. What a gift!

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  38. Nikki, Alicia is blessed to have a good friend in you. I'm sorry about her loss, the baby was adorable. I'm glad you were able to do something for her. Katharine

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  39. That room is absolutly dreamy! Alicia is very lucky to have such a talented and caring friend as you. Like others before me, now I get to say that I am your newest follower! :)

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  40. this is a fantastic makeover! wow!

    I'm in the process of redoing my master, and this brings lots of great ideas! thank you!!!

    xo+blessings,
    Anne Marie

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  41. couldn't stop crying once I started...so beautiful and touching

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  42. The room is breathtaking. What a beautiful gift to give to a friend. Love the picture you painted her, so heartfelt. Wonderful job.

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  43. What a sweet cause. And what an incredible re-do!!! Cutest one I've ever seen :) what brand is the bedding? It is to die for and I LOVE everything you did!

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  44. What a wonderful room makeover and with such thought filled touches! I know it will be enjoyed to the fullest!

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  45. I just found your blog through pinterest. Love the door headboard! Is there a tutorial or anything? I wanna do it!

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  46. You are very talented!!! Love the picture.....so touching!!

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  47. this is lovely, can't believe you did this for $500!

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  48. the canvas you painted is amazing!

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  49. in love. the whites are beautiful along with the nuturals. white doesn't have to be cold and stark and you showcased that with the room. new follower and thanks for the inspiration!

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  50. Can you come make a window seat at my house??? Pretty Please?!?!

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  51. Awesome room! Inspiring and delightful!
    Laura

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  52. What a wonderful job...inspiring and delightful. May god bless her little ones soul!
    Laura

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  53. Did you attach the headboard to the wall?

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