I just wanted to mention this since we are going into the Thanksgiving/Christmas Holiday season. You all have probably noticed that I have been doing a few more sponsored posts lately and likely that will continue on this month at least. I have always tried to do only one per week, but as this season approaches, there are more and more opportunities and I take the ones that are a good fit for me and my blog, so I hope that you all will understand that. I haven’t had too many complaints about sponsored posts, but there are always a few out there who voice their opinion on the subject in a negative way, so I wanted to throw this out there beforehand. My sponsored posts are a combination of product reviews/giveaways, contest promotions, brand events, or projects that I do being a brand ambassador for a few companies. I work as a brand ambassador with Lowes, FrogTape, and Payless decor, support, like, and use those brands in my home, so you will see one post per month for Lowes and FrogTape and a few along the way with other brands. That’s the nature of blogging in 2013 and working with brands is a huge part of how I make a living at this. Believe me, I turn down a lot of things I could take, but don’t simply because they are not a good fit and I don’t want my blog to turn into nothing but endorsements. So, this is just a note to say please bear with me during this season as I will be having a few more than normal sponsored posts. Most of them are project related and I think you’ll enjoy seeing them too. And I’ll have plenty of Thanksgiving/Christmas decorating posts and sharing family events too, so there will be lots more to enjoy. Thanks for listening and for reading and supporting me! I appreciate you all SO much!
Now on to a fun bedroom makeover!
I’ve shared lots of rooms from my sister’s house and if you missed her master bedroom makeover that we did 2 years ago, hop over and take a look at that. It turned out fabulous! Today I’m sharing some guestroom makeover ideas.
The latest thing that we’ve been working on is updating 2 of her guest rooms. They have a big house with lots of rooms, but no kids still at home, so their empty nest home is mostly just them until family comes into town, then it’s nice to have all those spare bedrooms. The last update on these bedrooms was about 8 years ago, when Tuscan and darker jewel tones were so in style. We loved that heavy look back then, but now things have lightened up a lot, so she decided to lighten up those guest rooms too, with color as well as fewer accessories and stuff.
We’ll look at the before and then I’ll show you the after shots. I think you will agree, that they changes are welcome and the room is much more appealing now. It was fun helping her put this room together. We went shopping at a few places, like Homegoods and TJ Maxx and picked up lots of things for the makeover there. I’ll share the other guest room/nursery makeover a little bit later and it turned out so cute too, as well as the guest bath. All those spaces got a makeover.
She took all these BEFORE shots with her iphone, so bear with me here. Lots of jewel tones, which we all thought was the bomb back then and I’m sure you did too. Why do we start disliking what we chose several years ago? It happens every time, doesn’t it?
I’m sure there is a psychological answer to this question, but the fact is, styles change and evolve and so do we. Of course, manufacturers and brands are behind a lot of this with trends, they WANT us to WANT something new. And it’s really OK to want something new and fresh. It would be nice to figure out how to get that without having to change everything out. Notice the heavier use of accessories in this room and in the after, she pared those way down. The room gets to breathe more and just feels so much cleaner and calmer.
Paint colors and colors in general come and go and these jewel tones aren’t that desirable anymore. If you still have them and love them, then you keep them. Everyone should do what makes them happy in decorating. Sometimes I talk about things being in or out, but really I just like to give ideas on how to update and freshen things up. It’s certainly not up to me to decide that for anyone else, we all have to figure these things for ourselves in our own homes. I’ve found that generally I enjoy rooms for a good 7-10 years before I’m ready to completely change things up and I am learning that keeping big things neutral will go a long ways towards having a classic home. I’m still trying to get there in my own house in evolving and using trends without going overboard with them.
Classic is good!
OK, now let’s see the AFTERs in the guest room.
Almost forgot, the paint color is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, one that’s been used all over blogland, but really is such a pretty color.
Wow, much more calming, don’t you think? She got a new bed off Craigslist and it looks wonderful in this room (king bed). The round drum table was my old one that I wasn’t using anymore.
I had it in my old living room and one leg fell off, so my brother-in-law fixed it and we decided to paint it for this room and it turned out so good, now I want it back. Just kidding, I really don’t have any place for it, so I’m glad it worked out for my sis’s room.
She found the folded crewel duvet at the bottom of the bed at the Ballard Designs outlet, for a great price. I love the tones in this piece and it really sets the mood for the space. The matelasse coverlet set is from Tuesday Morning and the burlap Euroshams are from Ballard Designs. We found the accent floral pillow at Homegoods.
Drapes and artwork here are also from Homegoods. The chair she found online at Wayfair and it’s a really cute piece for this room. I love the drapes! Homegoods is starting to carry a lot more drapes now and she found these for like $39 for the pair.
Looking outside this window, her guests will get this beautiful view of their backyard, which I’ve shared several times before. It’s gorgeous back there!
The desk is an old piece she has had for a long time and painted black. The new round mirror is from Homegoods, as are the accessories on the desk.
Little stool is from Tuesday Morning.
I really love how the drum table turned out. I’ll share the details on painting this in another post, but you can see we used FrogTape Shapetape on it in Chevron. That and Annie Sloan chalk paint.
It’s totally updated now and so cute.
The other side has a plain nightstand found on Craigslist and originally from Target. It was black and we just painted it up too with the same method and it really looks so much better. I’ll share all of that later too. We did a whole day of painting one day to get all of this done and what a great way to update old things. My sis loves shopping on Craigslist and has found some great things.
Lamp is from Homegoods, love it!
So, that’s a guest room update, hope you got some good ideas for yourself on how to update on a budget. It was fun finding all these pieces to work together and to freshen up old furniture with a new paint job. That’s such an easy thing to do!
My sister’s friends did a wonderful baby shower for my niece, Lauren, this weekend, so I’ll be sharing that with you soon! She got so many cute girlie things and we are all just so excited to welcome this baby girl to our family in February.
Nancy says
Rhoda, this is gorgeous! Love the fabric on the little stool.
Kelly says
The room makeover looks lovely. I want that chair!
Dana says
The room looks great! I really like the rich color of the lamp on the nightstand. 🙂
Janice Careins says
I can’t believe how cute the side tables look. I’m going to keep and eye out for the style with drawers. Love it. Good job girls.
Elizabeth@ Blue Clear Sky says
Your sister’s guest room is lovely! So fresh and brighter now. I do understand why bloggers have sponsored posts. I get to enjoy all your lovely ideas and the benefit of all the work you put into your posts/blog, and often the sponsored post is something that might interest me as well.
Sharon says
The room is beautiful. I really love that wall color….what is it?
I’ll have to keep an eye at my Homegoods for the drapes….the curtains y’all chose are so pretty as are all the accessories…Homegoods is my favorite place to shop for accessories.
Whoever has the pleasure of being a guest in that room sure has a lovely view…a very serene retreat!
Rhoda says
Hey, Sharon, forgot to put that in and went back & added it to the post. It’s SW Sea Salt, a fave out there! Thanks for stopping by.
Beth says
Rhoda, what’s the paint color? It’s beautiful. Thanks.
Shary says
The room looks great! What is the paint color on the walls?
Kay Blaauw says
Wow! How impressive all of the changes ! It has the feel of a Bed and Breakfast,
I really like how everything looks so good together. And the tables, I love them. Makes me want to get some Frog tape and try it out.
Tammy says
Hi Rhoda,
Well, I read your blog faithfully and love everything, but probably haven’t commented a total of five times. I don’t have a blog so I just enjoy others. Anyway, I just wanted to say that if you post an endorsement or whatever 3 times a day to me that is YOUR business. I did see a negative comment the other day and you handled your reply very nice and professional. But not sure if I would have been. Ha! Are we not all grown women?!? Have we not got past the immature high school stage?? Sadly, some have not. All I can say is carry on!!! Love your blog and have grown to just love and adore your precious parents!!! Would love to hire you and your dad for about a year here at our house! Wow, would that be great!!! Love your blog and hopefully people will understand not that should have to explain.
Blessings,
Tammy
Rhoda says
Thank you, Tammy!!
Cathy says
I think I’m going to have to get in line for that chair. It is beautiful! The whole room looks so light, like it just lost a ton of weight. Well done!!
Liz says
Hey Rhoda–
Great job as usual!! I actually used some chevron frogtape today…so much fun.
One of the things I really miss about your blog was several years ago when you would go to garage sales and show what you bought and then post everyone else’s garage sale finds. I loved that so much.
Rhoda says
Hey, Liz, I may bring that back again in the spring, so let’s see how things work out. I do want to start yardsaling again too. I just had so much to pare down and haven’t been able to get out there much, but I miss it so much.
Rondell says
Just in time, I’m redoing my guest room and master bedroom so this helped a lot!
Rondell says
Forgot to say that I don’t mind the endorsed posts, I’ve followed you blog a long time and I know you make your living that way…so yes, carry on!
Stacy Risenmay says
I simply adore the artwork above the chair of the trees! The whole room is gorgeous 🙂
Ralinn says
I love your sponsored posts. I get to learn about products I normally wouldn’t try or know about. Love your blog. Keep it up.
Jen says
I agree with Ralinn! I never would have known that frog makes shaped tape if not you.
Keep up the good work
Sally says
Me too! I personally like your sponsored posts! And I hate seeing you feel like you have to defend yourself or justify your choices.
Rhoda says
Thank you, Sally, I really haven’t had a lot of negative comments, just wanted to put it out there since things will be hectic the next few weeks. So now folks will know what to expect.
Cathy Bledsoe says
I absolutely love the drum table! I have recently found your blog and enjoy them. I also enjoy the endorsed blogs. I learn just as much from those.
Pam says
Rhoda it looks great. You have excellent taste and always do such an awesome job. Your sister is very lucky to have you…Always enjoy your post and sponsors…
Eva says
Great job on the bedroom. I’m redoing in the spring , and I so love your ideas. Re the sponsors…you’ve got to make a living. We understand!
Susan says
The new room is so pretty! Not only is it beautiful, my theory (and I do have one) is that it feels BIGGER and more relaxing with fewer accessories. I get claustrophobic when there are so many things in a room. Plus it’s harder to dust.
I don’t mind reading sponsored posts, but of course I love the ones about your family the best. Just seeing your dad and mom doing what they do makes me happy. You are so lucky Rhoda, but I imagine you know that. Carry on girl.