Rental ReStyle: Guest Room Ready for Under $400

During the past two weeks, I've been purging closets and storage areas, making donations to local thrift establishments and sending donations to New Jersey Sandy Survivors. With the spaces being cleared, it made it easier to get the house holiday ready. Last year at this time, we were just getting settled from moving from Florida. This year, we'll actually be having a guest: Jeff's mom is flying in tonite from Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with us. Using items I already had plus some pieces I've collected from thrift this year, I was able to convert the last room in a rental home into a guest space for under $450. Mixing in wood pieces and collected baskets added texture plus helped warm the otherwise grey + black + white space. I created another gallery wall with photos I captured in Florida & framed. Because most pieces were already on hand (minus the sleep sofa), the space was done in a day. What helped a lot was the existing neutral foundation of gray walls and the beige carpet. 

Here's the breakdown: 

Pieces I already had: reused and shifted from house:
- Charcoal Ikea panels (96" $20 2011)
- Black Wicker Chair ($60 thrifted in FL 2010)
- Various Shells collected from FL & San Diego (2007-2012)
- Framed Photos: I shot 5 of 7, two are prints (had since 2005)
- Bamboo Ceramic Lamp (Read: My $1 Lamp Find 2010)
- Square lampshade (had from 2005)
- White Throw ($10 Homegoods 2009) 
- Pair of geometric print pillows ($18 Homegoods 2011)
- Pair of ZGallerie Euro pillows ($30 2011) with grey linen C&B covers ($20 2008)
- Large Sunglasses Print (had since 1986 - picked up frame at Ikea 2011)

Finishing Touches (mostly from local AZ thrift)
- Wood & Brass Trunk ($10 Goodwill Chandler)
- Wicker stool ($6 Goodwill ReDesign Store Scottsdale)
- Wicker planter turned to side table ($3 Thrift Treasures Chandler)
- Wicker Urn ($12 Salvation Army Scottsdale)
- Wood & Brass Bar Cart ($5 Goodwill Mesa)
- 4 Round Baskets (3 on wall + 1 as top on urn) ($2ea various Goodwill's in Chandler
- Bowl Basket ($3)
- 2 Mexican Blankets ($3 ea Goodwill)
- Window panel Rod ($12 Ross)

 

One Big Purchase: Black Armless Microfiber Sleep Sofa $149 found at a store here called Garden Ridge. The store just opened in July and it's like a Home Depot for decorators. (More about them in another post!) Jeff had a rewards card he was able to put towards purchasing sleep pillows and a full sheet set, which fit perfectly into the trunk for storage, without taking up any extra space in a closet. The trunk is light enough to push to the side when the sofa is open to sleep. And I kept the space by the window cleared of furniture, for our guest (Jeff's mom) to be able to put her luggage. 

 

 

In the guest bathroom, I cleared the vanity for guest toiletries and a stack of cleaned guest towels. The medicine cabinet turned unto a great little space to put collected hotel toiletries to use. I also repurposed some glass candle holders to hold q-tips, cotton balls and a few smaller bottles. The holders were the free ones you get when you buy mini candles at Bath & Body Works.

 

 

Downstairs space Before:

Rooms transformed into a Indoor Garden Room (read more: here), a Guest Bath Room (read more: here) , and now the adjacent Guest Room.  So even though we're living in the desert, our guests and us still have a seaside-like spaces to retreat to...

 

 SEE: Indoor Garden Room

SEE: Guest Bath Room

 

Guest Room

 Hope this helps inspire you and shows that it need not take much to pull together a guest space or a small space on a small budget - with a little shift and shopping thrift!

 Thanks for stopping by!

Tried & Love a NEW Paint Product: Clark + Kensington Paint + Primer in One @ Ace

What a great promo! Last Friday morning, while watching Good Morning America, they did a segment called Freebie Friday. On it, GMA featured a free quart give-a-way (for Saturday March 10th only) of a new paint product called Clark + Kensington Paint + Primer in One, available at Ace Hardware. Although I'm a lover of Ralph Lauren paints, it's not as readily available since being dropped at Home Depot a few years ago. Since the C+K paint would be free, I decided to give it a try - which was exactly the purpose of the promo.

Because of this promotion for Clark + Kensington paint + primer in one, I tried a NEW product and LOVE it! Saturday afternoon, I picked up my free quart, but with the intention of selecting a color to repaint the buffet (the one I painted red last fall). While we were at our local Ace Hardware (in Gilbert, AZ), I learned that they could color match Benjamin Moore colors to the Clark + Kensington line (which saves a little $$$) so I also went ahead and got a gallon of the Clark + Kensington paint + primer to paint one room downstairs.

Although the C+K can says "Low VOC", it was pretty strong... BUT the paint + primer gave EXCELLENT coverage, applied well, minimal drips and dried quick. Ace Hardware manufactures this paint in its facilities in northern Illinois. Jeff painted the walls, while I cut in at ceilings, corners, and around trim. I was concerned the existing two-toned paint would effect the application oh the C+K paint, and at first, it looked like it might not cover - but the C+K paint dried flawless (and with minimal ghosts!) 

 

The color I chose from my Benjamin Moore color deck was called Copper Patina (#619)

 

The room BEFORE: I don't get the color blocked wall treatment.

it was in two finishes: The blue was almost semi-gloss, while the off-white was a flat 

builder grade paint.

 

Jeff being silly, but also worked to test the paint...

 

Cause for concern, but problem solved.

Clark + Kensington Paint + Primer in one really works!

 

Paint past the pet test. Sephora approved :)

It actually took longer and two coats to cover the white trim with Behr paint than it did do paint the room (only 1 and a 1/2 hours + EZ clean up.) Not only could I see the difference in coverage while applying the paint, but I could feel the difference too (so did Jeff!). Also a HUGE difference using this Ace Hardware Clark + Kensington paint vs. using Home Depot's Glidden (we had used to paint our rental.) All walls with Glidden took TWO coats to cover, which also equaled more time to accomplish.

More great product info in the video...

Thanks Ace for a great promotion and thanks also for creating the new Clark + Kensington  AWESOME paint product!! (NOTE: No, ACE did not pay me to write this. This was written on my own because I just liked the product that much!)

I'll be doing another post today for March Moodboard Madness... But I really wanted to let you know about the great new paint product!

Thank you for stopping by...

 

 

 

A BEFORE & AFTER IN PROGRESS

Not waiting for all the items to arrive, I moved forward with the installation of another space for my client: transforming a FL town home master bedroom. The clients main request: Romantic, clean and comfortable. Although I had originally planned on creating a soft wall of curtains to shift the bed to, the view from in bed wasn't as pleasant. We both agreed the bed would remain on its existing wall.

Window panels and hardware I ordered on 10/14 are on back order until December 8. In the meantime, I removed old panels and utilized the existing decorative rod with Link Burnout Sheers I picked up at West Elm. They continue a subtle play with pattern in the space.

Clients first rug choice on order.

Round mirrors selected from her (now) favorite store: ZGallerie.

The painter was unavailable to paint until today (or tomorrow).  Knowing there is a Sherwin Williams near by, I brought their fan deck with me to see the colors withing the space, especially with the existing tile. Vero had mentioned she didn't particularly care for grey, and the rest of the has is more golden, I showed her some warm taupes. the color selected: Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe in a satin finish, which will give a warm glow in candlelight (how romantic!). To spice up the space some more, and layer in another play with pattern, I am considering wide stripes across bed wall in the same color but two finishes. After painting the space, both of the floor standing mirrors will be mounted to the wall and accent height in space. A round mirror will be mounted over the bed.



Although this 5x7 Thomas O Brien fret rug was a great deal at only $35 on Target.com, the client prefers the first rug choice. I'm ordering it today, and utilizing this rug for another bedroom installation - at my moms - since I was going to have ordered another anyways.



The legs of the existing pair of cream Jacquard antique slipper chairs will be stained Jacobean. They originally belonged to her Aunt who brought them back from Germany years ago. Vero had them reupholstered and they have been in several of her homes throughout the years. Although I had originally planned two benches in the niches with mirrors, she was VERY happy to see the chairs utilized in her updated bedroom.

Although I didn't capture a shot of her walking into the space, she happily exclaimed - "WOW!!! I LOVE IT!! Especially the mirrors and being able to use the slipper chairs! I would have never thought to put mirrors in these two spaces - I would have just put pictures. But the mirrors really work!" She also really likes the transformation of the space by just simply changing the semi-flush mount light fixture to the black drum shade with crystal droplets chandy I found on eBay. Vero said, "It really adds to the romantic elegance of the room."

I'm keeping the palette neutral, so she can switch the pops of color in the spring (maybe with pink or blue - which will work with the Tony taupe walls when they are painted). The inspiration to add the pop of red came to me when I saw pictures of her in her red costume. She looked really good in red, so I looked up these images for a red & pattern mix and inspration...

I don't always like the "Bed In A Bag" look of some comforter sets, so I mixed high and low bedding patterns in the mix: The comforter is actually the reverse side of a Dwell Studio set I found online at Target.com, but the oversized patterned 20x20 pillows are from ZGallerie. I played with some of the options at home on Friday night prior to installing on Saturday. What wasn't used is being returned today...

Comforter & Printed Shams: Dwell Studio

Fret print sheets & rug: Thomas O Brien

B&W 20x20 Pillows: ZGallerie

B&W slipper chair dec pillows: Anna's Linens

Black euro pillow shams: Anna's Linens

Red Velvet Pillow, Fret TOB frames & Silverleaf tray: Target

Red fur & pom-pom throw: pier One

2 Full legnth mirrors & 2 accent tables: Homegoods

Mercury accessories: TJMaxx & Homegoods

Mercury Glass ball lamps: Pier One

Black shade chandy w/droplets: eBay

Console table at window: Amazon.com

Links Burnout Sheers: West Elm

3 Glass Tapers on console: Ikea

Sherwin Williams wall color (coming): Tony Taupe

Tri-colored grommet window panels (coming): JCP Studio

Silver hardware w/crystal ball finial: JCP Cindy Crawford

Fluffy white cat: Not included...

I can't wait to see the space painted, the mirrors mounted and the window panels & hardware installed. But the space has already transformed from what it was before...

This space wasn't as 'thrifty' as the common areas downstairs,

but most importantly... Vero is VERY happy at how

her house is transforming into a home...

LINKING THIS POST TO:

The DIY Showoff - Project Parade

Under The Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

Between Naps On The Porch - Metamorphosis Monday 94

A Stroll Thru Life - Tablescape Tuesday