Over the course of the past year, I’ve attempted to completely revamp our bedroom, which over the years had become a dumping ground of sorts (am I the only person that falls into this trap?!) Somehow everything we didn’t like ended up in this room. Finally, after almost 9 years, I decided I was over it all and ready for a grownup space. There was a catch though…I had to bring out my inner “recessionista” and style the entire space on a lean budget. I gave myself a budget of $1000 for the entire room — accessories, furniture, linens, everything plus whatever I made from selling the old furnishings.
As I found a few key pieces for great prices, the room started taking shape. I let it flow organically from there, based on what I liked, what I found, and what fell into my price range. I shopped my usual favorites — Craigslist, KSL (my local online classifieds), Target, IKEA, TJMaxx, Anthropologie, and a few other local spots. Also added were a couple of free items from a home decor swap and art from elsewhere in my house. I can’t express enough how nice it is to have a little sanctuary to escape to at the end of the day. I believe every mother deserves that kind of respite.
While I forgot to take “before” shots (darn!), I do have a few “afters” to share.
Find more of Stephanie at Stephmodo
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
My bedroom is the dumping grounds of my house and is in need of major help. What a fantastic idea this is!
You have created a great sanctuary space for yourself. I am intrigued by the “home decor swap”, would love to know how this worked.
Our bedroom is our dumping ground, too–and it’s last on our “to fix up/remodel” list, so it’s likely to stay that way for awhile. Your room looks awesome! Our bedroom is painted almost that same color, so it’s nice to see what someone else did with it. Great job! And I LOVE your bedding. The white chair is perfect, too, but we’re too messy for white in our house. Are you going to tell us where you got some of your goodies (I’m thinking of the bedding, especially!)? Thanks!
Gorgeous! Love it!
I really love reading your blog everyday. Thanks for the tips. I just recently redid my bedroom and used some of your tips. I even put up fun pictures on my blog!!!
yep… i was just bringing this “dumping ground” thing up to my husband yesterday. haha. can’t wait to fix ours up, hopefully as nicely as you have done.
I hate that about my bedroom–the dumping ground part. I want a change!
Stephanie, it’s beautiful! I love the paint color on the walls … do you mind sharing the brand and color, if you remember it?
The room looks so peaceful and serene, perfect for parents who need a respite! You did a wonderful job, share where you got some of the pieces!
Oh, that looks so nice. Really makes me wish my bedroom wasn’t a dumping ground.
I LOVE IT! KSL is my favorite! I have bought and sold several of things!
Hi Girls, thank you for all the compliments! I have a few questions to answer it looks like…
Calimama:
The women's organization of my local congregation organized this swap. Everyone brought everything in their home they wanted to get rid of…dishes, frames, linens, artwork, clocks, and lamps. It was a wonderful way to both purge and to also pick up a few fun things.
Holly-girl: The wall color is Restoration Hardware's Bay Laurel. We took it to Benjamin Moore and had them match it though because our painter recommended it. I love the RH palette…
Anon: I thought about including this in the original post but didn't want to be too wordy. Since you asked though, I'll share my sources on everything…
Headboard: It's from Pottery Barn but I bought it on Craigslist, still in its packaging, for a huge discount.
Bedding: Anthropologie…it was on clearance. I wonder if you can find it on Ebay now…
Side tables & lamps: Target
Artwork: Ebay; custom framing at a local joint called Evergreen.
Console table: Craiglist
Desk & White Chair: from the "As-Is" section at my local IKEA.
Pillows by Amy Redden of Vintage Fern (etsy)
Desk Chair: snagged from my husband's old office
Lucite magazine rack/stool: from a local designers warehouse that recently went out of business :( You can find it online though…it's the "Magino Stool/Magazine Rack". Just Google it.
Fuzzy rug: a gift from my stepmom who is Australian. You can find something similar at IKEA though.
Hope that helps!
I would also love to know the name of the color on the walls. I was thinking of painting my own bedroom that color – now I am convinced!
Love the post Steph, and I especially love the picture of you in the “Welcome Stephenie” post, wink wink.
Congrats on being the guest blogger!!! Maybe I can hire you to be my personal shopper AND my decorator?
xoxo
Your room is beautiful and inspiring. Perhaps I will be able to get my room redone this summer.
I recently wrote a post about the bedroom dumping ground phenomenon: http://lsteed.blogspot.com/2009/01/empty-square.html
WOW. This is amazing!! You used all my favorite shopping spots. Such a clean, refreshing room. (BTW, I stumbled on one of your blog posts a couple weeks ago and added you to my blog feed – love your posts!)
Oh, I love it, you’ve done a fabulous job. I agree with you on the escape factor. All of us need that.
Lisa, it’s Bay Laurel by Restoration Hardware. I had it matched at Benjamin Moore though for the quality and it’s an exact match! I really love the color although it was surprisingly difficult to find matching bedding.
P.S. Thanks for keeping those nice words comin’!
Steph,
Love the room. Kudos! I’m amazed you can keep it all so nice though, my children would have destroyed it. Thoroughly.
I love that paint color–do you recall the name?
well done, you! yes, it looks like a grown-up sleeps there. lovely linens! afraid i’m in the same boat as many of your readers. my beautifully worn shaker school bench sits at the foot of my bed somewhere under a pile of clothes…sigh. you have inspired me.
love visiting your space here. thanks for the delightful finds.
My bedroom is a gross dumping ground. Great furniture that I love, but I can’t see it from all the clutter! :) Is that chair the Jennyland from IKEA? I just got that for my office. LOVE it. Great room!
Hi Stephanie!
What a gorgeous room, you are inspiring me to do something with ours.
I didn’t see you mention that great big bulletin board, did you make that?
Thanks!
Lisa, Cleveland OHio
I love seeing it all together. It looks great!
Lisa, yes I did make that board. Homasote, batting, fabric, upholstery nails and a hammer will do the trick!
The room looks great! I love the fuzzy rug! It looks great to scrunch your toes in while reading a book!
My bedroom's horizontal surfaces are my catching ground – I have to be careful & try to declutter it everyother day or I am in trouble.
My theory is: if it goes in my bedroom the kids can't get into it, and if someone drops by unexpected they can't see it. See how I get into trouble!
Stephanie, you cease to amaze me with your talent.
so serene & pretty. love the pops of orange.
Bravo! Your new space looks serene and inviting!
what a perfect room, stephanie! i love the wall color. we did that same thing with a RH paint chip. :)
stephanie -
so, so lovely. and glad that you aired the issue of the bedroom dumping ground. SO true. thanks for the inspiration to remedy!!