Guest Room

The Guest Room!

Painted, furnished, finished! For now, at least. There are still a few things I’d like to do, but they can definitely wait.

The Guest Room

The Guest Room

My poor friend Lili – she stayed in it back when it looked like this:

Guest Room

Lili, you must come again because now it looks like this:

The Guest Room

I moved the brackets for the curtain rod out 8″ on each side to make the window look bigger (and to better show off the pretty new Marimekko Lumimarja curtains). I’m so glad I didn’t get the other curtains I had been considering!

The paint color is “wheat bread” by Behr, the orange daybed was from CB2, and the lamp was from Pier 1. The rug was from Crate & Barrel. I originally bought it for the living room, but it was too small. I loved it too much to return it, so I kept it, figuring I could find another spot for it. I had it in my office for a little while, but the fluffy rug meant my chair couldn’t roll anymore. It all worked out though because I love it in the guest room.

I painted all of the wood white (primer plus two coats of semi-gloss “swiss coffee” by Behr). Brandon and I also replaced all of the baseboards. The room went from this:

guest room

To this:

The Guest Room

The other side of the room was particularly ugly (and strange):

guest room

I painted it all white but it still looked a little funny so I sewed some simple white curtains to close it off. Maybe we’ll figure something out for that space eventually.

The Guest Room

The pocket door still needs to be painted, and I’d like to paint the old dresser too.

The Guest Room

Yay – another room (mostly) finished!

The Guest Room

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • cotterpin
    March 28, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    too cute! I love the new curtains for the windows!

  • jodi
    March 28, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    lovely! it looks so cute & inviting.

  • my little apartment
    March 28, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    wow!! it looks really lovely, so much brighter and bigger-looking than before! i absolutely love the wall color and the fact that you went the extra mile to replace those old wimpy baseboards. it makes the room look so much more polished :)

    your right, the rug is perfect in there and i think painting that dresser will really complete the room!

  • my little apartment
    March 28, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    eek, that should have been “you’re right”…sorry for the second post, poor grammar really bothers me ;)

    have a great weekend!

  • beki
    March 28, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    The room is gorgeous! I absoultely LOVE those curtains and daybed. Fabulous!!

  • zee
    March 28, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    Oh Nicole, this is the perfect decoration for a small room. I’m sure any guests will be delighted with such a lovely room. Well done you!

  • AshleyM
    March 28, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    I love that room! The curtains are fantastic, as is the bed! I also like that you used a plain white fabric for the ‘simple curtains.’ It might have been too busy any other way. What an awesome guest room! Anyone will love to stay there!

  • Casey
    March 28, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    that looks so good. i really love your color palet, and how each room in your house flows nicely together. well done!

  • T.Kimberlyn
    March 28, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    I love the color scheme. The painting of the wood looks awesome! Great job….as usual : )

  • Skyzi
    March 28, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    The room looks fabulous! The curtain fabric in combination with setting it wider apart is genious!

  • Meg
    March 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    Wow! It really looks fabulous. I’m in love with the new curtains.

  • jaime
    March 28, 2008 at 1:28 pm

    Oh lordy – everything you touch turns to gold. how come you’re not in interior design???

  • Jules
    March 28, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    My goodness. You’ve outdone yourself this time, Nicole. This is by far my favorite room in your house. I want to marry that Marimekko fabric.

  • Gwen
    March 28, 2008 at 2:53 pm

    I notice the daybed – very original. Just in case you are looking for unusual size sheets for it (for when Lili comes over) I found a site that you might find helpful – ElegantLinensPC.com. They have hard to find bedding and great prices on discontinued items. Happy remodeling!

  • lillie
    March 28, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    it looks…lovely! that daybed is the perfect color, fit, and design! such a nice job renovating.
    PS i might keep the old dresser as it is. i like the contrast of the color/texture of the wood in the clean design of room!

  • janet
    March 28, 2008 at 3:15 pm

    I ADORE it! Wow, I am just so jealous. You make it all seem so easy!

  • Lisa
    March 28, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous!!

  • Peggy
    March 28, 2008 at 3:40 pm

    Lovely space! I am always so intrigued by your use of accessories. Each piece looks like it was meant for this room!

  • seven
    March 28, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    What a gorgeous room! It makes me want to redo my whole room.

  • emily abigail.
    March 28, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    Oh, wow! This space is fabulous. I am absolutely in love with those curtains. So many great ideas. Thanks so much for sharing!

  • Hooked on Houses
    March 28, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    Ooh, it’s gorgeous. You’ll have visitors lining up to stay there now! -Julia :-)

  • Ann Marie
    March 28, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    What a wonderful job you did! The curtains are fabulous and I love the daybed and rug. I have a curtain project myself that I’ll have to pass on when it’s finished.

  • Miss K
    March 28, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    What a fabulous place,it looked great before,even better now.

  • Helen
    March 28, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    oh gosh! love the color combination!

  • Kyle
    March 28, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    When you get around to painting the dresser, I would like to read about it.

  • Jill
    March 28, 2008 at 6:04 pm

    You did a fantastic job! It’s a lovely, soothing room. Sorry if I missed this, but where is that cute little black table from?

  • Joi
    March 28, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    Gorgeous!!! It looks wonderful!

    Do you mind sharing where the bird art/print is from?

  • Hayley
    March 28, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    Hey it all looks amazing. The “Ugly” and “strange” area looks like a futon storage spot like what was in my old house in Tokyo, Japan. I used it to store my suitcase and spare blankets and futons, so thats what your guest could do (well not the futon part) It all looks amazing, and I love love love the curtains. I want something like that in my bedroom, but we already have so many other prints it will clash too much.

  • kate
    March 28, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    Hey, I’ve never commented to you before (just been a lurker) but this room is too pretty NOT to comment about! It looks like a luxe hotel room and any guest would be thrilled to stay in it!

  • Renee
    March 28, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    I love it! You do such great work ;)

  • Michelle
    March 28, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Fabulous ! Love the little curtains………oh and the big ones too ! Fabulous !!

  • Kristen
    March 28, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Wow!! What a beautiful and amazing transformation. I’m in the process of getting ready to move and you are giving me so many fabulous ideas! I’m keeping tabs on my blog about my process. Please check in and let me know if you have any suggestions.
    I’d be honored to get any feedback..I love your style!

  • drey
    March 28, 2008 at 11:03 pm

    it’s great how you’ve managed to ppull this off despite obvious shape-of-the-room constraints. i love the shapes of the vases and lamps… they really give the room a certain sexiness against the wall paint which makes the room so much brighter! nice. i love the curtains too :)

  • Carolin
    March 29, 2008 at 1:38 am

    I just love it! You’re the best!

  • patricia
    March 29, 2008 at 6:49 am

    love the transformation. great eye for color. room looks larger and brighter, yes, paint the chest in a high gloss, what about that red color or even mimic the print.
    for the curtain area, what about using the print or a stripe.
    you have such a good eye!

  • Michael
    March 29, 2008 at 8:00 am

    I like it…but I ilked it better before. (I hated to say that…but I just loved the mustard walls and the brown curtains)

  • kellie
    March 29, 2008 at 9:08 am

    so pretty! i love how it turned out- great job! your guests will love it.

  • Erica Burns
    March 29, 2008 at 9:11 am

    Nicole, this is clean and simple, yet I can see your attention to every detail. Another job well done!

  • amy purple
    March 29, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    i love those curtains!

  • lindsaywillman
    March 29, 2008 at 12:22 pm

    adorable!!

    i love how it’s all pulled together.

    is that couch pink or orange?? i love it though.

  • lsaspacey
    March 29, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    Perfect!

    On and the weird space behind the curtains?

    Seems perfect for Murray’s “special place” where he can get away from those “people” who are always touching him and talking baby talk in his direction. ;)

  • katiedid
    March 29, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    You did a wonderful job! Love the colors and the new draperies. Bravo!

  • Peachy Keen
    March 29, 2008 at 5:32 pm

    Its just gorgeous! What a beautiful room – any guest would love staying there!

  • rachel
    March 29, 2008 at 6:03 pm

    love your room… i want to divorce my husband and marry that long, skinny, black table with the lamp on it. if only i could :). can i ask where you got it? maybe i could save my marraige and get my own!

  • tab
    March 29, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Oh how I love those curtains.

  • At Home with Kim Vallee
    March 29, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    You can be proud of what you accomplished. The room looks amazing. Now all your friends will wish to be invited for a stay in your guest room. You will not regret the Marimekko Lumimarja curtains.

  • Jodie
    March 29, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    Love it! The whole room looks fantastic. Can I ask where the table comes from, the chair as well. Just gorgeous!

  • sophie
    March 30, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    gorgeous !!! congratulations ! it looks so good now !

  • Shannon McDonough
    March 30, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Seeing the Lubi Daybed in your guestroom (and knowing that you thought it a good enough piece to put in your own home) cemented my months-long decision to purchase one. CB2 and APT should give you a commission!

  • Katie
    March 30, 2008 at 6:38 pm

    Hi I’m a long time ‘stalker’ of your blog, but have never commented. I just wanted to say hi, i love your blog and your cute little bungalow!

    this room has turned out amazing too! i especially love the corner with the table and chair and the lamp from pier one?
    it looks so great there.
    thanks for being so inspiring and making it lovely!

  • Making it Lovely
    March 30, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    Thank you, everyone!

    That little table was my first IKEA purchase, about 10 years ago. It’s held up fairly well! I had actually given it to my Dad for a little while, but I’m glad we have it again. So Rachel – it’s not worth breaking up a marriage for! It’s only IKEA! ;)

    The print of the mourning dove was from pushmepullyou design.

    The chair is one of four that I have (two with arms and two without). They were grabbed from an alley and were probably waiting room chairs.

    Oh, and the daybed is orange. I know it’s a little hard to tell in some of the photos. It ties in really nicely with the orange in the curtains.

  • JayEssJay
    March 31, 2008 at 8:47 am

    it looks absolutely wonderful. very very jealous of such a beautiful room!

  • stacy
    March 31, 2008 at 10:25 am

    You’ve done wonders with such a small space. I love the day bed.

  • Ana
    March 31, 2008 at 11:40 am

    gorgeous…you really do make it look easy

  • Jaana
    March 31, 2008 at 1:55 pm

    Looks absolutely astonishing! Did you consider fixing the curtain rod directly to the ceiling on the “ugly part of the room”? So instead of several smaller curtains you’d have one bigger that would also cover then the wood parts on that side. I think that would look great :)

  • Deidre
    March 31, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    I love the CB2 daybed. How comfy is it? Their pieces always look so inviting but the DC area does not have one nearby.

  • Sherry
    March 31, 2008 at 6:35 pm

    Mmmm, break me off a piece of that guest bedroom. Gorge!

    xo,

    Sherry
    http://www.thisyounghouse.com

  • ariane
    March 31, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    Hi there,

    I was wondering if you bought the fabric for your curtains and then sewed them? Or did you buy them pre-fabricated? If you bought them pre-made… where did you find them? I am also in the search for great curtains.

    Thanks,
    Ariane

  • Julia
    April 1, 2008 at 2:10 am

    You have a wicked talent and an amazing eye for fun, intereating but subtle combinations. Fantastic!!

  • Sommer
    April 1, 2008 at 9:28 am

    I really love the wall color. I actually had that paint chip as a possibility for my dining room. It’s a great color!

  • Melissa
    April 1, 2008 at 10:20 am

    Beautiful room! I’m amazed at what you can do with such an awkward space. Do you mind sharing where that console/tray table is from? Thanks and congratulations on a job well done!

  • decor8 Holly
    April 1, 2008 at 12:14 pm

    Love it all Nicole. All I have to add is to lacquer that dresser in bold red with pretty knobs!

  • Making it Lovely
    April 1, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    Holly, that’s pretty much what I was planning to do!

    Melissa, the table was from IKEA about 10 years ago.

    Ariane, I sewed everything myself. I’m fairly new to sewing, and I didn’t find it all that difficult! Time consuming, yes, but not difficult.

    Deidre, the daybed is very firm. I find it comfortable, but probably not for an extended period.

    Jaana, I thought about just covering the whole side with a white curtain, but I thought it would tie in better with the other side of the room to have some of the wood paneling showing.

  • Kate
    April 1, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    I have a question about the curtains. I’ve never really sewed before, but I’d like to start by making some curtains for my dining room(I just got a sewing machine!). Could you tell me how many yards of fabric the curtains took? The fabric seems so expensive, but based on your last post about the guest room I think I must be miscalculating? How much fabric does it take to make curtains?

  • Making it Lovely
    April 1, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Kate, the curtains took 6 yards. The fabric was a bit expensive (I had gotten used to seeing fabric for $9 / yard!), but I bought it at 15% off (just under $200, total). I think the fabric was worth the splurge in this case though, since I based my whole design on it!

  • Goddess Findings
    April 1, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    WOW, this is pretty zippy! Is the lamp from Pier I? I was eyeing one that looked just like it….lovely job!

  • susanna
    April 1, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    i agree, great eye for color, and the fact that we seem to have the same taste in color combos surely doesn’t hurt. i love the print of the four abstract flowers, left of the window. do you mind sharing where you got it?

  • Making it Lovely
    April 1, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    That one is from three sheets 2 the wind. I picked it up last year at the Renegade Craft Fair.

    And yes, the lamp was from Pier 1.

  • susanna
    April 1, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    oh, and the curtains are gorgeous, i love marimekko and i am glad you didn’t go for the c&b. they are a little bit pricey for me, so for now these http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00124581 will have to do.

  • susanna
    April 1, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    thank you so much, i want them all!

  • European Girl
    April 2, 2008 at 4:03 am

    If I would be a guest at your house I would never leave the house :-) Just lovely. And I just LOOOOVE the curtains! Can I stay? :-)

  • Ruth Ellison
    April 2, 2008 at 4:43 am

    What a lovely makeover! I love the curtains and daybed.

  • Kate
    April 2, 2008 at 9:56 am

    Thanks! That helps, I just thought maybe there was some way of making curtains I didn’t know about : ) And I totally agree that it was worth a little splurge — they look absolutely fantastic!

  • Ariane
    April 2, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Thanks so much for answering :) I love the curtains and the whole room. Very inspiring to try some fun patterns!

  • Things That Inspire
    April 2, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    The curtains are so beautiful…IMO they make the room! Great post.

  • erin
    April 2, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    i love the paint color, but i’m partial! we renovated our entire house last summer and painted it all wheat bread from behr. it’s a great soft neutral and i don’t know if you’ve had the time to notice it yet, but at different times of the day and in different lights, it really changes colors and tones. it’s quite beautiful. i think the pairing with orange works so well for this grey.

  • decor8 Holly
    April 3, 2008 at 6:11 am

    Where did you find that daybed, someone wrote to me looking for one and so far, I’ve only seen them at DWR.

  • European Girl
    April 3, 2008 at 7:21 am

    Yippey! I found the curtains:
    http://www.honfleurhome.com/ItemDetail.cfm?CatID=1101&ItemID=2568&GoTo=220By220
    I must say: You have a great “interior-eye”!

  • European Girl
    April 3, 2008 at 7:41 am

    ooops – I am sleepy european girl over here:
    You wrote in your blog about the fabric. I have to keep my eyes open and read before i write.

  • Making it Lovely
    April 3, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    Susanna, I love those fabrics! I have some here that I don’t know what to do with yet (but I still bought them). They’re a great stand-in for the pricier Marimekko!

    Holly, the daybed was from CB2. It opens up and you could fit two people.

  • laima007
    April 4, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    WOW! Love it! What colour is on the walls?

  • Claire B
    April 5, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    Swiss Coffee–my absolutely fave white woodwork paint. I’ve used it in all three of my houses so far!

    Gorgeous room, and thanks to the Seattle Times for reprinting the Washington Post bit about your blog. I’m in love!

  • Fay
    April 5, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Love the room. Your eye is impeccable!

    Have you noticed that the rug sheds at all? I purchased one from C&B four years ago and if I even looked at it funny, it would grow fantastic fluffy balls of fluff. It was awful… having to vacuum every other day. I do have my eye on this rug but I’m afraid of it shedding like the last one.

  • Julie Thigpen
    April 5, 2008 at 5:52 pm

    You have fabulous taste and I love your style! Great little guest room :) Well done!

  • Liene at Blue Orchid Designs
    April 6, 2008 at 1:25 pm

    I absolutely love it! The curtains are my fave.

  • yian
    April 6, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    beautiful! would you mind sharing where you found the little blue side table (ththe one by your daybed, not the tray table with accessories on top.)?

  • curtains gal
    April 7, 2008 at 5:19 am

    wow, you completely changed the room and gave it so much energy. i think i’ve learned something from these photos, i have a great idea how to finish my living room now.

  • patricia
    April 9, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    What a great looking room! I love the color combinations.

  • Alkemie
    April 20, 2008 at 11:56 am

    I absolutely love seeing before and after photos. What a wonderful job you’ve done with your guest room – I love the color palette :)

    Karen

  • Bobbi
    April 23, 2008 at 9:52 am

    I LOVE your guest room! You have such wonderful ideas! :)

  • Welcome to Jail | Bonnie Van Voorst
    May 17, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    […] am highly envious of this guest room. I’m thinking of going with a white/ gray/ (something else) color scheme. Now all I need is […]

  • Elizabeth
    July 10, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    I was wondering if your daybed was comfortable and if it was easy to flip open to use as a double bed? I’ve been on the prowl for a cool (aka not white iron and brass) daybed that has the ability to become a big bed. I thought my only option was a pop-up trundle until I saw the most recent CB2 catalog with your daybed in it. I had no idea it flipped open!

    Thanks,

    Elizabeth

  • mayr
    July 11, 2008 at 9:39 am

    HI Can you tell me if you purchased the curtains pre made or if you made them or had them made. If you made them how much fabric did it take and how long are they? Thank you.

  • mayr
    July 11, 2008 at 9:53 am

    Hi again, you can disregard my questions I just noticed you already answered them for someone else. Thank you.

  • aminah
    July 20, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    Gorgeous! Where is the table/tv tray (with the red lamp on it) from? It seems so versatile.

  • aminah
    July 20, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    ok — just realized that one is the Ikea purchase. Where is the other table from (next to the daybed)?

  • M
    January 14, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    What is this paint color? I would love something similar for a room I am renovating.

  • bonnievanvoorst.com » Blog Archive » Guestroom Photos!
    February 17, 2009 at 8:37 am

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  • G. Bay
    April 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    I’ve had my eye on that daybed: does it feel as good as it looks? Is it comfortable to sleep on?

  • Making it Lovely
    April 10, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    The daybed is very firm, but I like that. I find it comfortable!

    And that paint color is “Wheat Bread” by Behr.

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