An Update on Redecorating Kathryn’s Bedroom

Remember Kathryn’s bedroom? She and I have been joking that I actually made it look better in pictures than it did in real life. This is what Kathryn had to say about her space when she applied to have it redone.

Our bedroom is a disaster. Our upstairs is open plan, no doors, few walls and all four of us are up there. Which was great during the toddler/co-sleeping stage, but now that we’re rapidly approaching tween-dom its just not working. And it’s the last place we have to really fix, we have an addition on our someday/eventually list […] but that someday is farther and farther off. We really need some help figuring out an attractive and practical solution for this crazy space. And did I mention there are no closets? We’d love for this space to feel cozy and relaxing instead of constantly trying to block out all the things we need to fix as we try to fall asleep.

I had Kathryn and her husband, Finn, paint the room and add white trim. I chose Enamelware from the Martha Stewart paint line for the walls and ceiling, but had them color match it to Benjamin Moore paint. Gone are the decals. “But I loved those,” I hear you saying. I know, me too. But we are going for something different, and I think you’ll love the new design too.

I’ve addressed the lack of closets with a freestanding wardrobe, which combined with the zigzag rug that they already had, will make the bedroom feel more enclosed. More like its own room, rather than one big open space between the two kids’ rooms. Adding the wardrobe also allowed us to do away with the curtains along the pitched side of the room that concealed clothes hanging from pipe rods. There were already two dressers behind those curtains and another two matching dressers bedside, but now all four have been lined up along that sloped wall. With a little styling they’re going to look fantastic.

Kathryn and I would both love to add a sliding barn door (in yellow, no less) to the entryway of her little boy’s room. If you’re on Pinterest at all, you’ve seen this photo from Southern Living. Heck, you’ve probably pinned this photo.

Unfortunately, the hardware alone is pricey, and we’ve already spent half of our budget just on the wardrobe. I knew the closet would be pricey, and I think the result is worth it (both in terms of form and function), but it kills me that I can’t give her that awesome barn door. I think she and her husband, Finn, and still trying to figure out a way to make it work though, so maybe it can be something that they add at a later date. (psst: Check out Housetweaking for some DIY barn door inspiration.)

Speaking of budget, American Express has provided us with $1500 for the room, and I’ve been using their new prepaid card to keep track of expenses. As I mentioned, the closet took up half of our funds right away. Paint and trim took another big chunk. By the time it came to choosing the fun stuff (i.e. everything else), we were down to about $550. I’ve been obsessively logging in to my account to check the balance on the card to make sure we’re still on track.

We were also able to repurpose a gateleg table that had belonged to Kathryn’s grandmother. It’s now standing in as a very nice bedside table.

I’ve been gathering things for the room (sheets, lighting, an additional bedside table), but there’s still a lot to do, and not a whole lot left now on the American Express card. The room needs more bedding, curtains, lighting, knobs on the closet doors, art, and all of the pretty decorative touches that finish off a space. I’ve also tasked Kathryn with sewing a matching slipcover for the foot of her bed. I’m not giving it all away (I want the finished room to be a surprise to Kathryn and her family too!), but you can check out my Pinterest board for the room to see what I’ve had my eye on.

I think it’s all going to come together quickly, and I’ll be able to share the finished room with you next week!