DIY One Room Challenge The Scenery House

One Room Challenge Week 6: Guest Bedroom Reveal!

May 9, 2018

Green guest room with bright bedding

It’s finally here! Today I’m sharing the reveal of our guest bedroom which got a fantastic makeover for the Spring 2018 One Room Challenge. This was my time first participating in the challenge and it was crazy but so satisfying. If you’re not familiar, the One Room Challenge is hosted by Calling it Home in partnership with House Beautiful and Home Love Network and is a 6 week challenge to makeover one room in your home. The challenge takes place twice a year in the spring and fall and is led by 20 featured designers. In addition to the 20 featured designers, the challenge is open to anyone with a blog who wants to challenge-along as a participant. That’s me! And over 200 other guest participants. 

If you’ve hopped over to this post from the ORC website – welcome! I’m Emily, this is my blog, and I’m working on undecorating the 1929 tudor-ish home I share with my husband, Andy, and our corgi, Penelope. This is where I should describe my style so I guess I’d say it’s something along the lines of traditional-modern which doesn’t sound like a real thing. I am glad you’re here.

For my first challenge, I decided to tackle our guest bedroom. Though I’m very used to taking on big projects to transform rooms in my house (check out my blush bathroom, my board and batten powder room, or my kitchen facelift) this was my first time sticking to a firm timeline and sharing my progress week by week. If you’re just joining in and want to see my posts for each week, check out week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5!) 

For a refresher, let’s look at where it all started.

The Guest Bedroom Before

Listing Photo for Boys Room

This is what our guest bedroom looked like in the listing photos. The walls were bright green and the ceiling was a pale blue. There was even a glow-in-the-dark space light on the ceiling.

ORC-guestroom-before

And here is the room after we moved in.

ORC-guestroom-before

In June of last year, we decided it was time to get rid of that bright green and bring in something much moodier. 

One Room Challenge Spring 2018 Before One Room Challenge Spring 2018 Before

Here it is all painted and ready for its first One Room Challenge transformation. That deep moody green – Behr’s Black Evergreen – provides a great canvas and so much potential. You’ll recognize those scallop hem roller shades from the listing photo and I really can’t believe we held onto them for as long as we did. The room was definitely functioning fine as a guest room, but it could be so much better.

We decided to keep the bed frame and headboard (IKEA’s discontinued REDALEN) and the microdot rug we bought a few years ago from West Elm.

The Reveal

DIY Art

I struggled with what to do with the long wall in the guest bedroom that serves as the main path through the room. I didn’t want to narrow that path by adding bookshelves but I was hesitant to add a gallery wall. And then I saw the Hovey sisters home tour and knew I needed to paint something myself for this space. I used my beloved iPad to sketch up some abstract art ideas, playing with colorways and moving shapes around for the right composition. I picked up 3 24×30” canvases and some budget paint at Jo Anns and got to work. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories (and if you aren’t, c’mon, look at what you’re missing out on) I struggled with painting things that didn’t somehow look like faces. My first painting looked very much like a face and in a very confident move to make the face go away, I totally made it look like a clown face. I still see faces in all of these. And a pickle enjoying the ocean. But I think that’s just how abstract art is. I love the paintings, I really enjoyed making them, and am so proud to have some of my own original art hanging in our home. 

I priced out canvas float frames and realized they weren’t in my budget and also weren’t going to ship in time for the reveal, so DIY it was. I sketched up plans in SketchUp, planning out the depth of the frames, the amount of space for the float, and how they’d be assembled and sent everything over to my dad. We spent a whole day together picking out materials – oak boards for the outside and pine for the backing – and raced to get them all done that same day. Many people requested a full tutorial for this so don’t worry, I’ll be sharing one soon once I’ve recovered from this sprint!

At the last minute (as of the night before and morning of my reveal photoshoot) I decided to whip up this brass kinetic sculpture (aka mobile) from a The Crafters Box I’ve been hoarding. It’s perfect. I was so unsure about what to do with this corner and I’m so glad this idea came to me just in time.

The Window Treatments

I wanted to solve for two different filtering and blocking situations in this room. I like to have a simple sheer roller blind to diffuse light and add privacy, the SKOGKSLOVER shades from IKEA fit our windows perfectly and we have them on nearly every window in our home. We added these but also wanted something with more opacity to block our exterior house lights that might bother guests. Picking the right blackout shades was something I struggled with (and mumbled endlessly about on my insta stories and polled everyone endlessly about) but it wasn’t until I had all the options in the room that I could make a choice. These pom pom curtains from PB Teen were a longstanding favorite of everyone following along but they were too much of an off white to go with the rug and white bedding. I went with the light green SANELA curtains from IKEA and they’re perfect. I didn’t like the grommet top they came with and they needed a good hem to be the right length for our windows, so I hemmed them and gave them a pinch pleat top using IKEA’s pleating tape and curtain hooks.

Because we’re dealing with baseboard heaters (my nemesis) I wanted to be mindful of the proper clearance between the heater and the long curtain. This meant I had to find a curtain rod and bracket set that stuck out from my wall far enough. I ended up with the 1.25” brass set from CB2. I wish the pole were thinner, the deeper brackets only come with this size. For what it’s worth, if you’re shopping for gorgeous brass curtain rods and don’t have the same constraints as me, this set from Crate and Barrel is really lovely – I have a set in my house that I still need to return.

Furniture

Originally, I hoped to come across the perfect vintage dresser for this room as I typically don’t think a room is really finished without at least one vintage, antique, or heirloom item. But when I saw this dresser I couldn’t get over it. I continued to search for the right vintage piece but when one didn’t turn up, I wasn’t sad to head to IKEA to pick up the BJÖRKSNÄS dresser. The light wood and leather pulls add modern contrast against the dark walls. 

I added a bench – another gem from IKEA, the STOCKHOLM coffee table – which will be great for guests to put luggage on. Definitely an upgrade from traditional luggage racks. Can there be too much rattan?

And that mirror. So perfect. It bounces light and makes the dresser a great get-ready station for guests.

The blanket ladder is a great solution for storing extra blankets out in the open so your guests don’t have to tell you they’re cold in your freezing house. Or they can hang bath towels on it to dry if they aren’t keen on hanging them in a shared bathroom. I guess I just assume all guests are as fussy as me.

If you’ve ever tried shopping for wooden nightstands of a particular size and look, you know they come dear. I was excited to spot this Notre Dame Nightstand which is just about the look I wanted and had USB charging tastefully built in AND came in at around $100 each. Previously, we had extension cords run up behind our vintage end tables acting as nightstands so guests could charge their devices. NOT THE LOOK. 

Overall I’m happy with these nightstands but needed to upgrade the pulls with a set of 3″ hex handles with backplates from CB2 to make them look classier. The quality of the wood isn’t bad for the price point but they are a redder hue than I had hoped.

I LOVE the nightstand lamps. I’ve never had a set of matching nightstands let alone matching lamps and I feel like I have really made it now. The lamps have a modern/midcentury shape and a fantastic texture.

The Linens

I knew I wanted to add the casual look and soft touch of a linen duvet cover going into this but wasn’t at all sure which to pick. I heard great things about the linen duvet set from H&M Home, as well as IKEA’s option. I ended up going with the Belgian Flax Linen Duvet from West Elm and it is lovely. The color is a brighter white and totally works with the other linens in the space. 

At the end of the bed I added a grid print throw from Target. It did make me ask myself how many grid patterns are too many grid patterns (we’ve got the leaded glass windows, the rug, the rattan headboard, the rattan bench…) and I’ve concluded that THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST. 

I’m something of a minimalist when it comes to throw pillows (my husband will tell you this is a false statement) so I like the look of stacked bed pillows with a big lumbar body pillow in front. When I lost my sense of time, I thought I might sew one myself and even went shopping for the right fabric. When I came to my senses and realized time is something that was no longer on my side, I ended decided to order a giant pillow cover from Jenny Komeda’s Juniper Studio. The blush color linen is soft and there’s nothing like pink with the deep green of the walls. The cream corner tassels are such a nice touch. I used this body pillow insert which fit the pillow cover perfectly.

I have to say that this giant pillow was even more giant than I thought and I decided to break it up a little by adding a rust velvet throw pillow from West Elm. I also layered a pom pom throw on there as a tribute to the pom pom curtains that weren’t meant to be. <3

The sheets on the bed are some of my beloved Target sheets that I’ve had forever. They wash so well and don’t wrinkle AND they have little tags on the fitted sheet that tells you which end is the bottom and which is the side!

The wallhanging is one of my favorite Etsy finds from RUGbyGUR.

Gimme those side by sides

What a whirlwind. But like, the good kind. It was so much fun to do this challenge along with all the other guest participants – I made so many new friends! I am thankful for this whole project because it encouraged me to problem solve, stretch my brain, and bring out some of my old skills – I PAINTED again! I found my sewing machine in the attic and classed up those curtains. I crafted that mobile! And I have a new guest room that makes me smile and is now the nicest room in the whole house.

Sources

One Room Challenge Guest Participant

Be sure to check out the STUNNING reveals from the featured participants and I can’t wait to see all the guest reveals!

Hey heads up: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

You Might Also Like

67 Comments

  • Reply Rachel Joy // Joyful Derivatives May 10, 2018 at 12:38 am

    This is lovely, Emily! I’m a huge fan of the dark walls and love your DIY canvas art. Thanks for sharing your guest room makeover with us! :)

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 10, 2018 at 9:21 am

      Thank you so much, Rachel! Your dining room makeover turned out beautifully, love those blush accents.

  • Reply Liz May 10, 2018 at 1:37 am

    Amazing!!! I can’t believe those curtains are from IKEA – you totally transformed them!

  • Reply Nicole May 10, 2018 at 1:49 am

    Emily, I am so, so in love with this color palette and all the beautiful details. I want to commission you for a painting and was giggling at the “pickle enjoying the ocean”-ha! Congrats on finishing your first ORC, you knocked it outta the park! cheers, Nicole

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 10, 2018 at 11:03 am

      Thank you so much, Nicole! Your reveal is so stunning and perfect. So dang serene and I LOVE it. Gotta go give you a proper comment on your blog! <3

  • Reply Cate May 10, 2018 at 6:53 am

    What a gorgeous room! I love the unexpected color combos you used. This was my first ORC, too. Cheers to completing it!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 10, 2018 at 11:05 am

      Thank you so much, Cate! Your powder room wallpaper is SO cheerful, great work! Congrats to us both for making it through this first challenge!

  • Reply Wendy S Munsell May 10, 2018 at 7:51 am

    I love your guest bedroom transformation! You continue to be my go-to person for inspiration in using dark colors to create moody rooms with great personality. Well done!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 10, 2018 at 11:06 am

      Wendy! I love that. I’m so glad I can inspire people to use moody colors for cozy and cheery rooms :) Thank you!

  • Reply Natasha Habermann May 10, 2018 at 8:20 am

    I’ve been waiting for this one!!! IN LOVE. I’m obsessed with the color palette. Moving the bed in front of the windows was the best decision! You’re styling is impeccable and photos are drool-worthy. Congratulations!! xxx Natasha

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 10, 2018 at 11:08 am

      Gahhh Natasha! That means everything to me. The bed move was a game changer. Thank you so much! I have so much to say about your reveal, spoiler alert, I LOVE IT, and I gotta get over to your blog and comment with all the ways I love it.

  • Reply jewel marlowe May 10, 2018 at 8:57 am

    EMILY!!! Nice work!!! What a huge transformation! Your style is Da Bomb!!!

  • Reply Kat May 10, 2018 at 9:02 am

    Well done!! Gorgeous color palette, arrangement, styling, and your DIY artwork is killer!! Congrats :)

  • Reply cassie bustamante May 10, 2018 at 9:18 am

    oh this is stunning! love the color and all the textures!

  • Reply Julia@Cuckoo4Design May 10, 2018 at 9:29 am

    I love this bedroom! Totally obsessed with the wall color

  • Reply Alison @ Deuce Cities Henhouse May 10, 2018 at 9:33 am

    Oh my gaaaaawd! So many things to love about your guest bedroom! First that wall color is so good, anything dark green and you have me hooked. I love your punting and didn’t see faces or the pickle at the beach until you said so. Those pleated ikea curtains look way luxe. Did you use the curtain pleat hooks from ikea, or something else to get that stellar pinch pleat? And the linens! No, there can never be enough grid. That blanket on the end of the bed looks way too cool to be targ. Well done, lady! Now relax a bit before you share your frame DIY!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 10, 2018 at 10:43 am

      Thank you, Alison!! I used the curtain hooks and tape from IKEA – I followed this as a guide http://visualvocabularie.com/how-to-triple-pinch-pleat-curtains-with-ikea-hardware/ . I had to sew the pleating tape on my curtains and it was a little bit different than what actually comes attached to certain IKEA curtains. I also added a stitch by hand at the end to keep the pleats tight together instead of fanning out like they were with just the clips.

      Gonna try to do so much relaxing.. but our next guest show up next week. guhhhhhh

      • Reply Alison @ Deuce Cities Henhouse May 10, 2018 at 3:09 pm

        Hey thanks for that link. I used the Ikea clips too, and I couldn’t get mine to look as fancy as yours. I am def going to take them down, and give this a go. If it works I’ll make sure to add that stitch. Thanks!
        PS – We have guests next week too! Baah, when does it end?

        • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 4:08 pm

          Nice! Lemme know how that goes. I ended up widening the middle part of the pleating clip too so I could hang the hook from there.

          PS – It never ennnddddsssssss.

  • Reply Anna May 10, 2018 at 9:56 am

    SOOO GOOD! congrats emily! what an AMAZING finished product. i’ll be moving in shortly <3

  • Reply Erika May 10, 2018 at 10:21 am

    I love it!!! Our master bedroom has a similar wall that we didn’t know what to do with because it’s a narrow walkway to our tiny closet. So what we did was installed a custom peg rail. IF you ever need more storage for guests I’d suggest putting one on the wall where you currently have the art. You can have it custom made so the pegs start after where the door opens. You can even have one with a picture ledge. Here’s the link where I got mine!
    https://www.pegandrailusa.com

    Cheers!
    Erika

  • Reply Carla Hayden May 10, 2018 at 10:25 am

    I am in love with the colors and layout of the new guest room. The window treatments are my favorite thing.

  • Reply Lindsey at HilltownHouse May 10, 2018 at 10:31 am

    I cannot express how much I am in love with your space!!! The linens and the artwork are just perfection and I am sooo glad you went with the tone on tone window curtains – it was definitely the right way to go. Every detail is just absolutely gorgeous

  • Reply Sarah May 10, 2018 at 10:32 am

    Emily, it looks so good! You did an amazing job. I am stoked for that floating frame tutorial, because they look incredible.

    Sarah

  • Reply Regine from The 256 Project May 10, 2018 at 11:56 am

    This room is absolutely fantastic! I love the color, love all the textures and materials, just everything! I like the placement of the artwork and the shape of the mirror and the leather pulls. JUST SO GOOD!

  • Reply Becky @ Daly Digs May 10, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Holy moly I cannot even believe the transformation! It looks so stunning! The dark walls and your mix of textiles!! Love, love!!!

  • Reply Erin Keegan May 10, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    Great job! I am most likely going with a lighter wood bed, but also love that IKEA line (might go with the nightstands but worried about light and light being too much). You showed me how warmer woods could look good with lighter woods which I’ve been doubting myself a lot. Those nightstands are pretty great though! I am definitely going to consider those for our bedroom. So crazy, because I probably would have totally overlooked these but I see them in your room and they are great. By the way, I have been wanting to get something for our clothes that is more vertical than horizontal because of our lack of space, and IKEA used to have a BJORKSNAS cabinet that was GORGEOUS! I reached out to them to see if they may bring it back but they said no. It’s so beautiful and danish looking with glass doors. Definitely was intended more for kitchen/dining but I thought it would be a perfect option to have clothes neatly folded in it exposed or with like a subtle ticking fabric curtain inside the door. I tried to search Craigslist or Ebay. No luck. I love the dresser you got, but I need more dresser unfortunately. We have the smallest closets and tiny bedrooms. I love Ashley Goldman’s use of black stained nightstands too with light bed frame, but every black nightstand on All Modern I like is sold out. Your artwork is fantastic too! Amazing job.

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 3:58 pm

      I know that BJORKSNAS cabinet! I SO wish they still had it, I need it for our living room. Ashley’s nightstands are amaaazziinngg. Finding good black nightstands is really tough – that’s what I originally wanted for this space. You could always paint something that you like the shape and style of if you’d be cool with black paint rather than stain.

  • Reply Ashley May 10, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    What a beautiful guest space! I personally love a deep, dark moody bedroom- so this is everything to me! I love The touches of light wood and rattan!! Fabulous job!

  • Reply Meghan May 10, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    This has to be one of my favorite rooms among the ORC reveals. That wall color! The contrast! The dresser, lamps, art, GAH! I LOVE it all. I will so be referencing this for inspiration when I make over our rooms in the future!
    Meghan

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      Oh my gosh that’s so nice of you! Thanks so much, I’m so glad you love it!

  • Reply Yarrow Morgan May 10, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    I too think you made a major transformation while keeping the walls and bed. And your 3 paintings are the perfect size to lead you along that wall. But IMHO matching the wood of the dresser more closely to the tone in the windows and nightstands would make it feel more cohesive.
    Yarrow

  • Reply Mary @ I Like it Lovely May 10, 2018 at 5:44 pm

    I love everything about this space including the wall and drapery color! Well Done!!

  • Reply Linda May 10, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    Great transformation! The wall color makes the whole room so cozy.

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks! It is so cozy, I love it. Kinda wish I got to sleep in there.

  • Reply Marti May 10, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    Emily, this room is killing me (softly) with its beauty! It’s SO very pretty. I’m jealous of your skills!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Martiiiii thank you so much! That’s so sweet. <3

  • Reply Kari May 11, 2018 at 8:31 am

    I absolutely adore your style!!! I’m not sure how I came upon your Instagram which led me to the blog, but now I’m hooked! Love it!!!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 4:14 pm

      Yayyy thank you so much! Glad you’re here, Kari!

  • Reply Colin May 11, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    I love the color scheme in this room, but my favorite part is the art you made. When I first saw it, it thought to myself, I wonder where I can buy that? And then it turns out you made it yourself! I don’t see any funny faces or pickles floating in the ocean in those pictures, I just see artistic talent!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 10:37 pm

      That is so sweet, thank you so much! You’ve made me go back and appreciate the work I did and feel proud about it all over again. Thank you!

  • Reply Mila May 11, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    Aside from the color of the walls, my favorite thing about this reveal is the DIY art!!!! I love the colors and simplicity… cheap, gorgeous art! The room came together perfectly, friend. Love your style so much! You are nailing this whole designer blogging thing!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 11, 2018 at 10:38 pm

      Thank you so much, Mila! Hope you are getting some much deserved rest!

  • Reply Jess McGurn May 12, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    I finally got time to check out the reveals and this is AMAZING. I’m pinning just about every angle. It makes me want to go paint a room green right now! Congrats!!

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 14, 2018 at 11:53 am

      Thank you so much, Jess! Green rooms are the best rooms!

  • Reply Sarah May 13, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    I just looove how this turned out! I can’t believe that bench is Ikea – I would’ve bet money on West Elm… and even though I follow along on stories I can’t see the faces in those paintings. Nice job. (And those frames are fab!)

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 14, 2018 at 11:58 am

      Thank you, Sarah! I knoooow I’m in love with that bench. I want another one to put plants on in our sunroom. Such a good price and it comes in 3 sizes. Sometime IKEA just nails it. And thanks so much for the painting + frame love! I’m so happy with how both turned out.

  • Reply Nicole May 13, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    I ADORE how this all turned out! I’m so glad you went with the lighter green curtains – it looks like they work perfectly in the space. And adding the pinch pleat is to-die-for! (Gives me hope for my own… which, theoretically, are going up soon!) I’m so glad the bright white of the West Elm linen duvet cover worked for you! I didn’t even think about the lampshades you already had, so I’m very glad for you that it ended up being perfect. Anyhow, this is all amazing, and has given me a renewed sense of energy when it comes to decorating my own space! Thanks for sharing your journey. =)

    • Reply thesweetbeast May 14, 2018 at 12:01 pm

      Thank you so much, Nicole! The pinch pleat was surprisingly easy to put in with the tape and hooks – I thought it was going to be wayyy harder to pull off. I’m so glad this reveal has given you energy for your own space – that makes me so happy! And I appreciate all your textile help along the way!

  • Reply Jodie @ Sypsie Designs May 14, 2018 at 7:48 am

    Everything is SO good! I love the colors and textures and how amazing those curtains turned out! Amazing job!

  • Reply Kim | Design Confetti May 14, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    Amazing transformation! I love the color scheme you went with, the teal and rust look beautiful together. Also, I have those same boob pillow cases from Gravel and Gold.

    Best, Kim | http://www.design-confetti.com

  • Reply Sheena May 14, 2018 at 5:26 pm

    Green with gold accents has my heart! Beautiful room!

  • Reply Pat - In My Wheele House May 15, 2018 at 11:10 pm

    I mean, wow.
    Obviously, I am partial to the colour, because I recently used a similar one in my living room… but overall, it is such a stunning space.
    The listing photos really drive it home how under whelming it was. There was no attempt to highlight those gorgeous architectural details – that wood is really set off by that new colour palette.
    Add that beautiful blush in the artwork… sheer perfection.

    Love it.

  • Reply Erica May 18, 2018 at 10:49 am

    Ah-mazing transformation!! Loving all the textiles.can you provide details on the black and white throw on the ladder and the sheets from Target?

  • Reply Debbie May 28, 2018 at 8:56 pm

    Love the color.

  • Reply Jen March 5, 2019 at 12:03 pm

    Beautiful home! How did you hang the rug on the wall?

    • Reply thesweetbeast March 5, 2019 at 12:12 pm

      Thank you! The top and bottom edges of the rug are turned and sewn so there’s a small pocket/tube. I picked up a couple solid metal rods at Home Depot (might have been Lowes but I can’t remember!) and tried a few to see what would fit in the pocket/tube along the top, then slid that through. Then I cut a piece of string and tied it at each end of the rod to secure it, then hung the whole thing from that string. Hope that helps!

      • Reply Jen March 6, 2019 at 11:57 am

        Very helpful. Thank you!

  • Reply Samantha March 8, 2019 at 4:02 pm

    Beautiful room! We’re in the process up finally updating our guest bedroom and want to do a dark, moody color like this. In one of the pictures, it looks like you painted the air vent on the wall the same color as the wall. Is that right, or is the vent just a dark color? Ours is currently white, so I’m assuming we’ll need to paint it same color as wall?

    • Reply thesweetbeast March 8, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      Thank you! Yes, I painted the air vent to match the walls so that it would blend in. If you don’t want the vent to stand out as much but don’t want to paint it, you might be able to find a black or metal-toned vent cover that would be less noticeable than white. Hope that helps!

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.