Monday, February 23, 2009

Budget Bedroom Makeover — by Guest Mom Stephanie Brubaker



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:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

My bedroom is the dumping grounds of my house and is in need of major help. What a fantastic idea this is!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:14:00 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You have created a great sanctuary space for yourself. I am intrigued by the "home decor swap", would love to know how this worked.

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:18:00 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:19:00 PM EST  
Blogger Musings of a Housewife said...

Gorgeous! Love it!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:24:00 PM EST  
Blogger Karli said...

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!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:42:00 PM EST  
Blogger Sarah L. said...

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.

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:49:00 PM EST  
Blogger Emily said...

I hate that about my bedroom--the dumping ground part. I want a change!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:54:00 PM EST  
Blogger Holly-girl said...

Stephanie, it's beautiful! I love the paint color on the walls ... do you mind sharing the brand and color, if you remember it?

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 3:01:00 PM EST  
Blogger Cher said...

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!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 3:19:00 PM EST  
Blogger Shannah said...

Oh, that looks so nice. Really makes me wish my bedroom wasn't a dumping ground.

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 3:50:00 PM EST  
Blogger Kara said...

I LOVE IT! KSL is my favorite! I have bought and sold several of things!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 3:58:00 PM EST  
Blogger Stephanie said...

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!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 4:03:00 PM EST  
Blogger Lisa said...

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!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 4:04:00 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:14:00 PM EST  
Blogger Lady Steed said...

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

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:48:00 PM EST  
Blogger AshleyB said...

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!)

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 6:32:00 PM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

Oh, I love it, you've done a fabulous job. I agree with you on the escape factor. All of us need that.

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7:49:00 PM EST  
Blogger Stephanie said...

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'!

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 8:01:00 PM EST  
Blogger Petit Elefant said...

Steph,

Love the room. Kudos! I'm amazed you can keep it all so nice though, my children would have destroyed it. Thoroughly.

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 9:35:00 PM EST  
Blogger Cara said...

I love that paint color--do you recall the name?

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 10:14:00 PM EST  
Blogger tyler said...

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.

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 11:35:00 PM EST  
Blogger My First Kitchen said...

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!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 9:04:00 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 9:26:00 AM EST  
Blogger paula said...

I love seeing it all together. It looks great!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 9:36:00 AM EST  
Blogger Stephanie said...

Lisa, yes I did make that board. Homasote, batting, fabric, upholstery nails and a hammer will do the trick!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 10:29:00 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 10:58:00 AM EST  
Blogger Sam and Josh said...

Stephanie, you cease to amaze me with your talent.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 11:03:00 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so serene & pretty. love the pops of orange.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 12:01:00 PM EST  
Blogger Momma Bull said...

Bravo! Your new space looks serene and inviting!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 2:46:00 PM EST  
Blogger Leslie said...

what a perfect room, stephanie! i love the wall color. we did that same thing with a RH paint chip. :)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 12:29:00 AM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

stephanie -
so, so lovely. and glad that you aired the issue of the bedroom dumping ground. SO true. thanks for the inspiration to remedy!!

Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 2:26:00 AM EST  

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