Making Our Rental Feel Like Home: Bedroom & Bath

I won't lie to you, friends, I very seriously miss my GIGANTIC old bedroom, huge closet, attached master bath, and wood floors. I loved that I had room for a chair, bed, dressers, desks, nightstands... all the things. However, what I've quickly realized since we moved is that we don't really need all of those things. In many ways it is much easier to keep the bathroom cleaned without it, I have less places to stack items I don't need in the bedroom, and cleaning is much faster with less floor to mop or vacuum. 

Our new room is probably just over half the size of our old one. Here's a small angle of what the master looked like when we first toured:

Time to Get to Class

About a month ago I showed you some of the steps I was taking to update my master bedroom and I have to say... I think its starting to look pretty smashing! It isn't totally done, there are a few things on my to-do list but so far the progress is great!

I am so excited about how adorable my room is! Ready to see it! Let's start with my fabulous new door, that I still will occasionally stop and pet and coo at. Not a big deal...

As you walk in you can see that I have taken down some of the art and photos that have been up foreverrr. I left the same gray walls because I just love how soft and airy it is. I added a hat rack for my more adorable hats, the baseball caps and such still live elsewhere. Having it reminds me of my Grandpa who used to have one full of trucker hats in his living room that he would let us try on.

I stole my Raggedy Ann and Andy back from the guest room and holy moly do I love them in here. The contrast of their vintage fabulousness and the glam high gloss wallpaper is on point! In the office they felt dulled and blended against the stripes but against the walls in here... perfect. I plan to add some more cool pieces to that wall but only one step at a time.

I traded a white mirror from my room for the cool vintage mirror from my sister's room. I like it against the white wall also.

Here's what the wall looks like after being painted (notice that the 80s wood is gone? Holla at it!) I also pet this wall sometimes too. It is sort of like being in Willie Wonka, minus the Schnozberries.

Oh! And of course my new rugs! I decided that doing runners would be much better than a big area rug, partially because I love how much larger and open my room feels with some of the wood floors showing but it makes it cozier to have some rugs on the side of the bed. I got them at IKEA for $19.99 a piece. $40.00 total is way cheaper than an area rug! What do you think?

And here's another look at my wonderful new art! I love the mismatched frames and the gold tones. Don't get me wrong- I still love white but I feel it is reflecting so much more of who I am and reflects my quirkiness.

So here is the break down of the new changes! I'm still in the market for a new comforter and shams, as well as a headboard, but I think its looking pretty great so far!

Master Bedroom Update:

• find a second short dresser as a nightstand- paint it white
• get a new rug situation
• make/find a new headboard
• update the shams and bedding
• new wall art
• patch and repaint sections
• replace door
• organize dog kennel area 
• clear clutter/donate unworn clothes

Master, Get Fabulous.

The more that I do some upgrades in other rooms in my house and start getting bold... the more that I want to update other spots in the house as well. My latest consideration? The master bedroom. Last time I updated that space was 2012 {see it again here} and it still looks okay, but a little boring. I want to try and be bold! Like an adventurer! Too far? oh well. Back in January, which was already 6 months ago, I made a list of things I wanted to do in my room, and then! I did nothing. Ha. Oops.

Here's a reminder for all of us on what that list actually was:

Master Bedroom Update:

• find a second short dresser as a nightstand- paint it white
• get a new rug situation
• make/find a new headboard
• update the shams and bedding
• new wall art
• patch and repaint sections
• replace door
• organize dog kennel area 
• clear clutter/donate unworn clothes

And a reminder of the room itself:

Now if you follow me on Instagram (which I know is set to private, but if you request I'll add you! Until I figure out how to make a second one maybe? #teacherprobs) You'll already know that I've made a bunch of changes that are real exciting. Not everything on the list is done yet, but I already love the progress!

For instance when I went and changed out the nightstand, which was originally two laundry baskets on top of each other. For like. 10 months. I instead made this wonderful desk into my nightstand {see it again here}

Doesn't it look adorbs? Plus I also started changing up some of the art beside my bed! 

But the biggest (and one of the most bold) projects that I have undertaken in my room is my new feature wall! Now typically I don't do feature walls, but I think you'll see why this one is cool.

The story goes like this... First I was just trying to move the door stop for the new door so that it would line up with the new handle, and then things escalated and I ended up tearing out chunks of the paint and drywall. Whoops.

When we originally bought the house back in 2008, the entire house was wall paper, so we decided to use wallpaper paint and just paint over it. If you have ever lived in a manufactured or pre-fab home a lot of the times they make the wallpaper into the drywall before installation, which means you can't really take it off without removing the drywall.

I found this fabulous wallpaper at Lowe's! It is the exact same product that I used in my kitchen as the back splash (which I can't seem to find a picture of anywhere). It is a pre-pasted product and one roll almost covered this entire huge wall. The product is about $16 and can be painted and stripped off later if you so desire. Which is great for DIY people like us who change our minds all the time! I couldn't find this one online but here is the link to see different varieties from Lowe's {here}.

Check it out in progress!

Stay tuned for a full update on the wallpaper wall of my master! I think it looks pretty awesome, especially with the bold blue/gray door!

Dressing for the Evening

For about four months I've been living with this situation as my master bedroom night stand... let's just say... the lamp was the only good thing about that situation. 

 I searched around all the thrift stores in town trying to find something that would fit in that section and that I would be able to get to coordinate with all my other furniture that is existing. I was telling my bloggy BFF Sam that there is not one set of matching furniture in my entire house, I feel it is a personal challenge to make my thrift shop finds coordinate and appear to be intentionally put together.

Finally after several months of shopping, I came across this desk at Salvation Army, and it was in my budget! I never like to spend more than $20.00 on a piece of furniture I plan on revamping more than 90% of. And it was $19.99! Perfect.

My friend Alexa from work helped me fit it in the back of her hatchback Subaru and drove it over. I was so excited. Part of the reason it was so cheap is because of how damaged it appeared to be. That seems to be the trick the ones that actually are sturdy, but look bad or have hinges hardware hanging, are cheapest. This one looked a bit rough to an uninspired eye. :)

During my two week Spring Break (!!!) I brought it out into the living room on a Thursday while watching an HGTV marathon of Rehab Addict. I love Nicole Curtis. A lot. At this point I can bust out a paint job in just a couple hours. Strangely this guy only needed a light sanding and a lot of cleaning. 

Two or three episodes of Nicole later and I had everything but the hinges painted! I left the top part wood toned because I didn't want to make everything too matchy in the bedroom. Plus it was super duty sealed/coated on top and there was not a scratch on it. At first I was hesitant but ever since I painted my interior door I've been more adventurous.

Here's the new nightstand desk in position. I used decor that I already had around the house, the lamps have been in my room for a long time but the vintage camp chair is a cool one I found at Habitat several years ago, the vases and accessories have been collected over time. My brother lives in Durango and they have this fabulous brewery called Steamworks, every time I'm there I grab a few of their Colorado flag inspired coasters. They add a fun flair. One of my friends was visiting and was in my room and laughed at the incredible amount of books I store on my nightstands and dressers, her words: "How to tell if you're an English teacher... there's no TV in your room, and not a surface without a book."

When my friends were visiting over our two week spring break I picked up some fabulous local art. The picture on the left is a bike with books on it! Of course I love that. 

It is so nice having some space again and not keeping my home reno stuff in the corner of my room! The poor desk has already become overloaded with books. (Though I keep my tank tops in the drawers, I'm a girl with a lot of clothes lol.)

What do you think of my thrift shop redo? :)

The Master Bedroom Fiasco

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Every so often I start to get really bored with my house. Just in general and I've been really looking into the financial aspect of what I need to do to consider moving in the nearish future. You know somewhere with a garage... fenced in backyard... space between neighbors... closets.... those things. Our real estate market is starting to pick back up which could really be a good sign. Until that moment however, I am going to start working on the rooms in my house that I am most bored with, to see if that staves off the "I want a new house" feelings for awhile.

One such location is my master bedroom. Here's of course the love and appealing before photos when we first bought the house:

So certainly the most recent look is leagues better:

Gotta love that my furbabies bomb every photo. However since I've moved the computer desk and equipment to the office as you saw in a more recent post {here}.

That means now I have a real mess. Be warned. These following photos are not awesome.

I have taken most of the wall art down because I was bored with it and have moved it to either the living room or the office so now the walls are a little bare:

Presently I only have one nighstand because I put the old ones in my sister's room to give her storage. Now my one solo stand is laden with books, journals, more books, and more books. What? I'm an English teacher.

I've rearranged the book case and turned the old wine rack into a shoe holder. But its still not quite right. Maybe it's the blank wall on the left?

Or perhaps is the gigantic old TV that I have to sell and get rid of that is taking up one entire side of the room. My parents got me a new, smaller, and more energy efficient model for Christmas. They know my enthusiasm for gigantor TVs is a bit limited.

Check out my rigged nightstand. DIY at its absolute finest! My box of home repair materials and a laundry basket on top! Beautiful. Convenient. Awesome.

Then of course there is space being consumed by dog kennels. It's cold enough here in Colorado that we have to have them covered up with a blankey. Part of the reason it looks so messy.

And to top it off, I recently had to throw out my shag rug that was in there. It was a victim to the animals. I was saddened. 

Not going to lie. I feel as though this bedroom is cringe worthy. That rug really needs to be replaced. It's stained and dirty. I love how high pile rugs feel but not their functionality. The whole space really lacks romance and appeal that's for sure.

 I have a few ideas of how to make this prettier, it could take me a few months since I'm going to try and get some new things but here's what I've got so far as a list:

Master Bedroom Update:

• find a second short dresser as a nightstand- paint it white
• get a new rug situation
• make/find a new headboard
• update the shams and bedding
• new wall art
• patch and repaint sections
• replace door
• organize dog kennel area 
• clear clutter/donate unworn clothes

Golly. If you think of anything else that might help this situation please let me know! Or send me pictures on Pinterest I love that place.

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Run-On List of Lists

So I got the idea to compile a gigantic list of all things my house from one of every home decor bloggers favorite sites Young House Love. Such amazing smart people. This list includes all the things I have done to each room and still want to do and is styled similiarly to the one on YHL. I think it helps me with prioritizing and knowing where to go. I know I've made a lot of lists lately but budget restraints have kept me from really starting any major projects. Hopefully this helps me decide what I can do. :)

 

Exterior/Porch:



(50% complete)

 

To-Do:

• Fix step into house
• Remove ramp (it's rotting and collapsing)
• Rebuild steps in back yard
• Pot plants
• Repaint porch
• Grow more grass
• Build new back porch
• Replace exterior doors
• figure out a new carport situation (former roommate drove into a post so it's on it's way out)
• organize sharage (shed+garagey thing=sharage)
• add more motion sensor/security lighting
• new gutters for the whole house
• enhance privacy in back yard either with new fence or just slats

Done:

• The yard has finally started to grow grass again...
• Repainted the lawn furniture
• Got a grill and lots of pots. 

 

Entryway:

 

(75% complete)

 

To-Do:

• Maybe get a runner rug somewhere down the line
• Keep updating accesories
• Paint walls
• Paint back of door a fun accent color

Done:

• Replaced the floors in the whole house
• Got a fabulous vintage vanity
• Hung some art 



Living Room: 

(50%ish complete) 

 

To Do:

 If you have seen my recent post about the living room you know the list is pretty long. I say "50%ish complete" because it's fully decorated and pretty I'm just in the market to go Beyonce on that room and "upgrade ya."

 

 Consign glass end tables

Fix 50" TV from rents

Sell IKEA entertainment stand

Build entertainment wal

make a decision on wingback chair (reupholster? Sell? Give away?)

New sectional couch

New flat weave area rug (more durable than fluffy shag rug now)

Paint ceiling (white, durr)

Paint walls (either Revere Pewter by BM or Moonshine by BM)

paint moding and beam to  match beadboard (white)

replace interior doors (the holey 80's hanging off the hinges doors suck)

Done:

replaced coffee table

upgraded wall art

upgraded lighting

love my curtains (hehe)

Dining Room:

(20%ish complete) 

 

To-Do:

This is sort of the same deal as the living room. I want to upgrade the dining area and make it more "my style" within the next year or so. Right now I have the same furniture in there I've had since I was 18. So it's totally done remodel wise.

• Buy new table (this one from IKEA)
• New chairs that don't have fabric seats
• Jute rug for under table
• Upgrade wall art on "big wall"
• Figure out how the heck to make window wall function/look good.
• Paint walls to go with living room and entryway
• Find a new fabulous light fixture. (sort of feeling a drum shade chandelier)
• paint the ceiling/molding (white o course)

Done:

• love my curtains
• painted the ceiling fan so it works well enough for now
• upgraded flooring through out the house

 

Kitchen:

(75% completed)



 

To Do:

• replace painted countertops with a new laminate (love solid surface-but it's a trailer ya'll)
• repaint cabinets with more durable paint (been a year since I've painted em and they chip)
• frame out doors to create shaker style
• replace hardware
• paint ceiling/molding to match rest of living space
• paint behind fridge (hehe)
• frame out wallpaper after new countertops are in
• install new faucet
• get prettier cabinet support sticks
• make bar counter out of wood for a butcher block effect (Like this blogger did here.)
• Make range hood less homely.

Done:

• repainted the cabinets
• repainted the hinges/existing hardware
• upgraded dishwasher/fridge to energy efficient
• upgraded art work
• added wallpaper tile backsplash

Master Bedchamber:

(90% complete) 

 

 

To-Do:

• upgrade tiny nightstands to small dressers upcycled from thrift store (I have lots of clothes)
• switch living room rug to bedroom and jute rug to dining room
• new headboard/footboard set up
• smaller pillows (brown ones)
• upgrade ceiling fan to pretty light
• paint the molding around bathroom entry, upgrade to prettier trim? maybah? 
• upgrade to double rods
• new bedroom door
• replace mini-blinds

Done:

• upgraded all the flooring
• removed crazy scary sliding closet doors
• installed closet organizer
• revamped filing cabinet
• painted ceiling fan so it's prettier for now
• took down uglio I-wish-I-was-French-doors
• put up curtains for closet/bathroom doors
• turned cheapy bookcase into magical shoe display land
• upgraded desk area
• added new/pretty artwork

 Master Bathroom:

 



(95% complete)



 

To-Do:

• replace/fix shower stall (at least the door, it pops open. Sebastian likes it. I don't.)
• take down cheap over the potty thing and install something prettier (only if there's studs)
• recaulk around the vanities/tubs/shower/wet places.
• upgrade the hardware (just painted the original stuff when I did the redo. heh.)
• add second shelf under little shelf that has been in my trunk for 3 years... no rush yo.
• work around garden tub area to add new tile or something. It's ugly.

Done:

• repainted all cabinets in a two tone fashion
• upgraded artwork
• painted the walls and ceilings
• added accessories
• installed jewelry cabinet
• added changing chair

Cube Hallway:

(60% complete)

 

To-Do:

• Paint the walls to match the living room space
• Paint ceiling/molding
• add beadboard wallpaper from Lowe's to bottom to make it match the living room
• upgrade switch covers
• remove drywall strips and texture
• replace/repaint light fixture
• replace both bedroom and bathroom door and handles

Done:

• added storage using old microwave stand
• upgraded flooring along with the rest of the house
• painted furnace cover (gotta love trailers)

Bedroom #2:

(10% complete) 

 

To-Do:

This is when my unique situation comes into play. Right now in order to afford the mortgage (just graduated college-seeking new full-time job) I rent out bedrooms #2 and #3 for extra cash. Meaning I can't do much in this room. My goal time to "reclaim" this room is by the end of 2014. So a year and a half. This list will read as the future office I want it to be.

• since this will be my office one day, I want to repaint it completely.
• replace bedroom door and knob
• add custom desk with lots of storage. ((sort of like this)
• add more to the existing closet organizer for files/paperwork/craft supplies
• get a wonderful amazing rug
• texture the walls
• upgrade the curtain rod

Done:

• flooring is all replaced with the rest of the house
• upgraded the light switch covers
• new water heater (it's in the closet in there, again, trailer weirdness)
• painted the ceiling and molding
• added closet organizer for max storage space
• took down crazy ugly closet doors and replaced with curtains

Bedroom #3:

 

(50% complete)

 To Do:
Again this is a similiar situation to what's going on with bedroom #2. I rent this room out also because I need help with the mortgage and such. Back in the day it was my office but in the future it will be a guest room. If my life follows it's current path that should be by the end of 2013. Yay!

• upgrade night stand and dresser
• add headboard
• buy a second curtain for the closet (currently has desk on one side, roomie clothes on the other)
• add more shelving to closet organizer so can be used for seasonal shoes/clothes, etc.
• replace bedroom door and knob
• replace mini-blinds

Done:

• upgraded all the flooring with rest of the house
• purchased a full-sized guest bed
• upgraded the curtains
• added new curtain rod
• painted magnificent stripes
• already own bedding for future guest
• have a good grey IKEA rug
• have a TV for guest room
• added closet organizer
• upgraded ceiling light

Guest bathroom:

(90% complete)



 To-Do:

• upgrade to energy efficient white potty (bye-bye bisque)
• add trim under countertop
• replace mirror
• touch up paint

Done:

• painted all the walls Dolphin by Home Depot's Martha Stewart collection
• replaced countertop
• replaced faucet
• tiled shower and flooring
• replaced bathtub
• fixed faucet/showerhead
• added storage cabinet
• upgraded light fixtures
• upgraded cabinet handles
• upgraded towel bar
• added new art work (see the reveal for the whole thing here)

Laundry Room:

(68% complete)

 To-Do:

• lighten up the paint color, it's pretty dark
• add tile wallpaper backsplash on space under cabinets
• replace exterior door with an outswing insulated door with dead bolts
• fix electric... :/
• upgrade light fixture
• added microchip pet door for Sebastian (little spendy but I don't want Pouka and Lucy going outside)

Done:

• new energy efficient washer/dryer
• build countertop
• added storage for kitty area
• added shelf for storage baskets
• painted ceiling/trim/molding
• painted cabinets
• added cabinet hardware
• upgraded outlet covers

 All in all, I have definitely done a lot since I've owned the house. (it'll be 5 years in May. craycray yo.) Some of the things I want to do just are reflective of where I am in my life and upgrading from the free college furniture to stuff that I would like to have for years to come. Some of it is to just keep up with the trends. At this point I think some of my redos are going to be a little sporatic. So for example, replacing furniture might be 6 months to 2 years depending on what I decide to get.

The first five things I do plan on doing are:

• repainting the living room (pretty sure Revere Pewter by BM)
• painting the ceiling in the kitchen/living room/dining room area
• paint laundry room
• upgrade countertops
• replace back exterior door

Hopefully some of those other nit-picky things get knocked off along with the ones listed above. I think it will be great! Besides I get my first paycheck in March for substitute teaching so I'll finally be able to do things! (thank all holyness everywhere.)