Before and After Part Two: Modern Chic Teen Room

My niece Ruby asked me if I could help her transition her bedroom from a little girl's room to something more age appropriate (she's 15 now). So, with her help (making sure I didn't do anything lame) we transformed her room into a very modern-chic space without losing any femininity.

Before: The furniture itself was still in great shape, so we decided to treat the walls and add new bedding and draperies.

Before: The desk was also in great shape and the chair was perfect, so we just reupholstered with new fabric and added new knobs to the drawers.

Before: The placement of the dresser stayed the same, but once we treated the walls and changed out the hardware on the drawers, it made a big difference.
 

Before: Instead of having valances at the top here, we opted for drapes to bring more sophistication and soften the windows while letting the light in during the day. This is also where we put the bed.

The first thing I did was ask Ruby to send me concept pictures of anything she liked online, so I could get an idea of what direction we should go. Once we found a bedding she liked, it all came together.

This bedding from Restoration Hardware, an antique floral, was the first selection made, and as a result dictated our color choices. I liked the idea of mixing this feminine print with some modern accents, creating a more eclectic setting. The furniture had a "shabby chic" element to it, so we needed to work this into the scheme, and going ultra modern would not work.

Next we selected the wallpaper and the lighting fixture. Both items were really tricky, but once we found them, both Ruby and I knew they were perfect!!!

This Clarke and Clarke wallpaper added the perfect amount of detail for the walls, and the color went perfectly with the bedding. We ended up doing it above a chair rail to add interest and cut the cost. It's hard to see from the picture, but there is an outline of silver around the periwinkle trellis detail. 

The glass balls of the fixture above are stunning, it adds lots of glamour to the room.

In addition we added creamy white linen drapery panels hung on rods with glass finials and hold backs. New lamps with the same glass style bases flanked the bed and a new night table, a skirted one in a metallic linen, lined with glass beads.

Glass ball hold-backs and finials added more of the modern twist we were looking for.

We added a small scaled skirted table to the other side of the bed for symmetry in addition to softening the area.

Here you can see the glass beaded detail. 

Changing out hardware is an easy change that gives older furniture a face lift.

We reupholstered her desk chair in a fun geometric. This ruby red/purple combo gives a pop of color. The hardware on the desk also was changed out to these adorable ceramic roses from Anthropologie.

Two shams in the geometric fabric adds some color onto the bed. Trim detail on the edge gives it a special touch.

The last element was the artwork, which focused on her love of fashion. I loved the idea of adding a little "ruby red" to the room, and when we found the artwork, it all came together.

Here's the final outcome!

Hope you love it as much as we do!!!

Before and After's Part One: Teen Bonus Room Gets A Boost!

This summer and fall I've been busy with a few projects, here are a few before and after shots of a bonus room I worked on. Enjoy:-)

Before Picture

 The layout needed a little TLC, new paint, a youthful theme for the 3 children using this space. We moved out the bed, got a sleeper sectional and created a space for homework and games near the window. The room was dark from all the foliage outside so we needed to solve that problem. We took off all the shutters to let all the natural light in that we could and added window treatments with black-out shades/lining, so when it's movie time, the lighting won't be a problem.

We added a window seat cushion and pillows to create a cozy nook for homework or snacks.

The blue shade comes down behind the valance to block out light for TV viewing.

Before-The iron bed was placed up against the angled wall.

The angled wall was challenging and made the room look smaller. We framed out the small wall with molding and painted with chalkboard paint (attic door included) for a giant space the kids to say what they want! 

Here you can see the chalkboard in action. Very fun for the kids. We painted the attic door with chalkboard paint as well, so the door "vanishes".

This wall had lots of clutter, an older over sized TV and those shutters that blocked out a lot of light. 

 We put up beautiful black out drapes and eventually the TV got moved out, a flat screen is now opposite the sofa.

Part Two coming soon: Teen room turns from pretty in pink to perfect in periwinkle!