With their children now grown and living on their own, my clients faced the question: do we stay in the large home we love or down-size? My clients decided to stay, and turn the former childrens’ rooms into welcoming guest rooms. This way, it would be ever so easy for the adult children (and spouses and grandchildren) to visit often.
There are two bedrooms and a full bath on the third floor. Each bedroom had wood floors, yellow walls, an area rug, a metal bed frame and natural oak furniture pieces (nightstand, bookcase and dresser). Since all were in excellent condition, we were able to re-purpose everything! In the first bedroom, the textures of the metal bed frame, the colorful kilim rug and the handmade ceramic lamp suggested an eclectic mix of styles.
First bedroom with original furnishings
Since each room had one nightstand and one television stand, I traded pieces, so that the first bedroom would have the two larger television stands, to put on either side of the bed. I found chunky handwoven baskets to use as inserts, like drawers. Then I had all of these oak pieces stripped and re-stained in a dark espesso color, adding new copper knobs. My clients really liked the handmade ceramic lamp that was in the room, and they were able to purchase another one to match it. Then I found a new light fixture for the ceiling, with a woven wicker shade, and ready-made curtains in a black and cream check for the window.
The existing kilim rug inspired my color scheme. Caramel-colored walls now wrap the room in warmth, while new bedding and pillows offer comfortable softness and bright color. We recovered the seat of my clients’ antique side chair in a velvet tiger stripe fabric and brought in an eclectic assortment of accessories. The completed guest room now feels as if a world traveler has filled the space with treasures collected over time.
A kilim rug, textural furnishings and collected accessories in the first guest room
The second bedroom had the same metal headboard and natural oak furniture pieces, with a bordered sisal area rug. Our plan was to give this room a decidedly lighter, more feminine feel.
Second bedroom before redecorating
The completed second guest bedroom
I wanted this room to welcome guests with light and softness. On the walls, a neutral paint color with just a hint of amber reflects light with a warm glow. I had all of the oak pieces painted white, with a light rubbing-off on the edges, to give the effect of gentle time-worn use. The floral bedding with birds is perfect for a third floor bedroom, where one can look out the window and be up in the trees. Plump pillows in geometric and striped patterns compliment the large-scale floral, as does the hemstitched bedskirt. The statement piece of the room is the chandelier made of capiz shells, which creates a wonderful play of light and shadow. Complimenting this are lamps on either side of the bed, their bases made of wire, topped with white pleated shades. I hung the floral prints close to the bed, creating a feeling of intimacy in this spacious room. Finally, the fuzzy wool throw on the bed invites one to curl up for a nap.
Details include patterned pillows, a hemstitched bedskirt and lamps with wire bases
Then there was the bathroom. Decorated for two young girls, the bathtub was painted pink, while the walls had a pink and white wallpaper and the ceiling was papered to look like clouds in a blue sky. Perfect for little girls but not sophisticated enough for adult guests!
The bathroom decorated for young girls
I took color cues for the bathroom from the print of a Renoir painting. The watery blue on the walls (Sherwin Williams # 6219 “Rain,” one of my favorites) is a lovely contrast to the white ceiling, floor and trim. Around the freshly painted tub is a striped shower curtain with a cheerful set of ruffles along the bottom. A rattan side cart (the only piece of furniture that we bought) and wire basket provide handy storage, and more birds appear in the window valance.
Bathroom redone for guests
One final note on this project: When the adult children came home for a holiday weekend, they stayed in their former bedrooms. The next morning, they told their parents that the rooms were beautiful and comfortable, but they wanted to know what had become of all of their old furniture. I took it as a compliment that they did not recognize the pieces that had been part of their childhood. They had been transformed along with the bedrooms, to welcome them home!