Last week I was in sunny San Diego, CA helping my good friend Kristen give her apartment a little makeover. Her friends and family thought she was crazy for flying me out to help, but she swore to them that I’d save her way more than the air fare cost her. And she was right! Her bedroom had great bones, it just needed a little magic to make it the retreat that she dreamed of.
We started by painting the walls a great grey, called Storm by Valspar. It brought a lot of drama to the room, with just a little work painting one accent wall.
I also made a headboard for her, using 1/2 a sheet of $15 OSB board (we used the other half in another room), a foam mattress pad, an old blanket (she already had) and a curtain from Ikea. I put the foam on top, wrapped it with two layers of the blanket, and covered it all with one panel of the curtains, and stapled it all together on the back. Easy peasy stuff! (Sorry, 2 a.m. projects means no photos – boo!)
To add a little artwork, we took some starfish she already had and added hangers on the back to hang them on the wall randomly. Since she’s a stone’s throw from the beach, it incorporates the beachy feel that she loves, without going too nautical.
For the lamp on the side table, I took one she already had from a pair in the living room, and just gave it a coat of white spray paint. Since she only needed one in the living room, breaking up the set was a great option to get the look she wanted for less.
In her display cabinet, we just cleaned up, culled out and rearranged a lot of what she already had.
We also kept a small photo of home (that’s my neck of the woods) and a few other momentos that she loved.
For her lamps, I simply took some fake coral that she already had and spray painted it silver. I just sit it on the front side of the stick lamp to add a little sparkle.
Since she already had the lamps, coral and the paint already on hand – this was a free makeover (gotta love those!)
All in total, we spent $75 on this bedroom, using a lot of what she already had to create a space that’s perfect for her and her husband.
Headboard costs:
$7 for 1/2 sheet of OSB board
$10 for foam mattress pad
$7.50 (one of a set of two panels)
FREE blanket from homeowner
Lamp
Free lamp
$5 for white spray paint
$15 lampshade
Paint on walls
$30 for 1 gallon of paint – Storm by Valspar
You did a great job of pulling together meaningful elements and avoid a “seen all that before” look! ~ Maureen
Thanks, Maureen!
Oh Gina, you’re good – $75 to rock her world is awesome!! (please ask your friend where she got that red hutch, love it!)
She bought it at a local (to me) shop called Ty Alexander’s. I’m not sure what line it is – but they have beautiful things!
That’s awesome! I love it–both the bedroom and the price!
Thanks so much, Ellie!
I like this very much!
Well I love that you like it, Mary Ann 🙂
Simply amazing! Gina, you never cease to amaze me! I can hardly wait to see what else you did while out there. Take care now, Peggy
Thanks, Peggy! Stay tuned all week – there’s definitely more to see!
It looks fabulous. I love the subtle beach touches. Hugs, Marty
Hi Marty! I love the beachy hints, too – there’s more to see in the other rooms – yay! Thanks so much for stopping by!
What a difference, Gina! Even the paint was a fantastic change. Job well done!
I know! It’s kinda crazy how much paint can change a space, huh? Thanks, girl!
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Oh-YOu did good- Really, really good! It looks great- look at all the money you saved her! xo Diana
Thanks so much, Diana! I tried to save as much as I could, because the living room & office were a little more expensive 🙂
IKEA makes a very similar red hutch! I thought it was it at first! I wish I had a spot for one. 😉
Beautiful transformation!
Love, love, LOVE me some Ikea!
Looks fabulous. Your friend is lucky. I especially like what you did with the coral and stick lamp.
One question: how did you adhere that beautiful headboard to the wall?
Ah ha! I put D ring hanging hooks on the back and hung it on the wall – luckily the studs lined up perfectly… but you could use anchors, too!
Thanks so much!
Awesome makeover!!!!
Thank you!!!!
Love the changes! That headboard idea is awesome!
I’m kinda crushin’ on it, too! Thanks so much!
Oh WOW! that simple makeover makes such a difference. it is just the kind of thing I like to see as it is within the reach of most of us mere mortals. thanks for sharing.
Awww… shucks! I do like simple, but also wanted to make it feel like a big change. Thanks so much!
I loved that you’re really staying low budget and still getting a pretty dramatic makeover. Wonderful work.
Not all the rooms were that cheap – but I did cut stuff out of the budget where I could. Gotta make splurges with the make-dos 🙂
Simply lovely Gina! I’m going to try and make it to Bella Rustica. I’ll be on the lookout for you!
I hope you make it! I’d love to see you again, my friend!
Wow, so amazing! Can’t believe you made such an amazing transformation on so little cash.
Thanks, Stella. Big changes with small cash are my favorite kind!
Great work, Gina! You gave a new life to this room! And without spending a lot of money! Great!!!!
Thank you, Clara!
Thrifty and oh so cute!! xo
Thanks so much, Katherine!
Nicely done! Love the grey walls!
Thanks, Jean! It’s hard to tell, but it’s a darkish putty kinda grey – it was so pretty!
Red and wow!
~Bliss~
Thank you!
Gina!
Great work , my friend! Nothing looks “make-do” instead it looks very professional. Wanna come live with me for a week or two? I could use a fresh eye to get my home together!!
See you in a couple of weeks!
Love and hugs!
Georgia
Thanks, darlin’! Give me a couple of months to rest and I’ll be on my way 🙂
Can’t wait to see ya SOON!!!
love ya,
G
The room looks AMAZING!! I love the contrast of the gray with the white starfish. I’m sure Kristen loves it, too! 🙂
Thanks, sweet friend! Can’t wait to see you soon!
Wow, this is such a fantastic makeover! It was worth the trip for this beauty and of course a time to catch up with friends. Great work!
It was so much fun to spend the week with her! Thanks for the sweet comment!
All three rooms look amazing! You’re the queen of making over a room on a budget. Lisa~
What did you use to glue the starfish to the wall?
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/03/how-to-make-hanging-starfish.html
Wow. Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. The room looks so inviting. I just love the color combination.
Aww, thanks Diane, you are too sweet 🙂
what is Valspar’s color number for Storm? Such as 4004-2B