"How do you handle a problem like Maria?"

You might not remember those words from Sound of Music.  BUT...this little makeover is brought to you by my friend Maria.  And she can be a problem.  Like if she calls you and you don't call her back right away she will leave you a threatening message about how she will "bow up on you like a spider monkey" and be in BIG trouble if you don't call her back.  Oh yeah....Like all I have to do during the day is return calls to her :)

Anyway, she did call me to come over and help lighten up one of her guest rooms that we did about 5 years ago.  Now of course her budget was very small and like most of my clients she wanted a miracle.  And...she said I don't want to get rid of the pillows.  Whatever...that is my call.

Here is before.  It is not a bad room, just a little masculine.
I had the headboard made when we did the room originally.  It is a brown suede with silver nail heads.  The furniture [night stands and armoire] were purchased on clearance at Pier One at the same time.


The lamps were from West Elm, the euro shams and the roll pillow were custom, but the standard shams were from the Nate Berkus collection for Linen and Things...remember how that stuff flew out of the stores!


So...here are the afters.
White shams and duvet from Target.  New lamps from Homegoods.  Which by the way she did not like and was trying to poo poo me on them but I stood firm.  Who called who??????  Hello....39.99.
Replaced the brown curtains with some white linen ones.

The original walls...blue color is BM  Yarmouth Blue HC-150.  Originally the whole room was painted that color and when we did the room we added two cream stripes.  Easy.
Another view.

Here is a larger picture, sorry it looks a little blurry.
So OK...I must have been cool before I even knew it!  We bought this starburst mirror at Pier One 5 years ago!  Who knew that bloggers would grow to love/hate them.
No new accessories were bought.
OK...let's break it down.
Lamps:  Homegoods  $39.99 each
2 curtain panels:  $43.00 each
2 shams and duvet: $64.00
White bedskirt: $24.00
Total $250.00
Re-decorating..........$100.00 donation to my shelter room :)
Gotta love that!!!

Here is the better news...she sold the 2 lamps, 2 pillows, dust ruffle, duvet, and the curtains for $150.00.  That makes the total  $100.00.
I think we still need one more  little "special" pillow on the bed.  I'll keep you updated.

I spent the morning at The Nicholas House doing some more measuring and taking notes in my room.  Yesterday I sent an email to a local news station [Atlanta 11 Alive].  They called and came by this morning while were were there and did a feature to be aired this evening.  They will come back and shoot when we finish the installations.  Pretty exciting.
I have done most of the shopping and have been raising money like a crack addict looking for the next fix.  Bugging all my friends and trying to convince them I am not asking for "shoe shopping" money.
Here is a little preview of my colors.....


Green, black, white, and orange.
 I have been buying frames at the Goodwill and painting them black for a gallery wall.
I might have to try my luck at some more art work :)

I am headed to the beach tomorrow.....to clean the rental.  Yeah, that will be fun.  I have packed my rubber gloves and Clorox.  Supposed to rain down there all week anyway.

Have a great weekend!



29 comments

The enchanted home said...

WOW. this is gorgeous! So inspirational! I love it..and am bookmarking it, the play of the plaids and subtle patterns is great, against the crisp white. The panels, the mirror...its all so great! Good job..and then to know you did it so budget minded is that much sweeter! Thanks for sharing..

The Sister Sophisticate said...

Really nice $100 makeover. That is a deal for how gorgeous everything came out. I really love the soft striped with the bold headboard!

René said...

Sherry, that room is wonderful! I thought I was over striped walls, but now I love them all over again. And yes, I'm pretty sure you have always been cool ;)

Have fun cleaning the rental :)

Nancy Hood said...

I love both looks! However, with Spring here and the blossoms outside, the AFTER is refreshing and clean looking. Good job :D

AntiqueChase said...

Looks so pretty. I'm going to check out the BM blue as my daughter is looking for a nice blue to go with her brown taupe bedding

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I hope I see the news feature tonight. How fun. Love the room redo. Have fun cleaning at the beach. Who goes to the beach to clean?

Angie said...

The answer to your question is PROZAK, question being "How do you solve a problem like Maria!"

Great Spring Refresher - I LOVE IT!

Unknown said...

I love a little make-over~ so well done and on the cheap, even better! Thanks for the preview of your room for Nicholas House, looks like it will be awesome.

Hope your rubber gloves have a ruffle or two so you can feel "cool" while cleaning...!

Cathy

A Vintage Vine said...

Wish I was in the ATL to see it on TV.....Love Maria's makeover, it is airy and fresh. Have fun at the beach....cleaning!!!

Unknown said...

I love those striped walls and the headboard! It's always amazing to me how just a few changes can make such a big impact in a room. It feels so much lighter. I liked the before too though :)

Joyce said...

WOW, it is beautiful! I am stuck on the 2 shams and duvet for under $100! I think I need to visit Target. Maria is really lucky to have you for a friend. She is going to pay you back and help you clean, right?! Have a golden weekend! xo

Cindy said...

you are amazing. the room looks so much lighter and brighter now, pretty, pretty. and you were totally right about the lamps! the little changes here and there made all the difference in the world!

cindy

Janice said...

I apologize if this comes across as rude...I'm not trying to be. I agree with Maria on the lamps. Personally, I don't think they work in the space. I am not really loving the color of the furniture either. I think if the furniture was more of an espresso color, it would pull the browns in the pillows together. Could the nightstands and armoire be painted or restained.

Is it possible to get the West Elm lamps back? You could have refinished them like Janell (Isabella and Max) did in her master bedroom. Love the duvet and striped walls!

Anonymous said...

looks fabulous Sherry....
love the blue/cream stripes on the walls (from earlier redo..) brings in the new bedding a little more...
maureeen

Janice said...

Sorry...I suggested espresso for the furniture I my earlier comment. I should have suggested cream/white like the color of the drapery panels and stripes on the walls.

quintessence said...

Amazing little transformation for no money - great choices to brighten up the space!! Love the new linens - they really make a difference. Congrats on your TV coverage - look forward to seeing the reveal here!

Anonymous said...

WEll, that is one beautiful room! I agree with Joyce's snarky comments about the furniture. It was bought quickly because it was a great deal and I was having a party. I love the idea of painting them the cream color and would like to invite Joyce to come help, since she is so forthcoming. Whether they are painted or not will be left up to the Master! (Let me be clear here.....I am referring to Sherry!)
I think it is a beautiful room both before and after and was done by a beautiful person both inside and out!!! We had a blast tootling around Atlanta like the old days! I loved every minute of it. You are a rock star and I am so lucky my home is the recipient of your amazing talent.
Angie better watch her snarky comments about the prozac, too. Don't think I didn't catch that Angie!

Tessa said...

looks beautiful!! adore the striped walls!

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Congrats on the feature! That is wonderful. So funny that your friend's room is painted yarmouth blue- so is our guest room (and laundry room)! I love the idea of the cream stripes! What a difference that makes. :)

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Sherry- BM Yarmouth Blue! I had the living room painted that shade in my old house and loved it! My current living room walls are beige and I want that blue back! (Or a slightly lighter version)

You have a rental? So do we but it's not on a beach so we don't get to enjoy it! It's a two family flat we rent for a full year at a time. I was showing it yesterday.

Loretta,

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Sherry-

Thought of you when I read Jody's post - on Sherry the drink! - About Last Weekend blog


Loretta

Angie said...

Well, Miss Anonymous, bring it on!

lisaroy said...

I love the update - so fresh and pretty. Amazing what introducing a bit of white can do to freshen a room :)

Unknown said...

Good Job Sherry! I love makeovers like that and I also love working on a budget... it is challenging but oh so satisfying when it is done! It sounds like you are a good friend too! ;)

Lori @ Lori May Interiors said...

Love your color palette Sherry! Have a good trip!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Fresh and inviting...I would be a happy guest there.

Elsie said...

you are way ahead of us--don't even have colors yet. Love everything!! Okay, if you're not going to post about you in Atlanta Mag then I will :)

Dayka Robinson said...

so excited about everything you're pulling together for your room! and you are wayyyy ahead of me, so i clearly need to take a minute and get moving on that piece! and what's this i hear about you being in atlanta mag????? details, details!

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

LOVE the headboard....and the striped walls!

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