DECOR

THE GUEST ROOM

Our guest room, and also part craft room.  It’s also been my son’s room, a toy room, a junk room, and a cabinet painting room (remember the kitchen?).  I don’t really have any before pictures because there wasn’t much to see.  We had a really old desk in here before.  It naturally became a painting spot for my girls, and I used it for crafting and gift wrapping.  It was pretty gross and the size was all wrong, so it made it’s way to bulk trash.  Often people take our bulk trash, even hopeless destroyed looking items but nobody touched the old desk.  Ouch.

I had my eye on way over priced desk from Restoration Hardware but that wasn’t practical.  I’m all for splurging but this was not the area for a splurge.  I saw what we did to the last desk!  I decided we should build a pipe desk.

Guest room decor

We first purchased the 74 inch HAMMARP Oak countertop from Ikea.  Then Brian came up with a design for the pipe legs and support.  He built the 2 separate sections and before he screwed it into the wood I spray painted the legs with Rust-oleum bronze spray paint.

While taking this photo I discovered my girls have already wiped paint under the desk.  At least they were nice enough to wipe it on the bottom and not the top.  I bet they thought I would never find out.

Guest room decor

I used Amy Howard clear wax for the wood top.  I could have used a clear coat or just left it alone, I just happened to have some leftover wax.  When the girls paint I try to put down some poster board or an old shower curtain, but if some does get on the table I’ll either live with it, or just sand and re-wax the top.

Guest room decor

As for my guests if they are anything like me, they hang certain clothing items up and live out of their suitcase the rest of the time.  When we travel it seems we never have enough surface space.

Guest room decor

So now my guests can throw their suitcase and any other items on top of the desk.  Until I clean and organize the closet I’ve set up a small foldable clothing rod.

Guest room decor

I went with my trusty parson chairs for desk chairs.  When we do something messy we just pull the slipcover off.

Guest room decor

You know me, I had to throw some French into the room.  This large oversized map of Paris fit perfectly over the pipe desk.  Sometimes I find myself walking upstairs just to stare at it.

If you read my Formal Living Room update you saw this old armoire but in brown.  It’s not a high quality antique, it was starting to look a bit scruffy so I painted it with chalk paint.  I used Amy Howard chalk paint in Selznick Gray, then clear wax and silver spray paint for the hardware.

Guest room decor

This old armoire holds a lot of memories like my wedding dress, costumes, uniforms, and items from loved ones, and the Thomas the Train set in the bottom drawer.  I can never part with Thomas the Train, even I still like to play with him sometimes.

Guest room decor

Painted ceilings are my favorite, and I had just enough left over Palladian Blue Benjamin Moore paint from my bedroom.  At the store the Palladian Blue paint card looks kind of green, it’s so weird.  For the longest time I wouldn’t even select it, but it’s very much blue in our home.  The chandelier was formerly brown and Tuscan from our old house that I painted white.  If you have trouble getting the chain to paint nicely use a cord cover like I did.

Guest room decor

I’ve always loved daybeds.  I had one growing up, part couch and part bed, it’s just too cute.  I found a bronze daybed with a trundle for more sleeping space.  It’s been a great purchase.   I added gray and white chevron curtains from Target.  I purchased 96 inch and hemmed them up.

Guest room decor

I followed the Sits Girls tutorial and made paper flowers for over the bed.  You can see the tutorial at HERE.

Guest room decor

I used a thumb tack to hang the flower on the wall.

Guest room decor

A fun little tray from Kate Spade, I love my Kate Spade.

Guest room decor

I love this table for wrapping gifts!  I have all my wrapping paper in the closet up here anyway so it’s convenient.  I’ve got plenty of room to spread everything out.  I love coordinating all the different wrapping paper colors and patterns….it’s an addition.

Guest room decor

Guest room decor

Guest room decor

Guest room decor

There you have it…part guest room, craft room, gift wrapping room, and when the kids need a quiet get away spot it’s good for homework or reading.  We make this room work hard that’s for sure!

Now if only I could tackle the closet.  It’s crammed with a million items.  Games, old toys, luggage, gift wrap, home decor, I even have a trampoline in there!  I’ve thought about purchasing an Elfa Closet system from the Container Store, but for those closet systems to work you must be able to get in the closet.  I’m a long way from that!

Laura

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