This room started out stinky, and quickly morphed to messy…
We stained the floor that dark brown color after we ripped out the carpet, but we did a bad job, and craved a lighter look, so we sanded it back again and just used clear Varathane to seal them the second time around…
Around that same time, we discovered wood planks inside the closet, and decided to go Tasmanian Devil on the drywall…
Ah, the memories.
Now here we are, five years and LOTS of elbow grease later, and the room is finally DONE!
Ok, maybe not completely done. We still want to swap out the door and doorknob on the right in the photo above with something more cottage-y.
(PS- That’s the reading room back there in the distance, and this is the only place in our house that you can stand and see one completely finished room from another- ha!) #FixerUpper
Like the title of this blog post says, it’ll function as both Kevin’s office and our guest bedroom, so we basically just split the room in half and created separate areas for each “room”.
We tucked Kev’s work area in the most hidden corner of the room, that way, if when he makes a mess, it’s not the first thing folks see when they stroll past the door.
(Especially the folks who have offices on the other side of the hall from this one. #HeeHee)
Brian the Carpenter custom built Kev’s desk- A) because it was much less expensive to build it than it would’ve been to buy one this size, and B) because we could decide the exact dimensions.
His musical gear fits nice and neat inside the shelves, and he looks forward to finding a keyboard to use on the (currently empty) desktop on the left in the photo above.
It was pretty simple construction, and Brian and I just kind of dreamed it up as we went along. The front and top are wood, and everything else is MDF.
My favorite part are the cord channels smarty pants Brian added to the inside/back walls.
He drilled holes everywhere Kev thought he might use a piece of equipment with a cord attached to it, and instead of having to look at hang-y, messy cords everywhere, they’ll all lay inside the channels! #LoveThat
Kev hung his “vision board” on the wall straight in front of his chair, and placed a wooden desk organizer to the right of his computer. It came from a local flea market a few years back, and I picked up the Lettered Cottage-y notebook at Walmart the other day…
My favorite part of this side of the room is a teeny tiny accessory, mounted to the closet door next to his desk…
Shortly after I met Kevin, I told him about a story I had heard about how John Lennon met Yoko Ono. It was at one of her art shows. She had set up a ladder that led to a painting, which was hanging on the ceiling. It was a white canvas, suspended by chains, and there was a magnifying glass hanging on the end of it. Lennon said, “I climbed the ladder, looked through the spyglass, and in tiny little letters it said, YES. It so was positive.”
I love passing that kind of positivity onto him, and I hope it helps to remind him that he can do it whenever he needs a little reminder.
He keeps his guitar picks in an old Bingo tin, and because he’s a greenery guy, we also popped an easy-to-take-care-of plant on his desk.
The pencils came from Pottery Barn ions ago, and because he’s also a pencil guy, we plopped a bunch of those and a pencil sharpener (that looks like a camera!) on his desktop, too.
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see him in there, surrounded by all his gear and guitars…
Music is his passion and I’m beyond thrilled that all of his favorite things are finally out of storage, dusted off, and alive and crankin’ in his room!
We pulled in a little flea market stool (that was previously in the kitchen) so that when I go in to listen to what he’s working on, or need to run something by him, etc. – I’ve got a sweet little spot to sit for a spell.
Over on the other side of the room, I had fun pulling together a camp-y/cottage-y sleeping space for our guests…
I went with a bunch of different patterns and colors that appealed to both me and my mister’s sensibilities.
We haven’t had an overnight visitor yet, but Kit-Cat l-o-v-e, loves it…
…and that makes us smile every time we see it!
And speaking of smile-makers…I’m cuckoo for the fronts and backs of the euro pillows Kev got me for my birthday last month…
Cable knit on the front, plaid on the back? Yes, please! Canvas on the front, navy blue corduroy on the back? Yes, yes, yes! #Scrumpdillyicious
I’ve already blogged about the closet doors and bedside tables, and we’re still pleased as punch with how those turned out, too…
Brian the Carpenter did such a great job bringing our vision to life.
(Brian: We can’t thank you enough for being so much fun to work with on this project. We’ve enjoyed getting to know you and your son, and we feel blessed to call y’all our friends!)
And since this post is all about the finishing touches, I thought I’d include photos of some things in the room I’ve already blogged about, too. The ceiling light:
The wall sconces:
The window treatments:
(I cut the tabs off and used curtain rings instead!)
Last but not least, here’s a quick little video we put together last night…just for fun…
Clearly it was way past my bedtime.
Here’s a resource list of everything we used in the room:
wall paint: Roycroft Mist Gray (Sherwin Williams)
ceiling and trim paint: Moonlight White (Benjamin Moore)
closet door paint: We had the red paint matched at Home Depot from Para Paints, “Orchard” paint sample card. (Orchard paint is only available in Canada.) Here’s the formula we used:
We brushed on (and immediately wiped off) some Mocha-colored translucent color glaze (from Lowes) after the red paint had dried to tone it down a bit and to bring out the imperfections in the doors.
floor stain: clear, satin Varathane (Lowes)
desk paint: “Graphite” (Annie Sloan)
ceiling and closet planks: Lowes
closet doors and doorknobs: Southern Accents (Cullman, Alabama)
curtains: Lenda (Ikea)
curtain rods: Walmart
curtain rings: Walmart
blinds: Home Depot
wall sconces: Schoolhouse Electric
ceiling light: Barn Light Electric
bedside corbels: Junk Bonanza (Shakopee, Minnesota)
carpet tiles: “Soft Spoken” in Linen (Flor)
bed: used to belong to Kevin’s parents
white quilt: Pottery Barn (Pick-Stitch)
blue and white striped blanket: Schoolhouse Electric
brown and white, buffalo check blanket: Schoolhouse Electric
euro pillow #1: Schoolhouse Electric
euro pillow #2: Schoolhouse Electric
bolster pillow: Schoolhouse Electric
burlap pillow: The Nest on Etsy
ticking stripe pillow case: Pottery Barn (discontinued)
stool: J&G Flea Market (Prattville, Alabama)
desk lamp: Target
“Oh How I Love Thee” burlap art: Burlap Art by Elizabeth on Etsy
bingo tin: Etsy
glass pencil container: Pottery Barn (discontinued)
pencils: Pottery Barn (discontinued)
blue “I love you” pen: ?
camera pencil sharpener: My Funky Camera
wood desk organizer: J&G Flea Market (Prattville, Alabama)
“yes” plaque: Casa.com
desk chair: Office Depot
desk baskets: ? (we’ve had them forever!)
baskets above closet doors: Pottery Barn (discontinued)
dog art: Shop Ten 25
guitar mounts: Sam Ash
It’s been a fun room to re-do, and we look forward to tackling another one soon. In the meantime, visit the Our House tab at the top of our blog for more makeover madness!
Wanna read about our home office/guest bedroom redo from the beginning? Here are links to all the posts we published along the way!
5/8/12-Â Wall Color
5/21/12-Â Closet Doors
5/23/12-Â Closet Construction
5/25/12- Closet Construction (2)
5/28/12-Â Closet Update And Ceiling Construction
5/30/12-Â Cottage Style Trim
6/20/12- Time To Paint
7/ 16/12-Â Schoolhouse Electric Wall Sconces
7/18/12- Barn Light Electric Sky Chief Ceiling Light
Oh my heavens. I love everything about this room! I couldn’t wait to see it all come together; it never ceases to amaze me how you can pull together a room! I was literally telling my husband and mom all about how talented you are at making a room distinct, yet tying it in with the rest of the house. Well done, my friend!
It is charming! You did an amazing job of combining purposes in the room while keeping it beautiful. We also have a room with guitars on the wall, but the guitar picks are everywhere. I love the keeping them in the tin idea!
I was curious how would that industrial light fixture from the other day would fit in the room. Turns out it looks great together with his gear. I love how you used a custom desk to put in all that mixer and pre-amp in a snug fit. The cable holes and channels are definitely a great touch; reduces the clutter, and all – even when he’s working. Congratulations, the room turned out great!
So cute! been waiting for the final reveal for 5 years! nah, just kidding. but it is so adorable. love the red closets – those are so perfect and the little tables! congrats!
Absolutely gorgeous, just like I knew it would be. Any guest would be comfy in there and Kevin can rock out. Perfect!
So cute! I love the red doors. I love the fact that you can “see” the potential in things…like the wood floor under the carpet and the wood planks under the drywall! (My son would love the guitars!)
Wow the energy in this post is crazy- the room looks great. Rock and roll!
One of my favorite comments EVER! Thank you, Lisa! 😀
Wow, true rock ‘n roll! You did an AWESOME job in decorating! Love every detail… and how everything matches together. You inspire me Layla!!! Congrats!
Inge x
Beautiful. I’m in love with the closets! I’m a little confused I thought this was supposed to be the future kiddos room?
Thanks, Crystal! We need the room to function as an office and bedroom for now, so until there’s a kiddo in the picture, we’re going to make use of it how we need to now, and it’ll be an easy transition if it’s ever used just as a bedroom. 🙂
Looks wonderful!…I love the layout, the details and the overall coming together of this room!!
It looks lovely! I finally got around to painting my ceiling boards. I tried the stick-the-tongue-and-groove-together-and-then-paint method but it was a fail. First of all, it would require quite a few saw horses and space to be able to paint all the boards at once. I was only able to do 4 at a time because all of my saw horses are different heights. Second, it really didn’t make a difference when it came time to install them onto the ceiling. It wasn’t any easier because our ceilings are so uneven anyways, and that made it difficult to line up the tongue and groove. A few other factors that we had against us were that we didn’t use the nice flexible boards from Lowes, but instead used the actual wood paneling that’s meant for the walls of a log cabin or something, that we found at Menards. We also let them sit in our garage for a few months before starting this project because we got quite the surprise when one day I started to get sick and found out that it was actually morning sickness that didn’t go away for 2 months. But in the end, it looks wonderful and I’m so happy that we did it. I guess when you’re trying to do home renovation by yourselves, it’s just a constant learning curve!
Next on our to-do list is to start the baby’s room. At the moment it’s a junk/storage room that needs new gypsum because we took out a bunch of built-in 70’s closets that were way too big for the space, and 70’s wood paneling that was glued to the wall.
One last thing, were you planning on adding a glass top to the desk? I think it’d be kinda neato fritto to be able to put pictures, paper keepsakes, or other inspirational flat items under the glass. Plus, it would protect the desk top. I love it when things are both functional and beautiful!
Sarah M.
Yay! And congratulations, Sarah! We’re not going to be using glass on Kev’s desktop, but that is a fun idea! 🙂
This looks wonderful! It seems like you’ve changed a few things several times, like the colors of the wall. I hope you feel that all the hard work has paid off, the room truly looks amazing.
Love it all! Also I noticed you don’t have the quilted ticking stripe quilt on the bed anymore. Are you looking for a good home for it, by any chance?????
The room looks absolutely great!!! You both did such a wonderful job…comfy, stylish and functional. Very inspirational!! Thank you for sharing all about the journey to get you to this point and all the resources you used. I was wondering if you could share the height of your baseboards. My hubby and I are in the middle of a remodel and can’t decide how tall to go. I really like the look of yours. Thank you!!!
Layla, it is just GORGEOUS. I love everything about it! Looks like a room Kevin can really be creative in. 🙂
Great look & I love the dual bedside closets & basket cubbies. I do believe I am the most impressed with the The Lonely Position of Neutral~ the record, the display, & the fantastic title! I’ll never think of a neutral color palette the same way again 🙂 Congrats on all the accomplishments, both musical & decoratively!
Wow, Layla!!!!!! It’s stunning! I love everything about it!
When are you accepting reservations from guests? 😉
LOVE this room! Your 5 years paid off. I love how it has two separate functions, yet still flows.
And a HUGE thanks for posting the link to the guitar mounts. I can hopefully now talk my husband into showcasing his the same way.
Kit-Cat!!! I love it! The whole room looks fantastic!
Looks fabulous!!!! Must feel sooo good to have it done! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Love! Love! Love! My sons have informed me that they are ready for new rooms and I have been racking my brain for something manly and cool, inviting but not juvenile. I may be stealing many ideas from Kev’s new space.
Hey sweet girl! 🙂 I just realized I have the same light fixtures going up in my window seat area I’m building in my dining room! (just a different shade) 🙂
Just so you know….we’re still extremely giddy from our texting session this morning! 😀 Love YOU and thanks again! 😉
Missy
Great changeover, guys! LOVE LOVE LOVE! ;}
Thank you, Ashley! 😀
love it, love it, love it! Theres nothing else i can say. What a great transformation. Its so bright and such a cozy place as a home office. I’d love to stay in that room forever 😉
Love the room ! It came out amazing. My husband would love a studio space space like that. One day , for now its as cool as it can be in our unfinished basement. I had to laugh when I saw the Trust Company photo, my husband’s band played with them a few years back. Awesome band !!
Thanks, Jennifer! And how neat that your hubby’s band played with my hubby’s band! Where was the show?
I’m not sure exactly where they played together. Our how long ago they played with Trust Company. My husbands name is Charlie his band was Downstage or Vessel at the time . haha he’s played in a few bands over the years.
OMGoodness! Kevin (and the rest of his Trust Co. band mates) LOVE Vessl! Kev says he’s been in your basement with Johnny and Charlie! 😀
Small world. haha. I thought I met him a few years back. Isn’t that horrible i couldn’t remember which band it was. We have two little ones can’t remember anything anymore. LOL . So he seen our crazy little studio space. I bet thats when we had all John’s gear . John has an amazing studio. Hoping we can finish our basement in the next year or so. Than he can build a real studio down there. He always recording bands . I Found your kitchen on Pinterest. Im actually painting my kitchen like yours in the Fall . I love the white and gray! Your rooms are amazing u guys do a great job !
Small world indeed! That is so crazy, Jennifer! Kev says to tell Charlie hello, and I hope you’ll keep me posted on the kitchen. I wanna see your before and after pics! 😀
I will ! He is gonna think this is so crazy! When Im ready to start the project I ‘ll keep you updated. . .Its a lot of cabinets. My kitchen very similar to your original kitchen. I’ve been telling Charlie to read the tutorial on how to do molding on our cabinets. He probably would have seen his picture. So funny!
I love the how the room came together. The final touches are great.
The room looks GREAT!! Love the red doors – oh, and the Annie Sloan graphite paint on the desk!
Enjoyed your video as well!
LOVE this room! Great job on room planning, the pieces all seem to work in perfect. I’m in the love with the closets to the left and right of the bed. The splash of red is a great finishing touch.
Keep the great ideas coming.
OMG, I’m freaking out – your husband was in the band, Trust Co.???!!! I freaking love that band…I have that CD. That’s crazy!! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and had no idea. Wow.
Oh, and the room looks awesome 🙂
Layla and Kevin and adorable pets!! You have done a fabulous job in this room as you have done in all your renovated rooms. You two are a great team and your eye for detail is so evident. Thanks for sharing your beauty (inside and out) and talent with us.
Patsy
It’s fabulous–just love your style! From a feng shui perspective you might consider putting a little table top mirror (or something reflective) by the plant and lamp (or somewhere appropriate so he can see movement) so Kevin is never caught off-guard by someone approaching him from behind since his back it to the door. Just something to think about! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Oh Layla! It’s so incredibly wonderful! I love every single thing about this room. I’m looking for a new paint color and yours looks great, but I went to SW for a swatch and it’s an old color that they don’t have sample cards for anymore. They can still mix the color but I couldn’t see it “in real life”. Boo! I’ll look for something close. Nice job!
Jennifer,
Are you talking about the Roycroft Mist Gray? They do not have it in the normal color swatches, but I was able to find it in the idea brochures they have. It’s in the “America’s Heritage” exterior historic colors brochure. It’s an 8.5×11 brochure. Hopefully your SW store has one…if not, I’ll see what I can do 😉
Thanks Krystal! Yes, the guy looked through every fan deck they had and couldn’t find it. I’ll swing by today and look for that brochure. Thanks so much!
Hi guys! Are you on Twitter? I’ll tweet a pic of the Roycroft Mist Gray swatch in the fan deck I have if so! 🙂
Hi! The number for Roycroft Mist Gray is SW2844. Hope that helps! 🙂
It’s a wonderful room…the ‘yes’ on the door is perfect! The video was fun to watch and I love that you included a resource list.
The video was a great touch and brought the whole post together. I liked that you tied a bunch of posts into the grand finale!
I would love to hear you thoughts on working with the Annie Sloan paint. Did you use her wax as well or a different brand? I’m wanting to paint my husbands desk black…so just curious 😉
What color and paint product did you use on your red doors!!! I love the color…but finding the right red is tricky. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
My take-away from this is…. “If you dig, do it!!!! I love it! 🙂
Love it especially those red doors! And how adorable is Kit-Cat! By the way that name rocks!! He loves his new room clearly and believes it is all for him.
Ohmygoodness. My husband and I just bought our first house and re-did the 800 square feet of floor… I saw the picture of you applying your Varathane and it SO reminded me of us the last few weeks (we even used the same Varathane applier!). We were also craving a lighter floor than the water-stained, dark orange mess going on everywhere in the house. So, so, SOOO happy with the result.
You guys have awesome taste.
Really like the room this is the dilemma facing my partner and i when we move the need of a spare bedroom but my want of a music room so i want to thank you for giving me some real inspiration and a solution. Also being a guitar head myself i have to say i am loving the guitars 🙂 especially the wood finished one.
Wow! Fantastic. The colors are perfect. I really love the red accent color, and the electric guitars were a really cool touch. You two are amazing!
This room is a perfect example of blending the sexes. The room feels masculine and then there are small feminine touches that light up the space!
Wonderful room reveal Layla and Kevin. Just discovered your blog! I love the exposed wood planks and refinished hardwood floors. The ceiling compliments the design well. Lots of great detail in this space!
P.S. Also a Trust Company fan!
You guys are beautiful people! Your work is simply amazing!
Three years ago, I moved into a stacked little house that was hideous to enter the toilet room, the rest wasnt so bad but in dire need of work from its 40-year old origins. The catch? $280 monthly rent, a four-minute bike ride to work and pre-approved ‘any ok’ upgrading!
I had minor surgery requiring a one-week hospitalization scheduled just before moving, so I hustled my ideas (didn’t want to see that awful pit of a toilet ever again!) in my terrible Japanese to my friend’s husband and carpenter team and returned to a changed home!
Now I’m ready for more up-grading but I want to do it all myself, thanks to you guys, and a few misses from my miscommunications in the first round and keep maybe half the $20,000 I previously paid. No idea where to start or what I want yet, but just want to thank your amazing love of life that oooozes from your page! Thank you x10,000x!
Hi! Room looks great.
Do you remember where you go the rug? (Did I miss that?)
Thank you!
Hi Sheryl! They’re FLOR carpet tiles. For more info about them, just click the “carpet tiles” link in the Resources list at the bottom of this post. 🙂
Hey! Quick question. I noticed in one of your planked ceiling posts there were existing can lights in the old popcorn ceilings. . . Is there a special tool you used to cut an opening for them in the planks? We’re renovating a 1905 farm house and want to do planked ceilings but our electrician has already installed our lighting. Any tips would be great!
Thanks!!
Hi!
Ok, LOVE this room!! The red doors are my favorite along with the desk. That chalk paint color “looks” like a very dark blue to me…. but on the link it looks black…. Can you confirm it’s true color please??
Thanks so much!! You two are too talented!!
~Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! It’s black paint. 🙂
Hi Layla,
I was wondering what the dimensions of your rooms are. I think that would help me decide if some of your ideas would work for me. Maybe you have them already posted somewhere? Anyway, thanks, and great job!!
I love your website! Just a question… what did you use to make the floorplan on your ‘our house’ tab interactive/clickable? Its so handy!