Remember Liz, whose drab bedroom had her and her boy yawning? Beige, beige, more beige. Plus a lack of necessary furniture. On a student budget, they weren’t sure they could afford to make a big change. My suggestion was to spend their few hundred dollar on thrifted finds and pops of color.

Due to availability, Liz made a few tweaks to the design. When she sent me her “after” pictures, I was so excited to see that she was still able to bring in the new color scheme and gain plenty of new storage space, plus dress up her walls (previously bare)! Let’s take a look:

I love that she repeated the teal color in some of the art, and a strategically placed scarf!

Looks great Liz! More pictures of the room are over on Liz’s blog.

If you have a room that needs a little TLC, hit me up! For $75 you’ll get a customized design for your space, based on your wants, needs, likes and dislikes. You’ll get a shopping list and moodboard like the one above and I work with budgets of all sizes.

And here’s what I suggested:

While I like the layout of the room with the beds parallel, she does have more space with the beds at an L. So for the most usable space, I’d suggest the L shape is best.

1. This looks like beige, but it has just the slightest undertone of pink so on the walls it is warm and girly without being overpowering. It’s called “Wild Aster” and is from Benjamin Moore. I think painting all the walls with this would make the room feel instantly soft and welcoming.

2. This duvet is from Cath Kidston, and is reversible. You could have both beds match, or they would coordinate if one girl wanted flowers and one wanted polka dots. There are also pillows that match, but if you didn’t want to spend the extra money, any pink or light green or white sheet/pillow combo would be pretty. Match any solids to colors in the floral print.

3. A basket like this one from Pottery Barn will provide extra storage for soft items like pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. You may find something similar at a flea market or other import store.

4. This isn’t a purchase suggestion, just a display suggestion. Use the girl’s stuffed animals on their beds and that little shelf you have by the door as decoration.  Also use this time to get rid of any toys they no longer play with or have outgrown, or anything that is damaged beyond repair or soiled.

5. This narrow dresser from Ikea will be perfect for the tv in the corner (replacing the stand it is on, and possibly removing the shelf above it). You wanted hidden storage, and I think this will help a lot with small toys and some clothes. Teach the girls now how to put away their own toys and make sure they have easy access to do so.

6. I think this tree wall decal would look great on the wall that currently has the “Amber” on it. I love the simplicity and pretty shape of the tree and they won’t outgrow the design for several years.

7. I just adore these pendant flags, and I think the pastel sherbet colors will help the room not feel TOO pink! You can experiment where to hang these (use painter’s tape for trials, it won’t damage the paint) but I’d suggest over the curtains or over the beds. One would look great, but you could also use three and hang them sort of crisscross at varying heights in the corner above the beds for a whimsical circus look.

8. I would get two of these prints in 8 x 10, each with one of the girls’ names on it. They are designed to fit IKEA frames, so I’d pick up two in the same wood color as the beds and some white mats. Then I’d hang them above each girl’s bed.

I hope Megan has a lot of fun with this space! Before you know it they’ll be teenagers and want to paint the room neon green and hang up posters of Zack Efron Jr., but I hope they form fond memories of their beautiful bedroom as little girls. Thanks for letting me help!

Have a room that just isn’t coming together? I can lend a hand! My e-decorating services are just $75 per room. Email me and let’s get started!

And here’s my cheerful design plan:

LAYOUT:

Dining room should stay as-is, although I think it would be fine to move the console table a bit to the right to allow easier access to the stereo (not pictured). Another option (if it fits) is to relocate an existing bookshelf from the office to this space. You could still use the top for a buffet for entertaining but would have more flexibility with your storage below.

I noticed the piano and a guitar and assume that music is an interest to someone (or everyone!) in the house and wanted to create a space to honor that. Currently the back of the sofa is to the doors, cutting off a significant portion of square footage and rendering it basically unusable. In the meanwhile, the sofa, piano, chairs, and tv create a smaller-appearing living space by boxing that area off. Now I don’t know exact measurements, but I think this will fit. Slide the piano all the way down the wall toward the sliding doors. The sofa moves to where the piano is now. The chairs stay put (but use all three existing nesting tables together between them). The two ottomans stay put and will sit between the “living” area and the “music” area and creates a flexible, multi-use space that feels much bigger. The ottomans can be used facing the tv, or while someone is playing guitar or listening to the piano. I recommend a more neutral rug that unifies the living space and adding a coffee table to make it more functional. I know some people hate sitting sideways to the tv but I think you’d get used to it fast.

Now to explain the moodboard. Links are included.

1. Throw pillows! Keep the green leafy one that is already on the sofa and ditch the rest. I liked the idea of using a green and pink theme with a little blue thrown in. I envision the “Home” pillow on one of the armchairs and the rest on the sofa. The geometric pillow is just an example, though I do think this one would work. Just a little something different from the other florals.

2. Curtains. I, along with Katie, am a big fan of the bamboo with white sheers. Ikea has these bamboo panels that you can trim to your desired length. I’d hang them about five inches below the ceiling and trim them just under the top of the window and sliding doors to create the illusion of extra height. Hang two white panels (these have a subtle pretty pattern!) on either side of the sliding doors and either one or two on the window depending on where the console table ends up. If the curtain gets in the way of the table, try pulling the table out from the wall a bit and draping the extra fabric behind loosely. .

3. I love the dreamy art you’re drawn toward and I picked four prints that I think would look beautiful in wide white mats with white frames hung in a grid over the sofa. This one, this one, this one, and this one, all from etsy. I think 8×10 is a good size and if they aren’t listed in that size I made sure you can request a new size.

4. This natural and textured pendant light will look fantastic over your dining room table. Tie in the natural elements with a simple linen runner. I think that white gourd lamp on the console (not pictured) just needs a new shade. Try black or a beautiful dark gray. Or simply add black trim to the existing shade.

5. This is the rug I mentioned before. Make sure the front feet of the sofa and the chairs are resting on it.

6. This large and inspiring print will look great in your dining area (The current picture is just a bit too dark for the bright airy space). They shown it framed in black but I think you could do dark brown to go with your table, or even white or silver. The pinks will tie in the color scheme from the sofa.

7. One thing your living room lacks is space to put a drink, keep the remote control, or display pretty books or a floral arrangement. But coffee tables can be expensive. This Ikea version has a glass top that’s easy to clean. And you could be creative with what goes under the glass. Some poloroids? Or maybe some fabric that matches the soon-to-be-recovered piano bench.

8. This GORGEOUS lamp will add that dash of glamour, modernity, and style to the room. It should come out into the living room from either between the sofa and piano or between the sofa and tv. Try both and see what looks better. It is a little pricier at $200 AU but I think it could really make the room. And it might be hard to find something of a similar quality at much lower of a price.

Do you have a room that just isn’t coming together? Or maybe you don’t know the first place to start. I offer custom e-decor guides for $75. Email me at maggie@magchunk.com and let’s get started!

Beige comforter and walls that can't be painted? Recipe for boring.

The "office" needs some attention!

My boyfriend and I moved in to our first apartment this summer, and our bedroom has failed to come together.  Right now it’s just an unloading zone for everything b/c we don’t have very much organization/furniture.  We have yet to decide on a color scheme, so we are sort of stuck!  All we have is the bed set and a dresser that is new from Ikea.  But we could use some suggestions on perhaps a desk!  A great color scheme for the sheets/duvet, and of course something to go on our bare, bare walls !  I hate how bland the room is now, everything is basically beige…boring!  We need help!

No problem! With a dash of teal (one of Liz’s fave colors) and some vintage suggestions that will stretch their student-budget, I pulled together a design plan that I think will please both members of the household and bring their bedroom back to life!

Here’s the concept:

And here’s how it all works: (continue reading after the fold…)

1. A mirror would be a beautiful and practical addition to the area above the dresser. I love the way you’ve hung your necklaces, and I think a mirror like this (from IKEA) would fit nicely to the left of the necklaces. You could find one pretty easily at a vintage store. I also like the idea of doing your own frosted design (this one has these flowery things). Maybe your boyfriend (he’s a graphic designer) has a cool design that would look good. It’s easy to add etched detail yourself. Eddie Ross has a good how-to.

2 & 3. These storage pieces will look great on your new desk and add some function. Since they are unfinished, they will be easy to paint to coordinate with the rest of the room. I’d suggest either a teal that matches the bedspread, a dark gray, or black.

4. Desks can run for a few hundred dollars new (at least), but I think you could find a really cool vintage desk in some of the thrift stores and junk stores in Vancouver. Look for one at about $40, and make sure it’s sturdy and solid wood (as opposed to veneer, which would be harder to repaint). You might also check local schools and colleges for surplus sales, as well as Craigslist. When you find your winner, sand and repaint it in a pretty white. Try Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s white, or just choose a pint from the “oops” section at your local hardware store. They might have a pretty shade of white for very cheap. Add a protective finish (Young House Love recommends Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish in “Clear Gloss” and they’re usually pretty spot-on). Borrow a chair from the dining room or snag a simple used one for about $5 and give it a coat of paint.

5. This pretty bowl will look lovely on your dresser. The blue will tie in the color scheme from the rest of the room, and you can use it for loose change, bracelets, or anything small you want to keep off the top of your dresser.

6. I definitely think you should frame some of your own photographs and prints of your boyfriend’s designs. The bedroom is a great place to add personal touches. As for the frames, I’d actually recommend some like these (from West Elm): thin black frames with wide mats. I also like the variety of sizes. To get frames inexpensively, look for coupons for your local craft store (like Joann’s or Michael’s), or watch for sales. Often these places will have frames up to 40% off. Discount stores like TJ Maxx may also have inexpensive frames, and check out HomeGoods across the river in Portland. Your budget includes about $45 for frames, and about $10 for printing (I like Snapfish.com for photo printing).

7. This beautiful duvet is by the Dwell Studio for Target line, and you can currently get the comforter and matching sham covers for $76, or you can get the same design as a duvet cover with matching shams for only $50. I think the teal and gray will look great in this space, and I like that the design is a floral but still pretty gender-neutral. White or cream sheets (as well as gray or even chocolate brown) would look great with these.

8. Hard to tell from the pictures, but I think we actually have the same Ikea lamps! I’m not wild about mine either, but live with them until I can afford the outrageously expensive lamps I seem to be drawn toward. I do know that most Ikea lamps are pretty easy to switch out the lampshades. In the picture above I combined the base of the lamp you have with a silk shade from Target (although you could find these many places). I like using a shorter and wider shade in a rectangle (will fit best on your little side tables). I also think a very soft gray shade will look good (the one shown is white).

9. Since you asked for throw pillows, I wanted to point you toward this etsy seller who makes beautiful pillow covers (note: due to international shipping, these covers must be ordered before Nov. 14 to arrive by Christmas, just noticed that on the site!). You could find an insert for cheap just about anywhere; I prefer down, but if you have allergies, a synthetic fill would be fine too.

She likes the furniture, her reading nook (that needs a new chair) but hates how dark the room feels. She wants a warm relaxing retreat but doesn’t want something too bright or dramatic. “I have to sleep in there,” she said. She has about $500 to $700 to spend. To complement and refresh her current furnishings, here’s what I suggest:

First off, I think Gabriell should keep the wall color. It’s really unique and does evoke that warmth she is hoping for. It just needs a little lightening up, which we’ll do with white accents and reflective objects.

1. To add a little spice to her space, I think this wonderful fabric will make amazing new drapes to set off your sliding glass doors. Just stitch them up and replace the lifeless green ones, and leave the existing sheers. I also recommend an additional 3 yards to reupholster the bench and make a few throw cushions.

2. Two of these inexpensive lamps from IKEA will light up your bedside when placed on the existing end tables on either side of the bed. A little symmetry goes a long way. The existing lamp will look great in your recently redesigned living room. The new lamps have a textured shade that will add to the natural feeling of the room, and the height is more appropriate for the tall bed. To help keep the bed from feeling so massive, buy about 9 yards of soft sheer fabric to drape over the built-in canopy. You’ll want it to have a little drape over the head of the bed, but still reach past the mattress on the sides. The bed won’t feel as dark and masculine.

3. This sweet little chair will look great in the nook placed between the two windows. Add a rectangular cushion made of the floral fabric.

4. Speaking of the nook, I think Gabriell should keep the bamboo blinds she has for privacy, but soften them up by hanging a simple white sheer curtain on each window and tying it off to the side to frame the chair.

5. This floor mirror in white will help bounce a lot of light around the room and lighten up any dark shadows. Try putting it next to the sliding doors (where the nightstand and wall mirror are now).

The existing wall mirror will look great with a new coat of white paint. Hang it over the dresser where it will then be in a great position to reflect the natural light and the floral curtain, which will continue that patten on the opposite side of the room. Move the large round candle sconce above the tv, which will help pull the attention upwards and away from the electronics. I also think she should gather up some of the pretty white figurines and pottery she has around the room and cluster a few of them together on top of the dresser. They’ll be showcased, and as a group will look purposeful and add another shot of white.

6. Gabriell requested a new ceiling fan to replace the rickety one, and I think this one is pretty sleek. And at only $99, you can’t do much better on the price!

7. NOT PICTURED: To lighten up the corner between her bed and dresser, I think it would be fun to create a custom art piece. Pick up a 3×4 foot canvas at the local craft store (about $25). Paint it a pretty creamy white (think “flax”). Use a pencil to lightly write out a favorite poem, quote, or song lyric in your prettiest handwriting (or recruit a friend with nice cursive). Paint over the pencil with a pure white (so you’re left with white over cream). It’ll be a subtle tone-on-tone painting with a truly personal meaning for just a fraction of the cost of buying “real” art. Added bonus: it will bring a lot of light to that now-dark corner. See this post where I created something similar for my living room using stencils.

Cost breakdown:

Floral Fabric: $182 for 7 yards
Lamps: $20 for two
Chair: $140
White Curtains: $24 for two, plus $30 for hardware
Floor Mirror: $100
Ceiling Fan: $100
Canopy Fabric: $63 (estimating $7 a yard)
Art Supplies: about $35
TOTAL COST: $694

Here’s the before:

And here’s what I suggest:

The only furniture that had to stay was the sofa and a new cabinet from IKEA… but even the sofa could go if I found something else. I sent her a link to a heavily discounted midcentury style sofa, so we’ll see if that worked out! Besides the sofa and the cost of painting she could spend about $1000 to $1500.

1. Gabriell sent me a bunch of inspiration pictures, and a common thread I noticed was blue walls. So I chose this light blue, “Open Sky” from Martha Stewart Colors. I see this filling the whole space, with the dining room going two shades darker to make a cozy place to wine and dine, and help define it as a separate space.

2. The other color we’re going for is yellow, as Gabriell mentioned she’d daydreamed about painting her door yellow. Go for it girl! And buy up some of this yellow and white fabric (about 10 yards) to stitch up simple curtains for the french doors (with white sheers behind). You’ll have some extra to make an extra pillow (any cleaners or alterations place can whip one up for you), or even a simple runner for your dining room table.

3. There isn’t a ton of space in the entryway, and I like the shoe shelf she already has. Paint that the same yellow as the door, then add these cute hooks from Anthropologie and hang them under or on either side of…

4…. this mirror from Ikea. Can’t beat the price, and the wavy sides are pretty and feminine.

5. This pendant light is from West Elm, and I think it will add a great modern feel to the entry way.

6. Gabriell already picked up this PS Cabinet from IKEA and it will look great in the corner with the TV on it. It’s also a convenient place to stash media equipment.

7. Two of these sheepskin rugs will be a warm and cozy addition when place underneath…

8. … this sleek glass coffee table from CB2 (I have the same one and I love it!). The simple lines don’t add too much bulk to the already bulky sofa, and will go nicely with a mid-century style piece when she finds the perfect thing.

9. A few colorful throw pillows will add to your color scheme and make the couch seem less beige. These are both from etsy and are under $30.

10. The dining room needs an update. Sell or freecycle that old dining set and get four of these chairs ($50 a piece). Another idea would be to get four thrifted chairs (for as low as $10 or $15 a piece) and paint them all black to tie them together.

11. I knew this table would look phenomenal in Gabriell’s space as soon as I saw it. It’s actually four-legged, and is called the Teepee Table. It will immediately bring some swanky midcentury style to Gabriell’s dining space. To top it off, pick up six inexpensive frames and frame some black and white photos, pages from an old coffee table book, or calender. 8×10 photos will look best, with three on top and three on bottom. Or you could blow up some pictures of your own for a personal touch. Lose all the extra stuff–you want the focus to be on relaxing and enjoying a nice meal!

12. This inexpensive pendant light will bring that leaf motif from the curtains into the dining room and will keep the table from looking too vintage or dated. Gabrielle also asked me to keep an eye out for a chic ceiling fan, and I found quite a few options at Home Depot, so she should check those out for one that will suit her needs.

Cost breakdown (minus paint and labor):

1. Curtain fabric: $80 (plus approx another $50 for sheers and hardware)
2. Hooks (3): $24
3. Mirror: $30
4. Pendant light: $130
5. Sheepskins (2): $80 (there may be a smaller, cheaper, size in-store).
6. Coffee Table: $200
7. Pillows (2 shown): $60
8. Dining chairs (4): $200
9. Dining Table: $370
10. Pendant light: $30
11. Ceiling fan: $100 (nice options at $100 and under).
12. Frames/photos blown up for dining room and/or living room: approx $100

TOTAL: $1, 354 (plus applicable tax and shipping).

When reader Ellen won the custom room makeover giveaway, she sent me her pictures almost immediately. And while her and her hubby’s living room/dining room space looks neat and functional, she says the space doesn’t reflect their taste. Ikea furniture from hubby’s bachelor days, and a giant red wall that was there when they moved in.

Our living/dining room is really the only “living space” in our house.  This means it needs to be extremely functional since it is a relatively small space.  The main things that happen in this space are eating, tv watching and web surfing.  It is also used for entertaining and hanging out when we have guests. I want this space to be warm, inviting, and comfortable.  I don’t want to worry about things getting ruined but I do want it to have some “fancy” touches.  I want to be able to LIVE in this space. Our living room has a two story vaulted ceiling.  It also has a fireplace that we love…although it is a little “builder basic” for my taste.  Also, we have three pretty much floor to ceiling windows on the front of the house.  It is also connected to our entryway and open staircase.  From the open hallway above, you can look down over the space.  (Hopefully that makes sense, not sure how to really describe it!)

Let’s take a look:

Tall windows but too-small accessories

Bachelor pad mural and that red wall!

The other walls are basic builder white

Here’s what I suggest:

Ellen had already suggested painting, so I suggested painting the entire space a soft off-white. The space is small, and right now the dark wall when you walk in seems to close in on the room. A creamy shade (extended through the hall and upstairs too) will be warm and traditional. The sofa, tv stand, secretary desk (love), and coffee table are staying, as well as a beautiful blue chair that was Ellen’s great grandmother’s. In the dining room, the table and chairs look nice but are uncomfortable. Since the table is abnormally low, the chairs leave little room for legs. We talked about getting new chairs, but I think saving up and getting a nice round pedestal table (with leaves) and matching chairs at a later date would be smartest. They usually eat at the couch anyway. The space is functional, but some accessories and accent pieces are needed.

1. Ellen’s large fireplace needs a focal point that can provide balance. The photos and accessories on it right now aren’t noticed. This big black mirror from Target has enough heft to look purposeful. Ellen has picked out some shimmery tile to re-do the front of the mantel that will go nicely with the cream walls and add some sparkle. Filling the fireplace with candles will look pretty and keep it useful when it’s too hot for a fire.

2. Two of these hurricane vases will add more sparkle and interest to the mantel, especially when filled with rotating displays. Ellen, see my post on 50 Things to Put in Apothecary Jars for ideas. The jars that are on the mantel now will be pretty in the bedroom or bath, but they are too small for the fireplace.

3 & 4. Ellen desperately wants to be rid of the photo mural that her husband had before she moved in. The horizontal look works though, and adds depth to the small room, so putting up a picture ledge (two side by side) will add flexibility to the display when Ellen gets bored. Since Ellen likes the idea of keeping red accents, a grouping of black and white photos with just a few pops of red will add a subtle color scheme. These two photos are from etsy, but family photos or any nature prints would work too. The photos from above the fireplace, matted and reframed, would look great over here (Ellen’s husband took them in London).

5. The side tables are too short for the couch and are old Ikea cheapies. They want something that looks a little more traditional and has some storage. The white space-ship lamp can go, and these tables from Pier 1 will flank the sofa, topped with two rubbed broze lamps with champagne shades, taken from the bedroom. The shelves below would look great with baskets or a stack of books.

6. This pillow is to reflect the color of Ellen’s great grandmother’s chair, and also the color of an existing throw pillow on the couch. Another pillow she already has is green, and a red pillow is on the blue chair. Next to the blue chair, Ellen just found a small pedestal table at a thrift store that she will paint black to match the other furniture.

7. Ellen really wanted a pattern in the room, and I chose this floral pattern from Joann Fabric. It pulls together the blues, reds, some green and the cream that she already has in the space. This will look beautiful as drapes flanking the front window (over sheers that cover all three windows), and mirrored the same way over the currently bare window in the dining room. An extra yard or two would make a few throw pillows also, and tie the look together. Because the window is so large, she may have to sew them herself (or hire someone to do it).

8. Lastly, I know that Ellen really loves monograms, so I found this “A” (their last inital) on etsy. It would look great propped up on the mantel or even hanging opposite the clock above the tv.

Ellen, I can’t wait to see how it looks!

I’m very excited to announce that I’m now offering design consulting services online. You’ll tell me what your issues are, send in some photos, give me a budget, and I’ll come back with a shopping list and even tell you how to arrange the room.

To kick off this exciting venture, I’m offering a free room makeover to TWO lucky readers.

To win: Leave a comment below and tell me a little about the room that is giving you trouble. Be prepared to answer a simple Q&A about your space within one week of winning (including budget), and submit photos. So start brainstorming! I can’t wait to see your responses!

You must have a valid email address to win, but you don’t have to have a blog. Blog or tweet the giveaway for a bonus entry (you must notify me of your additional entries).  Winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, July 16 at noon!

(Want to skip the giveaway and just pay already? Find out more at the “makeovers” tab above!)

UPDATE: COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.