Makeover Monday: My Wild Side

So, this isn't a typical Makeover Monday where I paint a piece of furniture and call it a day. This is an evolving makeover, but the biggest change happened this weekend...

I was in Home Goods with my mom and Drew on Friday and spotted a couple of things that would be just right to give a pop to the guest room (goodness knows that room needed some help!). I came home and immediately said to AJ: 'I found the perfect thing for the guest room.' So he told me to sell something to make the money for it. :) Don't you know that I ran straight down to our basement and found things I could post on Craigslist immediately?

Just take a guess what I'm going to be talking about after looking at these few inspiration photos...

Traditional Bedroom design by New York Interior Designer Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

Traditional Kids design by Kansas City Interior Designer McCroskey Interiors

Traditional Bedroom design by New York Interior Designer Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

Yes, zebra. I saw these two zebra shower curtains and knew I could make some fun curtain panels for the guest bedroom out of them. But, having never used animal prints (or even being the slightest bit edgy in decorating) I was a little nervous... I didn't want my vision of a tranquil room turning into a boudoir because I wanted to try and be a little more daring...

I got a couple of hits on my Craigslist items almost immediately (whooo!) and sold the pair of console tables that were in my living room and bought the shower curtains last night, and put the additional money in the bank.

So, why these inspiration photos when I already know what I want and own it? Because I wanted to collect a few photos to reassure myself zebra can be put into a classy and traditional room. I mean, hello, could you get more traditional than the first room? The zebra rug just adds such a fun, and unexpected pop. Here is my curtain up close and personal.

Want to see what it looks like in the room? I am so happy I took the risk and tried something that was a little out of my comfort zone. This weekend I have been rearranging, decluttering and generally sorting out the guest room so that it is a practical space for AJ to pay bills and also for others to come and stay with us.

This rod that I'm using for the curtain bar was leftover from another project and I'm reusing it here until we can hang up the brushed silver ones I purchased at Job Lot today for $4 (yes, $4 curtain rods, not the sturdiest things but pretty good looking for that cheap).

I know they aren't hung the recommended height above the top of the window to have it be "high and wide" but they were too short to do that, so unless I find the right fabric to make a color block panel at the bottom they will stay at this height.

The same day I found the zebra curtains I found this at Home Goods... AJ is going to use it as part of his system for paid and unpaid bills.

You know what I especially loved? The blue-ish color with the curtains, the blue and brown looked great to me and I loved how the coral helped make the room feel like a restful beachy escape.

AJ took Drew on a run and to the playground yesterday so I could do my decorating thing. Best. Gift. Ever. I made the curtain panels (just like I did in our room out of shower curtains) and then painted the parts of the red linoleum floor that was peeking out after switching around the room.

I found a square of fabric at Joann Fabrics recently for $2, it was one of their high end fabrics that you order and it was the sample. I bought this fabric piece and the one on the other chair, stuffed them and used a plain piece of fabric to make the back of the pillow.

This morning I went to Home Depot and got a tester size color-matched to Restoration Hardware's Eucalyptus and painted over the areas that were a slightly different color (do you remember seeing those on the wall?). Notice I haven't finished doing that to the floor above. :)

The best part of this whole makeover is that AJ loves it and that was my motivation for it... to make a peaceful room for AJ to use as an office / bill-paying station when we don't have guests. Mission accomplished. :)

Tell me, what you taken a risk lately and been thrilled with it?

Or has your risk been a total flop?

Join me tomorrow for a photo tour as we walk through the guest room and add the essential items for a welcoming stay and then on Wednesday as I talk about additional things I'd like to add to this room to make it more practical and beautiful.