Dear Home and Garden television,
Thank you for showing us how very simple it could be to renovate our homes. You have done the most beautiful and amazing redecorating on the tiniest of budgets! We are thrilled to tell you that we have added infinite value to our house and although we are far from finished, we look forward to spending our golden years continuing this project.
Yours Truly, A homeowner
In my last few posts, I have been showing you how our upstairs renovation has been coming along. Well, magic has finally begun to materialized right before my eyes. I can show you some before and after pictures...
This is the before picture of the closet that would be mine...all mine! My amazing husband worked over the last two weeks to get it to this point for me...
and this is what it is looking like today...not quite finished, but very usable. There was talk of painting the walls a pretty and feminine shell pink, but in reality I knew that once I actually started filling the space with clothing and shoes and such, the color of the walls would be lost and so, we painted it the same blue as the rest of the bedroom. Working in the tiniest of budgets, the extra paint money can be used for curtains now.
With the carpeting installed and the bed (unbelievably) fitted up the stairway, this room is now usable if not completely finished. I borrowed the wicker tables being used as night tables from our porch. The quilt that matched in the previous bedroom is being replaced, and the doors still need to be painted.
Slowly, I am finding the accessories that will give this room the character that I wanted. So my to-do list is so much shorter. I need to find night stands. The bedding is on order, and so is a tiny little vanity table that will fit in the closet under this Venetian glass inspired light fixture. Simple, yet elegant.
We are so close to being finished...I wonder if we will have a nice long break after this... or have we permanently caught the renovation bug??
The components that went into the closet are IKEA Expedit pieces. They are very sturdy and have so many accessories to complete them. The drawer inserts are inexpensive and work very well. I will purchase some baskets made to fit into the cubbies for some of the clothes and maybe another set of drawers. I am very pleased with the results ....IKEA really came through with some very affordable choices and although they weren't necessarily meant to be used in a closet, a bit of thinking or in this case designing outside the box worked for us.
This post is being linked to The Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.
♥, Susan
I love the finished result, Susan! A closet such as this will be a dream to use. It looks so roomy, and organized. IKEA has lots of great products..I love to browse their stores.
Posted by: Pat | March 04, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Very nice! It's so wonderful to make changes like that to help us get organized and really see what we have! I love HGTV, too! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | March 04, 2012 at 05:32 PM
Susan, the after shots of your new closet are wonderful. It looks like it will be very organized. Something I need to do. Now it is time to fill that closet up. Great post, have a lovely week!
Posted by: eileen | March 04, 2012 at 05:33 PM
Your closet is looking great mommy! Just wait until you get a little vanity table in there (assuming you're still planning on it)... soo lovely!
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | March 04, 2012 at 05:35 PM
I ordered the vanity table today Jenna!
Posted by: susan ericson | March 04, 2012 at 05:37 PM
Well done, Susan! Love the closets. I stay away from Ikea ... I don't know when to stop shopping! :D :D
Posted by: Snap | March 04, 2012 at 05:40 PM
Looks fabulous. Love your closet:)
Posted by: A Garden of Threads | March 04, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I love IKEA too! Love your closet... looks so organized and tidy! Blessings,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | March 04, 2012 at 05:59 PM
Oh, it looks fabulous, Susan!!! I love my blue bedroom, too -- such a soothing color, isn't it? Love your pendant light -- gorgeous! xoxo
Posted by: mary | March 04, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Isn't it wonderful to see a project finished. Well done. Now enjoy. V
Posted by: Valerie | March 04, 2012 at 06:06 PM
The blue looks so beautiful...restful and calming. You and your hubby have done well to bring this all together. Wonderful closet, too!
Posted by: Vee | March 04, 2012 at 06:06 PM
Looks fantastic! You did an amazing job on the renovation, you should be on HGTV :)
Posted by: Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook | March 04, 2012 at 06:09 PM
Wonderful reno!
Everytime I drive to the airport I think, "to Ikea or not to Ikea?" Sometimes I stop, sometimes I don't, but when I do, I usually have a blast! What is it about that store? That, and art supply stores...
Posted by: jenny | March 05, 2012 at 04:27 AM
Love the before and after shots. I've never been one with enough patience to get a renovation completed. Great example of a real life renovation.
Posted by: shirley lemay | March 05, 2012 at 06:41 AM
This is beautiful, Susan! Great renovation.
Posted by: Pat@BPM | March 05, 2012 at 07:15 AM
How beautiful and so nice that it is all yours...Christine
Posted by: Christine | March 05, 2012 at 07:19 AM
I like the soft blue walls.
Happy Blue Monday, Susan.
PS Your link is defective and another post comes up. Take a look at it.
Posted by: Sally | March 05, 2012 at 07:28 AM
Great job! You are really going to enjoy those shelves.
When I clicked on your name under comments on BNOTP's post, it goes to your old blog to June, 2010. Just thought you might want to know.
Have a great week.
Posted by: Glenda/MidSouth | March 05, 2012 at 07:50 AM
It's looking great Susan and, being a "blue" person, I love the color of the bedroom. Nobody matches IKEA in terms of closet stuff IMHO. Being able to see and get to everything is the most comforting thing to me -- looks like it's the same for you too. I keep getting rid of things so life will be simpler.
Will look forward to seeing the rest of the progress as the weeks go by. Such satisfaction.
Posted by: Jane F @ Atticmag | March 05, 2012 at 07:51 AM
Wow, shoes! Beautiful blues:)
Visiting for Blue Monday- hope you can stop by:)
http://www.sweetposh.info/2012/03/celebrating-the-birth-of-our-little-guy.html
Posted by: Leah H. | March 05, 2012 at 08:12 AM
Lucky you, you house is going to be perfect. GReat photo's of the before and after.
Posted by: Riet | March 05, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Beautiful ideas! Great photos.Going to look great!
Posted by: joann | March 05, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Great redo. I am so happy to see the results. I think the blue is a better choice for continuity and as you said, the pale pink will be showing through minimally. Good for you on budget and on style!
Posted by: Nancy | March 05, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Hi Susan, the rooms looks very cozy and the accessories you put on just match the whole setting. Like that lamp.
Crab Apple
Posted by: Kim,USA | March 05, 2012 at 04:14 PM
Wow - it's looking beautiful - especially the doors and the light in your closet, which I love. Well done!
Posted by: Pondside | March 05, 2012 at 05:05 PM
Congratulation on the progress!
Sta Wars Blues in Disney World, please come and see.
Posted by: chubskulit | March 05, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Susan, your room is coming along great. Love the blue paint and the light. Isn't it nice to be almost done. I painted beadboard today and will be doing more tomorrow. SO looking forward to putting our living room back together.
Hugs,
Jann
Posted by: Jann Olson | March 05, 2012 at 10:16 PM