Vintage Vacation Cottage: A Guest Room Makeover
So, my plan was to get the guest room makeover plan completed this summer, and have all the bits and pieces I’ve collected for it out of the garage and storage areas and into the room. But, what with all the traveling and summer fun that went on, that didn’t happen. And, lo and behold, it’s Pumpkin Spice Doughnut season at Krispy Kreme and the guest room is still not done.
BUT, I have made some progress, including window treatments, which I just finished this week, so I thought I’d give a little update on my update.
Let me start by showing this pic of the exterior…
…of what I imagine is the ideal guest house. Isn’t it adorable? Too bad it’s not mine. (Find it here at bhg.com)
However, that is the look and feel of what I want our guests to experience when they’re staying in our guest room. That’s why I’m calling this look Vintage Vacation Cottage-esque–or something like that.
Some of you may remember how this room looked shortly after we moved in…
Yes, it’s taking a while, but we are making some progress. The bed and desk are both thrift store finds. You can read the details of those makeovers here and here.
And the window you may remember from here. Well, that opportunity finally presented itself in the perfect spot on this wall. We removed the glass to make it less of a beast (and by “we”, I mean my husband), and then I painted it with a coat of Sherwin William’s Cloudburst, finished with a little black glaze here and there.
The bench was another coffee table makeover which I showed you here.
I’m calling the window treatments my Vintage Vacation Billboard Curtains, and they turned out to be one of my favorite elements of the room.
When pulled closed, you can see that one reads, “Vacation Cottages for Rent”, and the other says, “Enjoy Your Stay!”
The third panel on the single window, I just left plain. These were fun and easy curtains to make. Stay tuned for details and the how-to in a few days.
Another of my favorite pieces is the vintage suitcase nightstand.
This is the one I told my Facebook fans about a few months ago. I searched for weeks for just the right one before I walked into a little junk shop in town and found this one. When I asked the little old man in the shop how much he wanted for it, he said, “Honey, I know that don’t look like much, but people like to collect these things, so I can’t take less than $5 for it.” That’s when I threw the $5 bill at him and ran before he could change his mind.
I paired it with this bamboo stool that was on clearance at Marshall’s for only $8 to make a table.
I found the vintage sconces at an antique store in town for only $12 each, and added a couple of burlap shades from Hobby Lobby. The 4 shutters were part of a stack of 10 I bought several months ago for $5 from a yard sale. They were originally tan, but I gave them a coat of pale gray and then dry-brushed a few streaks of darker gray here and there to weather them a little.
My husband hung them for me and mounted the sconces directly to the shutters with industrial strength double-stick tape. The cord to the sconces slips in between the two shutters and go down behind.
The white Ikea side table is not exactly what I have in mind, but it’s standing in until I find just the right one.
You may remember the vintage mail bag pillow from this post. White duvet set was from West Elm (I’m thinking it’s sold out now–can’t find it on the site.) Zebra fabric found here. And the gray and white reversible quilt was from Marshall’s.
I’ve got a few more ideas for this room that I’m sure will turn up in my treasure hunting at some point. I’ll keep you updated. But, I hope y’all like it so far! More on thecurtains coming soon.
Linking up with a few of these friends!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
October 18, 2012 @ 12:05 pm
just beautiful! i love the bedding, bench, and curtains…. the suitcases, globe…. every detail!
Infarrantly Creative
October 18, 2012 @ 12:07 pm
I want to come stay in this room đŸ˜‰ What a transformation! I LOVE the curtains!! Sharing it over on my FB!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
October 18, 2012 @ 12:29 pm
Wow, what a nice big room, Julie! I love the bed and the drapes you did look wonderful. Love the text you added to them.
chrissi
October 18, 2012 @ 4:41 pm
The room is just lovely. So welcoming. Those curtains? Amazing! Love them. Perfect touch.
Tracie OB
October 18, 2012 @ 7:42 pm
Love the room – it's so big! When I saw the 1st picture – my 1st thought was "she's so lucky" !! gorgeous little room!
Kala Roberts
October 18, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
I LOVE this room so far! I'm going for a similar look with my bedroom but haven't got near as far as you! Can't wait to see more!
Hi I'm Shannon!
October 18, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
Oh it is looking hecka CUTE đŸ™‚ All the elements are so fun and charming!!
Lil Mama Stuart
October 18, 2012 @ 9:31 pm
LOVE the suitcase/stand! And how hilarious that he only wanted $5, like it was a lot! Great find!
Val @ Home Made Modern
October 19, 2012 @ 2:25 am
Oh my goodness what an amazing room with so many creative touches! Love the suitcase, and curtains. Can I come stay?
Vintage Street Designs
October 19, 2012 @ 2:35 am
WOW…I can't pick just one thing in the room that is my favorite! I love it all. Your curtains are amazing and the suitcase side table is so cute. I have a painted suitcase awaiting a stand that I haven't found yet soooo…I'm kinda jealous of yours! lol Great job! đŸ™‚
Beja {Howdy-Honey.com}
October 19, 2012 @ 2:38 am
Totally kicking myself for not picking up the few full size vintage suitcases for cheap. Question, does anyone know how to get rid of the musty smell? Vinegar didn't work in the stinky vintage carry-on I recently picked up.
Julie
October 20, 2012 @ 12:14 am
This one actually had a little musty smell when I brought it home, but I left it outside all day on a hot sunny day, spraying it with vinegar every hour or so. It definitely helped. I haven't noticed an odor since then, so I think that did it. I've also heard of stuffing newspapers inside and switching them out every few days until it's better. Good luck!
Beja {Howdy-Honey.com}
October 20, 2012 @ 6:25 pm
You are so sweet to share! I was not doing it right! I will try your method until I have success! Thanks!
stacie schaat
October 19, 2012 @ 2:51 am
I love that each piece of this room has charm. It's absolutely beautiful!
Kathryn J Cain
October 19, 2012 @ 5:42 am
can I hang out, looks fresh and relaxing…
Emily [On the V Side]
October 19, 2012 @ 12:56 pm
This looks great! I am envious of all the space you have in your guest room!
Love the curtains especially – I think you did a great job with the whole room. Stay a while? Don't mind if I do… đŸ˜‰
Emily
Leslie
October 19, 2012 @ 1:09 pm
I love your curtains! I'm going to be watching to see how you made them. SO cute!
Junkchiccottage
October 19, 2012 @ 1:35 pm
OMG!!!! I would love to stay in your vacation guest room. It is beautiful. My fav is the curtains. So so cute. I am excited to see how you made them. I have a lake cottage theme guest room so these would be so cute in there. I love your blog.
Kris
Trisha @ The Sweet Survival
October 19, 2012 @ 1:35 pm
Love the space! The window ver the bed and the shutters are my favorite part.
Debra Kapellakis
October 19, 2012 @ 3:27 pm
That is one of the prettiest rooms I have EVER seen! I love it!
following-friends
October 19, 2012 @ 8:13 pm
I love your new guest bedroom. The colors and the details are so pretty.
Deidre
October 19, 2012 @ 11:07 pm
Whats not to love about this room? This is DA- Bomb! Great job, great job!
Kelly
October 20, 2012 @ 12:10 am
OMG, so so beautiful! I love the attention to detail; nothing is overlooked! The curtains are amazing and I'm in love with that yellow zebra bench. Beautiful!
Kelly @ View Along the Way
http://www.viewalongtheway.com
Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker
October 20, 2012 @ 12:56 am
Very nice! So many gorgeous little details!
willowcreek
October 20, 2012 @ 2:10 am
I love this room, especially the curtains! Great job!
Joselyn @ The DIY Spot
October 20, 2012 @ 2:11 am
What a great space. So many neat design details. Nice work!
Bethany@http://thislittleestate.blogspot.ca/
October 20, 2012 @ 2:33 am
Im in love with those curtain! DO tell how you did them!
Bethany
http://www.thislittleestate.ca
Tazas y Cuentos
October 20, 2012 @ 2:56 am
Great job! I really love your room. Oh, that suitcase nighstand is wonderful…
Congratulations!
Besos from Argentina, Silvina
monogramsandmakeovers
October 20, 2012 @ 3:25 am
So charming! Who wouldn't want to be a guest in that room?
Mel@Mellywood's Mansion
October 20, 2012 @ 12:16 pm
So beautiful! That window is amazing! Stopping by from weekend wrap up
meg
October 20, 2012 @ 1:01 pm
this room is just adorable!!!! so beautiful! my favorite elements are the window, the vintage suitcase nightstand ($5?! what a steal!) and the cute curtains! love your taste! i'm your newest follower… love finding blogs that are super adorable, but also are written by fellow sisters in christ đŸ™‚
meg
megvcornwell.blogspot.com
Laurel@chippingwithcharm
October 20, 2012 @ 2:10 pm
What a lovely room!! Your guests will never want to leave đŸ™‚ Laurel
Tattered Butterfly Studio
October 20, 2012 @ 5:51 pm
Wow! Your room is so charming! I love the suitcase endtable. Your curtians are to die for!
TidyMom
October 21, 2012 @ 8:39 pm
What a beautiful space Julie! you did a GREAT job!
Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/12-diy-projects/
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Our Pinteresting Family
October 21, 2012 @ 11:04 pm
There are so many lovely features in this room. I'm sure your guests will never want to leave. I love that deal you got on that suitcase and that bench is gorgeous! Megan
Kelly
October 22, 2012 @ 2:43 am
What a cute room! That suitcase it to die for, and I love the curtains.
Object of Maya*ffection
October 26, 2012 @ 1:46 pm
LOVE the room! And the story – cute lil old man!!
Katie Olthoff
January 7, 2013 @ 12:59 pm
SUCH a beautiful room! You did a great job on everything – love that suitcase side table!
Cocalores
May 1, 2013 @ 12:07 pm
What a pretty room – your guests must sure love to stay there! And you're one lucky shopper, too! You picked up so many great finds =)