My New Room

What are parents to do when their 17 year old son comes to them with a request for a set of free weights? Oh yes it sounds like a simple request and with Christmas right around the corner the answer to this question seems to be an easy one. However when this family lives in a two bedroom home and every inch of space has been used the request becomes more complicated. This is the situation my family recently faced. My son Alex, who rarely asks for anything, came to my husband and I and presented his request. This request was made earlier in the year as well but after thinking and rethinking about the available space in our home to put these weights, the idea was sadly dismissed. Our garage had already been converted into a home office for my husband and the available space in our game room was converted into a scrapbook studio for me. As I was working in my studio one afternoon, the thought occured to me-----Why don't Alex and I trade rooms. My studio in the game room was much larger than Alex's bedroom and would be able to hold Alex's bedroom furniture as well as a set of free weights. Oh I knew I would be receiving the smaller room in the trade, but I would just reorganize my supplies to fit in the smaller space. Alex was thrilled at this idea and the thought of a new room became exciting for me as well. There was only one catch ---Alex's bedroom had been painted black and gold. Living in Pittsburgh and loving all of our sports teams the color scheme seemed perfect at the time we painted his room. The thought never occured to me that I would ever want to have this room for myself. So the makeover began......................

Just a few before pictures. How was I ever going to make this room a place to inspire me and one that I would love to create in. I first emptied the room of everything and placed it in my living room. Yikes what a mess.

Then I set to work to cover those black and gold walls. With the help of my little white, shabby chair I could reach the high spots without lugging the ladder in from the shed. Well it took two coats of primmer and two coats of paint to cover that gold. I love the names of the paint---antique white (for the walls) and swan wings (for the trim). As for the black, I purchased wallpaper that looks exactly like beadboard and with the help of my mom covered that black right up.
I am so happy with the result!! Are you ready for the unveiling.............
The whole makeover took about two weeks. I am finally settling into my new studio and it feels just as inspiring as my other creative place. Alex loves his new space as well. Once we purchase those weights, I will have to take pictures to share with you. Well I am off to create in my new space.