Teen Bedroom Makeover – Change of Plans

It has been quite some time since I offered an update about M’s teen bedroom makeover. Our best-laid plans came to a halt due to the pandemic. Like many people, our jobs were up in the air, finances took a hit, and the uncertainty kept us from moving forward on most of our planned projects. Fortunately, M. adapts well to both bad news and a change-of-plans. As the youngest of four, she’s a real team player–she has to be.

Now that we have all adjusted to the new normal, the teen bedroom makeover is back on with a lot of creative solutions, and some roadside trash-to-treasure finds too. You’re welcome to watch Teen Bedroom Makeover Episode 2 – Change of Plans below or directly on YouTube.

The Changes

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At first, I thought we might have to cancel the makeover altogether. However, one look at M’s belongings crammed into the guest room like an episode of Hoarders, and I knew we would have to figure out some low-cost substitutions to get her back in her own bedroom.

The original plan called for several pieces of new furniture and decor, including a bed, rug, chair, and desk. It also called for birch tree wallpaper on one wall.

For now, we have axed the wallpaper idea altogether, but we may use a stencil instead. I used credit card points to pay for the new bed (twin size), but I did splurge for a wool rug. After I bought the rug, M. and I went “shopping” around the house. We wanted to see if we could find anything we already have to use in her room instead.

At first glance, M. thought this water-damaged cabinet seemed like a lost cause. After I explained how we could repair and paint it, she was excited about using it for storage.

Another lucky find–or “lucky” find–as M. would say, was a piece of roadside trash treasure. I was out running a couple of weeks ago, and I saw this vanity/desk out on the curb for trash pick-up.

I was drawn to the size, which seemed perfect for her small bedroom. After I got home, we hopped in the car to see if it was still available. It was clearly a complete wreck, but I felt it was entirely fixable. M. gave it her seal of approval, so we heaved it into the back of my SUV.

Yikes.

If she learns one thing from this room makeover project, it will probably be to see beauty in the rubble.

What We Have Done So Far

Most of our tasks right now are painting and repairs.

M. has done most of the priming and painting, and she is doing a fantastic job. I’m teaching her my no tape and no drop cloth method, and she is such a good student. Next up, no apron. Andy asked me the other day why I wasn’t changing into painting clothes. My answer? All my clothes are painting clothes.

I seem to have inherited this form of tidiness from my dad. He could check the oil while dressed for church and never get a speck of dirt or grease on him. My dad died eight years ago, and we still routinely tell these kinds of stories about him and laugh. When he was alive, he laughed about it too. Time will tell if M. has this same superpower, but so far, so good.

The desk needs a ton of work from veneer to rebuilding the feet. Someone gave the ones on the right side a partial amputation. Why?

Since there could be lead paint on this piece, I’m tackling it solo. When it’s safe again, I’ll turn it back over to M. so she can prime and paint it.

Once our trash-to-treasure pieces are finished, the rest of the room should come together fairly quickly. This weekend, I think Andy is going to paint the closet, and I’ll continue to work on the desk.

M. and I are having so much fun working together creatively. It has made me realize that working with what we have should have always been Plan A., not Plan B.

P.S. Please let me know if you enjoy video content along with blog posts. I’m still pretty new at it, and I am sure it shows.