From Blah to Beautiful—How a Single Mom Got the Bedroom of Her Dreams

If there’s something we never get tired of seeing, it’s a great makeover. Whether it’s transforming a retro bathroom into a modern oasis or giving a lackluster bedroom a fresh look, pros perform these design miracles all the time. 

To give designers a chance to showcase their favorite makeovers—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the best before and afters we’ve seen in our series, Makeover of the Week. Take notes for your next renovation.

“Our client, a single mom who had become an empty nester when her daughter left for college, found it was the perfect time to refresh her bedroom,” interior designer Kristina Phillips of K + K Interior Design says. “Because she works full time at a busy and demanding job, our client asked us to transform her bedroom into a peaceful oasis she could come home to at night.” 

Before:

“The room had worn out wall-to-wall carpet, a bland chaise, a too small dresser, dated draperies, and a dark four poster bed," interior designer Kerri Pilchik notes. "The walls had been painted a robin’s egg blue, popular in the 90’s but no longer a go-to bedroom color.”

After:

“The homeowner wanted the room to have a spa-like quality,” Pilchik says. “The final outcome is a truly peaceful and tranquil room where she can chill and unwind.” 

What Changed:

• Color theme: Navy, French blue, lavender, plum, white, and ivory create a modern yet traditional effect.
• Bed: A custom king headboard, upholstered in French blue fret linen, is outlined in a plum velvet welting.
• Bed linens: A zigzag lumbar pillow and a lavender scalloped border add patterned touches to the white duvet.
• Walls: A lavender vinyl grasscloth wallpaper wraps the room in a serene vibe.
• Blinds: Woven wood shades peek beneath the drapes and add a natural texture to the space.
• Bench: A custom bench is upholstered in a bold floral linen, tying all the colors in the room together.
• Chair/ottoman: The white welting on the striated velvet fabric draws attention to the feminine lines of the chair.
• Small round table: A floral motif drinks table in a gold finish provides a spot for a drink or fresh flowers. 
• Curtains: A wide navy Celtic pattern adds visual interest to the ivory wool and linen blend panels. 
• End tables: White lacquered bedside tables contain open storage and drawer space. 
• Lamps: Elegantly tapered lamps have a gold leaf finish and provide bedside lighting.   
• Rug: An ivory wall-to-wall wool carpet, with its tone-on-tone geometric pattern, makes the room appear larger and provides softness under foot. 
• Mirrors over bed: Three round convex mirrors become a focal point over the bed and reflect light.
• Wall art: Framed blue and white chinoiserie silk panels add a touch of elegance to the room. 

Shop the Look:

Regina Andrew Celine Table Lamp in Gold Leaf $379.00

Shop

"Lighting plays such an integral role in the design of the room, especially in a bedroom where it needs to be both functional as well as ambient," Phillips says. "These lamps serve both purposes."

Lillian August Gold Vine Chinoiserie I $940.00

Shop

Ballard Designs Ava Convex Mirror $59,249.00

Shop

"We wanted to visually fill the space above the bed but didn't want to use another piece of art. Because the mirrors are convex, they’re more sculptural than functional,” notes Pilchik.