How Gina Gutierrez Created a Guest Room Perfect for Unwinding

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.

“We purchased this Sonoma County home after selling our San Francisco property so we’d be closer to family, wine, and nature," interior designer Gina Gutierrez says. "We wanted a place where we could entertain friends, so we put the guest room renovation at the top of our redo list.”

Before:

“The guest bedroom had dull cream walls, dated olive-green curtains, boring wall-to-wall tan carpet, and motel-like bedding.” Gutierrez laughs. “Because we didn't have a guest room in our prior home, we ended up filling this room with a mishmash of leftover furniture.”

After:

“We wanted to include lots of welcoming details in the room but without spending a lot of money," Gutierrez shares. "The finished space is a simple design that combines Scandinavian, farmhouse, and modern elements. We dressed a uniquely shaped bed in cozy textiles, then added an office nook and a nightstand with an evening lamp for reading. The feature wall is painted black with purple undertones, giving the space a modern yet playful look.”

What Changed:

• Color theme: A bohemian vibe was achieved using neutral pops of terracotta, blush, and brass. 
• Bed: The uniquely shaped four-poster bed is made out of an earthy pine, adding a lightness to the room.
• Bedding: A white linen duvet is paired with oversized blush-colored pillows and a throw blanket, along with a lumbar pillow covered in a geometric print.
• Lighting: A tiered pendant is made of leather fringe, creating a unique focal point over the bed. 
• Bedside tables: A single-drawer nightstand has a cane front and provides storage for guests’ small items; a marble and brass oval table elevates the space and serves as a resting spot for greenery.
• Desk: A natural birch top pops against the desk’s dark metal legs. 
• Desk chair: The Eames lookalike chair adds a modern touch with its white polypropylene shell, birch legs, and black metal cross bars.
• Corner chair: An ebony wishbone-style chair has natural cord seating and is styled with a linen pillow with brass sequin accents.
• Stool: The ceramic stool has decorative white stripes and acts as a perch for reading books. 
• Rug: The original wall-to-wall carpet is topped with a small 5’ x 7’ striped area rug to add visual interest. 
• Window treatments: A blackout shade filters morning light while sheer curtains, suspended from black rods, create a softness around the casement windows.
• Hook: The wall hook has a fun geometric shape and holds various pieces of beaded art. 
• Wall art: Photographs of the Portugal coast are set in sleek black frames and add a punch of color to the white walls. 

Shop the Look:

Urban Outfitters Marte Nightstand $179.00

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“The woven rattan-front drawer adds interest to this compact yet stylish nightstand,” Gutierrez says.

Poly & Bark Wegner Wishbone Chair $149.00

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“The cord seating on this chair brings a natural element to any space,” Gutierrez explains.

Decor Pad Fringe Faux Leather Strips Tiered Pendant Light Price upon request

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“The leather pendant creates a focal point in the room and displays a whimsical pattern on the ceiling when on,” Gutierrez says,