Master Re-Vamp: Our New {Old} Room

I know I left you all hanging awhile back on our bedroom re-vamp. Sorry about that! This post has LOTS of photos, so I wanted to make sure to do my due diligence so you can get the entire picture of what our master bedroom now looks like.

For starters, the centerpiece of our room is our headboard, which was made from an old interior barn door. We kept the original lock on it, and were planning to keep the wood relatively close to its natural look, but it fell apart once I started cleaning it, so I was forced to improvise and decided to cover all the screws we had to use with a darker stain. It worked out because it matches our furniture beautifully and stands out great against the blue wall. Plus, you can still see the natural wood grain.

I made the pillow on the left using a burlap pillow case I found at Salvation Army for $1!

How did I do this? It was simple, but it did take time. I could NOT find a Pinterest tutorial that didn’t make my head hurt, so I made up my own way. So for around $60 total, here’s what I did:

1. Bought the door from Craigslist for $35. If you can’t find one there, check Freecycle groups, garage sale sites on Facebook, or look for estate sales at old farmhouses.

2. Cleaned it thoroughly with a sponge and Borax and water solution {to help get the bugs out — yuck!}.

3. First, I stained it with a steel wool/apple cider mix. The stain didn’t look great, but it really helped set the wood I felt.

4. Then, I stained the entire piece with a Minwax PolyShades stain x2.

5. After it dried for 24 hours, I attached a French Cleat, which essentially is like a fancy picture hanger that can hang things that weigh up to 200 pounds on the studs of your wall. I liked this method because it did not require us to build legs!

I’ll admit it: I’m cheap. I will spend money where it matters {food! underware! on people! a bed!}, but it seriously pains me to spend money on trivial things like decorations when there is so much out there that can be re-purposed. So, with that said, nothing in our new bedroom is new {except for our amazing new mattress!}. Here are the other highlights:

I found this old window at a consignment shop {Twice New} in Fenton, Mich. My friend at All Stitches Vintage made me the LOVE banner using old fabric. I may paint the window at some point, but I’m a sucker for chippy paint, so it’s staying as-is for now.

I found this little treasure in my neighbor’s garbage and cleaned it up. Yes, I am that lady who garbage picks! Isn’t she cute though? The hubby thinks it’s a grandma’s couch, but I love her charm. {Yes, it’s a her.} Pillows made by All Stitches Vintage.

This table was given to me by my aunt. It needed some TLC, but nothing a little sanding and paint couldn’t fix! I love the addition of fresh flowers this time of year.

I spray painted this jewelry tray I found at an estate sale for $1 to match my furniture. I love how it adds a touch of femininity to my dresser and gives me a spot for my chapstick and perfume.

I’ve begun a collage wall of photos and custom artwork I made for the hubby for our anniversary. {The piece on the left are the lyrics to our wedding song, and the piece on the right are mini hearts from a Michigan map of where we met, where we began our married life and where we live now.} I can’t wait to add some new photos to our wall after we get family photos next week!

Here are the pieces we painted for furniture. Again, a consignment store in Fenton was the spot I nabbed these. The cross on the dresser was a really ugly color, so I spray painted that as well. I got that in the free bin at a garage sale and love the look of it — and of course the meaning behind it too.

It’s only been a couple of months in our new digs, but I’m telling you…I LOVE it. They say a change in the bedroom can spark your love life. Let me tell you all, I believe it 😉 Glad we finally have a romantic getaway to relax and enjoy time away from the kids!

Check out the coordinating master bathroom again here. A special shout-out to my friend Lindsey who I paid to paint my walls too. Worth every penny when you have two little ones!

Now I just need a few more things for the walls. I’m being patient and hoping the garage sale and garbage picking gods are by my side this summer. In the meantime, if you see any amazing antique old wood signs for cheap, please let me know!

Have you recently revamped a place in your home that now makes you smile? Let me know!