Guest Bedroom Redo

 When you live in a one hundred year old home like my husband and I do, there's always projects to do.  Unfortunately, whether it's maintenance or remodeling, we can always count on the cost and completion time being twice what we initially planned.  The funny thing is-I consider projects gone wrong like having a baby.  For some reason I always forget the bad parts when I look at the amazing results.

That's exactly what happened  two years ago, when I decided to take on my stepson's bedroom.  There had been so many projects to complete in the house that I hadn't gotten around to updating his room. Though he didn't seem to mind the flowered wall paper and pastel blue wall color, I figured it was time to give him the room of his dreams.  After hours of discussion over design, I finally gave in and agreed to his choices.  (Hey, it was my idea after all, and I figured I could always shut the door if I didn't like it.)

So, after going to the store to pick up three gallons of paint, (yes three-you'll see why in a bit), I began the process of removing the ghastly wallpaper. Now I know most people find this chore a bit overwhelming, but it's really not that difficult when you have the right tools.  I did, but in the end, they didn't do a hill of beans.  You see the wallpaper was pasted to paneling, which to my horror, was glued to the plaster walls.  One tug and the entire wall began to crumble. (No, I am not exaggerating)  I'm talking pounds of dust and plaster coating the entire room in seconds.  It wasn't pretty.

I suppose I should have stopped right there.  I could have waited for good old hubby to get home and he could have worked his magic and patched it up.  But no-you guessed it-I couldn't do that.  I had to push forward.  I had to complete my mission.  Two hours later, I was peeking through the slats in the wall looking for treasures, when hubby came in the room.

I truly wish I had taken a picture of his expression.  His choice of words weren't so priceless-but...well, let's just fast forward to the walls being dry-walled and primed.

Time to paint!  Yippee! ( Okay not so exciting) Three coats later and I was done.  The results must have been exactly what my step son had pictured because he was smiling from ear to ear.

Did I say that my stepson was into Motocross that year and it was hosted by Monster energy drink?  (Ergo-the three gallons of paint!)



Well, a year later he graduated and moved out-and guess who was stuck with this eyesore?

That's right....ME!  But it's okay.  This time I didn't have to contend with crumbly plaster and thick dust.  All I needed was a couple of coats of paint and.....Magic happened!

Finally- an updated,calm, relaxing oasis for our guests to enjoy when they come to visit!
As for my relaxation?  Well, there is the foyer....

If you have any remodeling 'horror' stories, I'd love to hear about them.