Bedroom transformation: From bland to beautiful

This spare bedroom had great windows, and the tops of the neighbours’ trees gave it a pretty outlook, but it didn’t look very welcoming for guests. Together with the lack of natural light, the nondescript carpet and dingy colour scheme, the room was ripe for a makeover. Budget dictated that the floorcovering remain, so a pale colour scheme and bright bed linen were chosen to lighten up the room. 

A trip to local antiques store Tyabb Antique Centre resulted in a gorgeous vintage stepladder, quirky accommodation for books and the kinds of bits and pieces that give the room such a sense of personality. An understated monochromatic scheme adds a classic feel, which is complemented by the picture frames over the bed, an Asian-style cabinet from Grays Online and charcoal and white floral pillowcases (now discontinued, but try the ‘Midnight Bouquet’ range from Provincial Home Living for a similar look).

A white Ikea ‘Expedit’ bookshelf holds a range of light reading, while a decorative porthole mirror from iwantiwantiwant.com.au helps ping light around the room. A selection of white rattan baskets keeps functional items such as toiletries and other paraphernalia in order.

The original green walls, dated floral curtains and beige carpet made for a challenge in the master bedroom. On the plus side, the room was a great size and had both a walk-in robe and ensuite attached, but even the length of the room was proving to be a problem, with the bed appearing to be at the end of a long tunnel. The fundamentals were dealt with first. The carpet was still in good condition so she saved some styling cash by keeping it, but everything else was consigned to the bin.

An old Japanese long box, re-painted in high-gloss black, stores bedding and visually balances the bed, and complements the two bedside tables from Bisque Interiors. The ornate detail of the Moroccan screen bedhead from iwantiwantiwant.com.au meant clean, crisp bedlinen was essential. ‘Hotel’ red pillow shams from Linen & Moore add a hit of colour to white linen trimmed with pompoms (also from iwantiwantiwant.com.au). 

The extra length in this room meant there was plenty of space for a reading corner. A vintage coat stand bought on eBay provides a sense of height, while a psychiatrist’s chair and footstool, bought in Bali and shipped back home, makes a comfy place to relax and unwind. A vintage Toulouse-Lautrec print ties in with the room’s colour scheme perfectly.

The old carport under the house was converted into an inviting guest room. The brand new shell featured a long high window in addition to a window overlooking the garden. The floorboards are stained a shade of charcoal. To counteract the darkness, the walls were painted in Dulux Whisper White and chose a fresh colour palette for the linen, making the bed the main focus. White timber Venetian blinds from Bunnings Warehouse screen the windows.

By positioning both the mirror and the bed to maximise the garden aspect, the room feels larger. The unframed mirror is a stylish decorative element in its own right, as well as making more of the natural light and doubling the value of the patio views. The retro-style ‘Inside’ dome pendant from Beacon Lighting has just the right feel.