Plans for my Guest Room

My friend, Erin, is going to be visiting in a little over two weeks so I thought I would switch gears from working on my study and cozy up the guest room before her arrival.

When I first bought my house this room in my side wing was one of the better of rooms in the house. It wasn't great but at least after I pulled down the fake wood paneling there was drywall hung (but not finished) underneath. The ubiquitous ceiling tiles were dingy looking and the carpet was stained and filthy.

I decided that I would live out of this room while the main part of my house was in full tear down to the studs mode so that meant I had to get it in shape quickly. After tearing down the fake wood paneling and I worked on mudding and sanding all of the drywall seams and screw holes. After that I primed and painted the walls blue and the ceiling white. With new trim work around the window and doors and some new carpeting the room was liveable.

I remember when I had the carpet guy come in to quote the job I asked him how quickly he would be able to schedule me in. He replied, "Why does it matter? It's not like you are living here anyway," referring to the fact that my house was completely torn up and in shambles. I told him that actually I was planning on living there because I had to be out of my apartment by the end of the month. He laughed and told me he wouldn't live there and I must be a tough woman.

Since getting the room habitable, I haven't done much in there other than set it up as a guest room. I have long term plans to replace the pressed cardboard ceiling tiles with bead board or drywall and get rid of my cheap carpeting for hardwood. I also want to replace the old hallow core door and bi-fold closet doors with solid wood doors that match the rest of the house.

I won't be able to get to any of that before Erin comes but I would like to freshen up the room and make it more comfy and welcoming before she arrives. Right now the room seems too blue and yellow and too barren to me. I'd like to get some curtains to add to the bamboo blinds, make a headboard and add some art to the walls. I love my tansu chests that I bought for my apartment in Japan so I'll keep those in the room but the current night stand is doing nothing for me (I bought it from the As-Is section of Ikea when I was in grad school). Back in Japan the short tansu chest was my coffee table and it worked well because my couches were also low to the ground. Now with the scale of U.S. sized furniture it looks a little short and out of place so I am thinking of seeing if I can turn it into a console table.

I have lots of plans and am short on time but hopefully I can knock a few items off the list before Erin comes. Wish me luck!

Comments

[Mary-Lou]

I really like all the world globes around the room with accompanying maps. I always think fresh flowers can do lots for a guest room. Besides all the coming and going fun you two are going to have Erin will probably not even notice if the chest of drawers is too high or too low :-)

[Rene]

I think it looks lovely!! I agree with Mary-Lou that fresh flowers or maybe a plant would add so much to the room. I have a travel themed room as well with globes and maps. I just can't get of either. I've been meaning to post my blog address for awhile now and finally remembered to. I'm not an eloquent writer like you are, but I do love my blog! Great job, Lisa.

[Lisa]

Mary-Lou- You are right that Erin won't care. She is one of my dear friends who loves me no matter what and wouldn't bat an eye even when my house is a disaster. It's more that her visit gives me some motivation to get some things done before she comes. I like the idea of adding some flowers to warm things up. That will be a perfect touch!

Rene- Thank you, Rene! I have tons of globes and maps in my house. I picked up two of the old globes in Japan so when you look close they have all of the place names written in Japanese. Thank you for sharing your blog with me. I'll have to check it out!