Today is super special because I am sharing the second single-parent room makeover project we recently completed! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can see the first one here. In that post, I talk about why we wanted to do a series of these, but I have to admit that COVID-19 has changed/delayed some of our plans that involve being in other people’s homes. Luckily, this room makeover was 99% done before my city, Springfield, MO, began sheltering in place this past winter. Recently, we were able to photograph the final room and I’m very excited to share!
Before we dive into talking about room decor, I want to highlight my friend, Kelsey Baldwin. This is her bedroom that she so kindly let me invade for a time. Ha. Kelsey is a single mom and also a small business owner. She started her business, Paper and Oats, around the time her daughter was born. She has an amazing story! Her book, Strong Girl Brave Girl, tells her story in detail and I highly recommend it.
Kelsey’s background is in graphic design and she has great taste, so I won’t pretend that I made all the great choices for this room—it was Kelsey. Actually, I recently painted my home office and as I stepped back to admire the one green accent wall I had painted alongside the white walls I realized I had 100% copied Kelsey’s bedroom. 🙂
Here is a before and after look. If you toured the rest of Kelsey’s home, you’d see a beautiful and thoughtfully curated space, so it wasn’t like her bedroom was a disaster to start. Far from it. But she did share with me that the walls were not a color she’d chosen, but simply what the last owner had used. So making this space feel more intentional became a priority right away. She also needed a few functional upgrades—better window treatments for better sleep, some closet upgrades, more storage, and a solution for the dog kennel that stayed in her bedroom (which I’ll share more about later this week). And of course we wanted the space to feel beautiful, fit with the age of the home and the items Kelsey already owned (like her adorable bed frame), and feel relaxing. Every main bedroom should feel relaxing and like a place to go for a little bit of peace—or at least that’s my opinion!
We painted most of her walls a bright white with one bold, green accent wall. She chose Behr Equestrian Green and I love the color! Feels very sophisticated. We upgraded her bedside lighting to two sconces on either side (as opposed to one in the center). We swapped out her ceiling fan for something a little more modern. We layered a larger accent rug under the pretty earthy, pink one she already owned. And we got her a larger dresser and side tables with drawers for more storage. The painting above her bed is a commissioned piece from our friend, Michelle Houghton, and I think it’s just perfect. The colors!
Here’s a look at the opposite side of the room. You can see how we worked to hide the dog kennel without losing any of its function for her bud, Cooper. 🙂
The dog kennel cabinet also has two drawers, one that contains dog treats. Lucky dog. And you can also see a more full look of how we treated her windows—adding both blinds and curtains. The natural light in her bedroom is wonderful, but it’s also nice to be able to block light if you want to sleep in or have a nap. Plus, a little more privacy in a bedroom never hurts.
Here is a look at her closet before. Kelsey has one of those beautiful historic homes that is full of character and very little closet space.
We added a second hang bar as well as some vertical shoe storage to try and maximize this space a little more.
Thank you, Kelsey, for letting us into your home! xo. Emma
Room Details: painting / Michelle Houghton, area rug, blinds, curtains, comforter, pink accent pillow, dresser, side tables, wall sconces, ceiling fan, black circle mirror, globe lamp, rattan plant stand (similar here), shoe racks. Many items in this room are things Kelsey already owned, but if you have questions leave them in the comments and perhaps she will answer.
Hi! Love this look! Can you tell us where the bed frame is from? Thank you!
Hi! Can you link your bed or say where it’s from? I’m renovating and this would be perfect!
link to comforter? link just takes you to joss & main
Here you go!
https://rstyle.me/+kS56TZ0X-clRlI6S2Mq41A
Beautiful work, love the room! It has given me lots of inspiration to put the finishing touches on our room. Quick question, did you modify the wall sconces to be plug in rather than hardwired? Some googling has let me know it is possible, but I’d love to see how you did it!
Hi! Such a beautiful makeover! I have a quick question about the wall sconces. I’m looking for plug-in ones just like the ones in the photos for my bedroom, but the link in the post links to hardwired sconces. Did you change them to plug in, or are they different ones? I’d love the source if they are different plug in ones! Thanks so much. 🙂
This is such a wonderful room! Great job! What white color did you use to complement the Behr Equestrian?
Agreed – what color white?
This turned out so pretty and I love how you refinished the dresser to a lighter wood-tone! Was it hard and do you have any tips for me? I am wanting to refinish my cherry wood dresser to a more natural wood tone, too! Also love the covering for the dog kennel! So smart!
We didn’t, it’s a different (larger) dresser. The product is linked in the post. 🙂
Can you share where the bed frame is from? Such a cute room!
Such a lovely space! What were the names and brand of the paint colors used? Would love that shade of green for my office
Hi Vanessa! Emma used Behr Equestrian Green.
Now that is a room! It’s lovely. So simple and elegant and cozy at the same time.
What a lovely, restful room! Sweet family 🙂
And looking at that closet, I hardly noticed the (probably great) storage, because all I could think was, “ah I love all of her shoes!”
Could you link to the curtain rods you used? Thank you!
It’s these:
https://amzn.to/31N5fsW
I love this post! I love seeing you guys finding ways to create/decorate while giving back. Very cool!
Such a beautiful room, so calm and welcoming! My master bedroom has a very similar layout and I’ve been thinking of changing the placement of the bed. Your pictures convinced me that it would definitely work! 😉
So beautiful! I love the mix of colors and textures in the room. I just want to touch everything. The layered rugs are gorgeous too!
Great makeover! The difference is amazing and proves that you don’t need to completely overhaul a space – details are everything! I’d love to know where Kelsey got that standing mirror! I’ve been looking for one exactly like that with it’s own stand that I don’t have to lean and anchor to a wall. Thanks!
Thank you! It’s from Ikea (several years ago).
Appreciate the thoughtful shift in language here, plus a beautiful room. Well done!
I’m 10000% obsessed with this room makeover!! It’s so beautiful, and I love the green wall. Great job, Emma + Kelsey (+ Michelle)!
How does one get featured in this series? I recently did a complete re-do on my daughter’s room, & I love the way it turned out so much that I’m tempted to move in there myself!
Loved this room! I was so inspired by the simplicity and little details.
Hello! I absolutely lo e this design and will use it as inspiration to decorate my bedroom. May I ask where the bed came from? Thanks!
This is so pretty, Emma. You two did a great job together. My sister has been a single, full time working mom of five children for years so I really love to see these special posts?