I’m thrilled to share the exciting transformation of our spare bedroom, affectionately known as the ‘junk room’ or ‘hot air balloon room’. This space at the top of the stairs had become a catch-all for tools and supplies, among other miscellaneous items. After just over two years of living in our home, we’re still determining the purpose of each room.
The old guest room will soon become my new office, with this newly renovated space serving as a guest bedroom – at least until baby number two arrives, when it’ll be converted into their nursery. We’re loving the journey of learning to tackle home improvement projects with our little one in tow Griffin’s longer naps have allowed us to work together on tasks during that time while the room isn’t yet fully dressed up, a fresh coat of paint and new trim have made a significant impact.
I’m excited to share before-and-after photos with you today – just two weekends’ worth of work. As always, this post includes affiliate links: if you choose to click through one of my links and make a purchase, it will help support Rise and Renovate at no additional cost to you.
The Guest Bedroom Makeover Project List
To kick off the bathroom renovation, we started by tackling the existing wallpaper border with a few quick snips; it was removed and prepared for painting. Next up were the holes in the wall, which were filled with spackling compound to create a smooth surface. The old baseboard was then pulled out, making way for its new counterpart, we chose Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams as our go-to color, opting for a calming hue that complements our bathroom’s unique charm.
After painting the walls, we installed and finished the new baseboard in matching Sea Salt, adding a touch of cohesion to the space. Crown molding was also added to give the room some extra visual interest. Finally, we rearranged the bed and furniture to create a fresh layout that takes full advantage of the renovated space.
Taking Down the Wallpaper
We were apprehensive about tackling this process, having heard numerous horror stories about removing wallpaper. Undeterred, we delved into online research and poured over Amazon reviews in search of a solution that would deliver the desired results. Our diligence paid off as we settled on a trusty combination: scoring the wallpaper with a specialized tool and utilizing WP Chomp Wallpaper Remover.
Following our initial spray application, the wallpaper peeled away effortlessly, revealing two distinct layers—a feat we captured on camera. Notably, the process left no lasting damage to the walls, and it appeared as though the offending paper had never been present in the first place. In instances where stubborn residue persisted, a plastic scraper proved a reliable ally, rendering our experience with WP Chomp nothing short of stellar.
To date, I would unreservedly recommend this solution for wallpaper removal on painted surfaces, deeming it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to achieve success without sacrificing their sanity.
Baseboard & Trim
As I busied myself preparing dinner downstairs that first weekend, I was suddenly interrupted by the commotion coming from upstairs. Fifteen minutes later, I headed up to investigate and found Andrew beaming with excitement, ‘I removed all the baseboard and tossed it out the window,’ he exclaimed, leaving me in stitches. Sure enough, our backyard had become a makeshift dumping ground for the discarded trim; I couldn’t help but chuckle at my husband’s antics.
Having installed baseboards numerous times before, we were well-equipped to tackle this project with ease. Andrew took charge of making precise cuts and installing the trim, while I followed behind to fill in any nail holes with spackling. We also applied paintable caulk along the top edge for a seamless finish. After allowing it to dry overnight, we sanded down the filled holes and gave the newly installed baseboards a fresh coat of white paint.
In recent months, Andrew has developed an affinity for installing crown molding in our room makeovers (like the nursery), and I must admit, the end result is nothing short of stunning. While the extra day required to complete the project may be a bit taxing, the payoff is well worth the effort. Andrew’s enthusiasm for this detail has even led him to joke about being ‘addicted’ to it.
Before + After
With the guest room furniture now in place, we added a personal touch by hanging a canvas I painted earlier to give the space a cozy feel. Although there’s still more to be done, including installing a white shiplap wall behind the bed and further decorating the room, it’s starting to take shape. We’ll get to those tasks eventually – perhaps in a few months, or maybe even farther down the line.
Wall color: Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams
The room’s dramatic metamorphosis was nothing short of astonishing. Within the span of 24 hours, the baseboards were taken down, the wallpaper stripped away, and a fresh coat of paint applied – a remarkable feat that set the stage for an even more impressive transformation to come.
What’s next?
The wait is almost over – we’re on the cusp of completing our kitchen renovation. You may recall that a few months ago, we gave our cabinets a fresh coat of white paint. As it turns out, finishing the space wasn’t quite as straightforward as we anticipated. We’ve decided to take our island in a new direction by adding an additional cabinet and extending the butcher block surface. Stay tuned over the next month for the grand reveal.
In other news, Rise and Renovate will be undergoing a rebranding effort in the coming weeks, evolving into Hello Hayley. For more information on this exciting development, check out our latest update.
