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Here's the before, jump below for the afters!
Ryan's bedroom was starting to feel way too dark and he was even having trouble sleeping, so he started a major overhaul of his space attempting a modern organic bedroom that was open, airy and refreshing. The result is a space he loves to be in. Jump below for the results, how he did it affordably and what he's still working on:

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Since I only have one window and limited natural light, the brown walls had to go. I wanted to paint the walls a bright cheerful color, but not something distracting, so I went with a belvedere cream and tate olive.
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before

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after

I wasn't finding any inexpensive, good quality euro shams, so I decided to sew my own. I took the train up (from Orange County) to the fabric district in downtown LA (after getting lost in skid row) and found all the fabric for the pillows for under $20. I also found that all of the bedskirts I'd buy from Linens 'n Things, Target, etc. all appeared dingy and see-through, so I decided to make my own. While at the fabric district, I picked up some heavy, thick white fabric and created my own bedskirt to my liking. The lights above my night stands are just grapevine balls that I found at a Michaels craft store. I simply put a light bulb through it and hung it from the ceiling, and wrapped the cord in hemp, casting dramatic branch-like shadows on the walls.

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Lastly the bed. I was tired of practically being on the ground with a platform bed, and after looking around the cheapest box spring and frame would cost $150-200. I decided to head to Home Depot and pick up some wood and make my own. My friend and I simply created a box smaller than the mattress and attached some sheets of plywood on top, giving me storage for baskets underneath.
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I kept my desk in the same space as before, however found a sofa console so the desk wasn't sticking out further than the curtains anymore. The two nightstands are ottomans, while the side table by the chair is actually a hamper from West Elm, that just happened to match the piece of art above the TV from Pier 1 perfectly.

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before

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after

Shopping at World Market, I fell in love with this wine buffet, I went back to the store 4 times to make sure I really really wanted it. I not only used it as a TV and media stand, but I also used it to store (and hide) all my DVDs, t-shirts, shorts, socks, and underwear.

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I definitely had to think outside the box and learn to not use things for their intended purpose to create the look I wanted. The curtains above both the window and the desk hang from a stick of bamboo attached to the ceiling with more pieces of hemp, creating a more natural feel.

I have fallen in love with my room and have slept even better. I am open to any suggestions and comments as the room will grow with me over time.

Wow, we're so impressed with your can-do attitude Ryan, thanks for sharing your process and inspiration (not to mention affordable alternatives). What do you think everyone?

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