Before & After: A Basic-Guy-Style Bedroom Goes Simple Scandi-Chic
Martin’s bedroom certainly wasn’t terrible, but it lacked a sort of grown-up style and sense of personal taste. Enter some sophisticated vintage-style items and an excellent use of white, and you have a calm and cool bedroom, with a bit of a scandi-simple-chic vibe.
From Martin: The walls in my room were painted in a less than stellar eggshell paint. The previous tenant set up the room with mismatched drapes, dark furniture, and left it very unkept.
It took me a total of six weeks to turn my room around. I spent the majority of my money on furniture.
I got a storage bed (full size) at overstock.com for about $300. Two West Elm nightstand I got for $140 from a dear friend. A West Elm secretary desk for $400, and a mid-century credenza off Craigslist for $300. Smaller items I bought at Restrospect Vintage in Philadelphia, and a mixture of frames from them, and IKEA.
On the last day of painting, a friend of mine helped paint the wall where my frames are hung.
I love the fact that it finally looks like a bedroom. I really wanted to make sure it felt comfortable and unlike the city life I encounter on a daily basis. The only thing I would do differently is perhaps buy a bigger bed.
Martin’s words of wisdom: Have a concise vision of your room. Use one key element for inspiration ( I used the West Elm night stands as inspiration) and go from there.
Be patient with your purchases. The credenza was the last thing I bought because I wanted to buy an authentic mid-century dresser, to give more character to the room.
And lastly, don’t be afraid to mix and match items. I know it could get tacky, but if done well with help from friends for second (and third) opinions, your room will look magical in the end!
Thank you, Martin!