Do-It-Yourself Bungalow

After a long search for a house with the magic combo of spaciousness, charm, and a good floor plan, this couple took a leap of faith and took matters into their own hands.

By Judi Ketteler

Family Room

When they first purchased this 1920s bungalow, the homeowners envisioned a place where their vintage-modern aesthetic would feel right at home. Creating that look meant digging in without second-guessing. They began peeling wallpaper but eventually painted over it to speed the overhaul.

They claimed niches for their favorite accessories; hung shelves and funky light fixtures; and nailed up paneling, molding, and beaded board (including the wainscoting and coffered ceiling in this space) -- doing it all, room by room, before they lost their nerve. Why so fast? They wanted to have company and couldn't abide the decor they'd inherited. First lesson of DIY Decorating Overhaul: Go with your gut, because if you stall too long, you'll lose momentum.

Make Your Own Art

If you can't find artwork that fits your style or your budget, make your own. These high-impact pieces? A framed construction paper collage and vintage wallpaper samples. The coral? Spray-painted sea sponges.

Fan Fabulous

Bored with a ho-hum shade, the homeowners reinvented the ceiling fan light fixture by replacing the glass globe with a drum-style shade.

Resources

Like what you see in this story? As of 2006, the items featured in this story were available from these manufacturers.

Sofa - Arhaus; 866-427-4287; www.arhaus.com. Rug, throw - Williams-Sonoma Home; www.wshome.com. Wicker cubes - Wal-Mart; 800-925-6278; www.walmart.com (product line varies). Wicker chair, bamboo window shades, lamp on side table - Pier 1 Imports; 800-245-4595; www.pier1.com. Green pillow - CB2; 800-606-6252; www.cb2.com. Palm leaf pillow - West Elm; 866-428-6468; www.westelm.com. Lamp on radiator, large clear vase - IKEA; in the United States: 877-345-4532; in Canada: 888-932-4532; www.ikea.com. End table, tray on wicker cube - Pottery Barn; 800-922-5507; www.potterybarn.com (product line varies). Coral-pattern brown pillow - Z Gallerie; 800-358-8288; www.zgallerie.com. Raffia cushions with orange border - Williams-Sonoma Home; www.wshome.com. Red bowl on cube - Target; 800-800-8800; www.target.com (product line varies). Black-and-white geometric pillow on chair - Hold Everything; 888-922-4117; www.holdeverything.com. Coral wall paint Quite Coral - The Sherwin-Williams Co.; 800-474-3794; www.sherwin-williams.com. White wall paint Hailstorm Gray - The Valspar Corp., sold through Lowe's; 888-313-5569; www.lowes.com/americantradition.

Continued on page 2: Dining Room

natdalton7 wrote:

Great ideas! I love the aqua colors that are used in these photos. I got a fun monogrammed baby gift (http://www.namelynewborns.com) in that color and now we are basing the whole theme of our nursery on this. I am super excited! Thanks for the inspiration.

1/6/2012 06:22:38 PM Report Abuse

travelbear32 wrote:

These are some fantastic ideas! I'm a huge supporter of the second hand and thrift store items. I have a quilt my grandma made, some original retro shag carpet, used furniture, and a whole shelf of used books in my room. My space doesn't look nearly as good as this one, but it works for me. I say forget the custom jewelry gifts to self this year: make a creative space that fits your personality and lifestyle and saves you money at the same time!

11/9/2010 04:59:53 PM Report Abuse