Hey Hey Hey!! I’m so excited to share today’s post with you, but first, thanks so much for your response to yesterday’s new series, Sugarplum Style Tips! I’m thrilled you liked it because I have tons of ideas for more posts. And if you got the Invisible Heels, be sure to let me know what you think!
Now let’s get down to the business of today and a surprise room reveal! I told you in last week’s House Report post that I was lucky enough to collaborate with Ikea for our Bonus Room makeover, and they just surprised me with the finished video! Starting with the reveal is a little backwards from how I usually do things around here, but I couldn’t wait to show you, so we’ll just go in reverse order this go-round.
Let me give you a little background…Ikea contacted me late last year and asked if I had a problem area in our home I’d like to tackle with their help. Um, we just moved, how about 87 problem areas!? But the first one that came to mind, was the upstairs Bonus Room, and the big rats nest of cords we had thanks to the TV, stereo, video games, music gear, etc, etc, etc. My goal was to get the TV mounted, and corral all the cords and components in a tidy little media console.
Well, Ikea not only loved that idea, but also the potential of the entire space (which was already anchored by the Ikea sectional from our previous Family Room), and suggested a full room makeover…all done on video! #signmeup #action
But let’s first start with the room as it looked when we bought the house…a great space at the top of the stairs, with a large window seat and skylight, and hosed down in yellow. Since the kid’s rooms are upstairs, we knew it’d be the perfect hangout for them and their friends. And also a casual zone for the whole family.
Even though it’s upstairs, the open floor plan means the walls are a continuation from downstairs, so it’s painted the same color as the main areas on the first floor…SW ‘Repose Gray’. And to make the room feel even bigger, we carried the wall color all the way up the pitched ceiling. Then for the next year, it looked like this…
Enough of a room for the kids to wallow and watch movies, but completely unfinished. The disarray was easy for me to overlook considering it’s upstairs, and I’m usually only up there to gather dirty laundry, so the room kept getting backburnered.
But in the last few months, I’ve become devastatingly aware of how fleeting the time with our son still living here is, and I didn’t want to wait any longer to create a space where he and his friends want to hang. Because you mamas of teenagers know, you’d much prefer them hanging at your house! I know how lucky we are to even have this bonus room, so might as well make the most of it while the kids are still here! #sob
The first step was to meet with the Ikea Home Tour Squad. This amazing crew of Ikea-loving, talented peeps came over just before Christmas, and we chatted up all my goals and ideas for the room:
Then they returned last month bursting with solutions and energy, and together, we transformed the room in two days! Well, they did 95% of the work…including all the assembly! #praiseGod #meandIkeaassemblydontmix
We hid the room from the kids until it was complete so we could surprise them with the reveal…and their reactions were priceless! I worked on the room from start to finish, but even I was overwhelmed by the final transformation.
To see the full makeover, including the process and why we’re laughing so hard, watch the video below (or click here to watch directly on YouTube if the embedded video isn’t working for you).
It was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had on a room makeover, and I can’t thank the brilliant Ikea Home Tour Squad enough for their ideas, hard work, amazing attitudes, and oh yeah…a finished room in just two days!
We only had about 30 minutes for the final styling, so it’s mostly just staged for filming at this point. I’ve been working on actual organization and adjusting it to fit our specific needs and style, and will share all the details, breakdown, and supply list with you soon. Until then, make sure to check out the video, and try to ignore my excessive ‘Whoooo!’s.
Cassie! How fun was that experience?!?! I love, love, loved this!
The room looks amazing, and you were absolutely DARLING in the video! I think somebody needs her own show!!!!!!!
I couldn't agree more! She's adorable and great on camera!
me too! love your voice and you just inject the right amount of silliness!!!
Love it! You all are so cute! It was neat to hear your voice, I expected you to have an accent!
Oh wow, what a fabulous transformation and the room looks amazing.
That room looks AWESOME!! Yay IKEA!! Seriously though. Y'all did a great job. Your kids will enjoy that for years to come!
So jealous and love it! How fun?!!! I noticed I have some of your pillows throughout my house… A combination I never thought to put all together. Looks like I'll do some pillow rearranging today 🙂 enjoy this space with your kids! Oh and so fun to hear your voice!
Looks fab! Loving the video too 🙂 Love how the cables are just so neat and tidy now. – you must be so pleased.
Loved the video and the reveal. Great space. I, too thought you'd have a Texas accent. You're still adorable.
Some accents are certainly thicker than others…mine comes out after a glass of wine! 😉 xo
Hi Cassie! Love the room! I admit I don't often think of IKEA for "big projects" but I'll definitely reconsider now! Question… Did you cover already the process for painting your bannister? We have almost the identical one, and I'm super tired of the wood color with the white spindles. The uniform white looks great!
Thanks Mary! I haven't shown the stair makeover yet…the last part just happened not too long ago, but I'll be sure to soon!! I was like you, I couldn't take the light wood on white any longer!! xo
I always thought people who live in Texas would have an accent?! But I've never been to Texas… 🙂
Some accents are definitely stronger than others…I was using my 'professional speaking voice' for the video! 😉 xo
Wow! What a great transformation! I also got a kick out of hearing your voice. I've followed you for a long time and always imagined a much thicker accent lol! It was a really fun video to watch and again the room looks amazing!
Let's have a glass of wine (or two) and you'll hear that accent!! 😉 Mr. SP is from Northern California and gets a kick out of it when it emerges! xo
You are THE cutest, Cassie! Love everything about the space… great job! Now, if my town could hurry up and get our Ikea built, I'll be in business!
Oh yeah….you'll love it!!!
Oh, I know I will! I've actually arranged business trips where I'd be in the vicinity of one, so I could stock up! The closest one (at the moment) is a mere 7 hours away!!!
What an awesome transformation!! Will you share details soon? I bet it's all extremely affordable, too… gotta love IKEA. 🙂
xo Heidi
Yes!! I think their budget was $2k, and that covered the media console, tables, drapes and the big map art. The rest we gathered from around our house. I'll show more of it soon (hopefully!) xo
What a fun opportunity! Your room looks amazing and y'all are just too cute!
I can't get enough of your blog……so bright, fun and a cheerful attitude about life! You're the really cool neighbor I wish I had to ask for advice about…….EVERYTHING!
Loved it. My happy place is a trip to Ikea with a girlfriend and just spend several hours getting inspired.
Love this space! The media center is amazing. I hate all the cord mess that shows from all the techie stuff too!
Wow!!! So, when can you send them out to San Jose, CA? Yeah….that would be great. Seriously though, it looks fantastic and your family is adorable. I love your blog. So much fun. Thanks for sharing Cassie!
wow, it looks amazing. Since its an open room, do you think the tv or music is loud or disrupting to other members that are downstairs in the kitchen or living room? i have the same idea in our basement which has open stairs and i can hear the tv too loud? considering that noise travels up and i have tweens already, it will always be a tad bit louder that i want 🙂 thanks and great job!
Great job Ikea! Love that TV unit! I can't wait to see the still photographs of this room. It's perfect…"and not too precious". That cracked me up. What a sweet voice you have! Yep….somebody needs her own show. ;~)
Looks great! And so fun to hear your voice! #thelittlethings
Great job! Love it!
Seriously amazing! This just makes me want to be friends with you more than I already did! You are so fun and relatable! Love the new space!!!
Looks awesome! For some reason your voice surprised me! I guess that I assume everyone has my voice since I'm reading it to myself. 🙂
Love this space! I love IKEA also! Thanks for sharing.
wow, what an inviting cozy space!! go ikea! and i love maggie… i don't care that you're doing a video mom, please pet me…
Give IKEA my number, please!! I have several spaces that need help! The room looks great!
the room looks great!! and functional, which is big for me, it has to be clean, cute and functional. love ikea!!
I love this series and hope they do my home someday!!!! So happy for your all Cassie!
What a great room!!! Love that you surprised your kiddos with it. Loved it all.
You are so dang cute! Love the space!
The space is fantastic! Yes, they grow up way too fast. And you my dear, are adorable!!
I have been following you for awhile and I have to tell you that you are absolutely the cutest thing! Definitely destined for something on television in the future. I love your blog, your sense of style, and You!
Wow! What a great transformation for this great space. It looks so cozy, I want to watch a movie!
The room turned out awesome. I can't wait to see more details. I have to admit I've been giving you a totally different voice in my head when I read the blog =) I was so confused when you first talked. I don't comment much but I've been so impressed with how your blog has evolved. Keep up the great work.
Y'all are precious!! And the room looks SO good!
Awesome !!!!! Looks great Love Ikea !!!
Awe, so cute!!!! Love the end result!!
Hey chickie! Seriously so fun to watch this! 🙂 What a fantastic transformation of the space! I hope you'll incorporate more videos into the blog! You're such a natural on camera! 🙂
Gosh, you're cute. 😉 Love how it turned out and so fun to watch!
OMG how cool!!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Wow, Cassie! What a great use of space and does not even look like an IKEA makeover. Your family is so cute. Love the video!
How stinking fun!!! You're a complete natural on camera! I could totally see you with your own show someday 🙂
Congrats, Cassie! You did a great job, and I enjoyed seeing "in person"! Lol! What a great space for your kids!
~Kandace
Ahh! The room looks AMAZING! I am a long-time follower, but have never commented (bc I'm too lazy and content to lurk in the background), but I just have to say that I LOVE your new home! Your decorating style is so up my alley, and you have inspired my sense of fashion as well. You are the first blog I check every day. Thanks for being the highlight of my time spent online! (Oh, and I agree with what was said above: you are a total natural on camera and I can see you with your own show also!)
Is it weird that I imagined your voice sounding a little bit deeper? Like, not manly deep sounding, just a little deeper. Don't get me wrong, I think your voice is sweet and could easily pass for a 20-something chick, but it's funny how we see someone and assume they sound a certain way. =)
The room is awesome btw! It was fun to see the "Cassie-live" version of you =)
it looks absolutely amazing friend… AND practical for your sweet family!! LOVE
It looks so cozy! Love the video and I hear you about precious moments my oldest is a senior this year! Time is flying!!!
That is adorable!
Cassie – how fun for all of you! We definitely have been waiting for this reveal. Can't wait for the break down and some photos to see all the great details. 🙂
http://www.erinkrobison.com
Oh. My. Gosh. I'm going to say all y'all, I'm not even from the South. Ahem. ALL Y'ALL were SO. CUTE. I mean!! So. Much. Fun. And I LOVED hearing your voice! SO not what I imagined! But adorable just the same. LOVED this!!
Wow! How fun! Congrats, it looks great!