2/27

Laura’s Art Room (Before + After!)

Before/After, Home Decor, Home Tour: Laura, Office, Room Tour
By Laura Gummerman

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) If you've ever bought a new house or had to redecorate an entire apartment from the ground up, then you know it can take a while to get the whole thing done. I totally understand why people make the joke that if you're renovating a space, you're usually ready to redo the first room you renovated by the time you get to the last room on the list. My art room has been kind of the most neglected space in the house since we moved in over two years ago. I just didn't have a vision for what I wanted in that space, so it kind of got left in "decorating limbo" where it was half done for the longest time—until now! Although it took me a while to compile all the components, I think I've finally nailed down the perfect "creative space" vibe I was looking for in my art room.

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) I was excited about this room's potential when we first moved in mostly because of the giant window. The overall room was pretty, well, dull compared to what I knew it could be. The medium tan walls and brown carpet made it feel rather dark—even with that giant window! Once we switched out the brown carpet for a light grey carpet, painted the trim and walls white, and added this awesome sputnik pendant light, it felt much brighter and airier.

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!)Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!)Colorful art room transformation (before + after!)I love the fun and pops of color that my colored mat gallery wall adds to the space. The black frames looked a little heavy with the white shelves underneath, so I painted them white and I think it helps keep the space looking fresh and light. I was wanting some low shelving beneath the gallery wall, and I got lucky because Josh was building a custom record cabinet for Elsie and first built it to the wrong measurements (hey, it happens). So guess who's got two thumbs and stole the rejected first build?? Me (please picture both my thumbs pointed inward at myself here). It fits the space perfectly, so it was a very happy accident on my end. Also, how cute are the vintage telephone and kitty planters? I love flea markets.

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) I made that bench recently for our two cats to sit on so they can stare out the window as part of their "neighborhood cat watch" program they are both enrolled in. Seriously? What is it with cats and looking out windows? I would say 99% of the time when we pull up to the house, at least one of them is looking out this window with intense concentration. 

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) I had major debates with myself about what kind of storage I wanted to use in the art room, but I love when people use unique objects in unexpected ways. So I wanted something a little different. I thought maybe a locker room type of feel would be cool, and Elsie happened to have a set of lockers in her mudroom that she wasn't going to be needing anymore, so I scored on that one! After a coat of pink paint, they settled quite nicely into the space.  I cut pieces of wood to make shelves on the inside of each compartment (it didn't come with any of the original shelves) so I can stack bins, boxes, and my sewing machines in neat compartments. (Prints on the locker are from Alphonnsine, Gingiber, a vintage postcard, and a magnet I made with our mini photo magnet DIY).

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) One of my favorite things that I've done in our house is this gold moon wall behind my art table. I'm telling you people, get a projector! Your list of DIY possibilities will explode. I grabbed a vintage office chair for my drawing table at a local flea market and just added the oversized architect lamp a few weeks ago. (I've been wanting one for years—finally!)

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Love that "XO" print and question mark marquee light. I'm always looking for ways to add a bit of cheeky fun to a space, it's what makes the room so much more interesting to me. Also, I'm a sucker for a black and white rug and the large cowhide is great for the space.

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) I bought an old filing cabinet and painted it gold to hold all my spray and acrylic paints. Filing cabinets are such good organizational pieces and they look really cute in painted colors. Also, that Ric Rac Cactus on the shelf is one of my favorite kinds of plants. I buy one pretty much anytime I see them around.

Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) Colorful art room transformation (before + after!) I can't believe it's taken me this long to get the room together, but I'm so glad that it's finally complete! It's been way too long since I've done more fine art types of projects, so I can't wait to get back into my pencil drawings and play around a bit. Thanks for taking the tour with me! You can see the rest of our home tours here if you're interested ;) xo. Laura

Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman, Photography: Janae Hardy and Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.

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