Transforming a Spare Room: DIY Renovation with Mid-Century Charm
I thought I would share the journey of renovating a dingy north west facing spare room into a beautiful, cosy space for guests to stay. A room that’s very close to our heart and I’ve been calling it the ‘Tump Room’ named after its distinctive green ceiling. We poured our heart and soul into every detail, from flooring to painting and adding unique touches, this room now exudes a captivating mid-century feel.
A DIY Labour of Love
From start to finish, we tackled every aspect of the renovation ourselves. From painting and laying a new subfloor to installing stunning parquet flooring and adding elegant skirting boards, our hands-on approach ensured that every detail was carefully crafted. It may not be perfect but we wouldn’t change a thing about it.
The Enchanting Ceiling
One of the room's standout features is the deep green ceiling painted in Morris & Co’s exquisite ‘Tump’ colour. This unique choice has become a source of inspiration for others, adding depth and character to the space. The walls, adorned with powdered chalk, provide a subtle and serene backdrop.
Timeless Parquet Flooring
The aged parquet flooring from Broadleaf brings a touch of vintage charm to the room. It’s intricate pattern and rich hues add warmth and sophistication, seamlessly complimenting the mid-century aesthetic we aimed to achieve.
Rob removed the original floorboards as many of them were broken {don’t worry, we’ve kept the 200-year-old boards to use in other rooms in the house}. He then laid a chipboard subfloor and we both tackled the parquet. He is extremely technically minded so whilst he did the cutting and laying I was good at adding and spreading the glue.
We’re super happy with this floor and a year on it’s still going strong and hopefully will be for another 200 years.
Vintage Finds and Charitable Treasures
To enhance the room's mid-century ambience, we incorporated a charity shop cabinet and a beautiful tan leather chair from our previous home. These curated pieces bring character and personality, adding a unique touch to the space. I’ve also added old books and ceramic bottles to incorporate some old charm.
Heritage Gallery Wall
A small gallery wall adorned with a mix of heritage-style artwork and frames, both new and old, creates an eye-catching focal point. These carefully curated pieces reflect our love for art and add a touch of nostalgia to the room's decor. You can read more about my top tips to keeping the costs down when creating your own gallery wall in this story.
Replica Fireplace
To enhance the room's cosy atmosphere, we added a non-working replica fireplace to fill a boarded hole in the chimney breast. This charming feature adds a touch of elegance and serves as a focal point.
Functional and Stylish Storage
With limited space, we installed a peg rail for hanging clothes, replacing the need for a traditional wardrobe for when our guests come to stay. This practical solution not only maximises the room's functionality but also adds a rustic touch. We also incorporated shelves, creating a dedicated dressing table area for added convenience.
Delicate Details
Simple white curtains from IKEA provide an airy and fresh feel to the room. The woven stools from The White Company serve as stylish bedside tables, adding texture and charm. Pluggable wall lights eliminate the need for wiring while providing ample lighting.
In summary
Our guest room renovation showcases the beauty of DIY craftsmanship and a carefully curated mid-century aesthetic. From the intricate parquet flooring to the captivating gallery wall and charming replica fireplace, every element combines seamlessly to create a welcoming and stylish space. While currently a guest room, this versatile space holds the promise of becoming a future dressing room when we embark on our master suite project.
Jade x
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Before and During
