Rustic Retreat Renovation for $300

With four days and $300 dollars, I transformed a dated room into a rustic and masculine retreat.  Luckily the homeowner had several fantastic items already in the existing space, which I was able to incorporate; a hand carved desk, leather wing-back chair, old Persian rugs and two side tables.  Here is a breakdown of the expenses and what was done.  Several of these projects you might be able to use in your next renovation.

1.  Paint – Primer, black flat (Onyx Black), gray (Silver Screen), and a quart of white semi-gloss all purchased at Lowe’s.  First, I cleaned and wiped down all the walls and then let dry before painting.  COST – @$100 including painting supplies.
• First, all the walls and lower molding were primed.
• The wall with the bed frame was painted Onyx Black.
• Remaining walls were painted  Silver Screen.
• All the window frames were already stained.
• Base molding and doors were painted white semi-gloss.

2.  Flooring – 30-year-old carpet was removed to expose wooden floors that were cleaned and polished. Several cowhide pelts were found in the attic and layered under several Persian rugs.  COST – FREE.

3.  Headboard – was constructed from old barn wood used from an actual barn.  Look for a “Barn Wood Headboard” article to see how it was done.  COST – FREE!!  (cost of screws for headboard was minimal).

4.  Bedding (full size mattress) and pillows (four) – duvet cover and two pillow sets from IKEA.  COST – $39.99   Then the sheet set, 400 count!!, and two down pillows from Walmart. COST -  $75.

5.  Two side tables – had flower motifs, so sanded and spray painted each with black lacquer paint.  One used by the bed and the other in the seating area. COST – $8.

6.  Desk, bookshelf, and chair – already in the space, so cleaned each with Murphy’s Oil.   The bookshelf uncluttered and rearranged and also placed some photos and heirlooms.  COST -$15 for the oil along with other cleaning materials used throughout the whole project.

7.  Seating area – created a seating area in a corner of the room using a leather wing-back chair and one of the side tables.  Moss was put on the table in a container (see how to do  under, “Potted Moss as Decorative Item”) and  art books placed on the table.  I also hung the homeowner’s law degrees and other heirloom items.

8.  Side table by the bed – used existing lamps on both tables and then purchased two artist stones as bookends from Blick Art Supplies. COST  $12 and a flower vase from Walmart,  COST – $10.