From Dump To Den: Way Before and After

Where do you like to put your feet up to relax?

In our house, it's the den. 

In fact, if you need to find Mr. Goo Shoes and I on Sunday nights this summer, that's where you should look. We'll be watching True Blood.

Although we think the series has passed its prime, we still are faithful viewers.

It's still got some pretty scary vampire stuff going on...

…which makes it kind of fitting to be watching it in our den, because, prior to its makeover, it was a pretty frightening room.

The very first time I saw our house, I walked through the front door, and said, "we'll take it!" The former owners did a good amount of renovation on the first floor, and I loved what they did. 

I couldn't wait to see the upstairs. 

OH MY.  

It was like we were in a totally different house. 

A HORROR.

More terrifying than running into a vampire in Bon Temps. 

Mr. Goo Shoes was ready to walk right out, but it didn't scare me away. 

And, besides, there was that gorgeous, private backyard.  

Somehow, I convinced Mr. Goo Shoes that the upstairs had potential.

"Potential" in this case involved totally gutting the entire upstairs, down to the studs.  Yes, it was…

 THAT BAD.

It's hard to pick which of the upstairs rooms was the worst of the lot, but the room off the master bedroom was definitely a contender. I have no idea what the former owners used it for. 

I don't want to know.

It had dark, paneled walls and a filthy red carpet. 

It was…

A DUMP. 

This is the Way Before:

I am laughing hysterically that I watermarked this. As if anyone would want it!

When we moved in, we ripped out the paneling; painted, and put in a beige carpet, and called it our…er, office. 

It was only slightly less horrifying than the Way Before. 

I am cringing, as I look at these. I truly forgot just how awful it was. 

After living in the house for awhile, we decided to make a master suite. The Dump was about to be transformed into a Den. 

You can see (above) on the far left side, there is a door, two steps and a little wall. 

We ripped out the door, and the wall…

 …ripped out the steps, and put French doors in the center, with wider steps.  

Now the dilemma was how to furnish it. I worked with a designer at Ethan Allen. If you buy even one piece from them, their design services are free. We had worked with Cheryl many times before, and she had our style down pat. 

It was an awkward space, and we were clueless. All we told Cheryl was that it had to be cozy and comfy. 

I think she nailed it.

The only things Cheryl didn't select were the TV console (it's from Pottery Barn), and the wallpaper. She had picked a fabulous Ralph Lauren black and white plaid, and on the day that we placed the final order…we learned it had been discontinued!

I had a minor meltdown in the store. Cheryl couldn't find anything else that would work. 

I was on my own. 

No pressure…

The worst that could happen was that I would pick the wrong thing, and ruin the entire room. 

I went to a local wallpaper store and found this gorgeous beige and black grasscloth. 

Honestly, I like it better than the original plan.

Once again, Way Before:

And After: 

And from the other angle, a slightly improved Before:

And After…

It's hard for me to believe it's the same room. 

Mr. Goo Shoes thinks it is his man cave.

But, I like it, too.

Linking to:

Suburbs Mama Sunday Linky Party

Nifty Thrifty Things Nifty Thrifty Sunday

By Stephanie Lynn Sunday Showcase Party

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

BeBetsy  and VMG206 Brag About It Tuesday

Love Grows Wild Time To Sparkle Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday 

Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays

Serenity Now Blog for Weekend Bloggy Reading Fridays

Till next time,

Ms. Toody