Modern Bedroom Makeover

Stuart created a shimmery checkerboard wall treatment using a flat greenish-gray base coat, and made large squares using a smoky metallic silver glaze.

For a window treatment, he hung faux suede panels on a rod made from mounted industrial piping, for a high-tech look.

Stuart created an upholstered wood frame headboard using furniture-grade plywood and trim molding for the frame, and two-inch-thick foam surrounded by batting and stapled to the wood frame. Chenille fabric was stapled over the foam-batting combination, and cord trim was hot-glued around the edges to finish. He inserted three spaced deck screws through the fabric and covered each with a button to create tufts.

Rich bedding in sage and gold colors were added, including accent pillows made from gold satin, faux mink and velvet and damask fabrics. He placed a chocolate-brown velour throw trimmed in black faux mink at the foot of the bed and a low-pile cream-colored area rug on the floor.

He removed the base weights from silver-plated desk lamps and mounted them on either side of the bed.

On the left side of the bed, Stuart added a neoclassical round pedestal table (bought at an auction for $250).

He purchased urn-style lamps for the tables. The lamp bases were painted black, then brush-painted with a white water-based latex paint that was wiped off quickly in a random circular motion, leaving traces of paint in the cracks and crevices for an aged look.

Stuart placed an upholstered walnut-finish chair on the right side of the bed. Beside the chair, he placed a floor lamp with a vellum shade and walnut-finish base. Under the window, he placed a rectangular table, painted gray and accessorized with a cast plaster bust, an orchid and a table lamp (described above).

To see where the savings are, take a look at this direct cost comparison of some Inspiration Room items and the creatively comparable ones used in the Makeover Room:

• Window treatment, $4,800/Curtains, $240; curtain rod, $68

• Italian polished-nickel wall lights, $1,800 each/Mounted desk lamps, $13 each

• Round walnut table with ebonized details, $4,200/Round maple-finish table, $250

• Antique urn lamps, $2,800 each/Classic-style lamp base, painted to look aged, $24.99 each

• Artwork, $18,000/Homemade artwork, $43

• Deco-style table made of rare leather, $20,000/Rectangular table, painted gray, $100

  Products
  urn-shaped lamp base, unfinished wood table (Target)
  silver frame, ceramic vase (Marshalls)
  silver-plated desk lamps (IKEA)
  gold -tone corduroy bedding (Bed, Bath and Beyond)
  sage green velvet pillow, chocolate-colored and faux mink throw (Strouds)
  faux mink fabric pillow (Casual Corner)
  metallic glaze, flat wall paint (Sears: Easy Living Metallic Glaze, Smokey Silver, MT013; Lemon Smoke Deep, II233)