Are you all about a before and after room makeover? Oh, good. Here’s a before and after staircase and landing with a video, too.
disclosure: this post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.
How are you doing?
I was just checking in.
Me?
I’ve been trying to learn new things.
I’ve been cooking (yikes).
I’ve been making up new recipes with things we already have in our pantry. Some have been amazing. Some? Ummmm. Not so much.
Around here we are filling our days with celery and stories and hydrangeas and organizing and cleaning and working at putting one foot in front of the other.
I’ve also been teaching myself how to create videos. I know I mentioned this before, but I’ve been getting SO MUCH BETTER at the whole video thing. Now I’m trying to make videos to show the behind the scenes of some of the projects that we work on every single day.
So today I have a before and after makeover of the upstairs landing space at the top of the stairs and a little video to go along with it.
And in fun news?
My husband created the video soundtrack and played it on his guitar.
It’s good to have an Angry Lemon in the house.
before and after room makeover
When we bought the house, this is what the upstairs landing looked like.
There’s a door in the center that leads back to the media room.
On either side of the door there were two desks and chairs.
I wanted to make the space a little more functional, so we added kitchen cabinets to the space and built bookcases around them.
And then?
The space looked like this.
You can see how we created this project here.
We painted the bookcases and added some accessories, but I wanted to transform the space a little.
So this week we worked on a little before and after room makeover and rearranged everything and added a few new pieces and now?
The space looks like this.
And this.
And oh wait.
This.
It all started with this rug.
Can you even believe how amazing it is?
It came from the Better Homes and Gardens collection at Walmart.
You can see it here.
Here’s the overhead view so you can see the texture.
If you order it, make sure you get a rug pad to help it stay in place (you can see how we added it in the video).
It is one of the prettiest rugs I’ve ever seen.
I also added this gray tufted ottoman.
It’s super sturdy and the pattern on it reminds me of distressed wood.
You can move it around for extra seating or tuck it into a corner to double as a coffee table.
You can see it here.
With this before and after room makeover, we re-accessorized these built-ins. You can see the complete styling of the bookcases in the video.
We show how to stack books and layer everything into the space.
Everything was rearranged and we added a few new things like this oversized gold orb.
But one of my favorite things in this space?
Remember when I told you I had ordered it to treat myself?
It came in and it works so well. It has a rope inside that works as a wick and wicks the scent out into the air without using electricity or cords.
I also added a little scent to the flower on top, too.
You can see the diffuser here.
I’m so happy with how it all turned out.
It’s such a fun space at the top of the stairs.
But do you know how I knew the before and after room makeover was truly a success?
Late last night I turned the corner at the top of the stairs.
And this greeted me.
Buddy.
Snuggled up on the rug with the stars twinkling outside the window.
I think he approves. 🙂
I am so happy and honored to be part of the BHG Live Better Influencer Network at Walmart.
All opinions are my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
Affiliate links are also used on this post.
Ahhh! I was just wondering about Buddy yesterday. Good to see him again. I am curious about the three galvanized boxes on the shelf. Do you have a link for those? My office is crying out for storage and these are so cute. Thanks! The changes look great, by the way.
Charming video, KariAnne! Your voice and smile always brighten my day. Looking forward to more videos. (Of course I subscribe to your YourTube channel!). Have an amazing day.
How fun! Your stories and photos bring me joy, just like you! Can you please tell me about the lamps. Are they plugged in? I don’t see any cords. Do you have a hole on that top surface?
I'm happy for you! I like the two lamps on each side of the bookshelves. So cozy!
Thank you for sharing Buddy. Please more pictures of him says Scobbee and Merlin 🐕🐕 He's adorable and he loves the rug ! I do too! You have such amazing ideas like the bookcases .
Love the changes in the room! The rug and ottoman are perfect for the space.
Oh-Oh..you got me there. I just ordered (the last) the biggest one for our lower level rec room. Your hall looks nice. I am a sucker for every shade of ivory, cream and off white. And shelves. Storage is my happy thing. That rug is priced so reasonably. I am not a fan of expensive rugs you walk on. Having done that, it just makes me anxious, I have a very cute little yorkie to lie on it too. Love your doggie photos.
I watched your video with your daughter's making cards with celery. You mention their book where can I get one? Thanks
You and your family are something else. Wow!
I watched your video with your daughter's making cards with celery. You mention their book where can I get one? Thanks
You and your family are something else. Wow!
Wow ..the whole family is on this renovation. Lovely!! I do love your metal boxes..anything metal and I swoon❤Karianne ,you have taught your daughters well..I bet you could give them a few things and they could stage it well. LOL!! I have been following you for a long time and what I have learned from you is that you can repurpose and decorate your rooms to look lovely and different without spending alot of money. I do it all the time now, gives me great pleasure. I thank you..💞
Oh I love it. You are really getting so good at your videos. I love hearing your hubby too. Great music. I really need to learn how to do videos. Do you have a good tutorial that you are using?
I love the BH&G line at Walmart, always have. Great sheets and rugs, and all the little perfect pieces that make a space special. Also, while stuck home, I have been taking a second (third, fourth) look at my own landing area, and other wasted space in my 1535 sq ft home. Time to get creative, and you have inspired me.
Great before and after, KariAnne! I enjoyed the video....my hubby plays guitar too. ☺️
Your landing looks beautiful! The rug is perfect in that space and looks cozy for buddy. Kudos to your husband, the background track is on target! I've made a couple of videos as well, and I'm still waiting for my musician-husband to track mine! Lol, Nice work, everything is gorgeous!
Great video, background music, and design! You and your entire family (including Buddy) make a great team! Love it all.
What a great post to read and groove along with today, so many directions to vere off to, Those are some terrific looking shelves and storage spots, Buddy and his new rug look quite comfy. The landing looks amazing and what fun to read all about angry lemons again too, BUT nothin' and I mean nothin' beats a real life, beautiful love story ... ever ... you and your hubby make a good team, thank you for sharing KariAnne ! Keep well, Jayne
One word: AWESOME!!! And hubby sounds wonderful! Great video! 😍
Great collaboration with design and guitar.
Loved your video, loved the project, loved the background music! And loved how you got younger legs to climb up and down the ladder! LOL! Me? I don't do ladders unless absolutely necessary! That rug, though. Oh. My. Goodness.
It's beautiful KariAnne! I love your background music, and any space that's dog-approved works for me! ;) Thanks for the inspiration, and take care over there!
You are definitely not another pretty face.. Thais just wonderful and THAT rug is magnificent. Isould have tosee that brilliant guitar player. He is pretty good to you. I envy you coming back home. What a beautiful place you have made it. Love from Betty in Ontario, Canada.keep well.
The landing looks great! On the left hand side, lower shelf you have a wooden piece behind the 3 galvanized boxes. What is the wooden piece? It is so interesting!!!!
Doris, It's part of my grandmother's chair that was falling apart! It's the back with the legs cut off! Hope this helps friend! happy day!karianne
Buddy is God's gift to your family. Thank you for sharing him. I can feel the love radiating from him. He completes the look and feel of your home😊
It looks amazing, and your video is great!!
Great additions and obviously Buddy approved 🐶 The BHG rugs are great......we ordered an outdoor rug and are super happy with the look, price and quality!!! I may need to get that diffuser too 💜
BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! for the transformation and that guitar playing! Is that a song or hubby strumming some notes away? Either way, the music goes great with the video!! Great teamwork!
This was a great post! So much good information presented in such a lively, positive, and generous style! Kudos to you and your husband! The creativity knows no bounds in you, Karianne! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yay for you! My son helps me with video, it sure adds time to publishing a post! Your skills are great, love the custom guitar! I’m going to ask my musical kids to make a score for me!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Great job on the video Karianne. Loved the transformation. It looks fabulous.
He is almost as amazing as you are, Miz karianne. Well, truth be told....he really is pretty amazing and the phrase, "how do I love thee, let me count the ways", comes to mind! Nice transformation of that landing, too.
Looks awesome - and loved the video and commented on youtube. : - )
Your house is fantastic - I totally love your style in decorating:-) And yes, it is diffcult times and we all learn new ways to act together, which I think we will bring with ud for the times AFTER corona:-) Be safe!
This is fabulous! Now you can add "Director" to your long list of talents!! And, by the way, you look marvelous!!! xoxo
I was wondering about where to purchase the 2 cute metal cases you have in your shelf? You did such a great job on this makeover. I just found you and so glad I did!
love it! love the music and video the time-lapse your hair! I love it! laura
I really enjoyed your video, your space is beautiful! May I ask were you purchased your lamps from? Thanks so much for sharing. Panda