Small Guest Room Reveal

Hello ladies, my sister is flying the last stretch as I type this and in a few hours I will have to get up in the middle of the  night to go and pick her up! I guess it is safe to say that she won’t be reading this post before she gets here (she did however leave me several comments on past posts as she was killing time reading my blog in Singapore).

So here is the long awaited guest room reveal.

 

Guest Room20 copy

 

When you look into the guest room from the upstairs landing this is what you see.

Move a little and you can see the right wall too.

 

small guest room with striped walls, suitcase nightstand and billy built-in

 

The room is so light and fresh I am in love! As you can see it really is a small room, I didn’t exaggerate about that, now did I. But I think I really managed to make it feel like a proper room anyway, instead of just a big closet with a bed.

I am so proud at myself for this project! Everything in here I did/made/created myself (with a couple of extra hands provided by My Love if I needed them of course).

 

Guest Room49 copy

 

You have already seen the striped walls, the revamped lamp and my ‘ Dare to Dream’ sign, and my suns on the left wall.

But you have not seen the right wall yet. Here it is:

 

Guest Room24 copy

 

I built a shelf and finally found a place for an old letterbox I found thrifting months ago.

 

Guest Room28 copy

It was of course an ugly brown when I found it, but I think it really has come to live in white. I had great fun rummaging through my vintage trinkets to find the perfect things to display.

I used some wallpaper and a page from an atlas to cover a few cubicles and just took it from there.

 

Guest Room48 copy

 

Ordinary keys, jewelry and sewing notions become treasures when displayed like this.

 

Guest Room13 copy

 

An old clock face and a shiny stone (that actually belonged to my sister a reaaaaaaally long time ago, I wonder if she will recognize it), each have there own little spot.

 

Guest Room18 copy

 

And I even provided my guests with a bell to call ‘room service’ (well they can try, I don’t guarantee anyone will come running).

On top of the shelf are some frames and books.

 

Guest Room10 copy

 

I framed up an old page from a book depicting a funny alphabet made out of drawings of people. Since this will be my reading room as well I thought that was fitting. The old picture is the picture of me and my siblings I love the most. I am the little baby in the middle and the girl on my left with the long braid is my sister who will be the first guest here. I did a quick revamp on the frame. Originally the frame was wood and the matting white. But I didn’t like how yellow the wood had become and the matting wasn’t white anymore. So I took it apart to spray paint, but when I realized that the back of the matting was bare wood I decided to just turn that around. Of course the glass is on the outside now but a bit of glue prevents it from falling out.

Next to these frames you’ll find a pile of books.

 

Guest Room9 copy

 

I took the cover off of some old dictionaries and was so happy to see that the old Dutch dictionary had actually been bound using old pages from a newspaper. Doesn’t that just look so good!

On the right side of the shelf stands another frame.

 

 

Too bad only a single bed will fit in here because this vintage piece of sheet music is called Amour Discret, and I don’t think I need to translate that….
I love how the color of the aged papers coordinate with my striped walls.

And then there is my bookcase of course.

 

Guest Room42 copy

 

I really struggled coming up with a way to decorate and use the bookcase, because I thought my Billy Built-in deserved a bit more than to simply stow some books in there. I took a ton of pictures of the bookcase too, but I will save those for another post, because this one is already becoming a bit picture heavy.

Next to the bed stands my suitcase-bedside table.

 

Guest Room50 copy

 

Fresh towels in my vintage basket underneath and a few treats for my guest on top.

 

Guest Room2 copy

 

Of course some fresh flowers and some nicely scented toiletries.

And the keys to our house with a little card saying ‘ Welcome and please make yourself at home here’ . Oh and of course some yummy chocolates.

 

Guest Room5

 

I am so pleased with how this room has turned out! Of course there are still a lot of bigger and smaller projects I would like to do here (it is amazing how many projects one can cram into such a tiny space), but for now it is finished. And I am so in love that every time I go upstairs I just have to step into this room for a moment and sigh, sigh deeply with pleasure.

But I have to say this:

None of this would have been possible without the amazing inspiration Layla gave me when she designed and decorated her little reading room. If you go over to the Lettered Cottage and look at her reading room you can clearly see where my inspiration came from. I never would have thought a small space like this could become a real room with a personality if I hadn’t seen what Layla and Kevin did. Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart!!

Ok the room is ready, let the guest arrive…..

 

If you want to see more guest room posts: I show you how to make a Built-in from an Ikea bookcase here; the suitcase bedside table is introduced here; I share some do and don’t about painting striped walls here; I tell the story behind my sign here;.

 




Guest Room45 copy

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Songbird | Website | + posts

Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.

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73 Comments

  1. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says:

    Wow!! This is totally awesome!! You did an amazing job!! I am off to rip the covers off of some old books!!

  2. Just beautiful. You really did do a LOT with what is obviously such a small space. I'd love to be a guest in your home. 🙂

  3. ::cottage instincts:: says:

    I'm so featuring this room. STUNNING! You outdid yourself for real. I'm totally crushing on the little cubby thing with wallpaper and such in the back. How lucky your sister will be to stay in such a soothing retreat!

    Impressed doesn't even come close Marianne. I'm completely bowled over 🙂

  4. Hilary @ Sweet as June says:

    It looks amazing!!! I love everything!! you have one lucky sis!

  5. What a beautiful room, I'd love to stay there. Let us know what she says when she sees it.

  6. The room turned out absolutely beautiful! Every detail is just perfect for that space. If I didn't know it was your own personal space, I'd think it was a photo taken from a B&B. Just marvelous!

  7. Oh my goodness, Marianne! This is beautiful! Can I come to stay with you? I love how simple, clean and crisp it looks. I love everything, the bedding, the books, the stripes, the cubby and everything! Awesome, great, fantastic job my friend!!!! You should be very proud of yourself!

  8. You did a WONDERFUL job. Your sister will love it!

  9. Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says:

    What a perfectly sweet little guest room. It looks clean, fresh, and welcoming – who could ask for anything more.

  10. Julie Johnson says:

    This is gorgeous!!! I love all of your thoughtful touches. I'm swooning over that white suitcase, the sweet candlestick and the gorgeous old books. Wow. I think if I were you I'd sleep there when she's gone! 🙂
    -julie

  11. Mary Ellen says:

    Oh you did such a beautiful job on this sweet guest room!! What a cozy little space you have created for your friends and family!

    I do love that alphabet frame! Such neat graphics!

    bee blessed
    mary

  12. Such gorgeous decorations. The room seems to go really well with your blog background too 🙂

  13. Marianne! It is beautiful! You have thought of everything! It is a tiny room, but so inviting and cozy!
    I love the letter box and all the trinkets. You did a perfect job filling the spaces. The books! Oh my! gorgeous!
    great job!
    gail

  14. Ali @ Honey and Maple Syrup says:

    It looks soooooooooooo great!!!

  15. Amy Kinser says:

    Simply beautiful! You did a fantastic job! I love all of your personal touches in there.

  16. Green Willow Pond says:

    It is stunning Marianne! So serene and peaceful. I'd love to come and stay in a room like that!

  17. Centsational Girl says:

    Marianne, this is lovely! I just love the soft colors, the stripes and the vignettes you've created. So inviting!
    Kate

  18. Robin @ My Blessed Nest says:

    Just beautiful…so peaceful and serene! I'm sure your guests love staying with you!

  19. Pink Princess says:

    Nou als je zus zich hier niet welkom voelt….dan weet ik het niet meer. Ziert er echt schitterend uit meid. Goed gedaan hoor!!

    (Oh waar woont je zus eigenlijk?? Gewoon nieuwsgierig hihi. Zag dat ze een stop-over in Singapore had??)

  20. Miss Marple says:

    Ik ben helemaal wg van je kamertje en ik wens je een hele fijne tijd met je zussen en alvast een goede reis naar de Big Apple!!!
    Lieve groetjes – Irma

  21. That is a wonderful guest room Marianne – so bright and beautiful. I love how you have decorated it with all the wonderful displays.
    xo Tina

  22. It looks beautiful and very relaxing!

  23. Zo hee………als je gasten zich daar nog niet welkom voelen! Ziet er supermooi uit hoor, complimentje.
    Liefs Marga
    Ps. Het is me trouwens gelukt om weer foto's te plaatsen!

  24. Annie @ Birdcages n Butterflies x says:

    WOW! What a gorgeous Transformation! Anyone would love to be your overnight guest with a room like that!!! Well done all your hard work and effort certainly made it perfection!!!
    Annie x

  25. The room looks wonderful and so inviting. You did a terrific job!!

  26. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says:

    Beautiful! I just love it! It looks super comfy!

  27. Life Is Crazy Beautiful says:

    What in inviting & peaceful retreat!!

  28. southerninspiration says:

    you better be careful or any guests staying there will want it to become their permanent space!! 😀 I know I would NOT want to leave! It's lovely!

    Suzanne

  29. Gloria Fox says:

    Wow, just gorgeous! What a perfect use of this little space. It's so light and bright and cozy at the same time. Love, Love, Love!!!

  30. Tammy@InStitches says:

    She's never going to want to leave, it's beautiful !

  31. I am in awe of what you were able to do with such a teeny tiny space! Absolutely lovely!

  32. Oh, you did an amazing job, Marianne! I would gladly stay in a guest room like this!

  33. Ohhh wowww Marianne,Wat schitterend,alles klopt gewoon,zo gezellig,zo sfeervol.

    Liefs Riet.

  34. It turned out beautifully, Marianne. Your sister will love this room and feel completely at home there.

    xo
    Claudia

  35. Funky Junk Interiors says:

    Phenomenal Marianne! I love everything about it! While I see alot of Layla's touches in your room, the Songbird enhancements make it your own. Lovely! It photographs so well!

    Donna

  36. Brenda Kula says:

    She's going to love her stay so much she may decide to just stay! I just adore what you've done here.
    Brenda

  37. Your sister will be so comfortable in your guest room. It's very pretty. La

  38. So cozy! I'm digging the windows. Very cool. What did you cover them with?

  39. Beth@The Stories of A to Z says:

    Looks fantastic!!! I love it and your sister will too!

  40. Laurie@WilloughbyWhimsy says:

    As well you should be very proud of yourself and this most welcoming of spaces you have created!
    Very exquisite. When word gets out to your family & friends of this charming room you'll need a reservation book to handle the want to be guests! :O)

  41. My Plate is Full says:

    'Just found your blog. Very nice guest room redecorating.

  42. casa nostra says:

    zo, dat ziet er prachtig uit. hier zal je zus zich wel erg welkom voelen. ik wens je veel plezier en een leuke tijd samen met je zus.

  43. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says:

    Oh, how gorgeous this is!! You have to be so proud of that. Great, great job with every little detail.

  44. The Pennington Point says:

    It's perfection! Layla is inspiring, but you have done so much here that was from your own creative mind. Be careful, now that you have a beautiful guest room you're going to have guests! LOL! Lisa~

  45. what a lovely guestroom. No matter whether it's big or small you can make it beautiful and functional and this you did. Right down to all the sweet details….chocolates, keys to the house and the toilitries on the plate. I especially love your curtains.
    I am sure your soon to be guest will feel comfy and very welcome in your newly decorated space.

  46. Love everything…so serene. The curtains and walls are my absolute favorite.

  47. Amanda@The Hand Me Down House says:

    Oh my gosh, Marianne! I'm packing my bags and coming over! 🙂 This room is absolutely GORGEOUS! Any guest would LOVE to stay in it! you did such a great job! I especially love all the little details you added. 🙂

  48. Laura @ House of Thrifty Decor says:

    What an amazing guest room. Any guest would be lucky to stay there.

    I hope you can stop by this Sunday to my Show Off Sunday Party. I would love for you to share your project with my followers. 🙂

    http://houseofthriftydecor.blogspot.com/

  49. ♥Amber Filkins♥ says:

    Maryanne, everything is so wonderful! I ♥ it all! SO fabulous!

    ♥ Amber
    Silver Lining

  50. So very pretty and soothing…great for a guest as well as for a reading room!! Wonderful job! 🙂

    Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

  51. very nice & welcoming !

  52. ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie says:

    So gorgeous! I'm buying my plane ticket now! I'm sure I'll be perfectly happy in that cozy guest room!!

    Amy

  53. Anonymous says:

    I just love it. Can you do a tutorial on how you built the shelf?

  54. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says:

    This is stunning! Any guest is lucky to stay here, they may never leave 🙂 I'm over from DIY, so glad I found you, on my way to check the rest of your blog out 🙂
    XO

  55. Twyla Gariepy says:

    wow, what a pretty peaceful lovely room.

  56. delightful Are you taking reservations? Looks like a lovely getaway for one 🙂

  57. Inspire Me Heather says:

    I love, love, love your room! I linked it to my guest rooms post too today – for inspiration!

  58. Tanya from Dans le Townhouse says:

    Gorgeous room!! I love the strips, the curtains and the little bitty cubbies (you have a cameo in there, swoon).

    Just lovely, and such style in such a small space. Very impressive.

  59. How very lovely, everything looks so serene and paired down, just perfect. I am enamored with your stripes, I think they would look perfect in our living room! 🙂

  60. Love love love this space!! Fantastic job!!

  61. Anonymous says:

    Such a beautiful cozy little room! I will have to read you blog further to find out where that door leads.

    My beloved mother's name was Marianne. Her parents named her Mary Ann when she was born and changed the spelling to Marianne several weeks later.

  62. How did you get the damask type pattern on the windows? This is truly an inspiring room. Beautiful!

  63. Mills M. (héron + hibou) says:

    The room looks wonderful, so bright and airy! I think you'll have a hard time getting guests to leave. 🙂

  64. aboutgoodness.com says:

    Hello Marianne! I came to your blog after having seen your room on younghouselove.com. I am very happy I had a chance to discover such a treasure room that you have made – it is a real bijou!
    I like each and every single detail. It is so impressive how your suitcase nightstand looks. And you have thought about even so great details like welcoming sweets so perfectly displayed for your guests. I am sure you are a great hostess!
    I have a small guest room as well. And as my husband said – now your room is our benchmark… 🙂

  65. Amazing transformation! Love all the little details 🙂

  66. Lelanie Slater says:

    You have done a great job in redesigning this space. You really make the best possible use of the space and I particularly like the palette. It makes the space feel larger. And I adore the attention to small details.

    It is a stunning redesign!
    Well done.

  67. Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com says:

    Lovely and fresh! Who wouldn't feel pampered and cozy in a guest room like this? Great job!

  68. Ruby Showalter says:

    Beautiful!! Love the old letter box that you redid…the wallpaper in the background just pops your curios! And the striped wall?? Gorgeous!

  69. You did an awesome job! Can I come visit?? 🙂

    Nancy

  70. Anonymous says:

    Looks great. Please tell me what is on the windows is it a film? I adore it , where to find it. thanks

  71. What a beautiful room! I absolutely love the colors you chose and the striped wall. You did a fantastic job on this!

  72. I love your guest room! It is just my style and it is so nice to finally see a small room on one of these blogs as most are huge American rooms, and as I live in England this sort of room is more the norm. My absolutely favourite thing is the suitcase table. I have seen old style suitcases painted before but for some reason I have never seen on all white, and it is stunning. So much so that this weekend I will be going to all my local charity shops hunting for an old suitcase to pant white. Once I have that I will look for a table, but I won’t gibe up looking until I find the perfect case to paint white. Thank you for the inspiration, I bet your Sister loved it and felt like she was staying in a high class boutique hotel.
    Angela xx

    1. Glad you got inspired to find and paint a suitcase of your own.
      Yes those American homes are huge, they have so many rooms too! We Europeans have a lot less room(s) to decorate….

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