Psst—We did it. We survived hosting our first Christmas dinner at home. Sherry is still buzzing and can’t wait to share photos and details next week. We’re spending the rest of the week with family, but wanted to drop in with a short post today and another one tomorrow. Hope you’re enjoying the holiday season.
Reader Redesign submissions always surprise me. Sometimes it’s the before-and-after images that stand out, sometimes it’s the story behind the room, and sometimes it’s both. Julia and Chris’s studio is one of those cases where the narrative and the finished space are equally compelling. Their story is honest and heartfelt, and the result is a bright, inviting room that feels thoughtfully designed and genuinely lived in. Here’s what Julia shared:
When our family of three moved into this house last April, the third upstairs bedroom felt like a relic. It had been a nursery once, but it had an outdated, slightly eerie vibe that made it hard to love. Initially we planned to keep it as a nursery in case we had another child. After more than a year and a half with no such luck, we decided to open the door to the stale room and make it useful now — a studio for me, with space for our little girl, Greta, to “work” alongside me.
Over about six weeks they transformed the formerly gloomy space into a lively studio. They painted the walls a crisp white to keep the room bright and opened up the ceiling with a cheerful turquoise that immediately changed the mood. New lighting, fresh window coverings, and updated flooring completed the makeover and gave the room a cohesive, energetic feel. Some of their choices were playful and unexpected, while others brought comfort and practicality, creating a balanced, welcoming studio.
What once reminded us of what we were hoping for became a joyful place that our family and friends celebrated with us. One of my last projects was a DIY three-dimensional quote on the wall that summed up what this room represents for us: “Be Open To Whatever Comes Next.”
The transformation is about more than paint and décor. It’s a story of shifting expectations, embracing the present, and creating a space that supports the life you actually have. Julia’s studio is a reminder that a thoughtful redesign can change not only how a room looks, but how it feels to live in it.
Personally, two features stand out: the turquoise ceiling and the textured floor tiles. The ceiling color lifts the entire room and gives it an uplifting personality, while the floor tiles add warmth and coziness underfoot. Together they make the studio feel both playful and grounded — a place perfectly suited to creative work and everyday family moments.
Julia mentioned that their next plan is delightfully low-key: a picnic lunch on the studio floor. That small, joyful idea captures the spirit of the space — comfortable, informal, and meant to be used. If you enjoy room makeovers that come with a real, human story, this transformation is a great example of how to turn a neglected room into a space you actually love.
Thanks to Julia and Chris for sharing their project and for offering inspiration to others considering their own room refresh. What about you — do you have a favorite detail in this kind of makeover? Or have you turned a room into something unexpectedly wonderful? We’d love to hear about it.