Design on a Benji

I have spent countless hours sitting in this boring, beige room while the twins played. With a little inspiration from one of my favorite shows---Design on a Dime---I finally decided to do something about it and make it look fun. Only I didn't exactly have a "dime" to use. So my version is called Design on a Bit More Than a Benji. I am not usually a fan of slipcovers, but with my budget limitations that was about all I could do to change up the loveseat. Dan and Lois gave us the loveseat when we were first married and I think they had it for about 10 years prior to that. It was definately in need of a facelift! I made some throw pillows to dress it up a little. Poof! We have a fun, "new" loveseat.

My biggest challenge was finding a way to add some color to the walls. I really wanted to paint the walls, but Andy was adamant that they remained the color they were. I even offered to paint them myself. But he still didn't want them painted. Why? Who knows. But I found these things called Wall Pops that are like giant stickers for the wall. They are dye-cut and repositionable.

I even cleaned out the closet I was using for storage and put up some Wall Pops in there so the kids would have another place to keep toys and play.

Some of the other elements that I used to create visual interest were foam letters, a steal at just $0.60 each! (I am patiently awaiting the store to get more X's and Y's so that I can finish things off.) I also added pegs to hang things like feather boas, hats and buckets on. Hmmm. . .look at how terrible the paint lines on the wooden pegs are. Maybe that's why Andy didn't want me to paint! I created the artwork for the pictures using my computer and some photo paper. I bought the frames one at a time using my 40% off Michael's coupons and got three unique pictures for $35!

I think the crown jewels of the room, however, are the end tables/toy boxes. These were my very talented Dad's idea. If you can imagine it, he can build it. The trucks have wheels on the bottom so you just reach under the grill and pull the whole box out. There is a shelf for storage inside the table that you can put books or puzzles on. And the bed of the truck serves as a toy bin. These are awesome! Brayden loves to back the truck into its "garage."

And speaking of my very talented father. . .check out the link on the side of my blog to his Etsy shop. There are only a few things in it right now. But he is quite handy with the scroll saw. And the lathe. And any other tool you put in his hands! Like I said before, if you can imagine it. . .he can build it. If there is something you would like custom made, you can contact him at finewoodcraftsbyljm@comcast.net.

There is still more I would like to do with this room, but that's it for today's episode. Join me next time for a high-style, low-cost renovation on Design on a Bit More Than a Benji.