From Clutter to Calm: A Scandinavian-Inspired Master Bedroom and Bath Makeover
Witness the remarkable transformation of a master bedroom and bathroom, evolving from a neglected storage area into a tranquil, Scandinavian-inspired sanctuary. This month’s Makeover Tour showcases how creativity, hard work, and budget-conscious design decisions breathed new life into this space.
Meet the Creative Minds Behind the Makeover
Names: Karin Newstrom and Jeff Hansen
About: Karin Newstrom, a talented Minneapolis-based photographer (www.karinnewstrom.com), shares her life with her husband Jeff and their three rescued dogs. Together, Karin and Jeff are passionate about homeownership and embrace a DIY approach, revitalizing their first home piece by piece.
Project: Master Bedroom and Bathroom Renovation
Budget: Prioritizing Affordability
The Inspiration Behind the Transformation
Karin shares the story behind the makeover: “From the moment we received the keys to our house, we were eager to begin renovations. The master bathroom was an early demolition project, but it remained unfinished for quite some time. It was definitely in need of a complete overhaul! The bathroom suffered from cracked tiles stained with nail polish, deteriorated floorboards, and leaky plumbing, all within a very confined space. The bedroom was a simpler fix, primarily focusing on cosmetic improvements. We removed the old carpet, refinished the original hardwood floors (a task we outsourced), applied fresh paint, updated the trim, and relocated the light fixture, which was oddly positioned in front of the closet.”
“As we focused on larger renovation projects throughout the house, particularly our kitchen and main level, the bedroom became a temporary storage area. It was filled with tools, unpacked boxes, building materials, and a thick layer of drywall dust. It resembled a scene from ‘Hoarders’ until the beginning of 2014 when I resolved to transform the room!”
Design Vision and Essential Elements
Karin explains the design process: “For the bathroom, our primary goal was to create a sense of spaciousness. I knew I wanted large format floor tiles to minimize grout lines, a floating vanity to enhance the feeling of openness, and an overall white color scheme. Even the toilet was chosen for its compact design. The vanity, sourced from IKEA, offered additional benefits. Its drain design allowed us to avoid altering the existing wall plumbing, and the full-depth drawers provided ample storage compared to a traditional vanity.”
“The bedroom design evolved organically, centered around the theme of ‘thrifty elegance.’ The dresser was a lucky find on Craigslist, while the bed and nightstands came from IKEA. I crafted the walnut tabletop for a Target clearance table base myself. The chair, a $5 thrift store discovery, was reupholstered to match the room’s aesthetic. While searching for bedside lamps, I stumbled upon a local store selling discarded design prototypes from major retailers. Although the lamps didn’t perfectly match in color, they complemented the room and were an incredible deal!”
“From the beginning, I knew that a FLOR rug was the ideal choice for our home, considering our three dogs and frequent foster dogs. The ability to clean or replace individual tiles is perfect for pet owners, and the option to reconfigure the rug’s design is incredibly convenient. Jeff and I were thrilled to partner with FLOR for this remodel. We visited the FLOR showroom in Minneapolis and collaborated with Stephanie E., one of their talented designers.”
“After much deliberation, we selected Point of View in slate because of its plush feel and textured design. FLOR’s commitment to using renewable and recycled materials is also a significant plus. They even offer a recycling program, covering shipping costs for discarded rugs! The tiles are incredibly easy to install – simply position them in the desired location and connect the corners with the included adhesive FLOR dots.”
Inspiration and Design Influences
“I am drawn to clean, modern, minimalist spaces that incorporate Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern elements,” Karin explains.
Overcoming Challenges and Design Dilemmas
Karin shares some of the renovation hurdles: “The bathroom subfloor was severely damaged in several areas, but removing it was a challenge due to construction adhesive between the subfloor and the joists. I initially thought that using large 12×24 bathroom floor tiles would speed up the tiling process, but laying those large tiles flat proved difficult, especially since it was my first time tiling a floor. The bathroom also lacked an exhaust fan, which we installed. I spent a considerable amount of time in the cramped, hot attic, trying to locate the wires… it wasn’t enjoyable! Thankfully, my dad is very skilled and patient, and he provided invaluable assistance throughout the project, particularly with the plumbing!”
“After installing the vanity in the corner of the bathroom, I realized that the pocket door casing would prevent the drawers from fully opening… oops! Fortunately, there was enough space to move the vanity a few inches away from the door!”
Favorite Features and Design Highlights
“In the bathroom, we gained extra space by borrowing from the closet and replacing the door with a pocket door. These changes made a significant difference, especially considering the bathroom’s narrow width. In the bedroom, I love how bright and calming the space feels. While it’s not a large area, this bedroom feels much more spacious than our previous rentals. And having our own master bathroom is a wonderful luxury!”
DIY Achievements and Personal Triumphs
“These rooms were filled with personal firsts: tiling a floor, tiling a shower, reupholstering a chair, and stripping/refinishing a dresser. The walnut Mid-Century dresser had been painted black (poorly!), but with patience and effort, I was able to remove the paint and restore the original wood. I also struggled to find an extra-long shower curtain, so I made one from an XL twin sheet.”
Advice for Aspiring Home Renovators
“Our renovation approach has been to piece things together as we go, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that. I prefer to see how one element looks before deciding on the next, but having all the materials and finishes selected, ordered, and ready before starting the project will make everything go much faster. I tend to overthink design choices, spending a long time on each decision before moving on.”
What’s Next for Karin and Jeff?
“We’re currently finishing a complete basement renovation to create my new photography studio with a half bath. I’m excited to share that project soon!”
Thank you, Karin!
Explore more of Karin’s photography, home projects, and pet adventures on her website karinnewstrom.com. Don’t miss the Makeover Tour of her stunning Scandinavian-inspired kitchen renovation!
Do you have a Makeover Tour you’d love to share? Send an email to [email protected]!
Source List: Bedroom and Bathroom Makeover
For those interested, here’s a breakdown of the products used in the bedroom and bathroom renovations:
Bathroom:
- Floor tile, shower tile, towel ring: Lowes
- Vanity, faucet, mirror, picture frames: Ikea
- Shower head: Vero, by Delta
- Toilet: Prelude, by Delta
- Wall sconce: West Elm
- Basket, bath mat: Target
- Plant: Euphorbia cactus
- Watercolor art: DIY
Bedroom:
- Bed, nightstands, frames, curtains, duvet, frames, overhead light: Ikea
- Bedspread, colorblocked pillow, curtain rods, side table base: Target
- Rug: Point of View in slate by FLOR
- Print: No-me Illustration and Design
- Photographs: From our West coast road trip
- Dresser, chair, lamps, teak bowl: Thrift stores
- Brass elephant: Found hidden in the basement
- Wall color: Silver Drop by Behr
- Dogs: Ajax (Cairn terrier) and Scotties Barney, Henry, and foster dog Lincoln (on chair) 🙂
Disclosure: FLOR provided Karin Newstrom carpet tiles for this makeover. All views and opinions are hers alone.