The Dream Bedroom Project
I’ll never forget the moment I stepped into our finished bedroom. My heart caught, my eyes watered (okay, happy tears fully happened), and for the first time in years I thought: This is it! This feels like us.
After months of mood boards, flea market hunts, fabric swatches, and a little chaos in between, our dream bedroom finally came to life with the help of Erik and Brennan at EK Home. Our bedroom is layered, soulful, practical and beautiful!
Here’s everything I learned from this transformation and what you can take away if you’re thinking of a similar project.
Mix Old & New Like You Mean It
Anyone can fill a room with catalog furniture, but will it feel like you? Not a chance. The real secret to a personal, lived-in space is in the mix.
Our room blends decades and details: a flea market vanity chair upholstered in luxe Kravitz fabric, a restored dressing table with fresh lacquered paint, and custom lamps that nod to mid-century glam. The balance keeps the room from feeling overly polished and more curated and collected.
Patience is Your Best Thrifting Tool
That $75 vanity chair didn’t magically appear overnight. Erik and Brennan went back. And back. And back again.
Sourcing the right vintage treasures takes time and a little stubbornness. Erik put it best: “At some point, you’re going to find the right piece.” And when you do, it feels like striking gold. My new vanity chair is affordable, character-filled, can’t-believe-I-found-this gold.
Pro thrifting tips:
- Don’t obsess over original finishes – you can always reupholster or repaint.
- Look for unique shapes, not perfect condition.
- Let go of “matching” sets. Imperfection is where personality lives.
Beauty Has to Work in Real Life
Here’s the unglamorous truth: behind every pretty room are kids, pets, messes, and workout gear. In my opinion, if design can’t handle life, it’s just a museum piece.
Our makeover wove practicality into the pretty:
- Washable bedding that doesn’t stress me out.
- Hidden storage panels under the bed (goodbye, dreaded bed skirt) to stash weights and mats.
- Custom cushions on vintage chairs so they’re as comfortable as they are chic.
Tip: Always ask: Will I actually live with this? If the answer is no, it’s not worth it.
Play With Scale, Light, and Texture
Want your room to feel bigger, brighter, more luxurious? It’s not magic, it’s smart styling.
- Curtains: Hang them high and wide for the illusion of soaring ceilings.
- Mirrors: Oversized or unexpected placement doubles your light (and your selfies). I love mine because it’s frameless, 7 feet tall and on wheels so it gives me so much flexibility!
- Rugs: Always size up as it anchors and expands the room visually.
- Lighting: Layer it. Uplights behind the mirror, shaded lamps, and ambient glow give instant warmth.
The Messy Middle is Part of the Story
Renovations aren’t always dreamy. There were days of dust, chaos, second-guessing, and a rogue toothbrush incident that almost broke me, but every speck of mess made the final reveal more meaningful. So if you’re in the middle of your own redo: hang tight. The happy tears are coming.
Working with a Dream Team
For years, Alan and I had a vision of what our bedroom could feel like, but it always stayed just out of reach…we were stuck! Erik and Brennan took our mood boards and half-formed ideas and turned them into a cohesive story that feels completely “us.” More than designers, they were partners who guided us through the overwhelm, made the process joyful, and celebrated every tiny win along the way. When I walked into the finished space and saw their vision realized, it felt like someone had handed me the home I’d been dreaming about but couldn’t quite articulate. That kind of collaboration is so important when designing an intimate space that also makes a lot of public appearances. 🙂
Watch the full reveal episode here → https://youtu.be/GgePm8DIknk?si=b9ftJiezSss2q9Y3
