we needed a rad space for our friends.
the stairs going up to the attic were like a ladder. very steep. so they had to be ripped out and re-done. we lost some closet space in the kid's rooms, but who cares. they don't need clothes.
we went with dark stain. against white walls and trim, it pops quite a bit. at first it scared me. but then i was like, wait, i love this.
right when you get to the top of the stairs, there's a tiny little nook. we didn't want it to go to waste...so we made a little bungalow with 2 twin beds. slumber party central. layne and his buddies have already taken advantage of this little ditty.
it was a construction zone for a while. especially since we added the giant dormers. we really wanted more light and each dormer is quite large, so it created more space.
the first dormer is an office space. simple and sweet. uncluttered.
work. gets. done. here.
nato and i escape to this nook often when we really need focused time. i can also people watch and they have no idea.
the second dormer is a little reading area. or, if we put a mattress gate up, it can sleep a tiny baby when guests come. it is, after all, just a crib mattress that is upholstered. throw on a bunch of pillows and BOOM. comfy.
and side note, in between each dormer is storage space/closet. a mini fridge and microwave are stored away nicely. this is an all inclusive space. when you're on vay-cay, i don't want you hindering that late-night popcorn craving. no way. and grab a coke while you're at it. those go together nicely.
the third dormer is in the bathroom. the glorious bathroom. we went old school in here, since our house is colonial style. and subway and hexagon tiles never go out of style. i just adore bead board too...so that had to be added.
the shower is gigantic and awkwardly shaped, but that's what you get in an attic. lots of character! my brother painstakingly tiled this. bless his heart. you're treasure is in heaven.
i love that guests will have their own bathroom on their own floor. there's nothing more awkward than walking in on a friend taking a number 2. neither of you will ever forget it even though you will pretend like you have.
anyway, on that awkward note, let's go back out into the main space shall we?
this couch is a pullout from pottery barn . a comfy one. no bar in your back here. i also got a mattress topper as well, just for extra comfort. it's hard to sleep away from your own home, so i don't want to hinder anyone's happiness. (also i put some sleeping pills in the bathroom just in case. i kid you not. and extra toothbrushes and razors. it's like a Walgreens in there.)
and then the back nook. a place for eating snacks, working, or pretending to do something awesome.
i did paint the very bottoms of the feet gold for a little flair. give the girl some fancy shoes, i always say.
i simply bought metallic gold paint at the craft store and painted 5 coats with a paintbrush. 'twas easy. and i saw this idea somewhere on the mighty inter webs. I know Homeclick has lots of great ideas like this.
there's also a guest map over here. i think this is cute...keep track of those gypsy friends and let people see who's stopped by and worn out their welcome.
i wrapped a map, that i bought at a bookstore for $10, around a canvas so that the pin could actually stick through easily. the canvas was a little smaller than the map so some of maine and california are cut off. people will have to deal with this in their hearts. no one likes main or california anyway.
just grab a tag, write on it, and pin it. you have to do this or i won't make you waffles. i'm for serious.
oh and what is that? a little missouri map that tells you where all the fun things are! boom. i just hooked you up.
a little storage nook, with extra blankets, movies, magazines, and snacks. but sometimes i eat the snacks when i go up there. i'll make sure to buy more, promise.
now if you're like, i can't spend a million dollars re-doing my attic. well me either, player. here's what i spent.
you must be a bargain huntress. don't buy boring accessories. have a color scheme in your head and then when you're out, you'll always know if something will fit into your decor.
p.s. the ottoman is from a place called old time pottery.
the quilts were target clearance.
the striped pillow cases are from tjmaxx but can be found at west elm and everywhere actually.
i have often escaped up here myself. i kept it visually plain and clean on the walls for a reason. i really wanted it to be a retreat from the craziness. and the floors were dark and the rugs were doing some talking anyway. nato was like, are we going american indian decor up here? no silly...it's eclectic. but i love the lines and texture. and it was practically free...when we bought our couch, we got a credit at pottery barn. so whatever. i heart kilim anything these days.
i hope you enjoy the attic as much as i do.
This is absolutely adorable! I could live there :) Beautiful !
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! This is seriously amazing. We could probably use an extra floor in our house too.... I'm now going to go convince my husband that we need this awesomeness in our unused attic!! Also.... Can we pay to come stay there?
ReplyDeleteJami that is seriously amazing. Can I come sleep up there even though I have my own place in KC? Oh wait, we might actually need to be friends for that to happen... :)
ReplyDeleteI love it. Do you take bookings? You would need to get a bigger map though 'cause I'm from Scotland..but living in California now.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I love your attic.
Holy crap, your attic is frickin amazing! I totally dig the American Indian motif. Nothing says Native American like a chevron ottoman & striped plywood floors. ;)
ReplyDeleteSeriously- LOVE this space. All you need now is some kind of lock to keep the kiddos out when you're up there snacking!
We'd be happy to add a Georgia to the map haha. Such a cute space!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful. I'm pretty much in love with the window seat.
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculously amazing! I'm pining this right now so all can see. Love it! I wish I had an attic to redo.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun space!!!
xoxo
this is absolutely marvelous! can I come visit!?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. I'm speechless. This makes me want to A) get rid of all of our stuff. How nice to see clean space with absolutely zero clutter! B) Go to your house on vacation C) Make one of those guest maps. Unbelievable. (Guess I wasn't speechless after all...)
ReplyDeleteI just might have to come stay with you the next time we are in KC. For serious. Love what you did and all the great deals you found!
ReplyDeletesoooooo jealous.
ReplyDeletei'm coming up to kansas.
and staying with you.
you don't know me, but that's ok...we'll make it work.
I. LOVE. IT!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously... it is so amazing!!! Job well done! And love that it was done on a budget:) So fantastic!!!
And how in the world did I miss that you're in Missouri??? My family lives in Lebanon... 45 minutes outside of Springfield.
I love this! So well done--it's really fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I would love to do something like this one day. Would you mind sharing how much the entire project cost you total? Thank you!!
um, i'm putting up the for sale sign tomorrow. hope you don't mind 4 tenants. will pay you a little somethin somethin.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Now I know where my family is vacationing next year! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOmg.I'm in awe and immediately request to come stay with you. I'll babysit by day and hang by night. didn't think I could girl crush on you more, but the attic is amaaaazeballs.I'm reposting on fb for everyone else to be jealous.
ReplyDeleteOmg.I'm in awe and immediately request to come stay with you. I'll babysit by day and hang by night. didn't think I could girl crush on you more, but the attic is amaaaazeballs.I'm reposting on fb for everyone else to be jealous.
ReplyDeleteWow, oh wow, do I love this! Prepare to be Pinned (that is like the hugest compliment ever ... to me, anyway).
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love!
ReplyDeleteSooo, when can I move in? And I mean that in a non-creepy way? (is that possible?)
I'm especially digging the twin bed nook, reading nook, and snack nook. I like the little things ;)...and popcorn and coke.
If you need someone to come put a pin in Idaho on that map, let me know. That's a fantastic room!
ReplyDeleteit's a beautiful space!
ReplyDeletelove the map idea:).
x
amazing. just like everything else you do! :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Jami! Love the renovation. Do you know what the color in the bathroom is called? I'm looking to paint over a poop brown color in our rental house bathrooms!
ReplyDeleteI'm never staying at my parent's house again in Kansas City.
ReplyDeleteHotel de Nato.
OH MY GOSH! This is amazing!! What a super lovely space! You have done so well!
ReplyDeleteNgaio May xx
umm. this is amazing. also bigger than my downtown Portland, Oregon studio that I've lived in for 3 years. Jealous. When can I move in?
ReplyDeleteThis is insane. I want to move in there.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
This is so fantastic! A thrifty girl after my own heart! Love it...especially that guest map! I might steal that idea! I bet you're pumped to have it DONE!
ReplyDeleteI love this space! Amazing how much you did with it!
ReplyDeleteI love this! What a fabulous space and what a great way to decorate for very few $$!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is an amazing re-do. I love all of the light, it looks like such a relaxing space. Well done! XO, Katie.
ReplyDeleteumm this looks amazing! if only we were real friends i would totes come visit :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! You guys did such a fantastic job of using all the space and creating a sweet little retreat! Is there a lock on that entry door - as in you could lock your kids out... not that I would suggest that you evvver do that
ReplyDeleteWell I was totally going to book my stay in your fabulous attic retreat...but you cut off California, so I can't. I wouldn't be able to pin my home and you wouldn't give me waffles and would probably eat all my popcorn and coke. ;) Seriously, this is gorg. You are so amazingly talented!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the attic space. We're moving in. the twin beds nook is perfect for my littles. And the tiny baby space, perfect for Olivia. I knew you had us in mind when making that place, HA, j/k. But really, we saw it while it was construction zone central, and it turned out beautiful! And seems like I'll have to bring my own map, since although I not going for California, to get to me, I gotta go through there, lol.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! I dream of having a finished attic or basement someday, but I don't think I'll ever get a basement since we live so close to Galveston.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
jami may i come visit? i'm inviting myself.
ReplyDeletelove the space. it's beautiful
Awesome! Love it! Every inch! I realllllllly want to finish our basement but my husband and I are NOT handy....but this is inspirational:)
ReplyDeletethis seriously looks incredible. i freakin' love it!!!! you are SO talented!!!
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS HEAVENLY! Can I please come visit! Or can you come to Nashville when our house is finished and help a sista decorate! THIS LOOKS AWESOME! IMMA BOUT to do some mad pinning off of this page!
ReplyDeletexoxoxox
I can't stop smiling. I am beaming from ear to ear. Y'all did a FANTABULOUS job! The construction- the decor- the small details. It's all so magical. Pencil me in for a stay in that lusciousness.
ReplyDeleteSo... how far of a drive is this from Amarillo???
ReplyDeleteIt looks sooooooo awesome! Love it! And way to be a bargain huntress, you rock it!
ReplyDeletelove this. and i repeat. love this. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWe are really only distant blog 'friends', but I might plan a vacation around a snooze in your attic! I kid, but seriously, WAY COOL! You are the hostess with the mostest.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. The attic is beautiful! If I knew you in real life, I'd be visiting all the time just to sleep in that little nook-- looks way comfortable. It's all gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI always love a good before + after. And this one is amazing. Seriously, you're a renovation genius...especially with all your great decorating finds for this space. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteAnd I know this sounds creeper-ish, seeing as we've never met, but I'd love to stay in this guest attic. Especially because I love waffles. :)
Jami, this is awesome! Such great taste. You have some lucky future house guests!
ReplyDeleteamazing. decorate my house? iowa is great this time of year! and by great i mean hot as hades.
ReplyDeleteYou did *not* find that amazing stool in the trash. What is this world coming to?! Also, when can I come visit? [This is where I should say "jk!". But notice that I am not.]
ReplyDeleteEverything about this is just so awesome - way to go!
ReplyDeletelove it! is it weird that i want to come stay despite the fact we have never met? let me know if you need someone to visit from tulsa and i will be on my way!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so great! You did an awesome job! The last time I saw the attic it was no where near finished. I love how it turned out! I think YOU should have a slumber party to break it in. I'll bring the nail polish. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is SERIOUSLY rad!!! I love all of it. You did a fantastic job! And that little nook with the twin beds - oh my! Oh my! My kids would be eager to go to bed. You are so creative! Go girl!
ReplyDeleteas if people weren't already clamoring for sleepovers at the natos! this is so fantastic - love the nooks!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero. Our 1860 home has an entire 3rd floor attic(thats currently filled with our crap) but I dream of doing something similar one day.
ReplyDeleteCan I come stay up there? And then someday when we renovate our attic you can stay in mine:) Deal?
Holy cow! This attic is flippin' gorgeous. Don't be surprised when a stranger and her husband show up at your door looking for snacks and a sleepover, OK? ;)
ReplyDeletewow jami, amazing! Seriously, not just everyone has the eye to do something that looks this great and be so frugal. What an awesome space! I would be up there everyday. I love everything about it!
ReplyDeletethat is an AMAZING space. i want to live up there!
ReplyDeleteWow! this is gorgeous, when my fiance and I buy our apartment please give me your deco tips!?
ReplyDeletetwo things...
ReplyDelete1. i LOVE that attic. and even though this might sound like i'm a pompous ass, i'm an interior designer and think you have a great gift for design. duh.
2. even though i'm gluten-free, i'd totally come and stay and eat your waffles. and then you'd definitely walk in on me taking a number two. oooooooh! gross. now i'm laughing, because i'm totally kidding. i'd lock the door. and now you think i'm disgusting and you're going to block me from your blog.
anyhow, i seriously do love it and i seriously am gluten-free.
What a fantastic retreat! Looks absolutely lovely :)
ReplyDeleteOhmygosh. Can I live there?
ReplyDeleteYou know you want one of your interweb readers living upstairs from you. with her husband. and baby. (and cat.)
ps...that first picture of your attic looks like something out of ghost hunters.
It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love it!!
ReplyDeleteMay I come stay for a weekend & get a break away?! I'll put a pretty pin on Madtown, (Madison) WI!
Love it. thanks for the inspiration.
Love! We bought a 94 year old bungalow this past spring...1200 sq feet...family of four....but...big but...the attic is much like yours.....in the before pics...and we think that one day, it would be an awesome space for our girls to share. My nosey question is....how much are we talking for a few dormers, a bathroom and finishing the space? Your space has me jonesin' even more to do it!
ReplyDeleteCrud...thought I already posted....we are a family of four...two little girls...94 year old bungalow with a similar attic to your before pics....we would love to do something similar for our girls to share...curious what steps, a few dormers, a bathroom and finishing like this runs....your space makes me want to get started sooner vs. later!
ReplyDeletewhat a great space!! i love it...and i'd totally stay here!!! you have quite the gift for decorating and great deals. thx for inspiring me! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome reno. Love it. Almost makes me wish I had an attic.
ReplyDeleteI never thought an attic would be more glorious than my entire house...until I saw this post. Love everything about it, and it has inspired me to bring a little flare into my own house. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOh my, how lovely is this space?! I think you need a visitor from AZ to put on your map :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness --- pinning from Maryland! Can I please visit you? What an amazing space! I too have an attic that is finished but we just bought the house and the 70's shag NEEDS to come out.. I cannot wait to work on it after seeing this. Amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteCAN I LIVE HERE?! Seriously, you did SUCH an amazing job! I have a feeling you're going to have an influx of guests after this post! Incredible job!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Great Job
ReplyDeleteummm...your attic is Ah-mazinG! I hope mine (which is currently a disgusting, unfinished farmhouse attic) will someday look this fantastic. seriously. if I knew you, I would totally be coming to visit! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to live there...like, forever! Not kidding...it looks wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! Now, let's be friends so I can come and visit. :) A really great job on all of this!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh....this is Uh.MAY.zing!!
ReplyDeleteFor serious. When can I come over?
It's settled. I'm coming to stay in your attic. I love it!!!!
ReplyDeletewait a minute. forget what i said. i'm coming to YOUR attic.
ReplyDeleteCan I move in? I seriously love this space, I'm a former nanny, and I might even take care of the kids for free if I get to live in that space! :) haha! Just kidding, but seriously GREAT job!
ReplyDeletewait. forget what i said. i'm coming to YOUR attic.
ReplyDeleteum?? dang cute! love it - and, now i might be convinced to do our floors dark instead of white!
ReplyDeleteHaha...checking back in to tell you I'm linking to you today and I see the entire country has your attic booked. If you ever need a New Yorker, I'm your gal:)
ReplyDeleteJami, You and I have never met. We have a mutual friend, Elizabeth B. - but for serious, I talk about you to other friends and follow you as if we've been close friends since birth. I almost try and get complete strangers to follow your blog... which probably sounds a little scary, but it's because I love you so and have to share your wonderful words and insight with everyone I meet. Let me know if you ever need a publicist, I'm your girl. HAHA. You are a wonderful woman, sister, mother, and inspiration - and you have fantastic decorating/remodeling style. Please write a book. And a movie. And maybe a song while you're at it. You are my daily dose of a great laugh and sometimes a much needed tear - Most of the time from laughing so hard. I sit at my desk at work and read your blog or see an instagram post and laugh so very loudly out loud. My co-workers are sure I have turrets when the tile showroom I work in is completely silent and I laugh from reading something like "walking in on a friend taking a number 2." Please never stop blogging. Hope someday to meet you, and thank you for all the laughs and just being you. - Meredith
ReplyDeleteokay, I am coming on VACATION to YOUR HOUSE~! how cool is that space! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteby the way, weirdest dream EVER last night, I had a dream YOU hired me as your nanny, but I didn't know it was you until after I saw all 3 of your kids! weird thing is my bookmarks have been down for awhile and I hadn't even been reading your blog, but I did see your feed on IG recently. so strange! but I do dream of being a nanny again, I was one for 10 years before I had kids! so there's that, ha ha! now you have a space should you decide to hire a nanny LOL!!!!!
xoxo
tara
hey guys, the cost of this reno from start to finish, including adding three formers to the outside of the house (and using a contractor )was somewhere around $40K. which is a lot and when i write it out, i want to cry. but then i'll go sit up there in the quiet and be ok with it.
ReplyDeleteit did add $100K to the value of the house so i'd say we win! ahahahahaha(evil laugh)
Oh my freakin' gosh, this is amazing! You're a thrifting queen :)
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog this morning, and I'm definitely going to be sticking around. I love it that you love Jesus and sometimes use swears ;) You're hilarious!
Jami. I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteum... YEAH! can we move in?!
ReplyDeleteyou know... KC is a great in-between point for my family when we drive down to dallas to visit my 'rents.
this looks much nicer than the old best western!!
how much do you charge-o?!
it looks amazeballs...
we're driving down next fall... can i book already?
(kinda serious... kinda not... awkward laughing... ha ha ha?)
So at first I was like, wow, $254 and I too can have an amazing attic like this! But then my dreams were crushed when I read how much it really cost. I guess I could just decorate my existing attic without renovating it or anything..... For reals, though, this is so, so cool. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteIt's not as awkward when you walk into the bathroom if you say, "Sorry, I thought this was the kitchen because I smelt something brewing."
ReplyDeletethis is AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure you're going to need a pin in Washington state on that map.
ReplyDeleteit looks perfect. i love the nook. and the bathroom. so clean.
ReplyDeleteI think I exceeded my lifetime quota of Pinterest on this re-no alone. Gosh you're good. And blessed. I like Nutty Bars when I come. Even though you don't know me. I'm nice and will absolutely forget you barging in on me dropping a doodle.
ReplyDeleteWow! that's so awesome :) great job. I want an attic like that someday!
ReplyDeleteoh my, it's lovely! don't mind me while I pin your house pictures to my Home board...hmm hmm hmmm. I would have had the same reaction to the dark/white (in fact home jobs in general stressed me out...I blame HGTV) but I love it - it's classy and old and modern and homey all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThis is SPECTACULAR! And I know that you were waiting on this very simple 101-nth comment. ;)
ReplyDeletemy husband and i started house-hunting 2 months ago. i thought i would love it but i H-A-T-E it. i know that's a bad word, my apologies.
ReplyDeleteso, instead of buying a house, do you think we could just come live in your swanktastic attic instead? thanks a million, friend!
p.s. for reals, i am head over heels in love with this space! or, spaces, really. well done! :)
I've been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind my friend. And This. Is. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI've been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind my friend. And This. Is. Amazing.
ReplyDeletei seriously am in love with every single inch of this. i want it all.
ReplyDeletethis is so. freaking. gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFound you over on The Handmade Home... Gorgeous attic. What a beautiful space to have and to be able to offer friends and family! I love everything (especially the bath!) and also that you did it on such a great budget. I work the same way! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love this space and I love how thoughtful you are for your guests. With our 5 kiddos and 3 bedrooms, I suspect we won't have a guest room until they're out of the house! This space is so inspiring!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if I commented on this already but your attic transformation is a-freakin'-mazing!!! seriously, WOW!
ReplyDeleteOh a side note: What is that paint color in the bathroom? It is divine!
wow. i love this!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have space like this.
ReplyDeletethis is YOUR attic?! stop it! i pinned this a while back and totally didn't realize that it was your house. love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteUmmmmm can I come live there? I am really nice.
ReplyDeleteI love great renos and this is one of them :) Made me smile over my morning coffee. Love finding treasures in the trash and giving them a purpose. Its a great challenge. You have a whimsical sense of humor and it makes your post enjoyable. Great energy in the pics .Congrats to jobs well done. I love the redone entrance....I have a teeny one and this would look fantastic!!! Time to show my boyfriend.....thx for the great inspiration!!!
ReplyDeletekeep em coming!
Voula from Montreal
If you lived close by Id pop in for a coffee and some of those snacks upstairs lol :)
I love great renos and this is one of them :) Made me smile over my morning coffee. Love finding treasures in the trash and giving them a purpose. Its a great challenge. You have a whimsical sense of humor and it makes your post enjoyable. Great energy in the pics .Congrats to jobs well done. I love the redone entrance....I have a teeny one and this would look fantastic!!! Time to show my boyfriend.....thx for the great inspiration!!!
ReplyDeletekeep em coming!
Voula from Montreal
If you lived close by Id pop in for a coffee and some of those snacks upstairs lol :)
Love your renos .....especially the entrance one seeing as I have a small entrance and need to give it a facelift.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is fun and the pics are truly amazing. Love your sense of whimsy!
If you lived in Montreal Id be by for a coffee and some of those snacks...as well as a great chat about renos :)
I too love finding treasures and giving them a new purpose. We found an old crate a few years ago and my boyfriend made a cool coffee table with it.
This is a great blog and I will keep checking out your new projects!
Thanks for sharing and bringing a smile to my face over my morning coffee :)
Voula
Thanks for sharing! We have a 3rd floor attic to re-do, it is dingy brown paneling right now, and you have inspired me! (Especially love the nook with the twin beds) I think we could do the same thing!
ReplyDeleteI had this pinned on my home board...and now I"m going back through my home board trying to recreate...and I"m wondering where the azetc rug came from by the railing? I love that! I need something similar in my foyer...love the color and the warmth...and the price!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyou're really talented. what a good hubby. I enjoyed rereading your funny thoughts, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most beautiful attic reno I have ever seen! Love all of your ideas! Beautiful! hugs, cathy
ReplyDeleteHi There, we are creating and guest space and I absolutely love yours! We are also in the KC area. Can you tell me where you found that Missouri map of fun things to do? Love it! Thanks!
ReplyDelete