The Mckinnon’s Project: A Dreamy Coastal Bedroom Refresh

Soft sky blue walls and pink pastel decor brighten up a builder’s basic bedroom to give it a dreamy, coastal makeover sure to inspire and space to relax.

Designed on a small budget with limited resources, this bedroom was created to feel like a peaceful oasis for two special little girls. My wildflowers!

This summer, my mother, the girls, and I traveled to the tropical island of Antigua where we visited family and friends. Soaking up the sun, crystal clear water, and eating baskets full of mangos. We stayed at our family homestead. And while the term “vacation” is meant for rest and relaxation, I couldn’t help myself. I made it my mission to redecorate my little girls’ space.

With only a few weeks in Antigua and a minuscule budget and limited resources, would I be able to complete this project? Anything is possible when you have an awesome team. Where I lacked in a sizable budget and available resources I made up for in manpower and family support.

The Bedroom Before

The original version of the room screamed for a makeover. It was a space that over time became a drop spot for overflow storage. Definitely not ideal for sleeping. The yellow pine bedroom set was functional but not beautiful. It needed a softer palette that was easier on the eyes. With no plans to change the flooring, the furniture clashed with the color of the carpet. The walls were builder basic in eggshell and not very inspiring.

It lacked personality and did not reflect the surrounding tropical environment layered with palm trees and clear blue skies. This room was anything but tropical.

The Solution

We set out to create a serene and calm space where the girls would be able to relax; enjoying their summer vacation.

Check out the design concept.

Right away it was clear the room needed a new coat of paint. To brighten up the space, the girls opted for soft blue walls. They asked and they received. We chose a color similar to Valspar’s Arctic Circle.

To complement the walls, the furniture received a fresh coat of paint. From yellow pine to pure white, the existing bedroom set was transformed. For a touch of luxe, the spindles were sprayed metallic gold along with the dresser and nightstand hardware.

Take a look at the transformation this bedroom underwent to become a dreamy oasis for my darling daughters.

The Bedroom After

We updated the task lighting with this beautiful pink table lamp adorned in a grey patterned shade. Elements of nature were added to the room and placed in white vases for a crisp and clean look. Also, we found a few woven charger plates and painted them in a palette similar to the color scheme of the room, placing them above the bed for a decorative look.

Many of the accessories were repurposed or salvaged from thrift stores. Below the pinboard was sourced from The Stock Exchange on Friar’s Hill where you can find all sorts of lost treasure. Refreshed with a white coat of paint and pink ribbon, it’s as good as new. The seashell lamp was created using seashells straight from Fort James Beach located at Fort Bay on the northwest coast of Antigua, courtesy of the kids.

This was truly a labor of love project with family helping in every way. I couldn’t be more pleased with how this bedroom turned out on such a small budget and with limited resources. The girls love it. And now back in Bermuda, the girls miss waking up in Antigua. It was a vacation unlike any other. Read more about our trip here.

I’m truly grateful for the love and support of my family. Because of them, this project was possible.

Explore more of The Mckinnon’s Project for some bedroom inspiration on a conservative budget.

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Work with The Bungalow Cottage

The Bungalow Cottage is a boutique interior design studio based in Bermuda. We work with clients locally and throughout the Caribbean, and pride ourselves on creating relaxed, pure, and personal spaces influenced by the natural environment.

If you have plans on starting a home project, we’d love to chat. Tell us a little about your unique project HERE!

Let’s experience beautiful living, inside and out!

Until next time…