Welcome back to another blog post in the Making Home series! Today, I’m taking you through the journey of transforming my media room on the top floor of my house. Unlike our main living room downstairs, this space is dedicated to watching movies, gaming, and practicing instruments.

Before

Mood Board

I had a clear vision for this room: moody and atmospheric, with rich green tones. I wanted it to be cozy yet sophisticated, drawing inspiration from those dark and moody rooms you see all over Pinterest. However, as with any makeover, it didn't come without its hurdles. Let’s dive in!

The Colour PALETTE

One of the biggest challenges I faced was matching the wall paint to the curtains. I decided to paint the entire room, ceiling included, in a beautiful green shade, only to realize the curtains I ordered didn't match at all. The options seemed pretty brutal: either repaint the room or change the curtains. That said, Elliott loved the green walls, so repainting wasn't really on the table.

Determined to make it work, I went fabric shopping to find the perfect green fabric for new curtains. After searching high and low, Elliott and I found a fabric that was close enough. It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to give it a shot!

With 18 yards of fabric and a lot of determination, I spent a day sewing new curtains. It was a labor of love, but seeing those curtains hung up and matching the walls was incredibly satisfying.

Furniture

We already had a great couch in the room from Elliott’s old apartment, but for more storage and aesthetic, I built a tiled console shelf that fits nicely behind the couch.

I love the pop of style it brings into the room and it also adds a great functional element with a built in electrical socket to plug things into without having to move the couch!

Next, Rochelle helped me with an amazing custom media cabinet for under the TV! We wanted curved doors on the sides, so she attempted kerf bending—a technique that requires precise cutting to create smooth curves. With some online resources and practice, she managed to get it right. The walnut plywood was a bit tricky to work with, but after a few test runs and some steaming, she got the desired curves.

DIY Light

I saw a beautiful lampshade I was dying for in my research, but it has an insane price tag, so instead of getting it, I thrifted a ceiling light off of Marketplace and purchased a big metal bowl and used it as a lamp shade! I love how moody it turned out!

Lighting and Final Touches

One of the standout pieces in the room is the DIY light fixture inspired by Isamu Noguchi's “Akari” light sculptures. I love paper lanterns for their calming effect, and creating this piece was a fun project.

Media Room Tech

For the tech setup, Best Buy played a significant role. We got Elliott's dream gaming TV— a Samsung 77” OLED S92C. This TV is a game-changer for our media room. Along with a Bose Smart Ultra sound bar, headphones, and smart lights, the room is now a tech haven. Geek Squad helped install everything, ensuring the setup was seamless and stress-free!

Final Touches

After all the hard work, the green walls, matching curtains, custom furniture, and the beautiful lighting, it was finally time to bring in decor. AKA a BUNCH of Marketplace pick ups. Once everything was in, it really created a space that was exactly what I envisioned. Elliott's excitement about the TV and the whole setup made it even more special.

Final Results

Thank you for following along on this journey. I hope you enjoyed seeing the transformation as much as I enjoyed creating it. Stay tuned for more home projects and DIY adventures!