If there’s something we never get tired of seeing, it’s a great makeover. Whether it’s transforming a retro bathroom into a modern oasis or giving a lackluster bedroom a fresh look, pros perform these design miracles all the time.
To give designers a chance to showcase their favorite makeovers—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the best before and afters we’ve seen in our series, Makeover of the Week. Take notes for your next renovation.
"My clients were ready to move their 4-year-old twins to bigger beds and wanted to make their room feel extra special in order to ease the transition,” interior designer Kira Obermeier says. “As a new build, the house felt fairly generic, so we needed to add some visual punch to help liven up the space.”
Meet the Expert
Interior designer Kira Obermeier is the founder and principal of Kira David Design in Chicago, known for approaching classic interiors with a fresh eye using texture, pattern, and layering.
Before:
“Luckily, because it was a new house, we didn’t encounter any hidden surprises," Obermeier notes. "That being said, the room had zero personality, and we really needed to make it shine,”
After:
“I wanted to balance a whimsical and childish design while creating a space that was fun, yet had lasting power as the girls got older," Obermeier says. "The nature-inspired wallpaper set the mood for the rest of the room, which included a quirky light fixture, regal canopies, and the girls’ colorful framed artwork.”
What Changed:
- Color theme: An unconventional color combo of teal, black, yellow, and white work in harmony to give the space its wow factor.
- Walls: Birds, butterflies, and a delicate foliage create a nature-inspired backdrop against a crisp, white background.
- Beds: The teal Jenny Lind-inspired twin beds have a vintage feel and provide a fun punch of color.
- Bedding: The black and white reversible striped duvet and pillows provide contrast to the print wallpaper.
- Nightstand: A vintage dresser was painted in muted yellow (Farrow + Ball’s Sudbury Yellow) and ties into the buttery tones in the wallpaper.
- Canopies: Custom cream linen canopies lined in teal grosgrain ribbon provide visual focus and create the illusion of higher ceilings.
- Dresser: The white 7-drawer dresser, made of solid poplar and featuring brass pulls, provides storage space for clothing and blankets.
- Mirror: The Louis Philippe-style mirror, with its rounded shoulders and square base, adds a grown-up piece to the playful spot.
- Pendant: Glass flowers and brass elements merge to create a statement ceiling light fixture.
- Lamps: A nightstand lamp shaped like a trophy cup and dresser lamps decked out in bows provide additional lighting.
- Floor: A muted pink wool carpet keeps the room from feeling too busy.
- Wall art: Custom white frames highlight the girls’ personal artwork.
Shop the Look:
“This wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for games of make-believe and dress-up tea parties,” Obermeier says.
“The chandelier strikes the perfect balance between playful and feminine with its brass finish and cream glass adding an element of refinement that keeps the room from feeling too childish,” Obermeier notes.
“My sister and I grew up with Jenny Lind beds, so I'm particularly fond of them," Obermeier says. "These can grow with the girls well into their teenage years."