A real home makeover by Thom Filicia!

Real Simple and Chase Blueprint awarded one very lucky winner a $20,000 home makeover by the wonderful Thom Filicia!  That lucky winner of the contest, "Blueprint to a Beautiful Home" was Stephanie Gayol Phillipou of Mountainside, NJ.

The Philipou's moved into their home December 2011 and had to start preparing for new baby, leaving no time to add their personal style to the home.

Check out her home's amazing transformation!

Before:

What's amazing to me is how their home looks barely lived in, it was in major need of some character!

After:

The blue paint is so refreshing.

Before:

After:

I'm really loving upholstered dining chairs these days, it makes the space elegant and comfortable.

The bedroom and living room are a great study in how to mix patterns. The rug and comforter are in a neutral gray, which makes it easy to add pattern and color without worrying about clashing. The smoky lavender walls are restful, and the global accents remind the Phillipou's of their safari honeymoon in South Africa.

As always, Filicia did an amazing job.  What do you think of this transformation?

You can see and read more about the transformation in the December 2012 issue of Real Simple.

Dreamy bedrooms for all tastes

I'm not gonna lie. I'm no early bird. At my most shameful I wake up at 11 AM and don't shut my laptop until 1 AM. While I still easily put in an 8 hour day, I still feel guilty sleeping so late. Enough of my venting - long story short, I love a well designed bedroom. Here are a handful that caught my eye.

I don't remember where this photo is from but isn't it beautiful! I love mix and match bedding

This modern isn't usually my taste - but this room is so clean and spotless I think I'd have no problem resting in it!

I really like the eclectic look. You can mix patterns providing they share a palette.
via Domino Book of Decorating

For the girly girl in all of us.
via Creamy Life

wonderfully cozy
via Rower Fort

So luxurious but not over the top
via Styleometry

What do you think of this wallpaper? The headboard and bedskirt match. Could you live with it? I like the bedroom arrangement but I'd have to REAAAAALLLLYYY love the pattern.
via Elle Decor


via Notebook

An industrial and modern bedroom. If I remember correctly - this is actually from a boat house!
via Indenfor & Udenfor

modern retro with a twist of indie
via Lizard Management

Beautiful, peaceful bedrooms

I'm heading "home" this afternoon after living out of a suitcase since Dec. 28th. It'll be great to sleep in a bed and not a couch or a cot. I have gotten used to traveling and will miss it a bit, but a little time off the road will hopefully be recuperative and prepare me for my next round of travels! So, I thought some gorgeous bedrooms would be appropriate for today's post!

a.
The natural light in this pastel bedroom is amazing

b.
This bedroom is maybe a little more modern than I like but the clean lines make me feel like I could sleep all day -
images above via BHG

c.
I'm a fan of benches or chest at the end of beds - and isn't the headboard adorable?

d.
I'm really into sophisticated grays lately
images above via LivingEtc.

e.
This is one of my favs - a modern retro bedroom with a twist of femininity and coziness.
via Decor8 on Tumblr

f.
via Elle Decor

g.

h.
I'm a sucker for mix n' match bedding - it's just sometimes a lot easier "seen" than done.

i.
I love this sort of vintage elegant bedroom - it's so indulgent

images above via ? (credits welcomed)

Which bedroom would you pick this weekend if you could stay in any?