Kranz Co. Life in Bloom

One of My Favorite Before & Afters: Attic Transformation

I have to say, this is one of my favorite before-and-after projects. We started with a nasty attic above the garage — it was in rough shape. The previous owners had used it for storage, and when they sold us the house, they didn’t bother cleaning it out. It was full of junk, and the smell…let’s just say it wasn’t the most inviting space. The carpet was beyond disgusting.

Step one? Clean it all out. We recycled or fixed up the old furniture, and once it was cleared, I could finally see the potential.

When I dreamed about this space, I envisioned it as a retreat for my kids — a place where they could hang out with friends or cousins, or even have sleepovers. I wanted it to be a place for memory-making, but I also craved a space that felt light and airy.

As I was designing it from afar, I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to whitewash the wood walls. Now, I know some of you wood lovers might be cringing, but hear me out — the wood was just too dark for me, especially since the windows don’t let in much natural light. Plus, after the old owners’ “lived-in” vibes, I needed to create a fresh, clean slate.

We had the absolute best painter for the job. He would paint a sample, take a photo, drive up the block to get cell service, text me the photo, and then take my instructions for the next round. It was a process, but I couldn’t be happier with the result. I didn’t want the walls to be too white, and I definitely didn’t want any weird pink undertones. Bless him, seriously. (He’s still our go-to painter, and we’ve become great friends over the years.)

Once the walls were done, we ripped out the old carpet and replaced it with soft, fresh carpet that made the space feel so much better.

On a budget (because, hello, opening a second home/vacation rental left us a little broke), we had to be smart about the furniture. We chose simple, affordable pieces that would also be easy to clean.

Here’s a list of the furniture we purchased for the room:

• Pillow Cases
• Pillow Inserts
• Grey Duvet Cover – This one we used is no longer available
• Similar Duvet Cover
• Mattress
• White Sheets
• Similar Grey Poufs
• Similar Small shuffleboard
• Black & Wicker Nightstands
• Similar Black Nightstand
• Similar Bed Frames

The next thing on my list? Curtains. I’d love to add some to block out extra light, especially for those who like to sleep in or for light-sensitive sleepers like me. I’d also love to add nightstands and lamps to each bed for some extra convenience and cozy vibes.

All in all, this attic-to-retreat transformation is one of my favorite before-and-after stories. It’s a space that went from “no way” to “I’d love to spend the night in here!”

With love,
Chloe