In December, I partnered up with Real Housewife of NY Kelly Bensimon to give a real housewife in NYC a green bedroom makeover.   It was for the TV show Extra (I’ll post a clip later) and it was a challenge to give someone a makeover who once lived in a giant suburban home in Texas and now lived in a much smaller apartment in the Big Apple.    But I like challenges and I loved the fact Kelly was willing to roll up her sleeves and help out.  

Before pic of the bedroom… existing furniture, things placed here and there, the existing blinds that came with the apartment.  Not awful, to tell you the truth, but it could use a little help.

Another view of the “before” bedroom.   Books everywhere… what to do with them?    Have to come up with a solution.

Start by clearing the room.   Some of the furniture was donated to charity and some of it was reused.   Very little was thrown away since doing a green re-decorating and tossing it all the trash would be against the whole point.

At the JCPenney flagship store in Manhattan, Kelly and I started shopping and coming up with a plan.  With just one day to do the makeover, we had to work quick.    Kelly brought along some photos of her homes for inspiration.  No matter what your opinion is of her from the TV show, I have to say this: she is one of the nicest, hardest-working person I’ve worked with in a long time.    And I’ve worked with tons of actresses, musicians, editors and TV personalities… I’m on Team Kelly now!     

And the after: a recycled shag rug made from water bottles, my Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo mattress for the bed, a faux leather (cruelty-free) bed from JCPenney Home Collection, new lamps with energy efficient CFL bulbs inside (also from JCPenney) and white sheers to let the light in, but cast a dreamy glow, from JCPenney Home Collection.    One stop shop and one gorgeous bedroom.

And all those books?  They are now neatly organized on these skinny bookshelves flanking two sides of the homeowner’s existing chair.   They almost become sculptural pieces, rather than boring bookshelves.   And doesn’t the bedroom just look bigger?    Different configuration that takes advantage of the space so not one area becomes the dominant focal point.

From one Real Housewife to another….. what a fun makeover!

Tags: Extra, JCPenney, Makeover, Real Housewife

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