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Attic Remodel Tour: The Reveal!

Attic Remodel.
Many Thanks to Wayfair for Helping us furnish the attic Well.
Thanks also to our friends at Curbly for helping us style the space!

Tadaahhhh! There it is, looking how it usually looks – unmade bed, lazy dog in her spot, and clothes on the chair, because WHY ELSE WOULD YOU PUT A CHAIR IN YOUR BEDROOM. Clearly it was meant to be a clothes chair.

Guys. The completion (and documentation) of this space has been a LONG TIME COMIN.

We moved in to this house in 2013 and said: “Yeah, definitely. Let’s finish the upstairs.” Casually. Like it was the same as picking up a gallon of milk at the store or vacuuming the living room.

Then four years went by, because as it turns out, “finishing the upstairs” is not a small project.

Unfinished Attic.
Unfinished Attic.
Attic in Process.

Turns out, also, that I am the world’s slowest house-putter-togetherer. When will it be done? people asked. Well, let’s see – we need three months for construction, and then I’ll need the rest of my lifetime for getting that clock hung in just the right spot. So, uh, never? In the last few years, I have realized that people (myself included, big time) are really impacted by their physical spaces – which is totally empowering and also completely paralyzing. If finding just the right placement for our fourth potted succulent will have a major impact on how I’m going to feel whenever I’m in this room? Um, yes, I will take five years to decide. The mood needs to be right. Don’t rush me.

Are there twelve (not exaggerating – count ’em, TWELVE) holes in that wall over there because I moved those pictures around so many times and ultimately decided not to use them? Yes. Are there sixty five throw pillows in the trunk of my car waiting to be returned to Target? Yes. Are there hours upon hours of my life that I have lost to the deliciously overwhelming idea vortex of Wayfair, Pinterest, and Etsy? Yes.

Putting together a house is hard work. And we are working with a small-ish space here – 900 square feet for the footprint of the house. I have no idea how you mega-house people can do it so effortlessly because I can barely handle this small house situation. Teach me the ways.

Stairs to Attic

Here’s what I’ve decided, using my tiny decision-making muscles: I’ve decided that it will never be perfect. But we love living in it, and therefore it is perfect.

It’s exactly what we want it to be – a cozy and clean space that makes the flow of our home just a little less crowded. It inspires me to breathe deeply. Even though he will never share this finished room with us as we had so carefully and excitedly planned, the peaceful mood of this new part of our home reminds me constantly of our sweet Afton who inspired so much growth in our hearts and in our lives.

So come on in – I’d be honored to have you look around today, courtesy of the internet. And beautiful thing of the internet #4285: I don’t have to vacuum and you don’t have to get dog hair all over your socks. WIN.

So here’s what it looks like when you come in at the top of the stairs.

Attic Bedroom Entrance

And here’s my daughter.

attic bedroom

And here are the cute baskets we got at Target that double as functional and decorational. I’m very sure that’s a word.

Laundry Organization Baskets

The built-ins with soft close drawers that make me ooh and aah every time I use them:

Built-In Cabinets

And the little picture ledge on the wall that holds up our art.

Wayfair Bed and Nightstands

One of several pictures of our real baby:

Attic Shelf Decor

And one of several nap spots for our dog baby. (Who, I’ll have you know, recently got her teeth professionally cleaned which is why she has a little shaved spot on her arm. Her breath, you guys. It does not kill me every time she opens her mouth. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. And now we’re at that moment when your attic remodel reveal turns into a detailed recounting of your dog’s dental history.)

Sage in Attic

This cute Minnesota print is life!

Minnesota Wall Art

And I cannot even with these sconces. They are WAY adorable.

Modern Wall Sconce
A modern white bathroom with a oval bowl sink on a long countertop and a round mirror above the sink.
A remodelled bathroom in the attic with white and grey theme.
Shelves in a shower.

We have a lot of stuff from Wayfair – basically anything cute will fall in this category – so we put together a list of products for you to find what you’re looking for. BONUS: Black Friday sales coming up. Keep your eyes peeled.

Our Fave Decor Stuffs:


In putting together this post, I ended up digging through some of my older house posts and I came across this story from a previous post where I wrote about the emotions of leaving our old (first) house and moving into this house. The story is about a different house at a different time.

But it feels like I wrote it for myself right now, today.

And maybe it will feel like I wrote it for you, too.

The funny thing about these heart-happy memories is that the LAST thing I think about is the warped floor in the kitchen where the dishwasher leaked, the drafty windows, and the faux wood floor carpet (no, seriously) that I disliked so much. I just think about us, and what we did together, and how that little house played a big role in that precious first-five-years-together chapter of our lives. And now suddenly I have a small heartache.

Dear Pinterest Loving, Overly Ambitious, Wanna Havva Perfect House Lindsay: remember this feeling as you unpack, settle, remodel, decorate, DIY, and generally start this chapter of life in your new home.

Home is home because it’s where we are, together. ❤

What a funny thing, houses.


MORE HOME/LIFE POSTS:

A woman laughing as she looks at her dog in a house that is being remodelled.

Attic Remodel Tour: Phase 1


Remodeling the studio with tables, sofas and coffee table.

Home Sweet Studio


Kitchen island with stools.

Kitchen Remodel: The Final Reveal


A clean room with brown sofa set, white carpet, and wooden floor.

Home-Buying Moments

Huge thank you to Wayfair for helping us furnish and transform our blank-slate attic into a space that’s cozy and beautiful.

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70 Comments

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I love it!! It turned out so cozy and bright. Although, I’ll admit, the first thing I noticed was Sage’s little arm shave and I thought to myself “What’s wrong with baby girl????”. Glad her breath is all minty again 🙂

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    The remodel looks so gorgeous!! I’m quite fond of the chair, and the target baskets, but the bed and nightstand!! Whereee did those sweet pieces come from?

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    So beautiful! And the quote from when you left your last home – yes, yes, yes. I keep telling myself that as I stare at our mysteriously stained carpets (from the previous owners)… thank you for sharing!

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Looks awesome! Wayfair is great. Just ordered a Tree Wall from them. I’m glad your dog is getting lots of love from you still. I just lost my precious wire-haired dachshund after 16 years and my heart is breaking. I realized, I took it for granted that he’d be with me forever….

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Yay! The space looks amazing! It was so fun to follow along with the remodel on your Insta stories, and the final reveal looks incredible! My husband and I just bought our first home this past spring, and I’m learning that furnishing and decorating a home takes FOREVER! But the process is fun, and it’s worth the time and patience to get each little spot within the home feeling just right.

    Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

    xx Allison

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Ah, what a beautiful & serene space! It is lovely.

    I’m curious where Sage’s dog bed is from? We are in the market for new ones, and I love that it is a dark color! Our two dogs are both black, & a surprising # of dog beds I have found are light colored on the top, which is no bueno for us.

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Where is the hanging wool wall art from? it’s EXACTLY what i’ve been looking for! i’m guessing ETSY from your post but would love a link.

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    What a beautiful space—just what a bedroom should be—a calming retreat, a sanctuary, a place to get away. Of course, 16 years after moving in, my bedroom is still painted in about 16 different Benjamin Moore swatches but I figure if I add a few more, I’ll have the walls completely covered. And I won’t even mention the two wire metro shelf units that hold all my excess kitchen gadgets… More like a place to get away FROM. Decorating/decision-making FAIL.

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Beautiful! My husband and I are about to start our built-ins and we love yours. Did you do this yourself? We don’t really know what we are doing, so looking for some advice! 🙂

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    2 thoughts.
    1) Your remodel came out terrific.
    2) Are you promoting all of these products out of the goodness of your heart, or are you getting an affiliate fee, referral fee, etc. for putting all these links on your blog? I’m fine if you are doing that, it’s just that you should have full disclosure and mention that in your post. Perhaps it’s there but I didn’t see it.

  11. Pinch of Yum Logo

    SO beautiful and just right. I love Sage! 🙂 I’m anxiously awaiting a kitchen remodel in my home, because right now it’s a ONE and a half person kitchen. You inspire me!! 🙂

  12. Pinch of Yum Logo

    What a gorgeous room! Great remodel… love the subtle earth tones. Can you tell me more about the built-in? I cannot tell from the photo how it is built in to the roof or? I am doing an attic room and think it is a great use of space and functionality so would appreciate it if you can share some more info. Thanks!

  13. Pinch of Yum Logo

    So warm, cozy, and inviting. You knocked this one out of the park in so many wonderful ways. I love Wayfair’s style, and yours! I want to give Sage a big, long scratching session! (Dogs like that from me because I have longish nails!) Wishing all of you a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving.

  14. Pinch of Yum Logo

    So clean! I love it. And I am the SAME way. Never deciding because I need each decorative item to be placed perfectly, so they just lean against the wall until I decide (never). It always helps to decorate with a friend or family member who makes the decisions for you 🙂

  15. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I can relate. We’ve just moved out into the country and downsized into what I hope is our retirement home. I lay on the floor of my new man cave and feel so satisfied.

  16. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I absolutely love the remodel. So inspirational and bright. If I had an attic then I would so do it like this except with my own spice!! Keep up the good work. Amazing🎆🎇🌠

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      I would guess 400 square feet? The footprint of our house is 900 and this space is the equivalent of that, except it’s limited probably by half because of the knee walls on the sides. It’s pretty small!