A few weeks ago we celebrated our second anniversary in our home! We have put our mark on nearly every inch of this house and just a few big ticket updates remain, like flooring and major bathroom renos. I did a post last year at this time sharing all the changes we made in our first year in the home. Now it’s time to update you on all the changes and upgrade we made in the past year.

STUDIO

This spring, just as covid hit, I was in the early stages of tacking my studio. This basement bedroom got a complete makeover! I removed the drop ceiling, painted everything white, removed the dingy carpet and painted the concrete a pale grey. I also organized and created systems to keep organized in the future.

Lauren Koster Creative - Our House Two Year Updates

wall and ceiling paint: Polar Bear by Behr // floor paint: Rust-oleum Rock Solid Home base coat + top coat // closet door paint: Revere Pewter // shelves: Home Depot (painted white) // pendent: Amazon // table: Wayfair // bar stools: Jayson Home // … — wall and ceiling paint: Polar Bear by Behr // floor paint: Rust-oleum Rock Solid Home base coat + top coat // closet door paint: Revere Pewter // shelves: Home Depot (painted white) // pendent: Amazon // table: Wayfair // bar stools: Jayson Home // rug 1: Ecarpet Gallery // desk: ikea // chair: vintage (similar) // rug 2: ECarpet Gallery // storage boxes: Ikea // cork wall: Amazon // large art: DIY // art above dried floral display: Amy Carroll // dried flowers: Afloral // peg wall: DIY

STUDIO BATH

My most recent project is just across the hall from my studio in the basement, a full bath with plenty of storage. This was a major makeover on a minimal budget. I added tons of trim, painted a moody purple-grey, swapped out the dated vanity for a floating sink and raised the ceiling and added shiplap.

Lauren Koster Creative Studio Bath Reveal

paint: Vintage Collection by Magnolia / floating sink: Wayfair / faucet: build.com / light: DL Design Works on Etsy / vase: The Counting House / wall moulding 3/4” corner moulding: Home Depot / shiplap ceiling: Home Depot / floor tiles: Walmart / bike print: The Lipstick Lens / sorry not sorry print: The Quote House / blooming bush print: The Lipstick Lens / shower curtain: CB2 / hand towel: CB2 / hooks: CB2 / toilet paper holder: CB2

LAUNDRY ROOM

Early in the year, I couldn’t stand to look at my laundry room a moment longer, and decided to say “goodbye to the dated 80’s wallpaper (unfortunately not to the washer and dryer though). I removed the wall paper and upper cabinets. I gave it a fresh coat of paint and installed floating shelves. I added a slatted ceiling detail and painted the tile floors.

deck stain: “Mink,” by Olympic / sofa: World Market / coffee table: Amazon / dining table: Ikea / dining chairs: Target / rug: Urban Outfitters / doormat: World Market /

floor tile stencil: Cutting Edge Stencils / floor paint: Rustoleum base coat + top coat / floating shelves: DIY / wall paint: Behr Polar Bear / cabinet + trim paint: Behr Carbon / slatted storage container: Target / straw market bag: Etsy / terrazzo… — floor tile stencil: Cutting Edge Stencils / floor paint: Rustoleum base coat + top coat / floating shelves: DIY / wall paint: Behr Polar Bear / cabinet + trim paint: Behr Carbon / slatted storage container: Target / straw market bag: Etsy / terrazzo planter: Target / painting: original by Amy Carroll Print Shop / hangers: Target / curtain rod: West Elm / hangers: Target / laundry basket: similar / broom: similar / dustpan: World Market

BACK YARD

The two outdoor projects I tackled were MAJOR. As soon as spring hit, while still on lockdown we went to work on an overgrown corner of our yard. We tore out years and years over ivy, a pond, arch and thousands of branches. Laid a pea gravel fire pit area, strung cafe lights and we have a lovely spot previously unusable.

DECK

Immediately following the yard, I started painting our HUGE two story deck. This was not my favorite project, but as always thrilled with the result. I cleaned the existing light blue/grey paint up, choose a dark brown/black solid stain and replaced the standard spindles with horizontal slats. Not only does it look great while enjoying dinner outside, the two-toned slat design also looks great from our large living room windows.

POWDER ROOM

The first project I tackled in the new year was finishing up the powder room. In 2019 I went half way with this room. I had already removed the wallpaper, painted, added the shelf and swapped out the mirror and light. This year my father-in-law made and installed the vanity I designed, I also installed the tile, painted the floor and got a new toilet.

Lauren Koster Creative - Two Year House Update

scalloped wall tile: Home Depot / floor tile stencil: Cutting Edge Stencils / floor paint: Rustoleum base coat + top coat / vanity: custom / faucet: Home Depot / sink: build.com / baskets: Crate & Barrel / mirror: CB2 / sconce: West Elm / DIY ar… — scalloped wall tile: Home Depot / floor tile stencil: Cutting Edge Stencils / floor paint: Rustoleum base coat + top coat / vanity: custom / faucet: Home Depot / sink: build.com / baskets: Crate & Barrel / mirror: CB2 / sconce: West Elm / DIY art: tutorial / faux plant: World Market / rug: vintage (similar) / toilet: Home Depot / soap bottle: Amazon

BEDROOM

This fall I gave our bedroom a quick refresh. I DIYed some new artwork, shopped my house for bedding and accessory swaps and purchased a few minor pieces that would change the look.