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Gretchen’s First MOTO Reveal: A Tiny Bedroom Comes Alive With The Perfect Pieces From Article (And Fabric On The Walls??)

What do you get when you combine 32 yards of fabric, a beautiful bedroom bundle from Article and the world’s best boss? My very first Makeover Takeover reveal!! If you read my post from yesterday, you know how quickly this bedroom came together. Personally, I love a deadline (Em too), and though this one came at us like a 90 mph fastball, I really do think we hit it out of the park! (Insert softball emoji here) What’s so wonderful about Em–besides gifting me with an incredible opportunity such as this–is that she really let me take the reins on the design process, but stepped up for me big time when I desperately needed her eye. So when it came time for the shoot, she styled, Kaitlin photographed and I teared up in the corner as we brought my dream bedroom to life. I couldn’t be more excited to share this finished space with you all! Are you ready for the breakdown? Here we go!

Headboard | Bed Frame | Mattress

It’s not too difficult for a bed to be the focal point in any room, let alone a 9′ x 10′ box, but thankfully she’s no eyesore! I’m still pinching myself knowing that THIS is the bed I come home to every night. From the headboard to the mattress to the bedding (to the window, to the wallllll)–it’s all Article! As if they weren’t already one of my favorite places to shop for furniture (and a tried and true EHD favorite for pieces that are beautifully designed, well made, and at amazing price points), now you can literally fulfill EVERY SINGLE ONE of your bedroom needs in one convenient place. And I did!

Article has partnered with Leesa to supply you a great mattress to go atop your beautiful new bed frame. And to no one’s surprise, it’s extremely comfortable! I feel like I could recreate that classic infomercial, where the lady jumps on the bed next to a stemmed glass of red wine and it doesn’t budge one iota. Now I’m not gonna do that with this bed, mostly because I prefer a pinot gris (or in this case, an empty coffee mug), so you’ll just have to trust me on this one. It’s firm yet soft, and hugs just right without swallowing you whole. It has three layers of memory foam, each one designed to keep you cool and supported. After sleeping on the same full-size mattress I’ve had for years and years, this queen mattress makes me feel like just that–A QUEEN.

Storage Bed | Throw Blanket

Next up is the frame. I knew I wanted to incorporate this oak Pactera bed frame as soon as I saw it (the white version is also so crisp). My place has decent storage, but sadly no real spot for linens. The fact that this bed is as beautiful as it is sturdy and has hidden storage drawers, is unreal. Positioned at the front of the bed are two huge drawers, and inside them I can fit all of my extra towels, sheets, and blankets. I love that they disappear completely, tucking away into the frame’s wide base, only to be clocked by me. The added lip around the perimeter of the frame is such a nice design touch, too and more importantly, functional. Making my bed in the morning really just requires stuffing the duvet into the sides of the frame and yet somehow every time it comes out looking so polished!

Gauze Charcoal Duvet Cover | Gauze Charcoal Sham Set | Sheet Set | Left Throw Pillow | Right Throw Pillow

Speaking of bedding…Article really NAILED IT! No surprises that their new bedding launch is as good as the furniture we know and love them for. Their bedding comes in three fabrications: the delightful crinkly gauze I picked, a super soft cotton, and a classic breezy linen. Before choosing the fabric for the walls (and yes…I will get to that!) I decided on the Leni gauze bedding in charcoal. I talked about it in the Link Up a few weekends ago, but I really can’t say enough about my love for it. I just feel so dang fancy sliding into a bedding set this beautiful and high quality. And technically what you’re seeing isn’t really a set, but rather a collection of styles, which just goes to show how well their colors and materials mix and match. I snagged an extra set of gauze-y shams in taupe and cotton sheets in light taupe, too. Top it off with two cute throw pillows and this fuzzy, tasseled blanket (yes y’all Article does decor too!) and celloooo–you’ve got a bed! (Hands up if you caught either one of my School Of Rock references)

But the real show stopper is the headboard, obvi. It was a much harder decision for me to make, only because they have too many great options to choose from and I was really going back and forth on the direction of the room. In the end this one beat out the rest because the wood tone matched the other pieces so perfectly without being all from the same line. The woven rattan detailing makes it feel so high-end and lux, and I really love that it mounts to the wall. It hangs on a French cleat so I know it’s super secure, but I can also nudge it one way or the other, should I want to shift my bed a bit.

Gauze Taupe Sham Set | Headboard | Swing-Arm Sconce

Another fantastic feature of the headboard are the built-in nightstands. With my room being so small, adding nightstands into the mix could’ve made it feel clunky. Instead, the integrated shelves take up zero floor space and give me a great resting spot for my phone, a cup ‘o joe, or whatever book I’m reading–I mean, I haven’t attended book club in months, but that’s only because I had no place to set it down! I promise that’s the only reason!!

Because they’re still on the smaller side, I opted for this beautiful swing-arm sconce to keep the surface clear. I like that it provides a bit of asymmetry to the space and replaces the need for art above the bed–which I did try, but just felt like too much going on with the “wallpaper”. It’s also a plug-in so no wiring required! The mushroom lamp sitting on the other side of the bed (the previous photo) is one I stole from Em’s prop room just for the shoot, and will be going back because the sconce gives off plenty of light. But like, how cute?!

White Double Planter | Dresser | Table Lamp

That said, I’m super happy this other mushroom lamp is staying because it gives off a really nice glow and the gold shade connects well with the greenish gold of the wall fabric (I’m so close to talking about this, keep reading).

But the dresser??! Again, if you saw yesterday’s post, you’d know this was the one piece I absolutely had to have. We used nightstands from the same Vireo line in Kaitlin’s bedroom makeover, and when I realized they had the same style in a 6-drawer lowboy, I lost it. I have way too many clothes and until I get that problem under control, a dresser in addition to my closet is necessary. Whether I move or stay here for years, this is a piece that I know will be with me for GOOD. I can see it working so beautifully in my living room as a sideboard when I graduate from clothes-hoarding, that is. It just feels so timeless. The soft closing drawers are a mega bonus, but the design of the drawer pulls is my favorite element.

The one piece of art hanging in the room is something I painted. At my last apartment, someone left it in our communal free pile. It had a weird, black plastic light mounted to the top and looked like an early-stage art project left to die. I had a vision and snagged it, even though my neighbor-friends were like “Gretch, babe, that’s trash”. I’ve painted on it a few times, and I’m still not sure it’s “done” but I really love what it adds to the space, breaking up the uniformity of the wall and picking up some of the pink-ier tones in the room. References to both of my cherished apartments are hidden inside and I love looking at it as I fall asleep, reminded of the gratitude I have for those designs. There’s even a scrap of the current wall fabric pasted on the left side of it…

From Left To Right: Vintage | Planter | Planter (Old) | Footed Bowl (Local) | Planter | Box (vintage) | Planter (local) | Planter (local)

Okay wait, first the window and then we’ll talk wall fabric–I mean it!! This long but short window surprisingly lets in a lot of light. But unfortunately, it looks directly into my neighbor’s kitchen and the awkward eye contact happened enough for me to hop on the internet and order this window film. It’s made to look like reeded glass and diffuses the light beautifully. I also don’t need anything to block the light because I truly sleep like the dead, so just a bit of privacy control was enough for me.

When Em came by to see the progress of space, she suggested I extend the window ledge to display some of my plants. Love!! So I headed to my local Ace Hardware, snagged a board, cut it to size, painted it to match, and drilled it into the sill. Done. Then Em helped me pick out a few fresh plants for the shoot and I’ll be damned if I can’t keep them alive, because they’re just too perfect!

White Double Planter

Okay you’ve made it!! It’s fabric time. This wallpaper isn’t wallpaper, but rather wallfabric, as I’ve lovingly coined it. It’s something I’ve added to many of my past rentals, and I like to think it’s my signature. I will argue ’til the day I die that it’s absolutely the best way to “wallpaper” a room because it is 100% renter-friendly and a process you can do completely solo without the need to rip your hair out along the way. Now I will admit, I’m a TEASE, because the fully-fledged, step-by-step process post won’t be coming at you until next week. But I will give you this: in my humble opinion, it’s miles better than traditional paste-up or peel-and-stick wallpaper because clean-up is a breeze–any residue left behind simply doesn’t exist–and it’s sooo much less wasteful. If I move, get bored of it, or realize it belongs somewhere else, all I need to do is peel it down and give it a wash before I’m ready to start again. And by then the opportunities are endless–wallfabric another room or sew an outfit or a bedspread or a pillow or CURTAINS. Now who can say that about sticky paper?

But to immediately contradict myself, I am thinking about ordering a peel-and-stick version of the same design to line my drawers and closet shelves, because it’s slightly easier to clean. I worked with Spoonflower to find this fabric and they offer all (we’re talking literally millions) of their designs in both fabric and wallpaper of every kind. And to them I said, “Hey, how ’bout one more application?” and they said “Sure!” and I said, “Thanks, guys!”

Anyway, I am super proud of this room and extremely grateful to be given the chance to express myself with such incredible pieces. To have a room in my new place fully designed feels so fulfilling and is driving me to rethink and refresh the other rooms in my apartment. So stay tuned! And come back next week to read all about that wallfabric process. If you have any questions about it, I’ll make sure to answer them over there!

The hugest of thank you’s to Article for partnering on this project. Every single item is an absolute hit and I am tickled as pink as the flowers on my walls to be surrounded by such beauty. To the readers, thanks for following along! To Kaitlin, the photographic magic you capture is unmatched and these are photos I will cherish forever and ever. And to Emily, just wow. The things you’ve introduced me to, the projects you’ve brought to me, and the gifts you’ve bestowed, leave me speechless. Thank you for your ongoing love, support and trust throughout this process! You are so cool.

Sincerely, Gretch

*Design by Gretchen Raguse (me!)
**Styled by Gretchen Raguse and Emily Henderson
*** Photos by Kaitlin Green

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Lizzie
7 months ago

Serious question: what does MOTO mean??? I cannot for the life of me find a definition that applies to design. Beautiful room tho, regardless of what you call it! 😉

Gabi
7 months ago
Reply to  Lizzie

Makeover Takeover where the team designs their own spaces.

Sara
7 months ago
Reply to  Lizzie

Makeover Takeover

Susan
7 months ago

I also get confused by the frequent use of MOTO on this site. Every time I have to remember what it means. Surely there’s another way to describe it? Why not just call it a Make over?

Mary B.
7 months ago

Beautiful design, Gretchen! I absolutely love the fabric that you chose for the walls, and that bedframe and floating side tables are so perfect for the room. Thanks for sharing with us – looking forward to following along for other room refreshes to come!

Lisa
7 months ago

Oh Gretchen, its gorgeous!!! (AND the wallfabric option I hoped for ;)) I’m VERY excited about your step-by-step! Do you think it would also work on top of existing wallpaper or would you just bring that down either during applying or removal due to the moisture? Also I loooove that painting both as a piece of art and its story – what a grwat piece to make you feel at home!!

Ann
7 months ago

Really nice — (I meant to put exclamation mark but my keyboard is acting funky). I’ll be copying some of your ideas for my exact same bedroom — exclamation mark. Thank you

patty
7 months ago

You should be so proud! It’s lovely.

Tara Lynch
7 months ago

It’s a great space. The wall fabric print and color are fantastic and the plants and white planters on the window sill add so much. I love Article and wish they had that bed frame and headboard when I was doing my own room.

Katie
7 months ago

i’ve been searching high and low for the right wallpaper for my powder bath. realized i ACTUALLY wanted a specific fabric print i found, and last week i was deep diving on DIY fabric wallpaper steps – how did ya’ll read my mind???? can’t wait til next week.

Don
7 months ago

I was certain this would be the fabric, and it works beautifully. Congratulations on a gorgeous room, Gretchen! So curious for the tutorial. I have seen walls upholstered before, but I have never seen the process you’ve done. I am so going to try and talk a client into this in the near future, lol.

connie
7 months ago

breathlessly awaiting the wallfabric tutorial b/c i’ve got a guest room waiting for a makeover and for some reason i’m less enthusiastic about my usual peel and stick wallpaper go-to.

Kate
7 months ago
Reply to  connie

All this fabric impact in this tiny room and NO INFORMATION on how to apply FABRIC to a wall?????

Indy
7 months ago
Reply to  Kate

Easy there, Tiger. I know it’s hard to wait but “the fully-fledged, step-by-step process post … coming at you … next week”

Susan
7 months ago

The fabric installation looks seamless and I love that it is more sustainable than wall paper. Excited to see the sorcery that pulled this off.

At the risk of being pedantic, a small correction – the window is a clerestory window, not a transom (which is a window placed over a door). A clerestory window is placed high on a wall to let in light, but protect privacy.

Amy
7 months ago

Wow, I love this! You are blowing my mind with “wall fabric.” Can’t wait to learn more next week! That is the most perfect pattern and this looks like the coziest little room. Well done Gretchen!

Sally
7 months ago

Definitely the one I was hoping you’d picked. Looking forward to the tutorial!! I was wondering why anyone would choose fabric over wallpaper but you gave a great explanation and convincing rationale!! Congratulations on a lovely room!!!

Cici Haus
7 months ago

Beautiful room and so happy to have a lovely new voice on the blog! Congrats, Gretchen!

Heidi
7 months ago

Love love love! So cool. And great inspiration for making the most of a small room.

Gretchen
7 months ago

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful room! I love the headboard/nightstands and that clever windowsill hack – the plants add so much coziness! Look forward to reading more about how you hung the fabric – it’s really stunning.

Amy
7 months ago

Would wall fabric be a good option when trying to cover textured/”orange peel” walls? So many houses have walls that won’t take wallpaper without a lot of prep work.

priscilla
7 months ago

It’s so cozy!

Angela
7 months ago

This is so pretty and the painting is SO GOOD!

KL
7 months ago

I’d love a tutorial post on using peel and stick wallpaper to line closet shelves, too — especially with a complex pattern like this one.
Also, high five for waking up to morning light in the bedroom 😀 I have a high window like this above our bed with no shade on it and a huge wall of windows on another wall which we do partially cover up for privacy, but the top half is left open 100% of the time. I love waking up to a bright room. And I sleep like the dead too (OK, I might feel slightly guilty for making my insomniac husband also wake up to morning sun, but he’s pretty good at sleeping in).

Cathy
7 months ago

I know this is a rental, but it would be great if you could pull the background color of the fabric for a matching paint to paint the edges of the sliding closet doors, to help them disappear. As is, the are kind of high contrast. Otherwise, beautiful transformation!

Lexie
7 months ago

Super curious about the cost of wallpaper versus the cost of fabric!!!

Lisa
7 months ago
Reply to  Lexie

At least where I am fabric is generally wayyyyyyy cheaper than wallpaper (especially the pretty ones) and it certainly is on Spoonflower as well. Also I feel you get many more cute options with fabric than with wallpaper (where I feel most is cheap and ugly or a few are pretty but hecking expensive)

Kat
7 months ago

This looks so good!! I’m so sorry if this question is obnoxious but it’s just mentally bugging me for some reason … You can open the dresser drawers all the way without hitting the bed right? Either way, honestly, this looks amazing!!

Juanita
7 months ago
Reply to  Kat

I am curious about this too! And is there room for the underbed storage drawers to pull out all the way, so you can access what’s inside? Genuinely curious because my bedroom is also tiny and I can’t fit a dresser or underbed storage drawers, looking for advice! (And if anyone out there knows where to find a high-quality, modern lowboy/6-drawer dresser that’s narrower than 18 inches, PLEASE TELL ME. I think I’ve searched the entire internet at this point, with no luck, except IKEA which… meh.)

Jacey
7 months ago
Reply to  Juanita

Room and Board has the 18” deep Emerson dresser. And quite a few custom units available in 16” depth.

Kirsten
7 months ago

I can’t wait for the wall fabric tutorial, we just tried doing a peel and stick wallpaper that kept falling off, we ended up pulling it down (it was adorable!). Could have been the textured walls or the Florida heat… or a combination of both but would love a more sustainable option!

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Kirsten
7 months ago
Reply to  Kirsten

My daughter’s bed nook with the wallpaper before it fell down

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Jen A
7 months ago
Reply to  Kirsten

This is such a great space for wall covering and I love this print. I am so sad for you that it fell down. 🙁

Lisa
7 months ago
Reply to  Kirsten

Oh, how frustrating! Its very cute!! I love your paint colour too! 🙂

MBJ
7 months ago

Love this, Gretchen! The Article pieces are so perfect and I love that the fabric wall covering will be reusable. Such a fun and cozy, cohesive room.

Paula
7 months ago

Love it! I think this fabric looks SO good with the walls. Just a very inviting room.

SARAH
7 months ago

Gretchen! Amazing job pulling together so quickly and I love how you cherish and remember your previous homes and designs with that art piece! So thoughtful.

Jill
7 months ago

From a distance the fabric looks like a wall of Batman icons. And I love Batman, so it’s great for me too.

Laurielulu
7 months ago

The Article furniture is STUNNING!!!! I have been downsizing and am currently in a tiny room like yours. It’s cozy and I like it but it would be even greater-ER-ER with the Article bed and dresser. I am obsessed 😍. You have given me such great ideas. 💯💯💋💋

Admin
7 months ago

GRETCH!!! IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL!!! my favorite bedroom in a long time. you are so talented in so many ways and such a good writer! <333

MKP
7 months ago

Amazing room and I can’t wait to learn all about the wall fabric installation. What a perfect option for rental friendly and zero waste. Sounds too good to be true!

You did a beautiful job!

Monica
7 months ago

Wow love the bed so much. I would love to have it myself. And yes the wall fabric idea seems great, definitely keeping that idea in mind.

Carol
7 months ago

Let me guess, the wallfabric is held on with liquid fabric softener. Glad to see this technique is still alive and kicking.

emily jane
7 months ago

What a lovely MakeOver TakeOver debut Gretchen! Your apartment origin story was The BEST! (I shared it with my Guy who is very attentive but it can be hit or miss when it’s a design related topic but he got a kick out of it too ; ). I love the energy in the wallFabric -plus, it is b e a u t i f u l ! Congrats on your Article pieces -that curved edge on the bedframe is de-lish-ous. But your art piece is the magic that connects all the dots for me… Also, I’ve got fabric I want to wallpaper with and am very much looking forward to your wallfabric process tutorial (I did my whole garage with a low-budget Rebecca Atwood look-alike fabric shower curtain from Target but used a staple gun for install (not sure this will make it thru the review process but thought I’d give it a go: Emily Jane Zarov (@ejzdancer) • Instagram photos and videos . The other side of the room is even better : ) Emily Jane Zarov (@ejzdancer) • Instagram photos and videos). Also, also (?): Your MOTO intro post with your old space made me realize that… Read more »

Sona
7 months ago

Love your bedroom! That wall fabric adds so much personality. I have an Article bed frame ( a different style than yours) and love its quality craftsmanship and affordable price. In fact I think I knew about Article from this blog!