Well, I’m back home and ready to show you some of the scenes from the Hidden Treasures Adventure! (Sorry to keep you waiting, blogging from the road is incredibly difficult. I’m convinced now that an iPhone is no longer a luxury, but a NEED! My crappy piece of crap phone could not keep up.)
Anyway, to get you up to speed, last week GMC and OnStar sent a team of six DIY bloggers on the road for an adventure through the World’s Longest Yard-Sale. We were provided 2012 Yukon XLs to drive, and started in Michigan and ended in Alabama, collecting yard-sale treasures along the way. When we arrived to our final destination in Alabama, we used the things we found to furnish and decorate a Habitat for Humanity home for a single mother and her two kids.
It was the most rewarding and exhausting thing I’ve ever done.
Like, ever.
We were given a $250 budget and drew names for which room we would work on, and I drew the little boy’s room. I was told his name was Jaydon, he was in first grade and liked superheroes and Transformers.
After traveling and shopping the yard-sale for four days, we ended up in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday to an entirely empty house we had never set eyes on before, with only five hours to completely transform it.
Here is what I did:
And now, the other side …
I was really happy with how it turned out! Especially considering that The World’s Longest Yard-Sale does not exactly cater to six-year-old boys who love Transformers and I was having a panic attack by the end of the second day when I was halfway through the trip and had only spent $20.
Here are a few detail shots:
Leen the Graphics Queen graciously donated AND overnighted our choice of wall decals to us when she heard what we were doing. Awesome.
In the blogging world, chalkboard paint is no big deal. Who hasn’t heard of chalkboard paint? Everybody has. But I learned that in the real world, people are still amazed by it! I got by far the most comments and questions about this little stripe of chalkboard paint than anything else. The chalk rail is actually a strip of old closet track that I found for $3.
The little school desk came from the Habitat ReStore in Detroit, who let us each pick one item for free from their store.
This bed was a great find, only $20. When I bought it, I was afraid it was going to disintegrate in my hands, it was in such rough shape. It had obviously been sitting outside for years. In fact, I still have splinters. But after an evening of sanding, spray-painting and staining in the empty field next to our hotel, it looks old and distressed on PURPOSE!
Pillows were a thrift-store find, bedding I bought new at Wal-Mart, and the curtain was a 50 cent shower curtain I cut and painted. Here are a few more prices, the rest of my budget went to paint and supplies. I had wanted so badly to find an awesome antique dresser with a ton of character but it was not to be. Instead, the owner of a Dunlap thrift store gave me this brand new one, still in the box for $15. I painted the handles yellow to match the room and called it good.
I have so much more to share, I can’t wait to show you the room transformations from the rest of the team! If you want to see more right now, you can check out my Facebook album with lots more photos of the yard-sale and our adventures!
It was so absolutely amazing to watch this little family who went from sharing a single mattress the day before walk into their own fully furnished home. A home that was all THEIRS! Rooms and beds and toys to call their own. It was the most overwhelming and gratifying feeling. Lots of tears were shed.
Thank you GMC for including me in this incredible event.
More transformations to come. Now, I must nap.
47 Comments
Amie
August 7, 2012 at 3:20 AMSo fun Lindsey! Great job. My fave is the license plate wall, but the chalkboard paint is uber awesome as well!
suzyq
August 6, 2012 at 8:48 PMOh Lindsay what a gorgeous room you gave that little boy! I’m moved to tears really
XOXOXO
Kathryn Cain
August 7, 2012 at 3:50 AMWhat I see is a Mom,who understand…this is for a young boy,make it for him…and you did….you should be proud for what you have done and proud that you guys did all this….you need a 12 hour nap for the hours of driving,shopping and makeover….plus chatting and finding new friends…..this is a lucky little boy and you will be a special person to him for ever
Laurie Jones
August 7, 2012 at 3:54 AMThis turned out so great! What a great thing to be able to do for a family!!!
Doodle On Yoo
August 6, 2012 at 8:54 PMBawling. Thanks. lol
So beautiful! Any little boy would be lucky to have that room. It is totally magazine worthy and I am amazed at how little your budget was, but how much you made of it!
Christine
the Crafty Woman
Antonia@Voodoo Molly Vintage
August 6, 2012 at 9:08 PMWhat a wonderful story – I have GOOSE BUMPS now! The room looks perfect – not too much and not too “decoraty”…. I don’t think I’d change one little iota. Congrats to all of you for helping to change the life of one deserving family…and had some fun whilst doing it. XXXX
Jenn
August 6, 2012 at 9:10 PMThat is absolutely amazing! Good work. My favorite part of the room is the desk. So unique.
Anonymous
August 7, 2012 at 4:28 AMJaydon’s smile is PRICELESS!
Laura from Top This Top That
August 6, 2012 at 9:52 PMgood for you for being involved in such a wonderful event and seeing the happiness on Jaydon’s face.
Vel Baricuatro-Criste, MD
August 6, 2012 at 10:06 PMYou did an amazing job!!!! so adore the desk!!!!!!! I am so sure this kid will be hanging out in his room all the time!!!!!
Kelley Bochman Smith
August 6, 2012 at 10:08 PMFABULOUS Girlfriend!!!!!!!! You did great. XOXO
The Michelle Show
August 6, 2012 at 10:10 PMThat is just AMAZING, what an honor it must be
**Mumzy
August 6, 2012 at 10:15 PMABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! So proud of you and glad you got such an awesome opportunity!!!!
Just Glory
August 6, 2012 at 11:23 PMThis is BY FAR one of the most awesome projects I’ve seen. Way to go!
Sherry
August 6, 2012 at 11:53 PMLindsey this room is awesome! What a special space for Jayden!!! You’re bargain yard sale decorating has so much character. I’ll bet that boy i
is so happy to have something this special done for him and his family. Nice work girl! Very inspiring. 🙂
Merry
August 6, 2012 at 11:54 PMYou did a fantastic job on the room, and Jaydon looks so happy! (and now I’m teary-eyed, too.)
Margaret
August 7, 2012 at 12:07 AMJaydon will never forget this wonderful room, or you, who made this happen. Just think how great it will be for him to invite friends over to play in his room!
Good work, Lindsay!
Traci@ Beneath My Heart
August 7, 2012 at 12:21 AMYour room looked amazing, Linds! Great job! Miss you!
SnodV
August 7, 2012 at 12:47 AMthis is the best post you have ever done! you should be SO PROUD of yourself, it not only looks AWESOME, it’s such a good thing you did!
Anna See
August 7, 2012 at 3:19 AMthat is wonderful! what a blessing you were to jaydon!
Jenny
August 7, 2012 at 3:36 AMYou did a great job! I think it’s a perfect boy’s room that he can add tons of superheroes and Transformers to. And, in a couple of years when he’s into something slightly different, the room will be up for the change (without having to change itself). Super!
Allyson & Jere
August 7, 2012 at 5:50 AMLOVE this! Love the project, love the post, love it all. You did a FANTASTIC job with that room. Can’t wait to see more rooms. And finally, you look gorgeous in the pic. The end!
Allyson & Jere
August 7, 2012 at 5:50 AMLOVE this! Love the project, love the post, love it all. You did a FANTASTIC job with that room. Can’t wait to see more rooms. And finally, you look gorgeous in the pic. The end!
Funky Junk Interiors
August 7, 2012 at 7:28 AMGORGEOUS!! I felt so honoured to work alongside you. I had an absolute blast!
p.s. I’ve been napping off and on all day. 🙂
Donna
Kelsey deWall
August 7, 2012 at 4:02 PMYou took such an amazing opportunity and did such an outstanding job! That family is very lucky!!
Anonymous
August 7, 2012 at 5:24 PMThis is by far my favorite thing in blog land! That boy looks so happy and proud of his cool new room! LOVE IT!!!
Anonymous
August 7, 2012 at 5:25 PMThis is by far my favorite thing in blog land! That boy looks so happy and proud of his cool new room! LOVE IT!!!
catpal52
August 7, 2012 at 11:27 AMThis is fabulous Lindsey–what a fun and rewarding trip that must have been. great job!
Willie Edia
August 7, 2012 at 11:30 AMLindsay, you understand what a child needs. You did an amazing job. nothing more. from uwillcgossip.com
Connie Burke
August 7, 2012 at 11:43 AMDarn proud to know you, Lindsey! Such an amazing talent. We simply couldn’t have picked a better or more talented group. All of us at GMC salute you and consider you part of our family. Thanks so much for sharing your gift, your energy and your passion for making a difference. Love this.
Val @ Home Made Modern
August 7, 2012 at 11:54 AMAre you kidding me with this? You did that for $250? Amazing!!! You created such a great space for that cutie-pie. And you must’ve felt so rewarded afterwards.
Bennett Family
August 7, 2012 at 1:07 PMAwesome job! Watch out, that great feeling is addictive!
Tracey - Just Another Mommy Blog
August 7, 2012 at 1:13 PMThat looks FABULOUS! I can understand why it was so moving for you all. Congratulations on a fabulous job!
Anonymous
August 7, 2012 at 10:40 PMHis smile says that was all worth it!
Mel
August 7, 2012 at 3:49 PMWhat an amazing transformation. Your heart (and skills) are incomparable. You made that little boy extremely happy!
Reenie
August 7, 2012 at 4:01 PMWhat a fun and gratifying experience. The room looks great and he looks so happy 🙂
Laraine Eddington
August 7, 2012 at 5:06 PMThis is my favorite Better After ever. You do brilliant work.
Kimberly @ Seriously Daisies
August 7, 2012 at 7:51 PMI’m so glad I read this, I love that there are such generous people out there, and you are one of them! You did an amazing job Lindsey, the cube thingy is pretty cool, and the bed looks fabulous. You put a lot into the room, and it definitely shows!!! :):):)
Colleen
August 7, 2012 at 8:26 PMI am crying away. There is nothing NOTHING! Not One Thing more gratifying than watching the happiness of a kid. A kid’s room is a sacred thing and for a kid who never had that space for himself to dream and learn to take care of things and to belong to the world of normal, well, it just is the most beautiful gift. With all the horrible things going on in the country right now, I always must remember that there are people who like to spend their money helping others and people who like nothing more than to spray paint and sand away into the night just to see the happiness on a little boy’s face. Nice, Lindsey, really really really nice.
a.h.youseef
August 7, 2012 at 10:53 PMThank you very much for hellp ..you are so nice & good lady …
Stacy
August 8, 2012 at 12:41 AMAbsolutely Fantastic! I was excited to see the end result and glad you had fun, but the important part was definitely giving that family a place to call home. Well done!
Janet
August 8, 2012 at 6:26 AMI’m so impressed that you were able to pull together this amazing room in such a short time! I’m sure it meant the world to this little boy. 🙂
Erin
August 8, 2012 at 5:43 PMWow, I was nervous for you when I read that you were shopping for a young boy since yardsales aren’t necessarily running over with transformers and such. But you made such an AWESOME room for Jaydon. He’s clearly very happy with it. Such a special opportunity to use your skills to help someone in need. And your work making a comfortable and special place for him will be the last thing he sees at night and the first thing he sees in the morning. Good thing you totally nailed it 🙂 Well done, Lindsey, well done.
Ally
August 8, 2012 at 12:43 PMFantastic Lindsey! You did an excellent job on what would have been a difficult task (transformers, superheros). How rewarding to pull together an awesome room for a little boy who was probably so grateful. Good job girl.
Anonymous
August 8, 2012 at 10:38 PMAWESOME room! So Adorable, but something that will still suit him as he grows.
Elaine - Visual Meringue
August 9, 2012 at 4:59 PMHow wonderful! What a great job. You can really see the love you poured into the project. WAY TO GO! 🙂
bathroom renovations
July 14, 2014 at 5:15 AMbathroom renovations
Hidden Treasures ADVENTURE!