A cosmetic redo transforms a once-lifeless guest room
into a stylish retreat.

Fed up with a mismatched room that housed anything but guests, the owners of this north Scottsdale home granted interior designer Tina Mellino, Allied Member ASID, creative freedom to rework their neglected space. The challenge was for Mellino to design a multifunctional refuge to serve as a game room for her clients’ grandchildren but still have an air of resort-style glamour.

The only items the homeowners decided to keep were the carpeting and bed; the rest was left up to Mellino. “As a designer, it is always a dream to be able to redo a room from the ground up,” she says. She came up with a plan to create a dramatic effect—a wall treatment similar to Venetian plaster that was achieved by layering several coats of a low-VOC paint in a warm tone.

Mellino then brought in furniture that accentuates the room’s high ceiling. A custom oversized headboard upholstered in a tapestry design serves as a focal point, while mirrored side tables reflect light, opening up the small space.

The designer says she took a risk using light-colored bedding in a space that also function as a game room; but the durable linen not only contrasts with the room’s dark hues, it also is machine washable.

“It’s always a gift when you have a vision and the homeowner lets you run with it,” Mellino remarks. 

Tip
Interior designer Tina Mellino advises working from big to small to see what can stay and what can be eliminated in a room. Start by assessing flooring, walls and surfaces before focusing on the details, she suggests.