When Sanjana Pandit left her childhood home in Los Altos, California for Chicago, Illinois post-college, her parents had one thing on the brain: a home refresh. “They’re slowly trying to redesign each room,” says Sanjana of her parents’ plan. “Of course, I couldn’t wait to tackle my bedroom — I wanted it to feel more like a reflection of ‘adult’ me instead of 10-year-old me.”
Fortunately, Sanjana’s job as Havenly’s in-house graphic designer introduced her to an easy, accessible way to give her childhood bedroom a face lift. “Ever since joining Havenly, I’ve been so inspired by all of our client projects, and couldn’t wait to do a project of my own,” she adds. “I never realized how accessible and easy interior design could be, and my parents were fully on board and excited about the idea as well.”
Ahead, get a behind-the-scenes look at Sanjana’s bedroom transformation, from initial ideas to 3D rendering to the beautiful reveal.
The Ask
While Sanjana knew she wanted to repaint the teal walls (a design choice she made in 5th grade), her design vision ended there. “I’m very into interior design, but get overwhelmed looking through inspiration and furniture,” she shares. “Aside from switching the color palette, I was pretty hands-off.”
Fortunately, Havenly designer Ghianella Lertora nailed Sanjana’s organic modern design style, opting for a neutral rug, cane accents, crisp white bedding, and warm wood furniture — a huge upgrade from the matte white IKEA furniture purchased over a decade ago.
The Havenly 3D Renderings
After seeing the 3D renderings of her new space, Sanjana was, in a word, shocked. “My final rendering was so beautifully done and looked insanely realistic,” she shares. “I immediately sent screenshots to my family group text, and my parents had the same reaction. We were so excited!” Ghianella even gave Sanjana a great paint color recommendation to complement the new furniture and design aesthetic: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore.
Bringing It Home
Before
After
Fortunately, bringing the new design to life was easy — especially post-paint job. “I decided to splurge on the bigger-ticket items — like the rug, dresser, mirror, and bed frame — and saved on smaller items, like the nightstands, lamps, and bedding,” explains Sanjana. Once the furniture was delivered and styled in the space, the Pandit family was pleased with how closely it matched the 3D rendering. “It immediately felt so much more zen and a true reflection of me,” she adds.
Adding Functionality
Before
After
While the neutral color palette, new furniture, and organic textures improved the design aesthetic tenfold, Sanjana also appreciated the added functionality. “I absolutely love the corner chair,” she shares. “When visiting, I always drink my morning coffee there while writing in my five-minute journal and/or scrolling through Pinterest looking for design inspo.”
Designer Details
Thoughtful details — like layering brass accents, adding pops of greenery, and topping the wall-to-wall carpet with a modern, neutral rug — made all the difference to Sanjana. “I initially wanted to remove the carpet to expose the hardwood floors, but that was an expensive project,” she explains. “My designer recommended this smart, cost-effective solution. The jute texture really helps frame the bed and adds dimension!”
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