The journey from “empty room” to “room that looks nicely decorated” has always been a winding one for me. I like to think that I’m pretty good at decorating….eventually. In my first decade as an adult, I have learned I need to live in a room—sometimes for months or years—before I really pull the pieces together into a space looks and feels aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Some people are great at planning out all the details, and scouring stores online and on foot to find a couch to match the rug, which also matches the pillows and lamps and coffee table books and coasters. Then, with their binder in hand, they make purchases one by one until their vision manifests like a before and after HGTV makeover show. (At least, I think that’s how they do it.)
I am very clearly not one of those people. I have attempted, with my Domino book in hand, to create a room plan, but I usually get overwhelmed and decide to do it later (which turns into never). One thing that does work well for me, though, is buying one thing at a time. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten better at being selective in the things I buy, so I only spend money on stuff that really sings to me. (You know…beautiful, loved and useful.) The idea has been that if I slowly acquire these lovely pieces one by one, someday I’ll have enough to pull together something beautiful.
I know it sounds like a long shot (buy random stuff with no plan, and cross your fingers that it will work together later! When has that ever failed anybody?!). But you guys…I THINK IT’S WORKING. I had a lightbulb moment while I was cleaning a couple weeks back (the same night I was inspired to write this post) and I think I’ve identified the last handful of things I need to polish off our bedroom and really make it feel like us.
I’m going to give you a little tour of what we have and what I plan to add—I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
You can see the walls and carpet in this post about my closet. It’s a neutral wallpaper with white trim and tan carpet—thus far, the canvas is ready.
This is our comforter, which I adore: a lovely pin-tuck number in steel blue which I got a few years back (West Elm still sells it, but not in this color).
We also have two simple nightstands, a small black bookshelf, and a dresser which I’ve had since I was a little kid. When my sister went to college, my dad painted it black and added new hardware. After she was done with it, it was my turn, and I like it so much I’ve kept it. The last element we already have in the room are the drapes. Here’s a partial picture of the drapes from my beautiful+loved+useful post about my yoga mat:
There are two layers, both purchased at Ikea. The inner one is a sheer, slightly textured white, framed by a heavier cotton tan. I thought about shortening them, but I like the informal look of the curtains pooled on the floor. All things considered, it’s a nice-looking room, but it has always felt like something was missing. And after my strike of inspiration, I think I’ve identified exactly what’s missing:
1: Wall sconce style bedside lamps
My nightstand is always a disaster. Apparently, I need a lot of stuff before I fall asleep. (Currently on top of my nightstand: Glasses. Paper scraps where I right down awesome ideas I get before I fall asleep. A multitude of pens. Hair ties. Lotion. Scented pillow spray. An eye pillow. Magazines. Books. More books, and a few more books on the floor. Empty water glass. Chap stick. I could go on, but it’s getting ridiculous.)
I also have a bedside lamp on there, but it would be nice to not have to leave room for that…because obviously, I can find other use for that tabletop space. Also, it bears mentioning: my husband doesn’t have a bedside lamp right now. If he wants to read before bed, we leave the overhead light on. It’s pretty lame. So….this is what I have in mind:
2: An upholstered headboard
Above our bed is a big expanse of….nothing. Not even a hanging picture or piece of art. This must be fixed. I’m thinking of making a DIY headboard in a plain rectangle, covered in fabric (perhaps corduroy?) in a color like this:
I think the muted mustard yellow will look lovely against the neutral walls and steel blue comforter. (I also love the tucks in that example…but next to my pin-tuck comforter, it would be absurd.) I’m also thinking of some detailing around the perimeter, similar to the antique bronze nail-head trim in this picture.
3: Stuff on the walls
Sounds so sophisticated, no? This last idea is a little more vague, but the last thing we need is to print some wedding photos of the two of us, and add some pretty accent art to the walls to make the place look like we actually live there. I’m intrigued by the sea/ocean picture above the headboard in the photo above. I also like this concept (although the hubby might take some convincing if I want to go that route).
More details to come, although I can’t promise they’ll come soon…because goodness knows, I don’t move quickly on this stuff! Maybe I’m just a tortoise. Yeah, that’s it. Slow but steady.
Check out my Pinterest board with all my bedroom decor inspiration here:
Follow Michelle / Rosy Blu’s board Bedroom on Pinterest.
