bedroom eyes
February 3rd, 2008 @ 11:32 pm | creative, home | Post a CommentHello, readers. I think we’re to the point in our relationship where I feel comfortable inviting you up to my bedroom, but only because the bed is made and I vacuumed up all the dust bunnies, and just make sure you keep your hands to yourself and don’t try any funny business up here, okay?
(click photo for larger image)
Unfortunately, the neatly made bed and lack of dust bunnies aside, my bedroom needs some serious work. Here is my tentative plan:
1. Commit to the green paint (or not) and finish painting. When my mom was here we painted the room bright green, and then, upon realizing it was radioactive, repainted slightly less bright green. But we stopped after three walls because I needed to dismantle the horrid vertical blinds before we could finish. I’m embarrassed to admit that was in November, and as of February the vertical blinds are still up and a quarter of the walls are still a faded blue. So I can’t finish this until I deal with #2 below, but I also cannot seem to fully commit to the green. Help!
2. Burn the hideous vertical blinds and replace them with something nice like curtains. The blinds have got to go, there’s no question about it. I’m considering replacing them with some floor-to-ceiling curtains over some sheers. IKEA has a nice light gray curtain I’m digging. Our windows face the street so we must have some privacy.
3. Get a headboard for the bed. I’m imagining a simple upholstered headboard and have been scouring craigslist for the perfect find. I refuse to pay a thousand bucks for one. The search continues.
4. Bring the yellow couch into the 21st century. Oh, the yellow couch. Mustard-y, velvet-y, grandma-y goodness. I plan to moderize it with a coat of glossy white paint on the wood frame and some modern throw pillows in a fabric like this Amy Butler beauty.
5. Hang some art on the walls. Perhaps wedding pictures? Perhaps some homemade (but not homemade-looking) paintings? I’ll have to decide this at the end.
Do you think I’m on the right path? Should I be given an honorary MFA in Interior Design or be forced to hand the reins over to a professional?
Okay, you are totally creative and cool Janet. That said, I think you need to make your own headboard. There are actually lots of plans out there for making an upolstered headboard. Let Google be your guide…..
written by Ashlie
February 4th, 2008 @ 12:25 am
I need to redo my room too. I plan on painting it either a pretty calm green, or a pretty calm blue. If green doesn’t do it for you, try blue or a similar color. I would just play around with it until I found something I couldn’t live without. Can’t wait to see the finished product!
written by Kenzie
February 4th, 2008 @ 1:02 am
That couch might look OK with the mustard velvet once you paint the wood glossy white! It’s hard to tell from such a tiny picture, but you could maybe try it and see, and then add a pillow with the Amy Butler fabric.
written by Making it Lovely
February 4th, 2008 @ 1:57 am
It looks great so far!! I think a headboard for the bed will make a world of difference. Somehow, a bed that is more than just mattress + box spring + metal frame makes all the difference in a put together bedroom.
(NOTE: I have only the mattress + box spring + metal frame combo myself. But I can dream.)
written by Laurel
February 4th, 2008 @ 2:03 am
I love your ideas! Did you see that article on Amy Butler in one of those home decorating mags? They did a whole spread on that particular fabric you posted and it is all about avocado and gold together as a new thing. I think it’ll look fab!
Could you imagine painting the walls that hint of blue found on the lotus in the fabric? Just a thought! Kind of daring…
Good luck!
written by Sarah
February 4th, 2008 @ 7:05 am
i love your ideas. i agree that getting a headboard and redoing the couch will make quite a difference. i can’t wait to see the finish product!
written by cady
February 4th, 2008 @ 8:36 am
well where you are now is better than our bedroom! Floral wallpaper and the dressers my parents bought when they got married over 40 years ago. Oh, and our bedside tables consist of a TV tray and a $8 3-legged table. I’d like to say it’s because I have a baby, that I’m such a slacker in updating my home, but we lived there over a year before I was even pregnant!
But we do have nice blinds (behind white curtains with lace trim), so my 2-cents is to at least upgrade the blinds to curtains.
written by Jane
February 4th, 2008 @ 8:52 am
I can hardly type, THE JEALOUSY, it is eating me up inside.
I love it all. Love, love love. I think the green is lovely. Even the could is lovely, but I agree it will be even MORE lovely with some fresh paint and cute throw pillows.
We’ve been in the process of painting the house for over three years. When will it end?
written by Operation Pink Herring
February 4th, 2008 @ 8:55 am
I am going to second the whole making your own upholstered headboard idea. The internet if FULL of how to’s and they do it so much on design shows that it can’t be that hard. Plus, you are naturally crafty so I have major confidence in you.
Also, I totally love the velvety, vintagey loveseat. I am into mixing old things with new things and making the old things new again. LOVE. IT. Glossy white will do the trick.
I think if you’re still undecided about the green, then you don’t love it and it’s time to repaint. Even though that seems like a drag.
written by Sarah
February 4th, 2008 @ 9:02 am
THis kind of thing is so hard for me - some people just seem to have a gift for putting things together, but I am not one of them.
I’m dang excited for teh day when I have a real head/foot board, but today is not that day.
written by Janssen
February 4th, 2008 @ 9:02 am
Yup, I think making your own headboard is the key here, and then you can coordinate as you like with your couch’s throw pillows and eventual window treatments. If you find a good deal on curtains (Ikea, really?), could you let me know? Every room in our house has white vertical blinds, and I haven’t found anything affordable enough to replace them. I like the green paint; I’d stay with it. How about a mirror over the dresser?
For art, what if you got a bunch of canvases and made a series of 3-5ish paintings with your wall paint as an accent? You could use painter’s tape to mark off something geometric or just use simple brush strokes in a few colors. The canvases could be continuous or not.
written by RA
February 4th, 2008 @ 9:40 am
I’ve found many cool cheap paintings/wall decorations at Urban Outfitters. If there isn’t one near you, check out their website. Once you get past the rope lights and other dorm decs, they have some really interesting stuff. Good luck!
p.s. - I like the green, you should keep it.
written by Marisa
February 4th, 2008 @ 9:46 am
Make your own upholstered headboard! It is super easy and super cheap!
I really like the fabric you posted. I am not sure about painting the wood, but I haven’t seen it in person, so I am sure you know more than I do.
written by -R-
February 4th, 2008 @ 10:03 am
As I was reading your post, I thought, Janet should MAKE A HEADBOARD! And then, I see other readers already suggested it. Seriously, check out some of the DIY websites - I think they’re fairly easy (and cheap!) to make and then you can choose the material!
written by Nilsa S.
February 4th, 2008 @ 10:15 am
Ok, here’s my though(s):
1. Love the couch’s shape and definitely agree with painting the wood white, getting some throw pillows (love that fabric!) and then if you get really attached to it, in a few years get it recovered.
2. Curtains are a great idea, and Ikea is a great place to get them! I got all our dining room curtains there and they always do their job and look very cute and not even Ikea-ish at all
Umm, you are always spot-on with colors, so I’m sure it’s fine, but grey and gold and that kind of green might be hard to mix and it might make the green/gold look garish….just a thought
3. If you’re up to the challenge of an upholstered headboard, then I say go for it! After seeing the other stuff you’ve made, I totally think you could do it. It just doesn’t seem like it could be that hard….famous last words, I know!
4. New hardware (maybe the glass balls, maybe in the green color? or gold?) would look GREAT on your dresser and/or your closet doors. Just another way to tie in those colors!
5. Totally agree all the way on the personalized art on the walls! I think framed photos are always wonderful, and if you don’t want to do wedding (which I think would be so pretty - I mean, it’s YOUR ROOM!) you can always do black and white (or color) of objects. Also, if you wanted to do a painting, here’s an idea Cody and I read or saw a long time ago and LOVED…and are still going to do, one of these days!
Buy a canvas, whatever size you like. Then buy some heavier-grade paper - enough to stand up to several layers of paint. Buy the paper in the same size as (or bigger than) the canvas. Now, get to painting! Paint only the paper, not the canvas, and you and Andrew can both paint - do anything you want, pictures of cats, or a house, or the ocean, or your house - you can even just be abstract; just make sure to use LOTS of colors. Don’t worry about the quality of the pic, it isn’t going to matter in the next step! After you’re done with the painting and the whole thing has dried, get a ruler and measure out even vertical and horizontal stripes all throughout the pic. Kind of like making it into a grid. Then, get a razorblade or scissors and cut all the vertical stripes; then make all the horizontal cuts. You will be left with a whole bunch of little squares (like tiles) which you will then mix up and glue to the canvas. It makes a mosaic with all your colors and all your objects and it looks really neat.
Yay! I just totally hijacked your comments section, but I love this stuff! Have fun!
written by elise
February 4th, 2008 @ 10:26 am
I had a whole list of ideas written out but the internet ate them. This is to say that I have some ideas but now I’m going to have to write them out later.
written by Nic
February 4th, 2008 @ 11:20 am
I think adding the pillows to the couch and painting it is a good idea.
And pictures! Yes maybe a mix of black and whites and color.
Keep a look out for my office makeover sometime this week.
I need the help also!
written by Julie
February 4th, 2008 @ 11:39 am
It is so hard to judge paint color from a picture on the computer screen, but from what I’m seeing, I really love that green. I think it’s perfect for the kind of funky, modern but classic vibe you seem to have. I love all of your other ideas also, particularly your vision for the sofa. Fabulous!
written by Angela
February 4th, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
I agree with the make-your-own-headboard project, it’s super easy and then you can get any fabric that you want.
I also like the plans for the couch, and I love love LOVE the couch-pillows fabric!!
And I have to say this, even though i kind of don’t want to, and even though green is my favorite color… I’m not sold on the bright hue. I like the idea of green walls, and maybe they look differently in natural light, maybe photos don’t do justice to the wall color, and maybe art/mirors/plants/whatever will tone it down a little… but based on these pics I’m not sold on that shade of green. Sorry!
xox
written by heidikins
February 4th, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
Have you considered the feng shui in helping you make some decorating decisions? If you can sketch me your house I could tell you what colors to think about in your room!
Ikea has some really cool panel curtain things my friends put in that I really love. Something to think about!
written by ambitiousmrs
February 4th, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Hmm… are you going for a more clean and modern look or would you like more of a romantic sanctuary?
If clean and modern I’d:
- make a square upholstered headboard in a light color that’s fairly neutral to the room
- hang four square prints equally spaced on the wall over the headboard over the headboard
- hang white Roman shades on the windows
- hang wall mounted light fixtures next to the bed instead of the lamps
- paint the night stands a darker/brighter color. If daring, I’d do teal.
- put Euro pillow shams in front of your pillows in a pattern that coordinates, but doesn’t match, the ones on the gold couch.
- The plan you have for the couch is great.
- hang a light fixture over the couch.
- spice up the dresser and night stands with new knobs, probably glass/acrylic clear like those from anthropologie.
- hang a variety of square and rectangle mirrors in some type of arrangement over the dresser
If romance is what you’re going for, I’d the following differently:
- buy a shaped upholstered headboard like this http://www.olystudio.com/products/beds/ingrid_bed.html with nothing hanging over top of it
- hang a simple chandelier in the center of the room, like this http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xwl37FACTh0/RzCfz27TVxI/AAAAAAAABbw/hGgGQil2Lj I/s400/anson+ribbon+pendant+urbanelectricco.com.jpg
- hang ceiling to floor drapes over the white roman shades
- stand the pillow on their horizontal edge and layer them one in front of the other across the bed and put two brightly colored roll pillows in front of them
- Go for solid color pillows on the couch but a patterned curtain behind.
- hang a two wall light fixtures on either side of a mirror over your dresser
- put a throw rug between the end of the bed and the dresser
written by Nic
February 4th, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
Have you considered a different type of head board? I got my distressed brass one at a house sale (its not overly decorative) and I love it. It would go with a modern twist on a classic look, which i think is what you are going for with that quilt, the couch and colors.
You will do great! You have great taste!
Roman shades would be cool. Tidy and shows off the window.
written by Alexa
February 4th, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
ooo i like the green. think you should run with it. especially if you put art/photos up there to accent the shade.
written by Michelle & the City
February 4th, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
You have such great taste, and I love your ideas! Will you redesign my bedroom next? Two words: blue carpet. (HATE.)
P.S. It took my husband and I about, oh, THREE YEARS to finally finish painting the trim in our kitchen. Talk about embarrassing…
written by Melissa
February 4th, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
hmm I have those same blinds but functionally they do keep sunlight out and keep me snoozing late on the weekends. Although I have thought should I change them to curtains? I think you should keep on following your instincts for interior design because it’s more of an expression of you than an expert
written by Tanya L
February 4th, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
Well one. I love your room! And the dresser, I’m a big fan. And I love that pattern for the couch, very modern and cute. Good luck!
written by katelin
February 4th, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
I think …. that if I ever move back home and buy my own house, that you’ll be the first person I’ll be consulting when it comes to decorating!
written by alyndabear
February 4th, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
I need a headboard, too. Any luck yet?
written by janet
February 4th, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
As if Target couldn’t get any better, they also sell upholstered headboards. Case in point.
Your new couch is so cute. Such a great find. Jealous.
written by sprizee
February 4th, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Okay, I have to say that I like the green. I like it a lot better than the blue. It feels more like a serene cottage with the green. I can’t wait to see the after images.
written by Jenn
February 4th, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
I think your bedroom looks sooooo nice and peaceful!
written by Zandria
February 4th, 2008 @ 11:53 pm
Sounds like the right track to meeeee
written by Chelsea Talks Smack
February 5th, 2008 @ 12:02 am
love the fabric for the pillows! I say mixing a bunch of different patterns and the white paint should really make it look Anthropologie gorgeous!
written by tiff
February 5th, 2008 @ 8:27 am
I don’t see my post so I am going to repost - I like your bedroom as it has a lot of potential - I like the quaint couch and the pattern for your headboard looks fun!
written by Princess Extraordinaire
February 5th, 2008 @ 9:29 am
I love your ideas. You’re quite creative.
written by Janet
February 5th, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Whee! Looks like you’re getting lots of good ideas from lots of people
Make your own headboard!! In I don’t know, perhaps some sort of lightly textured neutral fabric. It’s the kind of DIY project you’ll be able to brag about for years to come and everyone will be impressed.
I think the green looks awesome, kind of modern and relaxed, but if you’re not sold on it, you’re probably not sold on it. I think some sort of yellow-y butter color is nice for bedrooms, makes the room kind of glow whenever sun comes in (don’t know which way your room faces).
How about for the windows, 2 layer curtains? One layer of sheers closest to window and one layer of something heavy, so with the heavy layer closed you get good light blocking and with the heavy layer drawn you get lots of light through the sheers but still privacy.
I get the impression you’re going for mod meets romantic, so in that vein I think some sort of mix of home-made style art and wedding photos or some b&w photos of whatever you like, really would mesh well. Perhaps photos clustered over dresser, or a BIG mirror propped on dresser; and cool art over bed. Or vice versa. Undecided on the mirror, but if it’s not that big of a room it will help make it look larger.
written by sjb
February 5th, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
You know what you could do with the last quarter of the room is wallpaper it.
If you found something similar to the fabric but in wallpaper I think that would be really cool - and not too overwhelming.
And, maybe this is corny of me, but we have always hung our wedding photo over our bed and it’s pretty large. (okay, right now we don’t have it there because I broke the glass, but whatever). I think it’s really romantic. And, probably the most flattering picture of me ever. So go for it.
written by Laural
February 5th, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
Is that dresser from Ikea? I think I just bought the same one, but in the black/brown finish.
I think the wedding photo idea is a good on. I love it when people frame black & white photos in black frames with white mats…of all various sizes and arrange them randomly on the wall. It looks really cool.
written by Jenni
February 9th, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
I love that print! (And I’m also digging your green walls.) I think you are on the right track already.
written by angela
February 11th, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
So THAT is where the magic happens!!!
You are definitely on the right track, but then you are the creative one, not me! I think once I’m married I’ll automatically turn into this creative, interior designer. It comes with marriage, right?? RIGHT?
written by Lindsey
February 13th, 2008 @ 12:49 pm