A Floral, Romantic Bedroom

You might remember this bedroom, with its deep purple walls, having a Bohemian kind of bedspread and accents. Since the other room is almost done, with the sleigh bed and Bohemian stuff moved over for a new look, I finally had a chance to use the linens from  Florence that my mom gave me years ago. The room isn't done yet, so consider this a sneak peek.

View from the door

An Exotic, Bohemian Bedroom

We have been working hard around here, putting in a new kitchen backsplash, finishing our third bedroom, and perfecting the rooms that have been done. We've refinished and put polyurthane on the floors, painted, and started this year's garden as well. Here is a sneak peak of the third bedroom.

Putting up drywall (where there used to be ugly ceiling tiles)

Done with painting and staining the floor

Curtains up, monkey investigating

A clear picture of the new floor color

Furniture and artwork up, another monkey investigating

 

Above the bed

Side view

View from the door

More pictures to come...

Antelope Rugs!

I was in the mood for a bit of nature and whimsy, and guess what pops up on my radar? An antelope rug! How fun, and beautiful. But - expensive. I know when there isn't a price advertised on a website that it's very expensive (Stark sells it), and all the websites I've seen that sell this beauty have no price visible. I could save up and put one of these in my dining room, but, I think I'd rather stick with my $12 leopard print pillow.

 

Cote de Texas

Stella and Sadie

 

According to Mr Brown via Things That Inspire

Birds of a Feather Design

It's a sign

The "Resolute" sign is something my dad brought home from my uncle's bar, and the chalkboard was a $15 TJ Maxx purchase. I finally got around to putting them up.

We might be selling our house soon, so yes these updates are a bit late or maybe unnecessary, but I hope whatever house we eventually move to will be able to accommodate them.

More pictures of the living room coming soon.

 

Soft shades, turquoise, and maybe navy

This post is for my mom. We are collaborating on a spare room she has, for which she just bought the most gorgeous gray-turquoise-greenish velvet sofa. She's got these two royal blue leather recliners that I think would go perfectly, and I've already bought her some black and white art. She just has to decide on a paint color!

The chairs here are the exact same color as her Horchow sofa (source: pinterest)

This picture, from dailydreamdecor.com, seems like it could be an extension of the room above

A picture from Pinterest in the right colors

Mstreetdenver.wordpress.com

Decorpad

It's even a nice pairing in fashion...

 

Above two images via pinterest

Some Beautiful Paint Colors

Here's a round-up of six great paint colors that can really make an impact and brighten up a room. I myself have chosen a bold color for my mudroom/hallway to the basement as a spring reboot, and I'll post pictures as soon as it's completed.

 

Benjamin Moore - Mulberry

 

Behr - Aqua Smoke

 

Behr - Balmy Seas

 

Benjamin Moore - Ivory White

 

Benjamin Moore - Galapagos

Behr - Poppy Seed

Nicole Curtis of HGTV's Rehab Addict

Nicole Curtis is a true inspiration for home renovators interested in keeping homes true to their original charm. She re-uses and re-purposes everything she can, making old, forgotten details shine. The pictures below are of a recently completed house in Minneapolis, and it's currently for sale. The third season of the show will have five episodes of the renovation of the "Case House," as she calls it. The pictures are amazing - someone will be a very lucky homeowner. I love that basement!

Such Pretty Spaces

While I was watching Property Brothers last night with the husband snoring behind me, I realized I missed that feeling of completely redoing something, and that "wow" feeling once it's completed. (I also realized the "wow" feeling in my own house is rapidly decreasing and I need to get it back.) But here are some pictures I've come across recently that have that brand-new, clean, just-finished look to them. Inspiration that feels very fresh. Details that could easily be applied to a small house.

 

Houzz

Pinterest

Pinterest

#projectkitchengorgeous from Bijou and Boheme as seen in Style at Home

Rue Magazine March 2013

What I'd Like [to do in] 2013

1. Finish our home renovation. We've owned our home for about 2 1/2 years now, with only the third bedroom and second bathroom left to finish. I have to make a few more tweaks and makeovers, like the upstairs hall railing, kitchen backsplash and my dining room chairs. After that, I wonder if we'll move?

2. Lose weight so I don't have to keep getting my rings re-sized (among other reasons, high school reunion(s) being one reason, not having to buy new jeans is reason #3).

3. Paint. I'd like to make a night sky painting, a swan painting, and paint my old dresser something bold and glossy.

4. Buy a super soft, plush red king size blanket , or a powder blue / seafoam green duvet cover. Or both.

5. Help my friend decorate her new house (and put before and after pictures on this blog). First on the to-do list is to paint her octagonal coffee table.

6. Take care of ALL my appointments, chores, tasks, to-do lists, etc.

Give your home a Valentine's Day treat

Last Valentine's Day I made a special dinner and brought out the nice dining room accessories I had - table cloth, table runner, monogrammed paper napkins, fine wine, and the prettiest serving ware I had. The red roses my husband got me were the centerpiece, along with some nice candles to set the mood.

This year I plan on making my home like a romantic retreat. Here's how I plan on doing it.

1. Candles everywhere. Candles are romantic. If I had a fireplace this step would be easy, but I don't. So candles on the dining room table, the kitchen island, the bedroom, the bathroom, etc.

theglitterguide.com

2. A pretty dining table, and one themed room.This might require fresh flowers. Usually girls get flowers from their significant other on V-Day, but I'm personally not a fan of cut flowers. I'd much rather get a potted orchid, so I will be making use of my new orchid and other plants. Maybe I'll ask for another flowery plant, who knows. Anyway, by one themed room, I mean one room with Valentine's decorations. Subtle is the best way to go, unless you have kids. I like to do a red or pink color theme, with our Valentine's Day cards, flowers and presents displayed, as well as themed food, such as heart shaped pancakes.

Skinny Taste Recipe

3. Deep clean and cozy it up. This means plush blankets, pillows, rugs, and spots to relax. Possibly breakfast in bed. For me, it simply means cleaning my house so that there's room to relax together. Everyone is happy when the house is clean and organized. So go about this way: deep clean everything while your significant other is out, then make it pretty and organized. (Make a list, too. Change the sheets, scrub the tile, wash the clothes, file papers, do the dishes, dust, etc.) When they come home, I guarantee they'll be in a romantic mood.

 

via Houzz

4. The present. Many people give gifts for Valentine's Day, but one of the nicest gifts I've heard of is doing something the other person has on their to-do list that they don't really want to do. Traditionally, I've seen gift certificates serve this purpose, like massage certificates, but it could be anything from cleaning cat litter to finishing a major project. My present to my husband is going to be finishing our third bedroom and making a space in there for his gaming. He's got a brand new monitor hogging my coffee table, and we've been working on the third bedroom anyway, so this is really a kill-three-birds kind of deal.

 

via AVforums

(the room won't look exactly like this, but you get the idea)

* Side note: If you haven't experienced the joy of getting gift certificates or gift cards, you're missing out. I know a lot of people who refuse to give gift cards, and want a personal touch on their gifts, but many of us struggle with budgeting and finances, so a $50 gift card for gas or groceries, maybe a trip to the bookstore you keep forgetting to go to, the restaurant you love most...priceless.