Master Bedroom One Room Challenge Reveal!

It's here! It's time! Can you even believe it? 

The last few days I've been running around dancing thinking "it's done! It's done! It's done!" Anyone else? 

You ready? Here she is:

Wait! Remember it before? 

Ugh! Periwinkle! 

I'm totally head-over-heels in love with the new color, Clary Sage by Sherwin Williams. Sometimes at night I lay in bed and just gaze at the walls and trim lovingly. Bryan is a little bit jealous. 

As you can see we kept all the furniture, although we did switch around the chest of drawers and cedar piece. 

On this wall we added some art. 

The Mississippi River engineer print turned out pretty well. I had a hard time finding a frame for it as it printed a weird size. As you can see it's a little odd, but I'm happy with it for now. And you can't beat the price! 

These are the sweetest pieces between the closet and hallway doors. The top piece I had custom made by a local artist. It features maps of three important places to Bryan and I (where we met, our first apartment and our first home). The bottom piece is an old sketch of the new house I found in one of the closets. I had it matted and framed on the cheap. There isn't a date on it and the landscaping and treescape are vastly different than it is now. I wish I knew how old it is! 

These are the pieces we switched around. When we installed the curtains the chest of drawers seemed to fit better on the wall next to the curtains. 

My mom hemmed the curtains from our old house (and previously at my grandmother's assisted living apartment). They are hung much wider than our window, but it gives that wall more dimension and presence. I like it. 

Our budget was pretty much zero, but I didn't have to buy much. Here's the rundown:

Paint: $100

Baskets over cedar piece: $30

Mississippi River art and frame: $27

House sketch framing: $44

Total: $201!

Not bad! This room really feels like ours now. Despite Bryan's being slightly hesitant on the remodel and dragging his feet on the crown molding, he appreciates the difference. We are both eager for our next project. The guest bedroom or the master bath? 

Thanks for following along and stopping by. Be sure to check out the other participants! 

To recap: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, and Week 5. 

ORC Master Bedroom Week 5 - Almost There!

Welcome back to the fifth week of One Room Challenge hosted by Linda at Calling It Home. I'm so excited to be able to participate this year. If you are just joining me I'm working on our new master bedroom. My family moved into this 1970 home at the beginning of the summer and we are just now starting to make it our own.  Catch up here on Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4. 

Hard to believe we are in the final home stretch of this challenge. Thank the Lord is all I have to say about it at this point.

This past week has been challenging. I've grown frustrated at how long some projects are taking and just ready to be done already! Anyone else feel the same way?

I ordered new pillow shams for the bed. I really loved the fabric I had before but it clashes with the drapery fabric(the same as the smaller middle pillow) so it had to go. I moved them to the guest room for the time being and they look beautiful in there.

I bought a frame for my river print but haven't framed it or hung it yet. I guess I'll save it for a last minute project.

On Saturday we prepared ourselves for crown molding day! Bryan called his parents over to watch Charlie in the morning so that we could knock it out. Hahahahahahahaha

It looks good up, but the corners are wrong. 

We watched all the YouTube videos and read up a bunch on making the cuts for crown molding. It took about 20 times longer than we expected, but by Sunday evening we had it up.

I've been spending all the subsequent naptimes caulking and painting. It's exhausting to squeeze DIY in between parenting, but the results are worth it. The last few nights I've laid in bed staring at my crown molding instead of reading. And if you know me, that's really saying something.

Can't wait to see everyone else's progress and next week to see all the final rooms!

ORC Master Bedroom Week 4 - Art!

Welcome back to the second week of One Room Challenge hosted by Linda at Calling It Home. I'm so excited to be able to participate this year. If you are just joining me I'm working on our new master bedroom. My family moved into this 1970 home at the beginning of the summer and we are just now starting to make it our own.  Catch up here on Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3. 

This week I'm focusing on art. I already had several pieces of art in the room I knew would stay. However, there was this big empty wall that was irking me.

I thought about doing a wall hanging, but I wasn't so sure about it. I've never made one and I wasn't sure I could perfect one in the time of this challenge. I've been wanting to play around with an engineer print for a long time, and thought this might be a great space to experiment. I had a large space to fill and about a zero dollar budget. Perfect! Bryan also was on board with the idea of an image in this space.

A long long time ago I saw a post about how you can get images for free from the Library of Congress. I searched "Memphis" and spent hours looking through over 1200 images. I narrowed it down to a few favorites and then had Bryan help me make the final decision. Below is a few favorites.

Main Street

View from the Customs House

A rooming house on Beale Street. Reminds me of Minnie the Moocher. 

The river at sunset. This was our second favorite. 

We decided to go with the view from the customs house because the telephone poles in the image above were really bugging me.

I found a small sketch of our home in a closet and took it to Hobby Lobby to be framed. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it, hence Hobby Lobby. I wish it had a date of when it was done because the tree situation is drastically different than it is now. Oh well. I am going to pair it with a mixed media piece I had made for Bryan. You'll have to wait to the reveal to see these.

I need to figure out how I'm going to frame the engineer print and also, you know, how to hang crown molding. See you back next week!

ORC Master Bedroom Week 3

Welcome back to the second week of One Room Challenge hosted by Linda at Calling It Home. I'm so excited to be able to participate this year. If you are just joining me I'm working on our new master bedroom. My family moved into this 1970 home at the beginning of the summer and we are just now starting to make it our own.  Catch up here on Week 1 and Week 2.

It's all about the little things! Outlets, light switches, a door that won't close, and knobs.

While I was prepping to paint I took down the outlet and light switch covers, which got me thinking about upgrading. No one likes an outdated almond outlet. So while I was making a run to Lowe's I picked up some new outlets and light switches. I even took the time to check out all the fancy light switches. When I got home and broke the news to my husband, Bryan, he looked at me like I was the craziest person in the world. I misunderstood him to think he thought I was wasting money and time,  what he really didn't understand was that a person could be bothered by an outlet or light switch. It's like he doesn't even know me!

I looked up a few tutorials and even talked to a contractor at Lowe's and it didn't seem that difficult. Until we started working on our first one. Next to impossible. We spent about 15 minutes trying to get one wire out of the old plug. Bryan was angry and I didn't want to upset him any further, so we put a halt to our outlet adventure.

A few of the outlets in our bedroom had a faux new cover so I strategically placed those on the outlets that would be visible. I'm not entirely happy with this arrangement, but I can live with it. We haven't even tired the light switches yet. #scared

While we were moving the furniture, I was able to put power strips at the outlet behind our headboard. No more cords going from the besides tables to the side of the wall!!! These are the things you don't think about on moving day.

Another little, yet significant change we made was to our door. Since we moved in it won't close. Yeah, that's not so great in a master bedroom. We would push it close as much as possible so that the pets couldn't barge in at night, but it was less than ideal. Bryan took a chisel after the top of the door and then we got the sander out. After a few minutes and a lot of dust later, we can finally close our door! This is one of those things that is stupid how happy it makes me.

The last little thing I'm considering is door knobs. We have shiny 70s builder brass knobs on all our doors upstairs. I'm toying with the idea of changing them out. But I'd have to replace 14 knobs upstairs and that can get pricey. And what would I even change it to? Oil rubbed bronze holds no appeal to me. Hmmm... Thoughts?

This would be ideal, but I am having trouble finding it online. It's probably way out of budget though. Sigh. Maybe I'll make a trip to the hardware store to scope out the options.

As for progress in the room I've finished painting the walls and have a good portion of the trim done as well. Enough done so that we could put our furniture back and live like civilized people for the time being. I'm cramming as much painting in during naptimes as I possibly can. It is exhausting.

To add further stress we are traveling for a couple of days this week. My goal before leaving though is to make a decision regarding the art and possibly linens. So when I return I'll be the home stretch with finishing painting and finishing details.

ORC: Master Bedroom Week 2

Welcome back to the second week of One Room Challenge hosted by Linda at Calling It Home. I'm so excited to be able to participate this year. If you are just joining me I'm working on our new master bedroom. My family moved into this 1970 home at the beginning of the summer and we are just now starting to make it our own.

It's paint week! Leading up to this challenge I'd been thinking about paint for this room. I'll be painting our master bath and guest bedroom the same color so I've been looking at swatches for weeks. Actually I pulled swatches before we even moved specifically for these rooms. Did I tell you how much I hate purple?

I tried four different colors out and was easily able to make a decision. Funny how easy it is once you see it on the wall. Which would you choose?

I decided on Clary Sage by Sherwin Williams and Alabaster for trim, also by Sherwin Williams.

Previous owners seemed to take necessary precautions in case "the big one" happened. Nearly everything they hung was using a dry wall anchor.  Why? I've hung many a heavy thing without ever needing a dry wall anchor.  Patching holes required the extra step of punching the anchor flush with the wall and then spackling over.

Over the past week I've also thought a lot about wall hangings. Specifically for the wall between my side of the bed and the closet door. It bothers me.

Should I:
a) leave it blank
b) do some sort of engineering print or two here (because they are cheap and take up a bunch of space)
c) a woven wall hanging?

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think as I'm using every spare brain cell debating this with myself.

Back to the painting! I'll leave you with what our bedroom currently looks like. I've primed and gotten one coat of paint on. I tried to put it on thick, so we'll see if it needs another coat after it dries.

Please pray for our marriage. We "slept" in the guest bedroom last night, although neither of us really slept.

Let me know about the wall in the comments. Until then, see you next week!

One Room Challenge: Master Bedroom Week 1

I am so excited to be able to participate in this round of One Room Challenge. I've followed along for years now and even participated a few years back when I put together my son's nursery. (Here's the finished room.)

Back in May we moved to a new home. It's about 1000 square feet larger than our first house and has a ton of space for us to grow into as a family. One of the most exciting things - for us at least - is that it has an official master bedroom and bathroom! Such a luxury coming from an older home with one bathroom. And the closet is attached to the bedroom... also something we didn't have in our first house. #firstworldproblems

We are of the camp that lives with a house for a little while before doing too much.  We moved in, put our furniture down, unpacked some boxes and hung a few art pieces. We've been here for four months now (how?!) and I'm dying to get rid of the purple rooms.  When we knew that we were moving I secretly got a little excited because I would finally have another excuse to participate in the One Room Challenge! And also getting to decorate a whole home again!

So the first room I want to tackle is our bedroom. It's a periwinkle color which drives me crazy. I am not a purple girl. Yet somehow both of our houses have had purple rooms. Here are my not professionally taken photos:

The view from the hallway. 

That door leads to our also purple bathroom with avocado green counter tops. Lord, help me. Perhaps I will save it for spring One Room Challenge? 

The door on the right is to our closet. 

I apologize for the terribly lit photo. I am not a camera pro, but I wanted to capture this wall with the little window. 

So here's my to-do list: 

• Paint, obviously
• Crown molding ??? It bugs me to no end that it is not in any of the upstairs rooms. Is this just a weird quirk or should it really be addressed? Please leave your opinion in the comments because I can't decide. 
• Clean up random junk that does not belong in here
• Switch lamp on the chest of drawers
• Install curtains
• Add interest over the cedar piece
• Add art to wall next to closet

All the furniture and art hung will stay put. I may play around with the linens, but my budget is basically zero, so probably not. I know it's a lot of wood pieces in there, but again, budget. Eventually I'd like an upholstered bench for the foot of the bed. I've kept an eye out, but haven't found anything I have to have yet. 

I really can't decide about the crown molding. Does it add value to a home or is just superfluous? Please leave me your thoughts. I'm leaning towards adding it, but the lazy side of me says no. 

So there you have it. Check out the other One Room Participants here. I can't wait to see what everyone is working on! 

A Pep Talk

Sometimes do you find yourself having to give yourself a pep talk? That's what I've been doing the last day or two. Telling myself to get over it, put on your big girl panties, grow some balls, and deal with it.

We've had several friends move to our new part of town over the summer. It's been a great encouragement that not only are we doing the right thing, but I'm so excited to see how our families grow over the new few years. Several have taken on renovations prior to moving in or unpacking. We took a different approach and put all our things down and are now ready to think about paint and renovations.

I've styled up some surfaces, hung art, and moved furniture around. But in my mind I had our vacation as a big stopping point/starting point for the house design. I lost steam prior to the trip, but I knew after the trip it would be time to get in a few months work before holiday season set in. So the first full day back from vacation I called up our interior designer friend to ask him come over and help me pick out some paint colors. Only he's not decorating anymore. {Insert shocked and then sad emoji here.} I went into a tailspin. What was I going to do? Would I be able to find another designer who could so effortlessly pick colors? Some friends used a designer and they weren't happy. How smug I had been when I thought of mine and how they should have asked me for my designer. Ugh!!!!!!!!

And then part of me told the other part of me that was freaking out to shut up. I have always wanted to be an interior designer. (In fact, the designer who told me he was no longer designing convinced me not to pursue it. Life regret #1) I read countless design blogs, I subscribe to multiple design magazines, I practically live and breathe design. (Okay, well design and food.)  I can do this. I can pick some damn paint colors. Maybe I won't be able to pick them as quickly as he could, but come on! Fulfill your own damn fantasy and decorate your own damn house. (I apologize for all the damn's, I'm worked up.)

So, I'm going to try to be a big girl about this and do it myself. You are probably rolling your eyes right now, and if I weren't me I totally would be too. #justified.

I've decided to participate in the One Room Challenge next month. I'm not sure yet if I'll be doing my bedroom or the guest bedroom. Or the shed. The shed probably doesn't count as a room. It will be one of the bedrooms for sure. They will be painted the same color so they will be done simultaneously regardless. I just can't decide which one will get the brunt of my attention.

Anyways, that's probably more than you wanted to hear/read from my insane brain, but that's what's been going on. I'll have vacation pictures up soonish.

One Room Challenge Reveal: Charlie's Room!

It's finally here! We did it! Congratulations to all those participating in the One Room Challenge! I have an even greater respect for you than I did before. That was intense!

If you are just joining me I took our old guest room turned office to nursery! Our first child is due January 28th and with the holidays and work travel schedules I wanted to get the nursery done in November. Check back to week one to see the before shots in the room's many iterations. Catch up on week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5.

A word of warning before we get to the after shots: I did not style this room. Mostly because we do not have much baby stuff yet. The toys and books you see are all we have.  We have a shower coming up in a couple of weeks and with the holidays I know we'll be given many of the items we will need. There was no way I was going to go out and buy toys and books when I know we'll be flooded with them in a matter of weeks. I'll have to do a follow up post after Charlie arrives to see how we really live in the space.



The glider cushions won't be ready for another week or so. I tossed some fabric over the ottoman to give you an idea what it will be like.





Those are blackout curtains. Trust me, they work. I kind of want to sleep in here myself.



A sweet giraffe print we got at RiverArts Festival.





Reginold, the knight, is probably not the most child safe item, but he's been with us for a long time. He was with us on the day that Bryan proposed and has lived with us from day one of marriage. Bryan thought he'd be perfect in a little boys room. He'll have to go live upstairs when Charlie is first mobile until he is steady on his feet, but I love that he lives in here now.



We got the book print at RiverArts Festival a few weeks ago. My mom picked up the Ann and Andy watercolors at a consignment sale.



I spray painted the old mirror gold to match the curtain hardware. I love that when I peek in this room I get a glimpse of the full room.



The old lamp got a new shade. It still needs to be re-wired, but we're getting there.





We found these tea towels when we were in Savannah and Bryan thought they'd be nice in the nursery in some way. Originally we were thinking pillows, but I loved the idea of cutting them out and using them as art. They add a whimsical flair.



The room isn't 100% done, but it's close enough. And I have a few months to put the finishing touches on anyways. So what do you think?

One Room Challenge: Week Five

Welcome One Room Challenge participants and followers! If you are just joining me, I am working to transform our former guest room turned home office into our son's nursery. All while 27 weeks pregnant! Catch up on Week One, Week Two, Week Three, and Week Four. 

Hard to believe we are already five weeks in to this challenge! Next week is the reveal! Yikes!

The name of the game this week was PROGRESS! I feel like I'm in such a better place than I was this time last week. What a relief!

First up I made the crib skirt. All by myself.



I used the duct tape method. Ha.



I literally spent hours thinking and researching making crib skirts. Many suggested using ties to make them adjustable by tying to the mattress springs. This is all well and good, but my crib does not have springs. It's a flat board. To make it fully adjustable, I used duct tape to the board. The sides and hem are edged with bonding tape.

With the rush of completing this project and my issues with seeing the big picture last week I pushed the furniture around (thank goodness for old wood floors!) to where I thought the final resting place might be.



Why didn't I do this earlier?! I immediately felt a rush of confidence knowing where I was headed and where things fit in.

My sweet mother came over two days to help me prime and paint.



We used a grey tinted primer and one really thick coat of paint. I had some touch ups to do Tuesday morning and it's definitely not perfect, but hallelujah, we have painted walls!

On Saturday we went down to the River Arts Festival, my favorite local art festival in Memphis, and we purchased two pieces for the nursery. Originally I was not planning on purchasing any additional pieces for this room, but when you see something you love, you just gotta pounce. New art for Charlie!

Towards the end of last week I got a call that the carpet was ready. I told them great, but I would come get it when I was finished painting. Tuesday morning we were out in the burbs and picked up the carpet.

Here's just a peek at the room. I don't want to give too much away.





Please note: I did not take the rug into account when I positioned the skirt. Thank goodness for adjustable!

The room is really coming together now! On Friday the curtains will be installed and then I'll start hanging art. We still need to get the bookcase from my mom's house. The glider cushions are still in the works and I'm praying that she will be able to finish them early next week, although I doubt it.

One task still to accomplish is the mirror. I need to spray paint it to go with the room. I'm thinking gold. Any other ideas?

To Do: 
- Prime and paint walls
- Select rug
- Make a decision on window treatment and order
- Get potential chair, ottoman, and bookcase from my mom's house and storage unit
- Set up crib and changing table
- Choose, purchase, make crib bedding
- Spray paint mirror I already have
- Hang/Make Art
- Add baby stuff