September 7, 2009
Guest Bedroom Phase 1 : Guest Bedroom Phase 2 : Guest Bedroom Phase 3
From blah to bold to calm, this bedroom is like a chameleon. This room started out and remained a guestroom for quite a while until recently when it became more of a craft room/office with an occasional guest.
Phase 1 of this bedroom with the white walls, borrowed furniture, and Ikea bedding and cabinet had that just moved in look since, well, I had just moved in.
Once the time came for painting this bedroom, phase 2, I was in a crazy color mood and things became a bit bold. Grass green walls and futon, electric blue cabinet and rug, green and yellow accents, and lots of stuffed animals. And, yes, this was used as a guest room still.
Phase 1 to Phase 2 changes included:
- Upgrading the twin mattress to a full-sized futon
- Painting the walls a grass green
- Upgrading the small cabinet to a large cabinet to hold blankets and sheets and guest-type things
- Adding lots of accessories including stuffed animals and pictures
The current design, phase 3, reflects a calming of my personality. The 5 color elements used to design the room are:
- sage green
- dark brown
- brushed nickel
- white
- medium brown
This room still has a ways to go, but it is currently functional.
October 15, 2008
Half Bathroom (Before) : Half Bathroom (After)
A gallon of paint, a few pieces of wood, wood stain, and a few accessories can make a plain, boring half bathroom look like a mini-retreat.
First, a color palette was chosen which included 5 elements:
- dark brown
- sage green
- white/cream
- medium brown
- chrome
Changes to the room include:
- Painted walls and ceiling a rustic green called Pea Soup by Behr in a Satin finish.
- Built and installed a wood frame and stained it dark brown to make the mirror look more substantial and decorative.
- Removed towel bar from the side wall.
- Installed towel hook for hand towel.
- Installed candle sconces on each side of the mirror.
- Removed green lace curtains.
- Color coordinated accessories in white, green, and brown.
June 22, 2008
I was visiting with friends this weekend and I mentioned painting my living room again. I started talking about what color the living room used to be and what it is now. While I was on my way home, I was thinking about the conversation and realized that I should start writing about all of the color changes of all my rooms. Most of the rooms in my house have been painted twice and some will soon be painted for a third time. I am not indecisive (well, not about interior design), I just like change. So, the previous living room color change that happened in January 2006 will start a string of posts to follow.
1st painting (Behr ShipSide) : 2nd painting (Behr Traditional/Oakwood)
Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your room a completely different look. And if you don’t like it, just repaint.
March 27, 2008
During my most recent trip to the Baltimore Area, I was able to go visit my favorite store in the world – Ikea! My purpose on this visit was to purchase a couch I had wanted for about 2 years now. While the color that I wanted had changed (due to the original color no longer available), my fondness for the Tylosand couch did not waver. Here is a picture of the couch in our living room.
The couch is a sectional and can be divided in the middle into 2 separate mini couches. It may look a little small in the picture, but it is 94″ long (7′ 10″). The color is a deep violet-red. As you can see with Veda on the back of the couch, our cats are fond of it too. Also, in the picture, you can see our little, inexpensive, storage ottomans that I found at Bed Bath & Beyond and maroon curtains from Hancock Fabrics.
One of the best things about Ikea furniture is on the wood does not come from intact natural forests, they apply the German E1 standard to wooden products, they apply the Finnish regulations to their textiles, and they do not permit the use of paints and varnishes containing formaldehyde additives. The German E1 standard for wooden products and Finnish regulations for textiles are currently the strictest within their field worldwide. This along with so many other reasons is why Ikea is my favorite store.
February 26, 2008
Sometimes it is hard to get started when you are getting out on you own – balancing what you need and what you can afford. I have created a list by room on what are generally the essential pieces in a room that most people need. I have labeled some items optional since there are things that you really can live without when you are on a tight budget. The same optional items can be worked around with a little creativity.
Items by Room
Living Room
Couch
Entertainment center
TV
DVD Player
Curtains/Shades
End tables (Qty. 2) (optional)
Coffee table/Storage ottoman (optional)
Lamps (Qty. 2) (optional)
Rug (optional)
Wall Art (optional)
Office Area
Desk
Chair
Computer
Lamp
Bookcase (optional)
Wall Art (optional)
Kitchen
Dishes
Flatware
Cups
Wall Art (optional)
Dining Room
Table
Chairs (Qty. varies)
Side cabinet (optional)
Wall Art (optional)
Bedroom
Bed
Curtains/Shades
Dresser (optional)
Lamps (Qty. 2) (optional)
Side tables (Qty. 2) (optional)
Wall Art (optional)
Bedroom – Child
Bed
Dresser
Curtains/Shades
Lamp
Side table (optional)
Wall Art (optional)
Bathroom
Towels
