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The master bedroom is the most important room in the house, in my opinion. It is also the most often overlooked. In my last home I left the master bedroom design for last. In this one, not so much. Although I’ve moved quite ahead on the kid’s bedrooms and the main level of the home is getting there, I refuse to put the master bedroom last. Its ahead of the basement family room, the guest room and the office, at least.
The Plan
In the next two months I plan to overhaul the room completely. The plan is to
-paint the walls
-complete the window treatments by adding cornice boards (which I plan to make myself, I really want to learn how to make them).
-Purchase and install a new custom fabric headboard
-Purchase a new custom made shirred bedskirt
-Add two swing arm wall sconces for task lighting
-Add a new chandelier for overall lighting
-Mount the flat screen on the wall
-Move the furniture to its ideal location
-Create a cozy reading nook with a chair, side table and lamp
-Paint the master bathroom- change the light fixtures and towel bars and add art and accessories
What I’ve done so far… Not much. Purchased the flat screen and wall mount in November, yes, its still uninstalled (honey d0 isn’t doing). Purchased the reverse fold roman shades in a green. I pulled the color from my inspiration fabric which is what will eventually go on a breakfront bench at the foot of the bed. I also purchased cafe length relax pleated curtains installed inside the window frame. They allow plenty of light into the room while providing privacy. In September we upgraded from a queen to a king size bed, we bought a sleep number and I gotta say its every bit as good as they claim!
Not much else, the existing furniture I’ve had and plant to keep the two dressers and nightstands. Here are the BEFORE pictures. Embarrasing, I know. But not for long… 🙂
Sorry about the lighting. Currently we have one little lamp lighting the entire room.
The bedding is remnants from our Queen size bed. Believe it or not it was actually quite beautiful on it. Now its just WAY too small.
The master bathr. The chip on the wall is called Tranquility #AF-490 from Benjamin Moore.
Check out the window treatments!
The other side of the bathroom.
By next week the goal is to have the bedroom painted, the tv mounted and the existing furniture in its new location. After that, I plan to paint and accessorize the bathroom (before New YEars). The new light fixtures, headboard and bedskirt should come after the Holidays and then its time to pull it all together with accessories and artwork. Wish me luck and stay tuned.
I am sometimes overwhelmed at the thought of going green. I know I have to do it, I know how important it is but I also know that it can be challenging. There is so much to think about, and research and learn and do to go green. I often find myself frustrated that I am not doing more. Then I take a step back and realize that every little bit that I do helps and that it is becoming much easier to do more and more, its becoming a lifestyle, a gradual change that, because it is important to me, is naturally occurring in my life. I wanted to break down a few simple steps that I have taken to be more green in my own personal decorating. I hope that you can take a few these ideas and incorporate them into your lifestyle so that you too can contribute to preserving mother nature.
*Recycle – don’t just throw out that old piece of furniture or accent pillow or accessory – think about a new way that you could reuse it in your design. Perhaps reupholster it (in an organic fabric would be best, or in a great remnant that you find at your local fabric store). Perhaps just moving to another room can give it a new life. Maybe it needs refinishing, at the same time helping a small local business by providing them work. Try to think outside of the box and give the old piece new life.
If it simply won’t work with your decor, think about consigning it. You can make a little money while letting someone else give the old piece a new life. Check out this sofa that I purchased at an estate sale and had reupholstered and some other treasures found at antique shops…
Reupholstered sofa bed from mid-century modern estate sale. It currently resides in our office space for additional guest sleeping.
Old wagon wheel found at antique shop in West Virginia. It will be hung on the wall as cool modern art piece.
Antique mold also found at antique shop in west Virginia. It will either become a table or a wall mounted art piece.
*Buy from local consignment stores and antique shops – give those old pieces a new lease on life. I am a consignment store junkie. If you read my blog you know how often I find fantastic treasures at STUFF and The Very Thing in Haymarket. I love treasure hunting and finding unique pieces that you won’t fine anywhere else. Paint, reupholstery, refinishing can all go a long way and can bring out your creativity. Craigslist is also a good place to find quality home furnishings and other items at great prices. I have found the most amazing chairs on Craigslist. Check them out…
Aren't they amazing? I got so lucky with these. The seller had just purchased them and then changed her decor. There were many people after these...
*Buy local – find furniture and other household items that are made locally. I am a Bassett Furniture dealer partly because Bassett manufactures much of it furniture right here in Virginia. I give local, small companies business as often as I can and I try to make sure my fabrics and furnishings are made in the USA as much as possible. We live in a global economy where its often hard to tell where things are coming from. Simply asking the question and doing a little research can go a long way. Check out my Bassett Furniture chairs and dining table…
Chandler chairs upholstered in Raffia with Chocolate accent pillows from Bassett Furniture. The lamp base without a shade is STUFF find. I am waiting on the new shade.
Louis Phillipe pedestal dining table from Bassett Furniture. The chairs came with the other two blue chairs as a package from a Craigslist seller. Aren't they gorgeous?
*Using Low and No VOC Paints – We hear a lot about VOCs these days. VOCs are volatile organic compounds and they are hazardous to the environment and to our health. Luckily, most paint manufacturers are responding to the demand for more environmental and health conscious products by creating paints that have low and no VOCs. Not all are successful at making a product that is still of quality and easy to handle. Some, however, have the technology down to a science. I am a huge fan of Benjamin Moore paints. I have used both the Aura and the Natura paints and love, love, love the way they paint. They are more expensive than big box store brand paints but I feel its worth the extra cost in the health of my family and the health of the environment. Plus, I have found that both of these paints go on easier than most other paints that I have tried. My entire house so far has been painted in either Aura or Natura paints from Ben Moore. Aura is a low VOC paint and Natura is a no VOC paint. Check out a few pictures…
The only finished room in my house so far. The color is Ivoire from Sherwin Williams color-matched by Vienna Paint of Gainesville in Aura paint.
Another view of the finished family room in Ivoire. It really gives it a nice brightness without being in your face. The finish is Matte.
A recent view of the dining room which is coming along. Its painted in Ben Moore's Annapolis Green in Aura with a matte finish. I still haven't painted or done anything with the tray. There should be more hours in the day!
Decorating green does not have to be overwhelming or difficult. Try out a few of these tips and ideas and you will be on your way to helping the environment and your family breathe a little easier.
A Decorator's Journey 