Trend Spotting and Master Bedroom Before/Afters

So happy to back in the world of WIFI - we have never had a complete outage that lasted more than a couple of hours.  So, when day two rolled around and still no Internet, I was having a hard time remaining calm.  Whew!  To show how thrilled I am to be back online, I  wanted to show you some before and after pictures of my master bedroom.  But first some trend spotting is in order.

As I mentioned in a recent post,  I was thrilled Birmingham Home and Garden featured me as one of their 2013 Tastemakers.  In the article, we were asked to weigh in on the hottest design trends for 2013.

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One of the trends I mentioned in the article were Agates.

This is a spinoff of the gemstone trend from last year.  As mentioned in the article,  I've been so smitten with agates, I decided to have a set framed for my master bedroom.  I picked them up last week, and I have to say, they have added a very chic modern punch to an otherwise traditional space.   So, with the transformation is complete, here's the after . . .

Where did this bedroom begin?  This should give you an idea . . . 

We replaced the carpet with hardwoods when we moved in and the previous owner left the draperies.   Even though the fabric on the draperies was not my style, they were expensive linen fabric and were lined with blackout fabric.  Like most, this room was way down on the list.  So, it remained like this for several years. 

Then when this painting landed in the room (from a rearrange in another part of the house), I had the color direction I needed.  I pulled in more blues to balance the draperies and made the entire room feel more current.   

First, I needed to break up all the dark wood in the space - too much.  So, I selected an upholstered bed with nailhead detailing. 

Then, I pulled in several different fabrics to play on the blue/greens in the painting and draperies.  I made sure to include different textures of fabrics from cottons,

to velvet

 and even two woven jacquards.  This one in a modern chevron pattern . . .

As well as this one in a moorish pattern with tones of blue and green 

Then I selected on patterned fabric to pull all the colors together.  I used this fabric in a client's bedroom last year and thought it was the perfect color scheme to unify my space.

I also brought in the upholstered settee.  This was "a trade" I made with a sweet friend/client.

The settee did not work in her space and she was going to sell it.  So, we traded for it.  I gave her some design time and, in turn, I got the settee.  I think the scale is perfect.  

I also reupholstered a Bergere chair in a camel mohair and used it to fill in this corner on the opposite side of the room.  

Then, the final piece of the puzzle - the agates.

Last summer, I began to see framed agates on some of my favorite high end websites.  My husband and I took a trip to Highlands, and I noticed a gem shop near our hotel.  The rest is history!

As you know, a space is never really finished.  It's always evolving and changing.  That's what makes the process fun.  But for now, I'm done in this room.  The biggest surprise in this space for me?  I'm shocked by how much I like the draperies now.

And it all started with a painting.

Happy Monday! M.

Guest Post - Thoughts on Bedside Tables

I hope everybody had a great start to their week yesterday.  Today I'm being featured on the wonderful blog The Mustard Ceiling by my friend Elizabeth.  She is undergoing a massive moving project and has put together a guest series.  I am so honored to be kicking off the series for her!  Please click over and check out my post - Thoughts on bedside tables.   

Just a little tease:  I've included some of my favorite tricks for making beside tables work on the focal wall of a bedroom - so check it out!   M.

Top Five Ways to Freshen Up the Bedroom

Over the past few months, I've been working on a freshen up for our master bedroom.  I'm not quite ready for the reveal; but I thought I would share some easy tricks to transform your bedroom.  Regardless of the budget, here are five quick ways to rejuvenate any bedroom.

Accessories

Small accessories can really help to transform a room. Before purchasing such items, think about the overall look for the room.

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This will help to guide the buying process. Consider both color and texture when selecting accessories which can be found at a variety of places, from home improvement stores and department stores to the local flea market and yard sale.

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Wall Hangings 

A blank wall can be a real challenge and leave a person wondering what to do with the open space. A simple and easy solution would be to mount a couple wall hangings. A unique tapestry or quilt can add great color and design to any boring space.  Depending on the size and material of the hanging, this can be mounted several ways. It can be nailed or tacked directly onto the wall or can be hung using brackets and a decorative dowel or curtain rod.

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Add Some Color

Whether it is with a brightly colored bedspread, throw pillows or the paint on the wall, a new color to the room can make a big difference. 

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When choosing these colors, be certain to think about how it will fit in with the rest of the room as well as the entire house. 

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Decorative Moulding on Walls 

Adding depth and texture to a room can be accomplished by adding moulding in different patterns throughout the room.

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This can be a simple square design on the wall or can be a unique and artistic design that truly stands out. 

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Change the Headboard

In the bedroom, the bed is most likely the centerpiece of the room. A different headboard can make a big difference. There are many options depending on what effect is desired. 

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This can be a large, fabric covered headboard or can be a minimalist design that ties into other colors throughout the room.  

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By using a few of these design ideas, any homeowner should be able to easily transform the look and feel of the bedroom. With a little bit of time and energy, the bedroom will be a brand new room in no time.

Yearning for Cozy

We've had lots of stormy, rainy weather this week, and it's really spurred my need for a cozy spot.  I'm so looking forward to curling up and relaxing a bit this weekend.  Hope you carve out some time to do the same!

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Happy Weekend.  See you Monday.  M.

Project in Progress - Guest Bedroom

I did an installation this week for a guest bedroom in a beautiful home in Vestavia Hills.  I posted about a redesign I did back in October here for the same client.  After we finished moving furnishings around in her home, my client wanted to freshen up one of her guest bedrooms.  So, we used furnishings and accessories she already had and unified the space with new bedding. 

The zebra print chair was our jumping off point.  

In order to make the different styles of furniture work, I added a hint of Asian (which always does the trick) with these fantastic Chiang Mai pillows by Schumacher.  

By pairing these with the larger, less expensive trellis pattern pillows, you get the impact of the Chiang Mai without spending a fortune. 

If you've ever seen this fabric in person, you know the pictures do NOT do it justice.   The color is so incredibly saturated and the fabric is the most perfectly textured linen EVER.

Ah- maze-ing.   Makes my mouth water when I think about it.  

So, with the help of a couple of new fresh fabrics, you have a new guest bedroom.  Happy mid-week. M.

It's Monday

Since life is feeling a bit like this for me at the moment . . . 

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I thought some eye candy was in order - just to get our week started on the right foot!  These are just a few of the images I've saved for some heart stoppin' goodness.   They are random rooms from many different sources; but each one makes me pause and sigh.  

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Now get out there and seize your day! M.

Finished Project - Master Bedroom

I did an installation this week of a master bedroom project I've been working on since the summer.  

We had actually completed everything except the drapery panels which were on backorder for several months.  Sometimes those kinds of things happen, so you just have to be patient and go with it.  

The panels were a great deal, so we waited it out.  Once the panels arrived(Woo Hoo!),  I added the tape detail to them. (I'm going to show you a step by step tutorial on how I did it next week, so stay tuned). 

 Adding this kind of detail to ready made panels is a great way to achieve a custom high end look for less.  

Most of the furnishings the client already had in their home.

We just freshened it up a bit by adding new pillows, drapery panels with custom trim, an affordable etagere, swing arm lamps, an upholstered bench (also a great price from Overstock), and a vanity which my client found at a second hand shop for a true steal of a deal!

Here's a close up of the pillows.  That velvet pillow is such a rich color in person, these pictures do not do it justice!

See the vanity to the left.  The lamps were in her dining, so we switched them out with lamps that were previously on her bedside tables.  Such a pretty place to get ready in the mornings. 

Sorry some of these are blurry!  I just snapped a few to give you an idea.

All the other pieces you see are from other rooms in the home.  It's amazing how moving accessories around can make a room feel fresh.  

The client had this pretty silver tray stored in her buffet in the dining room.  I thought it made the perfect place for the remote and her husband's reading glasses.  There are ways to make the practical look great!

 This artwork was in the dining room.  Remember, there is no rule that says fruit has to stay in the kitchen or dining room.  The greenish yellow of the fruit actually picks of the color of the trim detail on the velvet pillow.  

This bench is a wonderful place to put your shoes on in the morning.  It's right outside the bathroom, so it works! 

There was simply no room for a side table by this reading chair (trust me I tried every single table in the house), so we opted for a basket of magazines. 

We are going to be freshening up some additional rooms over the next year, so stay tuned!  I'll try to remember to snap a few before shots next time! M.