Exactly one year ago yesterday I stood outside in an ice storm, sick as a dog with a terrible flu....and directed the movers where to go with each piece of furniture as they took it out of the truck.
It was moving day....and despite feeling like something that was scraped off the bottom of my shoe, I was as happy as a clam!
It seems a little surreal at this point....like yesterday, but also like a million years ago.
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| Ice Storm on Moving Day 2015 |
One year later, I am really and truly settled in my sweet little house, and I couldn't be happier.
One of the biggest projects that I invested in was creating a master suite where there was none before. I knew that it would pay off in the long run, so I was willing to make that investment.
I absolutely love the end result and don't regret even one decision that I made when planning out my space.
You can view more details about my master suite in this post.
Well, one year later and it was time for a little spring refresh in the bedroom.
When I decorated my home, I chose very neutral furnishings and decor so I could change out the look on a whim. Leaving the backdrop neutral means that by bringing in different accessories, I can change out the look seasonally and keep it fresh. It's amazing what a few accent pieces can do to brighten a space!
I started my spring refresh in the bedroom with a trip off the mountain to the happiest place on Earth.....Home Goods!
I'm like a kid in a candy shop when I walk in that store....I could honestly spend hours in there, and way too much money!
I was on a mission this time.
I really needed to buy a lighter coverlet for my bed.....because these darned hot flashes are making it really tough to sleep at night with my fluffy down comforter.
Yup, that's the reality of my life. I'm getting old. Yippee.
Anyway, where better to find a decent priced coverlet than Home Goods?
After a very happy shopping trip off the mountain, I woke up the next morning excited to get started on my bedroom refresh.
I started by stripping the bed, and layering on a set of simple white sheets out of the linen cupboard. Don't you just love a set of good quality white sheets? Classic, simple, comfortable, clean. Perfect!
Next, I layered on a down blanket that I have had for about 15 years. It's always been on the guest bed....but I stole it for my room now. I've looked online, trying to buy another for my room, but I can't believe the prices they charge for a simple down blanket these days - insanity!
So.....sorry, guests, but the down blanket is now mine.
Then came the new coverlet. Again, I kept it very neutral because I need to be able to swap out accessories and update the look when the urge strikes me. And I have no intention of buying coverlets in different colors - no, thank you!
It's hard to tell from these photos, but this coverlet is very much like the color of my bedroom walls - Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter - not quite grey, not quite beige...it can go either way. Perfect neutral backdrop, as it can work well with either cool or warm accent colors.
Now it's time for the layers....and the color.
Because, let's face it....even though the backdrop is neutral, I am anything but a 'neutral' kind of gal!
"When I am an old woman I will wear purple"...and red, and cobalt blue, and fuchsia, and orange!!
Sorry, I digress.....
I added a little pop of color to the bed by draping a pretty throw at the end. It's a heck of a lot cheaper to buy a new throw when I get tired of the look, than a whole new coverlet or bedspread.
Next some shams in a pretty peacock blue color....and my NYC pillow from Pottery Barn went back on the bed.
The bed is done! Just enough color, while keeping the backdrop soft for spring.
Now it was time to bring in a few more layers around the room, to tie the look together. The runner on the left was my inspiration for the whole look - I fell in love instantly with this runner the second I saw it!
Just look at those gorgeous details - drool worthy!
I knew the runner would be just the thing on my dresser - it would hang down just right, bringing a little extra pop to the room.
The other throw went on the chair in the corner, bringing some subtle color around the room. I would like to eventually change out the furry pillow for something with a bit of yellow in it....but I have nothing yet.
I finally found a new lamp for my dresser, also - remember way back a million years ago when I told you I was looking for one?
Yup, that's the last time I was shopping off the mountain - pathetic, right?
Well, this lamp jumped out at me when I was in Home Goods, and I just knew it would work well on my dresser...and it would complement the two lamps on my end tables as well. Added bonus? It was inexpensive as heck!! Win/Win!
You can't really tell when it's lit, but the shade is a soft blue. Which works right now....but can be easily swapped out when I change to a warmer color palette, as I often do in fall & winter.
The soft blue I used for this spring refresh ties in with the hint of blue in the tiles around the fireplace. I use that color in my master bath as well, so it all flows nicely together.
I find it very peaceful and spa-like, which enhances the whole feeling of my master suite being a peaceful retreat.
As it should be!
It's not a large room, but keeping the backdrop soft makes it feel larger.
And it's certainly big enough for me - what more do I need?
It's come a long, long way from that night a year ago when I finally moved in:
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| Master Bedroom - Moving Day 2015 |
Look at the poor little pups in the middle of that mess - poor things, they were so confused!
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| Guest Room - Moving Day 2015 |
Thankfully, I had a bed delivered to the guest room the day before I officially moved in, so there was one calm, quiet place in the house to settle in for the night!
I slept in the guest room for about 4 months while the construction carried on in the master suite.
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| Living Room - Moving Day 2015 |
Although I had to wait months for my living room furniture to finally arrive, it didn't matter. We had a warm fire, food in the fridge, wine in the wine rack, and a cozy guest room to sleep in.
And we were home.
Finally and forever, home.
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I love the make over. I am with you...keep something neutral and add pops of color that are easily changed out for each season. Good job. :):) Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie - it's a little bizarre to look back at where it all started - I wish I was blogging back then so I could have documented the construction process!!
DeleteHi Deb: I really enjoyed this post. I love the idea of throwing a pretty throw at the end of a 'neutral' bed. It looks so inviting. And the runner is gorgeous. These are the colours I love. And I spotted that beautiful mirror frame. Oh my! I feel your excitement as you write about finding your home. Enjoy the evening. Deb xo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Deb - my bedroom makes me smile when I walk in and see that sunny yellow - and all the birds on the mirror, runner, and throw just make my heart sing!
DeleteLove it all. That bird runner has your name all over it! You have such a lovely home and the best part... it's all yours! My heart goes out to you with the "hot flashes". Mine were medically induced at 45 and only lasted 5 yrs. I was the crazy lady in the store who would run to the freezer section and literally crawl inside until they passed, well.... I wasn't completely in there.;) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteONLY five years??? ONLY??? And yet, I understand where you're coming from - I know people who have suffered with them far longer than that!! I had a hot flash this morning that nearly made me pass out - I can't imagine this for years and years - yikes!!
DeleteI love the bedroom redo. Great colors and patterns. I'm a big fan of peacock blue although it is hard to find at times. Love the lamps and white stands too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Barbara!! I don't use a ton of blue in my house any more - I used to, years ago, but went over to 'red' after a while and I've stuck there. But in the bedroom it just feels right!
DeleteAbsolutely love your bedroom! The colors are perfect and the ambiance of the room is restful and pretty. I'm with you - I can't have completely neutral. I love using neutrals in general, but then I have to have pops of color. Did you get the throw at the end of your bed at HomeGoods, too? The pattern of the yellow flowers looks vintage. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melanie!! I love it, too! Yes, the throw came from Home Goods also - $20 - love the pop of yellow!! And there are little peacock blue birds on it also, hard to tell in the photo!
DeleteI love the runners!! Im also a fan of a lot of "White". Love how you paired it with yellows. Just simply pretty.
ReplyDeleteLisa
That's so sweet, Lisa - I like that term - 'just simply pretty' - :)
DeleteNew bedding makes such a huge impact in a bedroom, and your new treasures are no exception. I love that runner too. It's amazing what you can find at HG!
ReplyDeleteYou've done a lot in just a year!
I could move right into HG and be quite happy!
DeleteAnother runner fan here as well and it all looks pretty, fresh, and restful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb! Now if only I could actually sleep straight through the night that would be awesome!
DeleteYour bedroom is a beautiful retreat! Need to check out the runner at Home Goods. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna! It truly feels like a retreat when I can go in there and close the door and have a spot to sit, read, watch tv, whatever. If the girls have friends over and I need a quiet place to get away, it's just the thing. I love my room and love that I can 'freshen' the look of it without spending a ton of money! That's the beauty of a neutral backdrop, right there!
DeleteGorgeous! You did a wonderful job...it's so relaxing and I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! I adore your bedroom also with the soft green and all the white - it feels like a breath of fresh air!
DeleteI like more or less neutral walls, the color comes from everything else.
ReplyDeleteYour bedroom is peaceful looking.
Congrats on being in your home for a whole year and for having done so much to make it yours.
Have a great week ~ FlowerLady
Thank you, Lorraine! It's a never ending job, keeping up with a home, but it's so worth it, isn't it?
DeleteI love the bedroom. It looks so cozy. I agree that it is hard to find a good set of white cotton sheets.
ReplyDeleteI think I actually ordered those through a groupon or Brad's Daily Deal or similar. They are a fantastic set of sheets, one of the best I own. Home Goods usually has good white sheets also.
DeleteOnce again, I love this post as well as your makeover?
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Phylis! I'm so happy when I wake up in my peaceful room!
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ReplyDeleteIndeed, your bedroom looks very serene and spa-like. Well done on the neutral background that allows you to have fun each season decorating the way you want.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Magali - you are heading the same direction with your sweet cottage and I can't wait to see the end result!
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been in our home a year yet, but it sure makes me wish I had taken more "before" photos. It's amazing at what a difference a bit of time and love can make, isn't it?! Love the way you add & subtract things with the seasons.
I have tons of 'before' photos but I took them on my iPad and they aren't that good....oh well! It's interesting to look back on the changes and the way the house has evolved in a year!
DeleteEverything looks so lovely but I kept going back to that gorgeous table runner and am totally fixated on it! I started making pillows out it in my head and imagining pulling one of the colors from the birds to make a solid colored back for each of the pillows...yes, this is how my mind works. ;)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, oh it must be so nice to be able to sew!!!! I wish I could....but alas, I have to rely on the talents of others!
DeleteI love all the changes you've made since the time you moved in. We moved into ours just under 3 years ago and I can finally see a bright light at the end of that long tunnel. I love how you've brightened up your bedroom for spring, but I really love your closet...OH MY!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, me, too, Carol!!! Can you believe I still have empty drawers??
DeleteSo pretty! What an improvement indeed from a year ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy - can you imagine those poor pups in the middle of that chaos?
DeleteWhat a lovely peaceful cosy room you have created...so interesting to see it when you first moved in and then how it looks now... so lovely!
ReplyDeleteHelen xox
Thank you so much, Helen! I am amazed sometimes when I look back at the photos - the transformation just makes me so happy!
DeleteDear Mountain Mama:
ReplyDeleteI love it - very clean and cozy. You did a great job making it very lovely! Thanks for sharing and linking.
Clean and cozy for sure, Bernideen....it makes me smile every single day!
DeleteAn amazing transformation for sure! I love your choice of neutrals. It does give the bedroom a wonderful dreamy and serene atmosphere. Gorgeous! You have great taste! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! I like what I like....until I get tired of it! And then I put it away for a little while and when I pull it out again it's all fresh and new once more!
DeleteWow! I love it. So fresh and clean!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie - I think so, too! And it will smell so good in there this evening because I left the window cracked open today!
DeleteSomeday, I'm going to re-do my entire house in neutrals, so that I can swap layers of accessories in and out. Just love what you did with your bedroom. It's peaceful, yet just colorful enough. Sweet dreams!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Amy!!
DeleteThat is a huge difference from a year ago! I am looking to eventually be all neutral in my home as well. You have done a fabulous job creating a beautiful and peaceful refuge for yourself :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen - it truly is a refuge, perfect word!!
DeleteOh my goodness, love love love! This is how I do all of our beds. It's so pretty with the white backdrop and pops of color.
ReplyDeletePinning in multiple places. :)
Thank you, Stacey - I still need to find that perfect yellow pillow!! :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful room. I love all the natural light
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Thanks, Molly, as do I - it makes waking up for work all the more pleasant, don't you think?
DeleteEverything looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love Home Goods, but I'm glad it is a 40 minute drive to the closest one. That way I don't pop in and see things I just have to buy.
thanks for sharing with SYC.
I am also at least 40 minutes from Home Goods - it keeps my wallet safe for sure, being that far away!
DeleteI am off to read more about your journey a year ago.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for Home Goods and those places (the flea market for me) that offer us a way to change things when we want to- while spending less.
Thank you for sharing this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
Laura
White Spray Paint
TOHOT
Oh, I love a good flea market!! When I lived on Long Island there was the best flea market every weekend in the warm months - I used to go quite often and it was always such an enjoyable day!!
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