VOILA!
Although we completed the bedroom makeover (remember the contest many months ago?!) in early December, it has taken me this long to finally compose the post to include you all in the final outcome.
Thanks greatly, to Suzanne, for many of the photos.
The scope of our project seemed to grow and grow! Our initial consultation was to work within the basic framework of the existing furniture, change paint and bedding and possibly window treatments. Of course, accessories would complete the update!
By the second appointment, Suzanne had decided she liked the idea of a new headboard, something more current and soft than the Arts and Crafts style bed that was a part of an entire set. We intended to work around the rest of the pieces!
Suzanne also decided that the master bathroom needed to be included in the face lift! (And, it did.) Using the same color pallette, we began to put together a complimentary vision for the bathroom.
No surprise, that as we went a little further, we added painted furniture pieces from vintage collectibles for both bedside tables, a beautiful chest and a desk, an engaging chair, and the list goes on and on!
Vintage chair and desk. *Note the monogrammed "S" on Suzanne's desk chair! This was one of her absolute "must-haves" on the punch list!
Vintage dresser hand painted, hardware and all. Lamp and accessories from Black-eyed Susan. It's a little difficult to make out the framed photo, but it is a stack of books in the exact colors of the room from The Paris Flea Market! Susan found the mirror. Suzanne added the artist's touch to the paint for the mirror! Too perfect!
The photo below shows off the stylish chest we found for one of the bedside tables. I happen to love the height of a chest of drawers for bedside use. Lamps sit well and make for easy reading.
Also note the framed botanicals, compliments of handy Sneelock's work. I purchased the original botanicals and Fred (Sneelock) photographed them. He tinted them a slight and fabulous aqua just for this application! They are quite stunning and original in this color.
This perfect chair was on clearance from Black-eyed Susan. The last piece, left from an entire collection in these colors...finally, a home for one of my favorites! And, I must say, the perfect home.
The color was a dramatic change, from deep rusty Tuscan colors to one of my favorites, SW Halcyon, a soft gray/blue that is perfect for any room and sets the stage for cocooning. (Of course, the ceiling was included!) Inspired by a project I completed in Sullivans Island, S.C., Suzanne was totally immersed in the color pallet of aqua and soft lime green. After some searching, we found a fabric that tied everything together, and finding that this particular fabric would break the bank, so to say, we decided on this accent pillow with some fabulous trim to be the impact pattern for the bed.
Monogrammed boudoir pillow---found at Restoration Hardware! Custom monograms can be ordered from them on several of their pillow selections.
Suzanne had a stylish and dressy off white tone on tone patterned rug that was the perfect grounding for the new look.
Suzanne spent countless hours on Ebay searching for chandeliers! Her efforts were rewarded and you can see several places where they are used. Each one required extensive work, rewiring, painting, cleaning...well, you get the picture! The results--priceless.
Black-eyed Susan furnished the painting labor (thanks to Sneelock and my son, Ryan!), all of the design labor and fees, as well as the installation to completion. Suzanne and Joerg furnished the budget! Hmm, a pretty good combination! The budget grew and grew...the labor grew and grew, the design ideas grew and grew...I guess you could say that the ideas were plentiful and the budget didn't disappoint! That being said, we did the whole project from start to finish on a relatively moderate budget. Suzanne did some of the shopping, Black-eyed Susan resourced the vintage items and the fabrics, bedding, and custom pillows. Yes, indeed, a great team! Did I mention that my sister, Denise, who was in town for my retail Holiday setup, was a great help for the installation. She also provided the entertainment and energy for the night!
I had the vision of using plates above the bed from the beginning. Often this shape of a headboard determines the art or mirrors used in a room. Arched headboards provide an unusual challenge. Suzanne and I collected these plates, which were the absolute perfect color for our wall! I arranged the plates on the floor within a "tape template" of our usable space. Denise took it from there, made the measurements and working off of a digital photo with notes, set out to hang the plates while Sneelock hung draperies while Jackie and I dug into the rest of the details of the room.
Layers of pillows in just the right colors.
View of the silk dupioni draperies with the "fabric to break the bank" used sparingly for a contrast hem!
And, check out the armoire between the windows. That was the last piece of the original bedroom set to succumb to the paint brush! A good primer is always required to insure bonding. Suzanne and Joerg had had their share of painting by now, but it was the perfect finishing touch and it could not be denied.
Beautiful view of the chest of drawers reflecting the tinted botanicals, plates hung in harmony with the mirror shape, and that fabulous chandelier find! You do good work, Suzanne!
Closeup of details on one of the bedside tables.
This is the top of the painted armoire. Suzanne found the hand blown vase! I provided the small potted orchid and ceramic dove. The photo frame came from Black-eyed Susan and Suzanne and Joerg put a sentimental favorite historic building from Austria in the frame. Suzanne, comment on the significance of that building! I'm afraid I wouldn't get it right.
Here are a few shots of the bathroom completed. The reverse pallette (green on the walls, blue as the accent) was used to compliment the bedroom. Suzanne selected this Robert Allen fabric with a leaf motif in just the right colors! This fabric brought the chocolate in as a third color. Towels repeated the accent.
Just another shot of the mirrors from another perspective. Paper whites in acrylic water add some drama to the vanity.
I just had to show this fabulous bead trim on the bathroom valance. Sometimes, it's worth going over budget to get the perfect finishing touch!
This wonderful towel rack had been collecting dust in the basement of Black-eyed Susan for quite some time! I decided that if the engineer, Joerg, could assemble it, it should be used in the master bath. And, I might say, he took no time at all to put the puzzle together! And, there you have it! Pretty cool.
I brought these vintage buttons back from Paris. Oh, my heart sings! The color of the buttons and the color of the border on the card. It was meant to be! I hung them with a single decorative tack within a vintage frame.
Before.
After.
A special thanks for Jackie Macli, Susan's project manager for countless hours of time and support; Ryan Taylor and Fred Taylor for painting, crown molding and installation; Suzanne for trusting me and following my promptings, hours of painting furniture and chandeliers, and many nervous indecisions conquered; Denise for installation support and attention to detail; and Joerg for blindly pushing forward with any assignment!
Now, relax in your beautiful new room!
This collection of real nests greeted me, as a dining room table centerpiece! I love nests.
In another area of the house, an antique frame within a frame. You know I love that!
We found this very pink (!) glass glitter house to complete the pink accent story that we selected at the end of the Holiday buying. I mean, a girl just can't resist a little pink holiday merchandise!
Chartreuse ceramics. Can't get much cuter than that.
Outside one of our favorite vendors, we took this photo just to give you the scale of this rather large wreath! I'll get Joanne right on it. (For those of you who don't know, Joanne is my staff florist!)
