Thank you for all of the feedback on my last post regarding what types of content you like to read–long full updates or short tidbits. You want it all, and I am here to write it for you. I will have another staircase report for you next week.
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Today, let’s have a different kind of fun. I have a WWYD decor question. Last November, I did a mini hygge makeover of the main bedroom here in BHH. It has been so nice to have a cozy room to retreat to during our long, frigid winter. That particular project only entailed a set of new sheets and cleaning and rearranging items we already own. However, the full makeover is on my calendar this year for the Spring One Room Challenge, which means I need to start planning now.
I have some ideas at this stage, but I thought it would be interesting to open it up to all of you to see what you would do if you had the opportunity to give our main bedroom a makeover.
What are the Limitations?
I am not going to put a limit on your creativity, but if you do want to keep us in mind when you are making suggestions, here are some helpful things to know:
- The trim should probably stay white. It can change in the future, but I cannot easily change the color until the windows are restored. The windows will stay white until then.
- I have been keeping a Pinterest board for the main bedroom, and you are welcome to send me pins even if they are completely different than what you see on my board. It is not particularly well-curated.
- I just ordered this canvas print, which I think will look beautiful over the fireplace, but it will look nice in the dining room too. I’m not attached to keeping it in the bedroom.
- Andy wants blinds and curtains. He likes to sleep in total darkness. I am fine with that, but I don’t care for heavy window treatments.
- New furniture and rugs might be an option.
- Any lighting added will have to be supplementary. We would need an electrician to do anything major, and we won’t be hiring one this time.
- I won’t paint the walls or ceiling green. (I’d prefer not to paint the ceiling at all, but I might be persuaded.)
- The fireplace works. (yay!)
- Winter/cold weather lasts for almost seven months here, and sunshine is scarce during much of it.
- BHH was built as a summer house. It is not fussy or ornate for the most part.
- All original features, including the white subway tile hearth, stay.
Current Photos
Here are a few photos of the room as it looks right now. It has so much potential.
If you want to see something up close, let me know, and I will provide a photo.
I want to share your ideas in a future blog post, and I will take all of your decor input and accept it with gratitude. Leave a comment with or without links below, or as I mentioned before, you may send me pins via Pinterest. You are also welcome to send photos and input on Instagram or shoot an email my way–whatever is easy for you.
Let the fun begin, and thank you.
35 Comments
monica
Wow, what an interesting challenge! I love to rearrange spaces and do it a lot for friends.
Here are my thoughts on thus lovely room.
1. I think removing the wallpaper and painting a creamy white or off white will work wonders. Not sure if this is within your plan.
2. You can use the green print you ordered for color inspiration- maybe go with duvet cover etc in that wonderful dark green color? Or make the bed all neutral drawn from the neutrals in the print, with deep green decorative pillows? I would also add a bedskirt
3. I like the bed, but I think I would like it more if the metal was removed from the headboard- in pictures it reads a bit style-confused. Without it the bed would be classic.
4. The larger the rug, the more cozy it will feel. I would look for a really big old Persian rug the way you did for the living room. If that is not possible, I would add smaller Persian rugs in other areas – by the door to the sleeping porch (behind the gold chair). A runner for where you enter the room, etc.
5. Maybe just blackout curtains in a neutral color to match the bedding would satisfy Andy’s need for darkness – that way you would not have to deal with blinds. I would hang the curtains wide so that when open they don’t cover any of the window at all.
6. Replace the floor lamp next to the bed with a table lamp .
7. I would look for a table with a little more presence for next to the chair. Something of solid wood would help ground the area. Right now everything is competing with the wallpaper and I think a more solid piece would help.
Stacy
Thank you for all of this, Monica. The curtain information is really useful. I cannot wait to remove that wallpaper! 🙂
Heide
What good bones this room has! I love it! I really think removing the wallpaper is going to transform the room. That will probably be a major project in it’s self! I was going to say the walls would be pretty in a soft sage green, but don’t pay any attention to that. A cream, off white or beige would be lovely too.
Curtains will certainly help cozy up the room and I agree with Monica, put the rods wide out so you don’t cover those beauties! Also, an old house tip: curtain rings are very handy. You can layer your curtains with a nice layer and then a black out or insulated layer behind and no one will be the wiser. Also curtain rings help the curtains to push back tighter, leaving more window and light.
I would also recover the window seat cushion and add a few throw pillows. That will cozy and soften that corner up. Maybe add a lamp or wall light?
Any plans for the velvet armchair? Love the lines of it, but the color is a little ……. lacking… Maybe a slip cover? Or even a quilt or throw over it.
I think bedside tables with drawers look tidier, plus hold a lot more stuff! Like chargers and hand lotion! Or even just books. I would move that little table next to the armchair or next to the window seat.
Looking forward to seeing the room without wallpaper! Hopefully it is 1980’s vintage and comes off easy?
Stacy
Thanks, Heide. I am really excited to remove this wallpaper. I appreciate the curtain ring tip! That’s a great idea. The armchair was a Goodwill find. I would like to have it reupholstered. Space is a little tight for bedside tables, but I like your train of thought.
SH
Haha, no one ever comes to me for decor advice. I really like the suggestions above. My only thought is to beef up the crown just a bit to balance the lovely baseboard. Maybe add a simple flat piece on the bottom to reflect the baseboard style, but not as large. I didn’t think you’d ever tackle this room, especially after the recent refresh, so I am excited to watch this evolve.
Stacy
Thanks! I like your idea of beefing up the crown. It is not original. I will talk more about how I know that in a future post! I always have liked this room “well enough,” so it never became a priority. When I did the mini hygge makeover, it got my creativity flowing again.
Holly R Layer
I love that you asked for ideas! Your room is really lovely and I agree–a blank slate. It’s spacious, open and has plenty of natural light. I’m thinking cozy, but with a bit more pizzazz… Perhaps a really warm beige/brown on the walls? Like coffee with too much cream, and I love the idea of keeping the white trim. You know I love bright white trim! I completely agree with Monica above about removing the metal from the headboard, and I agree with them both about adding curtains that don’t have to obscure the windows. We have honeycomb blackout shades that fit inside the windows and can be pushed all the way up during the day. Drapes that hang to the floor will really pop. As for a rug, I’d go big and plush–really push the Hygge limit here 🙂 What about statement sconces? I think you have the room to go bigger, and since you aren’t really making a statement with anything else (???) that would be a nice place to do it. You know I could talk about this for an entire run…
Stacy
Thank you, Holly. I appreciate all of your ideas, and we will talk IRL for sure.
Holly R Layer
AND I AGREE WITH SH ABOUT THE CROWN MOLDING (or is it ‘moulding’?). It was my first thought, actually. And I also agree that I’m very excited you’re tackling your bedroom.
Stacy
Thanks! It’s molding in the US and moulding in Europe. 🙂 I spell it either way.
SH
Yes! to Holly’s statement sconces (plug-ins maybe?). Also upgrade the fireplace screen, especially if you can find one in Restore or such. What fun to pretend to use someone else’s time and money. Loving this game ?
Stacy
I like these ideas, SH!
Cathy
Building on the above comments:
– yes to wide set blackout curtains.
– yes to beefed up crown moulding
– yes to removing the metal piece from the bedframe.
– yes to an oversized vintage rug, preferably oriental
– yes to remove that wallpaper!
New comments:
– paint or stain the bedframe, color depending on whatever rug you score
– please consider investing in reupholstering the channel backchair! I know it’ll be shockingly expensive but I love channel backs – they exude comfort and class
– that new print will look lovely in the dining room
– replace the reading light above the channel back chair
– new fireplace screen
-new to you endtable / endtables (pair of nesting tables you can pull out?)
– corded sconces on each side of the bed (so you don’ have to call the forbidden electrician)
– totally different FP mantel treatment
Stacy
Thanks, Cathy. Can you elaborate on what you mean by the different FP mantel treatment? I would like to reupholster the chair at some point. It’s a beauty, and I think I got it for $10 at a Goodwill store.
Jackie
I’m curious. I know you want to keep the trim white. Would you consider painting the fireplace mantle? I think if you end up with a light wall colour (so it isn’t too dark in there in the winter), you could do something dark and rich and dramatic on the fireplace. It would make the original tile pop.
Stacy
Hi Jackie,
I would absolutely paint the mantel a different color, and drama sounds good to me. 🙂 I actually wouldn’t mind the trim being a different color either, but I cannot commit to it during this pass because I cannot restore the windows right away. They desperately need work, but I won’t get to them until summer, at the earliest.
cathy cagle
Stacy, I’d take all those candles down, hang artwork instead of leaning it, and go for one piece of art instead of two. Take that solo sconce to the right down as well.
I’m guessing you must love the candles in your room. Can you find some cool old lanterns to add candles to and place around the room or in a grouping? I guess I’m over the pillar look.
Stacy
Thank you! I appreciate that clarification. I thought you meant replacing the actual mantel. Most of my decor choices in this room were born out of being cheap or not wanting to commit to anything fully. Ha!
Downraspberrylane
The very first thing I thought was to take the metal off of the headboard. I would then start with the largest rug you can afford and that you love, preferably in a pattern and in deep colors. That would be what the rest of your choices will be based on. As for the window treatments, we also have the honeycomb blackout shades (like Holly mentioned) and we love them. Also, for the curtains, besides setting them wide you might do a search for “french return” rods. You might not like the look, but they do allow you to pull the curtain against the wall to block more light. Other than that, I like the suggestions of the others!
Stacy
Oh, I do like the look of French return curtain rods. Thank you for pointing them out to me. Also, I am on the hunt for a large rug! 🙂
laura
Not advice, but wanted to point out all the common elements from your pins via fresh eyes!
white walls
heavily layered beds with pattern mixing
metal and/or brass bed frame/headboard
beams
I think there’s a lot in common even if the pins seem unorganized to you! I think with white walls you can have a lot of fun moments with window treatments, layering a rug on top of your neutral one, layering the bed and wind seat, and having a fun moment with the mantle. Even if you can’t do the windows quite yet, I would try, if you can, to design the full space. As my husband says, make the decision before you’re on the hill!
Stacy
Thank you for this! Sometimes I cannot see the forest for the trees. 🙂 I do love heavily layered bedding. It looks so warm and cozy to me. I am toying with the idea of planking the ceiling. Beams wouldn’t really fit in with BHH, but planking would.
Chris
Honestly, my very first question is what kind of budget you have in mind? I’m so very a function then form person that my first thoughts go to comfort upgrades. For example, I personally would prefer a larger bed to share, and that would be a big budget item. I would invest in automated blackout shades with a little switch by the bed to lower them because I always forget to lower my shades until I am cozy in bed and then I stare at them resentfully and leave them up. If I lived the icy frozen northland wastes, I would get an under rug heating mat for mornings too. Of course, I might just refuse to get out of bed 6 months of the year too. 😉
Do hang the print, I love it. Maybe echo the color in the upholstery of the chair and a blanket on the bed? How soon are you going to redo the windows? The other windows where you painted the interior wood bits black are very striking and I think that would be good in your bedroom too. (I’m team white until death for mouldings.) Have a look at French tufted mattress/cushions for your window seat. They look luxe and are comfy to sit on. Too sad to have an unused window seat. Might be another place to echo the color from your print?
I’d strip the wallpaper first thing, the teeny repeat doesn’t do your room any favors. When you look at colors for walls/rug/upholstery, consider that almost all of your pins have a pop of orange and choose colors that will harmonize. I know I already said you should make your chair green, but it might look striking in bright orange too! Unless you plan to keep it, now would be a good time to strip a bit of wallpaper and throw paint colors on walls to see how you like them in various lights?
Have you considered adding built in narrow bookcases flanking the fireplace? 12″ or so? If you wanted drama, you could paint them a deep color and add a fancy wallpaper or mural as backing. And 2 sconces, because symmetry.
Oh, and have you looked at wall shelf style nightstands?
Stacy
To answer some of your questions:
-The budget isn’t an issue yet. This is the “pie in the sky” portion of the exercise. 🙂
-I had never considered built-in bookcases. It’s an interesting idea.
-I have thought about shelf-style nightstands.
-The earliest I might get to these windows is this summer, and it is doubtful that I can finish all three.
Great idea about stripping the wallpaper now and playing with paint.
Thank you!
Chris
Totally random thought – you could make interior storms and paint them with glass paints.
Stacy
Could you elaborate on this idea? Do you mean to paint them to look like stained glass?
Andy
Have you considered a Pirate motif?
Stacy
Not even a little bit. LOL
Chris
Yes and no on the stained glass? There are a lot of stained glass transoms, sidelights, and piano windows that date to the right period, but you could also do an actual painted scene window. I sent you a couple of random pins on pinterest for painted windows. Not something you would want to do to your actual windows, but might be fun on an interior storm window. Have a random article https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2016/10/working-class-stained-glass-offers-window-past/
This thought is brought you in part by the memory of a friend in Kansas City who made stained glass to go in front of all of her windows instead of curtains.
And what I actually meant with the windows is slap on a coat of black over the existing and call it good until you have time to do them properly. If it’s only going to be a couple of months, probably not, but if it is going to be 8, 9, 18 months, what’s yet another coat of paint to strip among friends?
Another random thought, velvet channeled headboards are stylish right now and would play nicely with your spiffy chair.
Stacy
Thanks, Chris. That’s a fun link. Since all of these windows are operable, I probably won’t paint them until the full restoration. Opening the living room windows isn’t necessary, so the extra coat of paint wasn’t an issue. Our bedroom windows are already difficult, and another coat of paint would only exacerbate the problem.
Leigh D
If you want to change the trim color and do something more dramatic, I say go for it and just save the windows (and window trim too if needed) for when you get to them! You have enough doors and beefy trim around the room that I think it would make a noticeable difference without doing the windows right now. Can’t wait to see what you do!!
Stacy
Thanks, Leigh. That makes sense.
Peggy
Love all the other suggestions. Have you thought about a bench at the foot of the bed, in place of the cedar chest?
Stacy
Thanks, Peggy. Switching to a bench is worth a thought. However, that cedar chest belonged to my Grandmother, and it is really special to me. If I cannot find a different/safe place for it, I want it to stay at the end of the bed.
Ginger
Personally, I really like the color of that chair, and I think I’d incorporate that warm color and similar jewel tones into everything else. Definitely cushier cushions on the window seat, with lush pillows and a cozy throw.
There are a lot of different styles of furniture, I agree with removing the metal on the bed, and a different side table for the chair and bed. Hang art, instead of leaning it.
Can’t wait to see the wallpaper gone!