The Master Bedroom Plan

So I'm going to go through each space of my house and share my initial plan... and what better place to start but the very place I will lay my head down every night... well, every night that I'm not traveling at least!

You're aware of the before:

 

As you can see, there is no door. Interesting, huh? Well, the master is the only thing on the top floor, so a wall is not necessarily necessary for privacy, however, it feels a little odd not being able to close the door to my room. I contemplated a few options here. I knew I had to get rid of the current wrought iron railing, but I initially thought I'd replace with a more traditional wood railing and just leave the space open as-is, but then the more I thought about it, the more I realized I'd really like to be able to retreat to my room and close of the rest of the world house if I felt like it... so I added a wall to my to-do list. 

And I already have a great furniture set for my bedroom, so that helps the budget, as well as some of my bedding! I'm a sucker for a simple white bed with pops of color, texture and pattern. Here's a little idea of what I started with:

Still love the pillow combo on my bed, but I'm ready for something different and I have plans to use these pillows in a different room {stay tuned on that!}.

After living in a rental house for the past three years, I came to a couple of conclusions:

1. I am ready for a little more than a neutral color on my walls.
2. I love hardwood floors in my bedroom.

So with those two items at the top of my list, here's where my mood board started out:

wall color image: Country Home Magazine - chair: world market - bedding sources {clockwise from top}: the hunted interior /apartment therapy / unknown / style me pretty

And here's a breakdown of my to-do list:

• Paint the walls a great bluish/green color
• Remove icky carpet and install rich hardwoods
• Build a wall to close off space from stairway and add a door
• Replace ceiling fan {I have a serious fear of a ceiling fan falling on me while I sleep... so scary!, but this is a phase 2 project when I replace the lighting throughout the house}
• Paint doors black for a glamorous look
• Add trim to doors
• Add crown molding
• Re-purpose some of my existing bedding
• Add new pops of color and monogram pieces
• Create a cozy reading and/or TV watching area
• Add a rug, drapes, new wood blinds and accessories
• Add storage unit for hidden shoe storage {yes, I have a shoe storage problem} and accessories

I'm happy to report that the first few bullets have been knocked out! Floors are in and being stained right NOW! So the bones of this room are coming together, just need to get my stuff moved in so I can see what I still need to fill in the gaps!

Here's a sneak peak:

Wondering why there is an outlet smack dab in the middle of the new wall? Planning on mounting my TV!

Don't mind that weird built-in cabinet thing in the corner... I'll figure something out to do with it! I was thinking of taking the doors off and just making it an open shelving area {maybe painted a cool color or striped or lined with a pattern}, but the shelves are crooked and I think it might be more of an eye-sore. We shall see what I come up with here!!! Oh the "charm" of old houses!
 
Well, there it is! Hope you liked my first house update. There's lots more where that came from... just bear with me!

I Don't Even Have a Good Excuse

I disappeared. I did. And I had just promised that I wouldn't. Gosh darn it.

Sorry folks. I really don't have a good excuse as to where I went or why I took a break... except, I will say this... I put a lot of pressure on myself with this little blog to have something to write about each and everyday that is new and different. And while coming up with ideas is not terribly hard for me, finding the time to create a post that is thoughtful, engaging, fun and pretty is another story. There have been many times where I've wanted to drop back in and just say 'hello' here, but stopped myself because I didn't have a weeks worth of posts lined up to keep the communication going. The truth is, my favorite blogs are the ones that do have a new post each and everyday. I feel like when I read what they have to say, I'm hearing from a friend. I strive to create that experience for readers here, too, but I've also realized that most of the blogs I read are created by guys and gals who work full-time for their blog. Well, I already have a full-time job, so in truth, as much as I want to keep up posting on a daily basis, I've come to the conclusion that it is ok to keep up as much as I can. I'm taking the pressure off and going back to the reason why I started this little blog, which was to give my two-cents on style, document moments of my life and basically just share what was on my mind.

And in case you are interested in a few of the things I've been up to lately, here they are in a nutshell.

Clockwise from top left:

1. I bought a house! Here she is! It was a pretty quick process. I had put an offer on one house before this one and was heartbroken when I thought I had lost the one, but in hindsight, I'm so, so, so glad this is the house I ended up with. And yes, you guessed it... there are lots of posts in the future about house details. I'm mid-reno right now, so I've got a few things to update you on already!
2. Took my annual to NYC. Gosh I love that place. It makes me feel all sorts of happy and alive.
3. Ohhhh Canada. I've taken a position with my company that has me traveling to the land up north... a lot. I love my company, but have to say this position has offered its fair share of challenges. Live and learn... and I'm learning a lot. International travel {even if it's just to our neighboring nation} is tough. Bottom line. End of story.
4. And, lastly, I've just been happy taking a step back and enjoying a calmer life. 

Industrial Chic Strikes Again!

So I think industrial kitchen chairs are actually finding me now, rather than the other way around! I've already talked about the look here and here, but if I were to pull the trigger on incorporating them into my imaginary home today, I think I'd have to go for red!

Like so:

Censational Girl

Don't you just love the mix of the industrial chairs with the rustic farmhouse-like table? I think the pop of red is the perfect compliment to the worn-wood look.

Apartment Therapy

Well these chairs aren't necessarily industrial, but they are a great red! And those black french doors... LOVE.

Design Sponge

So much goodness in this picture! Love the aqua-teal wall color with the red chairs... Turquoise and Red have always been a fav color combo or mine, and this is a pretty lovely version. The table is also really interesting - from the shape, to the natural texture, to the industrial green legs. Also loving the rug. What am I not loving in this picture? That cra-cra-crazy chandelier. Eeeeek. Please exit stage left, crazy legs.

But like I said, versions of industrial chairs keep finding me! Don't know how they got my name or address, but Home Decorators Collection mysteriously sent me a random catalog the other day. What was in it? 

Tomato Red Industrial Chairs. Go figure. For indoors or out! Double bonus!

Let's Have a Disco!

I was going through some old pictures that I had saved in the days before Pinterest and found a little bit of a theme that can only be described as "disco." No, I don't want to hang disco balls throughout my house, however,  I do think that mirrored-ish mosaic tiles can be pretty chic! Anywhere!

Another house bucket list item, I guess! 

Sorry I don't have sources... I'm working on finding them! Ohhh the days before Pinterest!

Industrial Chic 2.0

For as much as I think I am through and through classic when it comes to my style in decorating, it sure does seem like industrial influences {as mentioned here} keep catching my eye!

Traditional metal pieces can be just the neutral touch you need when you have a lot of color going on in your space without being boring, like so:

source

Or add them in a fun color for a interesting twist:

source

That picture above also features one of my other favorite kitchen ideas... chalkboard walls {house bucket list... of course!}.

But now the true question is, how would you choose a color? So many great options via Industry West:

I want them all! They would also make a great option for outdoor seating, too! 

House Happy

So I've shared my dream of someday buying a house, but I have to admit that one of my biggest motivations to buy is so I can decorate any way I want! I'm a renter right now, so at times, my vision can be limited to what my landlord and lease say are ok. 

A great way to add life to your design when you are limited by a lease or even a budget, is to add pops of color, just like you do in your wardrobe.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Ok, so I realize #4 probably wouldn't fly in a rental, but I couldn't resist sharing. How cute is that yellow fireplace???