Embarrassingly, Hubby and I didn’t immediately move into the lakehouse after our grueling move. We unloaded the stuff (with help, thankfully), returned the U-Haul truck, and then bee-lined it to my parents’ place, where we camped out for a bit. Their home has the lure of clean towels, hot dinners, and fast internet. Moving really took the wind out of our sails and trivial things like getting groceries (and turning them into meals!) seemed like Herculean tasks. We drove to the lakehouse everyday though, and steadily got it to a more livable order. We were totally busted by Hubby’s family, who came over (with dinner) for a tour. They immediately spotted our mattress propped up against the walls, barricaded by boxes. They need to come by again. Look: a bed with sheets and everything (I even found the bedskirt, but not the iron to smooth out those wrinkles).
The headboard and side tables my Grandpa welded weathered the move! The paint is a bit scuffed so come spring time a new paint job is imminent. Should I keep it matte black? Try glossy white? A bright colour?
We hung the vintage Hungarian posters across from the bed, and I think they are perfect for the bedroom. Magically, the minty chair and table pair well with the posters. I’m so happy that, so far, I’ve been able to rearrange pieces from the townhouse with relative ease.
The dresser is a stand-in, borrowed from my Mom. We didn’t have a dresser in the townhouse, so I naively thought everything would fit in our closet (what is it with me?). When we downsized from three bedrooms to two, our closet contents were smushed together. I still have surplus clothes, so I’m itching for more storage. They are so pricey, but I’d love these two Room and Board dressers.
Even though I’ve squashed the bed as far as it will fit on the wall opposite the closet – and I’ve even turned the nightstands sideways to take up less room – I’m dubious about my prospects of having enough room for bi-fold closet doors to open, which I should have explained when I chatted about the closet earlier this week. I’ll take some measurements and start shopping options. I appreciate everyone’s suggestions!
High on the bedroom to-do list: refresh the headboard and tables, buy (make?) closet doors, sew curtains, get my hands on better storage, accessorize, add more colour, and maybe try something nutty. I’ve been slowly building my collection of Fab trays, picking them up for $1-3 a piece. I think the collection (grown much larger) would look fun in the same room as the fashion-focused posters because the trays are little time capsules of 1960s and 1970s fabrics. I am putting my little red armoire into storage, so I think the blank
wall behind the door might be a fun place to hang them – floor to ceiling, salon style.
Still lots to do, but for now we can get a good night’s sleep in our own home! As a reminder, after painting the walls, doors, ceilings, and trim white, removing the window coverings, replacing the boob light (not pictured), and filling the room with our art and furniture, we’ve turned the room from this . . .
into this . . .
Love your use of color in the space!Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
Thanks! I can't wait to add even more.
i'd say you've made big steps in transforming the room from dated to stylish and happy! love the bright colors!
Paint is my biggest ally! I loved getting rid of that thin oaky trim and the faux wood doors.
Beautiful transformation. I love your clean uncluttered style. BTW, your trendle desk was an inspiration for me. 🙂 I painted my grandmother's trendle sewing machine base (well, Dad did) and created a table.
I just found it on your blog. It is SO gorgeous!! I love, love, love the top you chose.I hope you don't mind that I share the link for other readers:http://www.kimberlymontgomeryblog.com/2014/02/my-sewing-machine-treasure.html
It looks really great! I love all of the fun pops of color! I could be completely wrong about this, since I have not been in your bedroom, but even though the before room is way ugly, it looked like there was a lot more space with the way they had it arranged with the bed under the window. The room seemed to look bigger. Maybe if you moved the bed, you could fit the closet doors you want?
The room had more space with the former owners' furniture because they had a much smaller bed. I think it's a queen – maybe even a double. We have a king bed so it takes up much more room. With the bed under the window, we'd have to ditch the headboard and the dresser wouldn't fit on the right. I think with any home there are sacrifices. We knew our king bed would be tricky to fit but we don't want to give it up 🙂
I have no doubt there is room for bifold doors…..and if not…..you could always flip the bed and put the head on the other wall, where the dresser is….maybe? Or if you are wanting a new headboard, it could go under the window like the old owners.
Bifold doors would certainly be the easiest. The headboard is really sentimental because my grandpa welded it (plus I think it's super awesome) so I won't be able to do the same layout as the old owners. Better grab my measuring tape and head to home depot!!
I love it also, very my style.
Thanks 🙂 I knew it would always give me trouble – the king sized bed with a giant headboard – but I also knew it would be worth it. If we struggle to find doors that fit, I'm fine with that. I always make room for meaningful pieces.
Oh, drooling over your tray collection! Where do you find them for such a great price? Just gorgeoous!
Yard sales, estate sales and thrift stores. I have to dig a little in the thrift stores – they're normally buried under plastic sippy cups and tupperware in the plastic section. I've been lucky, finding them when I wasn't looking. Now that I want more – nada! I've spotted them for $10 vintage shops. Etsy prices seem super high . . .
Thanks! I'll look harder!
I'm sending "Fab tray finding" vibes your way!! There's always etsy. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't just cheaper to but from a vintage vendor as opposed to spend oodles on gas driving from thrift to thrift. But then I realize I'm crazy: that's the fun part! Happy treasure hunting!!