Get ready for some gorgeous slatted designs on walls, tables, cabinets and more – and find out why I’m too lazy to love this look. (Media console is from Design within Reach).
In Tuesday’s post I mentioned that the bedroom is getting some attention. After making a little progress last year it was sort of abandoned, but I’ve really been craving more order and storage in there – and that’s motivated me to move forward. We ordered closet doors (finally!), decided on dressers (they’re being delivered today!), ordered some fabric samples (possible new curtains?), and even bought another 1960s Hungarian poster to mix up the arrangement a bit (it’s being framed right now). So much excitement after months of heel-dragging. Buoyed by this frenzy, we decided to tackle a very necessary project: bedside boxes.
I’d really love a nightstand with drawers, but I treasure our bedside tables (above) because my grandpa built them to match the headboard he welded. The style is simple and airy, and has been perfect for our succession of small bedrooms, but the storage was initially an issue. We lucked out and found a pair of perfectly sizes storage boxes at HomeGoods. We were traveling and didn’t have measurements, so we just guessed they would work. Over time the mock croc finish has peeled from the cardboard frame. They lasted over six years, so I can’t complain because they were super inexpensive. I’ll show some before and afters once the boxes are complete, but today I wanted to chat about inspiration that sometimes goes nowhere.
UPDATE: The Walnut Wood Boxes We Made!
Why I Abandoned My Slatted Wood Box Design Idea
Originally I fell for slatted designs and spent many hours sketching out a complicated and stunning design for our bedside boxes. But then I started to waffle. I loved the look of slatted designs, but I didn’t know if I’d love dusting all of those slats, plus I worried it would compete with our new furniture – which makes a statement of its own. Then I added up the cost of materials and nearly fainted. Finally, I asked myself if I wanted to be fussing with 120+ slats when we’ve got a bathroom to renovate. I decided to simplify my life and my project. As an added incentive, I fell in love with a gorgeous sheet of walnut plywood so we constructed a very simple and elegant pair of boxes. I had already filled my brain with beautiful slatted designs, so I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy ogling these as much as I have – maybe you’ll be inspired to DIY something slatted and I can live vicariously through you!
Slatted Wood Inspiration:
UPDATE! Check Out My Two Slatted Wood Projects:
I caved, lol, and I could no longer resist the siren song of slatted wood. I made this slatted wood accent wall (find the tutorial here):
And then also made DIY slatted deck skirting! Find the tutorial for the modern deck skirting here.
Love the slatted look but I too immediately thought of the dusting, of course that would not stop me from gabbing one of those slatted benched if I found one for a steal. Can't wait to see what fabrics you picked for the curtains.
Yup, me too!! I will dust a little extra for a true Mcm piece.
Loving all of these–especially the ceiling ones! Maybe a good way to cover up part of my popcorn ceiling? I love the idea of it going from the front door straight into the hallway to create length in my ranch-style condo.
Oooo, that's a great idea!! A MCM take on some of the more trad/country white paneled ceilings. Love the warm woods with bright white walls. Cozy and airy!
But didn't you just make curtains for your room? You can send them to me if you don't want them anymore lol
Was wondering if any eagle eyes would pick up on that! I LOVE the curtains but I picked them when the room was so spartan. With new big dark dressers, it feels really busy. My Mom actually pushed me to order some fabric samples. Hopefully they're nice! And these curtains will move to the guesthouse with some alterations if the perfect bedroom replacement is found. Will be nice to replace the towels masquerading as curtains out there, lol.
lol I know all too well about towel curtains. Had one in my kitchen for a minute until I stopped procrastinating about putting up the new blind. Finally got around to it yesterday.
Count another vote for wouldn't-want-to-dust-it. It's like cleaning Venetian blinds. But I really love slatted benches. And for your curated collection, I love that credenza/stereo cabinet and the sliding doors of the entertainment shelves. Beautiful!Your bedroom revamp is going to be exciting! I look forward to see it come together. I love it when the bedroom is finished/decorated (and tidy). It feels like I've made myself a priority since i know I'm the one (and hubs) who enjoys it most- plus Im rarely in my bedroom during the day, so it's like the newness of it all is appreciated longer. Goofy but I love that.
Venetian blinds are the worst! You're right about decorating a bedroom and feeling like you've done something for yourself. I'm so frustrated because I ordered fabric samples two weeks ago and they suspect they were lost in the mail so they're re-sending. I feel my momentum winding down, lol. Gotta keep going!!
I'm so enamoured with the elegantly graphic quality of slats. And really, there's not that much dusting to be done when they are vertically installed. Such a lovely curation of photos in this post. *salivating*
I wonder if it's like how I thought open shelving would get dusty but it doesn't really. Like others, I have perceptions of what's a lot of work and what isn't, but that doesn't always align with reality. In any case, I'm salivating here too!
Ugh, I'm not a good house keeper. Can't imagine dusting all those slats. But, like other readers I do love the benches, that I could handle dusting!
Haha, I'm imagining the brawl we'd get into if there was one bench for the group of us.
I definitely see the concern with dusting these too – maybe not a room FULL of these, buuuuuut that wall/curtain one looks so cool!