Master Bedroom: Now You Have It, Now You Don't

In the last post I mentioned that we randomly ended up redoing our bedroom in the middle of trying to sell the house. It was a collaboration with Apartment Therapy and Sherwin Williams that was pitched to me, and it was too fun to turn down. I received a selection of bold, trendy paint colors to choose from for the walls, and it definitely took me outside of my comfort zone. While I love this color, I never would have picked it if it wasn't for this challenge. I would have chosen a much more toned-down, gray, probably even slightly lighter version of the color. But I'm so glad that AT and SW convinced me to make that leap of faith. The room felt like it had that zing that it was missing before. Kev and his dad also built me this amazing headboard, and I bought a new pillow and quilt for the bed.

The only thing I would probably do differently if I could have, would be to buy a new bed frame. We were (and are) still using a metal bed frame with a box spring and mattress, and the height of the bed really is a bit much for the space. I would have loved to have purchased a bed frame and gotten rid of the boxspring, but it just wasn't in the budget. Overall though I was really proud of the transformation and was super sad to leave this space. We got to sleep in it for probably about a month before moving out.

I absolutely adored having all of these beautiful roses in the space. Believe it or not they are grocery store flowers! They were having a sale on make-your-own bouquets and I got all of these beautiful fresh roses for a STEAL. It felt so romantic, I wish we could have them all of the time.

I also picked up a few cacti with those cute little flowers and buds on the tops (not sure what they're called exactly!) and I'm happy to say that they survived the trip to the new place. They're still blooming and I haven't killed them yet, so I'm definitely planning to continue to buy more succulents from now on!

I also wanted to rip out those sconces and take them with us. We got them on sale at Pottery Barn and it was great to have some extra lighting in the space. For the longest time we lived with a single table lamp (no ceiling lighting to speak of!) Let's just say seeing ourselves when we were getting ready in the morning was a challenge. Anyway, even though it's way after the fact, I really wanted to share these photos on the blog. Now I can't wait to get our new master bedroom together. Add it to the list... xo, Lauren

A Bedroom Update with Lulu & Georgia

We're still slooowly but surely working on updating our master bedroom - the last major room in the house to get any attention. Is it like that at your house by any chance? I guess because it's the one room that I can close the door and (hopefully) no one will have to see it. At least until we go to bed that is. Anyway, the point is that it's been a bit neglected and I was thrilled when Lulu & Georgia suggested that we partner to spruce up the space a bit. We have a corner in the room that felt a little empty, so I decided that would be my focus. Lulu & Georgia sent over this amazing console table (their Fairmont console) and it is just perfect! They've also sent over a coupon code for all of you to use in case you have a space that needs a little something. Use lovelylark20 to receive 20% off your purchase at Lulu & Georgia. The code is valid for one week after this post. (Keep in mind that L&G ships to the contiguous 48 states only)

I'm so excited to be in our bedroom now! It makes me go to bed earlier and spend more time in the space. It's my new favorite reading corner. And the girls love it too. Violet always asks why my bedroom isn't "pwetty". When I brought her into the room after I was finished she gasped and said, "Mommy - it's beautiful!" I think I might be creating a little decorating diva! Thanks Lulu & Georgia for my beautiful Mother's Day present! xo, Lauren

So Fresh and So Clean

Our master bedroom is really starting to come together thanks to a fresh white coat of paint and a little elbow grease from Kev. I wish I could say I had helped, but this is one very pregnant lady who simply is not in the mood to paint! We used our long-time favorite Behr paint in Ultra Pure White (our go-to white paint color) on the walls and trim. Then I got to swoop in after the dirty work was done and play around with the fun stuff - artwork, furniture, grocery store flowers, and my favorite Orla Kiely bedding (from Bed, Bath & Beyond). Tell you what, I guess this pregnancy stuff does have its perks!

Next on the list is to have my dad come in and do some wiring so we can hang out new sconces. We ended up purchasing the Jasper sconces from Pottery Barn (and on sale too - score!) We also want a new bed frame (maybe like this one from West Elm?), and Kevin is planning to make a headboard. I hope it's finished in time for the new baby, since she'll most likely be sleeping in our room for the first few months. I'm so excited about having such a fresh and clean feeling bedroom!

Life Lately

We had a pretty low-key weekend. I went to the grocery store and picked up some pretty blooms for around the house. I am so ready for spring and it helps to have some flowers sprinkled about. I also went into nesting mode and washed a few things for our new little lady. I forgot how tiny newborn clothing is! I couldn't get over it - I kept holding them up to Kevin and saying, "Look at this one!" He's been doing a good job of humoring me and my crazy pregnant lady hormones :)

Violet was a bit hot and cold as far as how she was feeling this weekend. One day she'd seem perfectly happy and healthy and the next she was extremely tired, grouchy, and refused to eat much of anything. She's still on the antibiotics and I'm hoping she's still just recovering and that there isn't something more going on with her. I tend to be on the paranoid side of things, so I found myself looking up things "like appendicitis symptoms in toddlers" on Google. We're all back to work and she's back at the sitter's today, so maybe being back in a regular routine will help? Sometimes I really wish kids came with an instruction manual!

And last but not least Kev got the bedroom painted! It looks so fresh and clean, I can't wait to share some photos. Hope you had a good weekend!

xo, Lauren

Master Bedroom Update

So the floors are in! The room feels so much lighter, brighter, and cleaner now that the old carpet is out and the ugly green tile is covered. The next step is trim and paint. I'm craving white, bright, simple, and clean.

Here is what I'm looking at for inspiration:

left . right

left . right

So excited!!! Happy Friday

xo, Lauren

P.S. You can check out more of my ideas for the bedroom on my Pinterest board here.

Progress

Well, I'm happy to report that although the state of my house is in complete disarray, there is progress being made on the master bedroom floors. The glue that we purchased is no VOC, so no smell which is nice for me and the baby, although it's done a number on Kevin's hands, despite wearing gloves. He's  been hard at work all weekend:

Currently there are boxsprings in the nursery, our nightstands and hampers are in Violet's room, the headboard and bedframe are in the kitchen, and our mattress is in the back room (which is where we are sleeping at the moment). Not exactly my idea of a good time, but hopefully it'll just be until next weekend and the floors will be finished - hurray!

Master Bedroom Redo: Part 1

We finally decided to tackle the master bedroom. It's the last room in our house with carpet, and we've been putting it off for a number of reasons - the biggest two being the Mister's back and the asbestos tile we knew was lurking beneath the rug. (Is it just us or does everyone save their own bedroom space as the last to fix up?) After some months of taking it easy with his back, Kevin got the brilliant idea to glue the wood flooring down instead of nailing it. It's a thinner wood, and it's actually recommended to be glued, so we're pretty excited to give it a go. Not only will it be easier on his back, it won't disturb the asbestos tile like nails would. I love a good win-win!

The first order of business was to remove the old radiator, starting with the hideous cover:

What we found beneath was almost more horrific than the asbestos tile, I must say. About a foot thick with dust:

Next the carpet had to go. Violet supervised while Kev cut it into strips and rolled it up:

Here is the finished result: a radiator-free wall and emerald green asbestos tile. Not exactly what I think Pantone had in mind:

There was actually a small section where the asbestos tile was missing after we pulled out the radiator, so Kevin filled the space in with some inexpensive peel-and-stick tile from Lowes. To make sure it was extra solid he used liquid nails in addition to the tiles' adhesive. Easy peasy!

I can't say how excited I am about the progress and I now I really can't wait for the wood floors to go in! That tile is super cold on your feet in the morning, that's for sure. What were people thinking putting that in a bedroom (or anywhere for that matter)?! Ah the joys of an older home :)

Have any of you used the glue method with wood flooring? How did it go? Anything we should know before we begin? Thanks in advance! xo, Lauren

Our Master Bedroom - Suggestions?

Whew! What a week. I've been outside almost all day every day with the babe enjoying the summer weather and I've barely had a chance to even glance at my blog roll. So in lieu of a Friday Favorites post I thought I'd share some current photos of the master bedroom with you. 

It's a definite work in progress - I'm think of painting the room white as it's a pretty small space and I think it would help to make it feel bigger (and brighter). We're definitely getting rid of the headboard - I'm hoping to make a DIY upholstered one before we start adding to our family. I HATED nursing with this headboard - soooo uncomfortable. It was a hand-me-down from my sister-in-law and I so appreciated all of the furniture she gave to us (we had NOTHING when we moved in), but I think six years is enough and it's time to move on to something a little more comfortable (and taller).

The nightstands are also hand-me-downs from my parents which we painted. Now I'm kind of wishing for the natural wood color again but oh well! It's tough to find anything that will fit as obviously we're very short on space. If I had my druthers I'd have some antique mismatched nightstands or a pair of these. But I think it's not to be - at least not in this space! The only light fixture in the room is a very very sad sconce is left over from the previous owner. I can't believe we've lived this long this way but like I said we kind of put this room on the back burner while we worked on the rest of the house.

I'm not sure if I want to hang art on either side of the bed or go for plug-in sconces above the nightstands. Opinions? 

As far as the opposite side of the room is concerned, it needs a lot of work as well. The odd radiator cover on the right hand side of the room will go, along with the radiator inside of it. We've replaced it with a smaller more compact radiator and this one has just been sitting there until we got around to working on this space. The mirrored wall and upper cabinet will probably go as well. The barn doors I'm up in the air about. What do you think of them? Like or loathe? I've lived with them for so long now that I'm indecisive. 

We've also already purchased wood flooring for this room which I'm currently getting quotes on having it installed. The Hubster installed the flooring throughout the rest of the house, but has since hurt his back so I don't a DIY an option this time.

So that's pretty much it. I'd love to here your suggestions - it's a small space and I'd really like to make it more comfortable!

xo, Lauren

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway - 250 business cards FREE! All you have to do is leave a comment.

Master Bedroom Refresh

So all of the bedding is officially put together and I love it! The room is perking up already. Unfortunately our old too-small-hand-me-down headboard is looking even sadder than ever. In my dream world I'd purchase this bed from Room & Board or this headboard from West Elm but alas we're just normal people with no piles of extra money lying around the house. So I think I may DIY me a headboard? Professional DIYers - where do you buy batting and foam for this sort of project? Joann Fabrics or some such place?

Luckily for my budget I already own this cute geometric terrarium and this dreamy poster. I can paint my own ampersand (though this one is lovely) and I'm pretty sure I could DIY these bookends in a flash.

My thoughts are turning to paint (I'm leaning toward an almost-white) and lighting (we need plug-in sconces above our nightstands). The lighting situation in the room is seriously grim with only a sad droopy old single sconce hanging haphazardly above the bed. Decorating gurus of the world - I'm completely open to suggestions! Favorite shades of light and bright paint? Inexpensive but lovely sconces? Any sources to share? I'd be forever grateful!

xo, Lauren

P.S. Sorry if my posts end up with typos or sound like a crazy person wrote them like I'm babbling. I'm writing late at night now that I'm home for the summer instead of my usual after-work time slot for blogging. And me + late at night = scary stuff. And now I'm off to bed...