Spring is finally here…at least on the calendar. My husband eagerly awaits the arrival of spring. For him it is turkey season. For me it is a time of renewal and that means paint! I cut this picture out of House Beautiful some time ago with my daughter’s guest bedroom in mind.
When the men headed out of town for a weekend of turkey hunting, we headed to the Sherwin Williams. She has built in book shelves on one wall in a guest bedroom—great for storage and display, but it was dull and empty for the newlyweds.
The bed is from the groom’s childhood. You know the one…brown, ugly, oak. They spray painted it black and she found a great blue comforter and shams at Target. From there, it was simply a matter of getting a little paint on the walls and giving the bookcase a personality on a budget.
Because this is a 1940’s cottage style house and the bedrooms are very small, we needed a very subtle color. We took a sham to the paint store to help us choose a color. We chose Tidewater Blue—a pale blue with gray undertones. I think blue is one the hardest colors to “get right”. I was pleased to see that Sherwin Williams now offers a five dollar trial size. We chose a blue about two shades darker for the inside of the bookcase. The silver mirror and the plaques were both sale items at Hobby Lobby.
Our next task was to fill these shelves on a budget. We began collecting things she already owned and looking at wedding gifts---a black, blue, and silver theme naturally emerged. She needs a bedside table and it is not on the budget this month, so we added a lamp from her college days for soft lighting. We found plenty of black books at the thrift store for 25 cents each. Just remove the dust jacket to find the color you need for your shelves.
I removed one of the shelves to add a little variety and accommodate this large collage frame. (The groom previously had it hanging in the living room with the “strangers” still in it :). Sunshine redid some of their favorite photos in black and white to fill it. The picture on the easel is a signed picture of the very first kindergarten class she taught. We found the clock for 66 % off at Hobby Lobby. We added baskets, candle holders, and a few other things from Hobby Lobby and Garden Ridge—and all on sale. I think it is important to vary heights and textures to add more interest.
I found a neck roll pillow with the perfect blue and had it monogrammed. I think details “make” a room. Next up is a bedside table, window treatments, and another picture. We’ve ordered the fabric and will just do a valance. That is in the budget for next month….she’s learning :)
My husband says every time he goes out of town I either paint something or buy a dog. He’s lucky! Now I have another house to paint in!
I’m joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Smiling Sally for Blue Monday…tidewater blue :). I hope you’ll visit both of these ladies. You won’t be disappointed!
