Bedrooms: January 2006 Archives

... I do not know how to rest. Or "How To Decorate For Under $200" After Christmas I was exhausted. The holidays kicked my butt big time. But then after a couple days I got bored, then sick, then better and then I got this burst of energy that had to be unleashed. I figured I should get on the ball and finish the upstairs bedrooms that have been waiting for almost a year for me to decide what to do with them. New Year's Day we spent 6 hours in the truck on the road to collect a $40 clawfoot tub. The same tub that the restorer will be returning to me FRIDAY looking like brand new. I am so completely excited!!! So on our return last Sunday afternoon I was sitting on the couch while Steven took J. back to her mother's and I was bored. I went upstairs, looked around her room, grabbed a paintbrush and roller and in 2 hours had primed her entire room. The next day I painted. The next day I hung the curtains and put everything back. Then I took a couple days to recoup and think and plan. Friday morning I attacked Colby's room and finished it this morning. In one week I have completely made over 2 bedrooms, top to bottom. I spent less than $200 each for materials, supplies, furnishings, and accessories. The pink room I did for Gracie back in the summer/fall can be seen here. MommaK can vouch for the complete change of these rooms since I have no idea which CD the before photos are on to show you. This room is paneled. I don't know why someone would do this but I am not pulling it down. I don't have the energy or the will power to rip it out right now and have the room drywalled.
I had Steven put up moldings to imitate the look of old rooms with the high ceilings and plate rails. Everything below the molding was then painted in a Williamsburg reproduction paint. The paint is cabinet grade and will be durable and won't scratch eaily.
The bedding was purchased back in the summer. The girls love their featherbeds and down comforters. We searched a long time and found the duvet covers online and on clearance. This bedding retailed at $399.00. I purchased it for $59 through Smartbargains.
The curtains are embroidered sheers with an attached valance. I found these at the dollar store and paid $10 a pair for them. I have seen these same sheers in a department store for $30 a panel. So take this as a lesson, don't be afraid to be seen in a cheap dollar store and keep your eyes out for bargains. These curtains are part of a misrun and are seconds but the flaw is not noticable. There is a pink thread trapped in the embroidery that cannot be seen. I hunted for the second and found it only because my mother was a weaver and taught me how to look for the flaws.
This little desk is solid pine. It was hideous. I found it in a thrift store and paid $30 for it. Using the same cabinet paint it was given a face lift. The hardware was on clearance at the local hardware store. I paid $1 for each china knob. I have less than $40 invested in this cute desk.
The pictures over the bed and desk came from a dollar store. They are not pictures I will keep. I bought them because the frames are solid wood and they have glass inserts. I paid $10 for them. I could not buy the empty frame anywhere for $10. We will be keeping our eyes open for artwork to replace the current prints.
I started on Colby's room Friday. I wanted her room to reflect a grown up taste and be a lovely restful haven for her to come home to after long days of classes. School starts back for her tomorrow. This room was builder's beige and all the trim was turquoise when we moved in. Colby took the time in the week after we moved in to paint the trims and doors. It was hideous.
The shade of paint I chose for the top of the wall I had the guy at the paint center mix at half formula to get the same hue but a lighter shade. Choosing yellows is so very hard for me. I really like this shade.
The lower portion of the wall is a reproduction Williamsburg paint. The doors and moldings are a Duron bright white for contrast. I chose the least expensive chair rail avalable at Lowe's and Steven put it up as well as finished the base boards with quarter round. The molding added the most expense to this room.
The curtains I found on ebay this summer. They are some overstock from Ikea someone was selling. I paid next to nothing for them and they add a softness to the room.
The wallpaper border is a stock paper from Lowe's that was on clearance. It was chosen not because I loved the pattern but because it contains the exact shade of yellow as the paint I had chosen. I was considering adding crown molding to this room but when I found the wallpaper I opted out for the lesser expense.
The most expensive part of this room is this rug. I have searched for 6 months for a proper rug that I could live with and found this one last week at a furniture store. It was 3/4 of my room budget but I think I did well over all. The upstairs is turning into a rainbow of color. Gracie's room is pink and white. J's room is blue and white. Colby's room is yellow and white. The baby's room will be green and white. Each room is different. The colors compliment one another. The upstairs is beginning to flow. This afternoon I am headed to Lowe's for paint rollers and a few supplies. Tomorrow I attack the nursery and attempt to pull it together before I go into labor. I am so ready to be finished with this pregnancy but I am willing to wait a little longer if this baby will just let me get his room finished first. Please. Since my bathtub will be back Friday I am thinking Saturday I can start papering and painting in there. I am thinking red -deep rich wine reds.