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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: July 15 2006 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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As inspired by Donna Marie's Elegant Simplicity post let's discuss what "simple" things we can do in our bedrooms to make them "elegant".
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Rebecca
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| Posted: July 15 2006 at 11:30am | IP Logged
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When I was a young bride, someone gave me a copy of Emilie Barnes book calle The Spirit of Loveliness which now is sadly, OOP. Anyhow, one tip that I loved from her book was to always make sure your bed is within view when approaching your bedroom. No one wants to see a dusty dresser or messy desk when looking in the bedroom. When you walk into your room, the bed should be the first thing you see. (Hopefully it is made, fluffed and pretty!) This is welcoming and comforting to you and your husband.
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Kim F
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| Posted: July 15 2006 at 5:51pm | IP Logged
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Twotalentliving.com suggests investing in good set of sheets and pillows. I would say ditto for towels if there is an adjoining bath. They really do make a difference. That would be the elegant part.
The simplicity part would come by way of appropriate storage for clothing and shoes. We are still working on that part....
Kim
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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I'm still working on this. We (confess) have a TV in our bedroom. It's an eyesore. Our furniture is all hand-me-down and not too nice. But our goals: keep the clutter sight unseen so we can sleep in peace. I go for calming, cool colors and simple bedspreads. But like Kim says, good sheets, and change them often. I love the softness of clean Egyptian cotton high thread count sheets. My favorite night is clean sheet night with my blue sheets. I never like it when I change the sheets and use the other ones. 
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Lisbet
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 12:42pm | IP Logged
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Oooo!! I can get in on this one! :) I feel I may have achieved 'elegant simplicity' in our bedroom recently. Please keep in mind though, that we are firm believers in the family bed and there are currently 5 people sleeping in our bedroom! (me, hubby, 2 little boys and one beautiful baby girl!  )
First thing we did was pull up the carpet that was hiding beautiful finished hardwood floors. I laid a sage and rose colored runner on my husbands side of the bed. The carpet was getting nasty, as the room used to house 3 rambunctious boys. We then painted the walls, from a drab taupe color to a bright sage green (much like the background of this forum!!) While we would love to have stripped the woodwork, it was too much for this busy mama, so we painted a fresh coat of white over it, which just pops against the sage walls. Our room has 3 windows across the front that face the east, which makes for a very cheerful morning. We put some nice shades on them, and over then some simple white sheers. I hung a garland of (fake) lilacs across the top of the curtain rod. Then on the window over our bed I did the same, but instead of a garland, I hung a matching swag. (it's just one window)
Because of the family bed, our bed is a king size with no head or foot boards, and one side against the wall. (where the baby sleeps) I have 3 sets of sheets that I alternate, I have no idea the thread count, they are Martha Stewart sheets though, one yellow, one yellow and white stripe, and one soft blue. I don't keep extra pillows on the bed either because of having littles in our bed. I have 2 king size pillows and one standard in the middle. Our quilt is the one my husband bought me for our first anniversary, it's 11 years old and is quite worn, which I feel just adds to the beauty of it. It's a wedding ring style with pale and faded pinks, blues, greens. It has seen the birth of 6 of our babies too! the nightstand on my husbands side of the bed is a simple wood nightstand with 3 small drawers to hold his pocket items, the tv remote, and a few extra diapers in the bottom drawers. The on the top is a lamp with a off white shade that is beaded with pearl like beads. (it's really very understated)
We have a simple 5 shelf bookcase on the wall opposite the bed. The bottom 2 shelves hold some of my books, the next holds bedtime story books, the next holds (admittedly) our small TV. The next shelf holds my jewlery box. And on top is a candlestick lamp with a pretty beaded pink and sage shade, it is on all the time. Beside that is a houseplant, I have no idea what it is! 
On the wall by the door is a crucifix. On another wall I have 2 small mantle-type shelves. One has a small white statue of
Our Lady of La Leche The ther holds a framed print of a beautiful little marriage prayer. Oh, and in the corner of the room is my rocker, it's an overstuffed floral in shades of sage, taupe, and burgundy.
It is a very calming room, which is what I was going for. I thought it would be impossible while sharing a room with the littles, but so far it's worked out quite well. Each morning I spruce it up a little, and I always make the bed!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Lisbet
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 1:50pm | IP Logged
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Here are a few pics of the
bedroom
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Katie
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 2:15pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet, your bedroom is lovely, and I do believe you have managed to achieve what everyone is discussing here. It's especially encouraging as you did it with things you already owned with minimal extra expense. Well done!
We own almost no furniture, so we are at the mercy of whatever the post provides. My bedroom furniture here is very solid, and actually quite nice. I have a nice sleigh bed, though a brutally uncomfortable mattress.
Unfortunately we fell into the trap of dumping stuff in our room when we didn't know what do to with it, or when company was coming! One day the contents of one closet literally fell on top of me, so I dragged it all out to sort through. Two months later, most of it was still piled on the floor. Honestly, how can I expect my kids to clean their rooms if I am incapable of cleaning mine?
Anyway, today I tackled the mountain, and it is mostly sorted. I have 5 garbage bags to be donated, a ton of trash bags, and the clothes that are too big or out of season have been neatly put away in their new home. Dh is away, so I moved all his stuff to a different closet, so I could have his bigger walk-in closet for storage of these items, plus suitcases, bags, and other miscellaneous items. I'm hoping he'll be so thrilled to see the floor that he won't mind!
Tomorrow I do the "beautifying" part. I have some pictures for the walls, but I'm a bit stumped after that. I don't really like my bedding, but I should really live with it for now.
My one recommendation to you all, if you can take a recommendation from me after my true confessions above, is to remove all chairs from the bedroom. They just beg for clothes to be piled on them, and piled, and piled. I suggest a row of hooks for quickly hanging anything you don't want to put away, or when you don't have time. I used to clean off the hooks once a week, but they don't look as messy as a laden chair even if I don't get to it, especially if they are placed discretly behind a door.
Oh, and Lisbet - my stepmum is Lisbeth, so I always smile when I see your name on the boards!
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Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.
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Donna Marie
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 3:47pm | IP Logged
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Your bedroom is lovely Lisbet! I have a small bedroom...if only the builder moved out the walls a foot or two, it would have been perfect!
Our bedroom is often what my dh calls the "catch-all" He is not comfortable with the space and I think it is due to the fact that things come in all the time that do not belong to him or me and add to the clutter. (Especially when company comes!) He has things he likes to be left alone and they are soooo attractive to little fingers...like his watches and belts! We went in there on Saturday and I am still trying to recover from the onslaught of dust...I never KNEW it was so dusty! I am so allergic to it..arg...
We really could use a good coat of paint but our house is in the process of being leveled and we have to wait for everything to settle or we will just have to re-do all of the cracks...sigh...but at least I have plenty of time to plan out the colors.
To make more room, I am taking the molding off of the closet door and moving it over a bit...so that I can push my tripple dresser in there. (the moulding makes it an inch too small!) I love our furniture...we got it on clearance when we first got married...it is a high 4 poster cherry bed with the old-fashioned high boy, end tables, and the dresser with a tripple mirror. I am going to swag sheers over the opening and placing a few concealed shelves on both sides to handle the hanging items.
All the other clothing is under the bed in long storage boxes. Dh is such a packrat with his clothing. I don't have much at all. I can fit mine all in my dresser and a FEW hangers. When I first gathered his things in rubbermaid containers, he had 5! sigh...so I told him HE had to find a way to store them (or get rid of them) in a way that the drawers could open, I had a place to put them after the laundry was done and nothing got piled anywhere. He is helping...it is hard for him...but he is doing it. I am helping all I can, but the decisions are HIS...I wish I could get rid of some of it, but I won't do that...
The things in my end table count...a few books including a prayer book ...a journal...writing tools and a sprial notebook for jotting random notes. I try to make the bed every day. We keep the linens to a minimum and they store in the bottom drawer of the dresser...and when they get worn, I put them in a rubbermaid container in the basement laundry area for drop cloths or other such needs. The linens are of a nice quality and go well with the colors of the room.
The curtains and comforter are white(it looks like a pattern of white leaves over it but you have to really look to see them) with a trellis design of small roses...very elegant looking and not overdone. The roses bring out the color of the furniture and it feels warm and inviting...it does feel elegant...without being overly girly! 
My dh's personal stuff is in one container under the bed and in his end table drawers. He has little areas in other parts of the house for other things that he likes...like his hats...it gives him a place for them without overloading the bedroom.
It is hard making things look nice and simple in a small home. I have learned what is important to me and what is not. I could have a larger house, but we CHOSE to simplify because I WANT to be here WITH my children. I also want to be able to use the spaces I do have well. I want to feel good here and I want each family member to feel good too. I want things to be easy to care for and I want things of quality that will last.
I try to keep the walkways free both visually and physically. I try to keep the windows free too. That helps a lot! Then you have room to run a quick broom, mop, or rag and things start shining in no time!
The atmosphere?
We have done the room in creams, white, burgandy and dark green with hints of a sagey color. There are a few contrasting colored pillows on the bed (made from remnant fabrics) that are great to look at and cuddle with as we do a crossword puzzle together. We each have our own decorative throw blanket for when we need a little something extra without overloading the bed. the colors again...bring out the colors already in the room. the floors are hardwood with two small area rugs. I am in the midst of making a floral swag to go over the bed...deep red roses...I know this is going to look great! I love roses and so does dh...(surprisingly as long as they are not overdone). They are so romantic. I am going to try and iron the sheets next time...I heard that you should put a few drops of lavender in a spray bottle...spritz the sheets or just the pillow cases and iron. The bed will smell good without being perfume-y...I have some nice lightly pinstriped white sheets that look great with our hunter green blanket made up nicely....I love the idea...in my spare time...baby steps...right??
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God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
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Oh very nice Lisbet! I love this color. We have two rooms done in the same way (the upstairs bathroom and the tiny bedroom we use as the "planner room". It does look lovely against the white painted wookwork. I want to do a taupe color with white woodwork in the downstairs and a deep red on the wall of the living room with the mantle.
Alas it's too hot to paint right now (though I feel guilty complaining about the heat at all as I sit here with the window AC and fans keeping things cool while dh is spending the week roofing -- now that's hot!) but I can work on curtains in my air-conditioned sewing area.
God bless!
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
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JennGM
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MicheleQ wrote:
Oh very nice Lisbet! I love this color. We have two rooms done in the same way (the upstairs bathroom and the tiny bedroom we use as the "planner room". It does look lovely against the white painted wookwork. I want to do a taupe color with white woodwork in the downstairs and a deep red on the wall of the living room with the mantle.
Alas it's too hot to paint right now (though I feel guilty complaining about the heat at all as I sit here with the window AC and fans keeping things cool while dh is spending the week roofing -- now that's hot!) but I can work on curtains in my air-conditioned sewing area. |
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I like the color, too. It looks very cool. I had a color I used in the last house that I want to use here, too, which was a very pale blue/green called White Cap (Martha Stewart).... It looked different depending on the light...so calm and soothing, like the seashore.
I agree with you, Michele, it is hot. Dh is painting the deck outside this week. I helped for one hour...in the covered porch part. He was out there 12 hours. STill not done. But now he's all excited to do the rest of the house INSIDE, because it will be a piece of cake compared to doing it outside in this heat! I've got to start picking colors.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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hereinantwerp
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| Posted: July 17 2006 at 11:41pm | IP Logged
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Because of a move I just "redecorated" our bedroom, and was really excited about how it turned out.
The wallpaper in the new house did not match the duvet cover I had, so I was drooling over lovely new quilts and etc. on the internet. But, the move wiped us out and we're broke, so I resisted temptation to hit the "buy" buttons, and tried to keep an open mind!
I had to buy something to cover the new window however, and set out to do that as economically as possible. I found a set of curtains at Ikea made from fabric that I absolutely loved--a floral print, kind of English-country looking, really nice, heavy home dec. quality fabric. It was 25 euro for a set of two curtains, and I bought two sets, one for a room downstairs and one for the room upstairs. The curtains were very long because you have to hem them yourself, and when I measured them to the windows and cut off the extra from the bottom, I found I had enough left to make 2 matching big square pillow shams, and two small pillows covers for the top of the bed, plus a large tablecloth as well! The lovely print ties my solid color comforter in with the different colored wallpaper, and now everything matches and it looks wonderful--all for 50 euros and a few hours on a borrowed sewing machine!
I am really NOT much of a seamstress. I only sew when I am very motivated to have something that I can't afford any other way. I love home decorating and we have always lived on an extremely limited budget, but I've found a little creativity can go a long way, and I've received compliments on our little apartments in different places. I've learned to make these really simple "envelope" pillow covers, and I've figured out simple curtains. I only sew straight lines--no buttons, no zippers, nothing complex! Still, when you find a truly beautiful fabric that you love, you can keep it simple, and things still turn out very nice.
I would post photos but I am "here in America" right now . . .
I haven't been posting much b/c my 1 year old keeps me on the run. But I enjoy reading this forum and some of the blogs when I get a chance!
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Elegant Simplicity in the Bedroom
