Me and my mister have gone around and around in our master bedroom, him always representing in the left corner Mr. Traditional Lover of Dark Wood Antiques with me in the right corner as Mrs. Classic White Meets Touches of Modern.  The tricky part has always been how do we find a happy compromise ?  The agreement finally came to this:  If he gets to keep the dark wood antique dressers he’s so fond of, I get to pick the paint colors, fabrics and accessories.  Deal!

We both agree on one thing, we prefer soothing colors in our master. It’s a place to withdraw from the world, catch up on our reading, and on much needed zzzzzs.  I like to keep it in the neutral zone, but then play around with patterns. This year, I added a little bit of graphic, a touch of zebra, and a hint of Ikat in the sophisticated blue grays, taupes, and champagne tones I find so appealing. 

Yes, you can see, I did paint over the trellis wall!  Long story short, I wanted something less olive, much lighter and more gray, plus this Devon mirror and the linens were competing, so we said goodbye to the stenciled trellis wall and replaced it with the focal point mirror over the bed!  You like?

Under the window next to the bed, I tucked the little loveseat that I slipcovered last year in linen.  I found the Worlds Away gold leaf end table at One Kings Lane, and earlier this year wrote about the golden thrift store coffee table.  Ikat pillow from Pottery Barn, lattice accent rug from World Market.  

Across from the bed is the antique Drexel Heritage dresser the mister is so fond of.  That beautiful print in the middle is by Richard Franklin ~ we bought over over a decade ago, it’s called ‘To Go Beyond’.  He proposed in Italy in front of Michaelangelo’s ‘David’ so call us sentimental, but it reminds us of that amazing sculpture in the heart of Florence.  The framed black and white images of the flowers from our yard used to hang in my office a long time ago, but now balance the Franklin print. 

That’s me in my wedding dress, much much younger!  I still love that classic shot so I keep it on display.

This bronze chandy is from Home Depot ~ we found it five years ago, I have no idea if they still carry it.  I’d like to replace it someday with something really modern and completely amazing, but for now, the simplicity and Old World vibe work fine.  

Pair of Avington slipper chairs from Tar-jay, chunky knit throw by Pine Cone Hill, blue pillow from Pier One, lacy coral sculpture from Pottery Barn.

On his side of the room is the other dresser he loves and also his closet (to the right).

I found this blanched driftwood bowl and hung it on the wall instead to create some textural and sculptural art ~ it’s a nice contrast with the traditional dresser.  On top is the sweetheart tray I made from sheet music earlier this year.

His side is the room has his nightstand, complete with reading material and an ampersand I spotted at Restoration Hardware.  Another subtle but significant change is the woven shade blinds ~ they are Levolor cut to fit at Lowes and much less expensive than custom. 

On my side is the Draper knockoff dresser I found at a thrift store two years ago.  I’ve repainted it twice, and now it’s my nightstand where I keep all my books, my journal, and a notebook for when creativity strikes.  The pair of gourd lamps are from Marshalls, I spray painted them gloss white last year. 

Tray from West Elm, bowl from Anthropologie.

The fabulous gray Kenya accent pillows are from Z Gallerie.  I’ve never bought anything in zebra print in my entire life, but these two called my name very loudly when I spied them in the store. 

Graphic floral bedding is the classic ‘Poetical’ by Barbara Barry, which I scored on sale at Bed, Bath & Beyond. 

I do miss my trellis wall, but I love these new fabrics even more!  Some of you may be wondering, what the heck is that paint color?   I wish I could tell you it’s one specific color, but in fact, it’s two blended together: ½ Ben Moore ‘Camouflage’ and ½ Ben Moore ‘Misted Green’ (which I originally tried on the wall, but it didn’t look quite right). I blended my leftover ‘Camouflage’ with the ‘Misted Green’ for the perfect grayish bluish greenish (depending on the light) wall color and I’ve promised my hub I won’t be painting in here ever again!  I know better than to commit like that. . but this month time I really mean it!

How do you compromise your design style with your spouse?

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I decided to freshen a bit more with the colors I love: gray, blue, green, white and bronze, and also bring in some textural elements like the woven shades I had cut today at Lowes, plus some other linen textiles too.

I’m also making another huge change.  Don’t freak out, but I’m painting over last year’s stenciled lattice wall.  *audible gasp*   Yes, I am actually going to do it.  I have to if I’m going to change the paint color in my room to coordinate with the new bedding, but fear not, the good news is I still have the stencil and I can always recreate it again. 

There is a method to my madness.  I’ve been in love with this mirror and this bedding for quite some time, so when I discovered I could snag both at a discount I took the plunge.  I reason if I spend 30+% of my day in my bedroom, it should be a reflection of everything I love.  And the mister too.   I’m supposed to say that.  (Got to factor in the husband’s tastes too, nothing too floral or girly, right?)  

Just recently I found this bench at Home Goods, but the zebra fabric didn’t work for my room. Now it’s now recovered in spa blue velvet (a score at $3 for a remnant) and the legs refinished in Krylon’s ‘Caramel Latte’ spray paint, plus nailhead trim too. 

Sorry for the weird glare, you’d think I could capture a better pic but them kids were a hollerin. 

Do you spy my new mirror?   Couldn’t wait to take it out of the box, hello gorgeous!!  I’m going to hang it over our bed for a dramatic focal point. 

Here’s what I’m thinking for the new additions:

Fresh paint in Ben Moore’s ‘Misted Green’; these woven shades; the Devon mirror above the bed; a blue version of this lattice accent rug I found at World Market; these cream faux leather slipper chairs to flank my dresser; and the baroque duvet in eucalyptus (scored with a gift card redeemed with the mister’s Am Ex business miles). 

Not much more will change.  I’m keeping the upholstered headboard, the gourd lamps, the lookalike Draper dresser, and I even moved this slipcovered settee under the window.  The whole space will be sort of coastal meets modern glamour, so let’s hope I can pull it all together to make it a bedroom both the Mrs. and the Mr. of this house will love!

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Rather than the expense of wallpaper behind the headboard, I decided to add this trellis pattern that I stenciled and hand painted  ~ I was inspired by Kristen’s hand painted wall I saw a few weeks ago. 

We still have the same chandelier, but the subtle shimmer from the painted pattern on the accent wall adds even more interest and glamour.  

I didn’t want the new window panels to compete with the detail on the wall, so I opted for simple store bought 95” linen blend curtains from BB&B.  Our bedroom faces east and gets dark later in the day, so I wanted something wispy and soft to allow for plenty of light. 

On the mister’s side, there was a need for storage but the space only allowed for a shallow piece of furniture because of his closet door, so we replaced his old dark bedside table with this bookcase from Home Decorators.  I mentioned the new lamps earlier this week. 

The decorative ampersand is from Restoration Hardware, where I also purchased the Linen Quilt with a gift card.   The white shams with scroll detail I’ve had for several years, they used to live in our guest room, but I’ve reclaimed them for us!  Orchid pillow covers and lamb’s wool pillow both from West Elm.

I recut the shape of our old headboard with a jigsaw, then reupholstered the headboard in Robert Allen’s Textured Weave in ‘Snow’.   I also reused the same nailhead trim that was on the headboard before, it’s true!   I carefully pulled it out of the old headboard, then retacked it to the new shape after it was recovered in new fabric.   

On my side of the bed is the three drawer dresser I repainted last week. 

I exchanged the green lacquer tray from West Elm for the more subtle gray. 

That’s the one wall that got a mini makeover.  Someday I’ll tackle the rest of the room, but for now, I’m loving just the new paint and accent wall, the new headboard and linens, and the white nightstands. 

Next week, I’ll show you how I painted the accent wall.  I created my own stencil and then hand painted the detail ~ it took about 6 hours and cost me only a $2 dollar bottle of craft paint, I kid you not. 

I have a great giveaway tomorrow, plus I’ll announce the winners of the last giveaway.

  Have a great day ! 

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I’ve always sought to balance the masculine feel of the dark wood tones and olive green rug with the femininity that comes with crystal accents and soft textured linens.  After all, this master bedroom is hers and his.  I’ve never wanted anything too trendy, bright, or jarring here.  Simple creams, bronzes, and pale gray/greens dominate the space.  The wall color is ‘Pueblo’ by Ralph Lauren. 

We purchased the antique Drexel Heritage furniture the first year we were married.  It was previously owned by a couple married for fifty years, so we considered that a great omen when we bought it.  In fact, it was Mr. CG who found these pieces and brought them home.  Here is the highboy on my hub’s side.  Our old master bath beveled vanity mirror didn’t fit the new master bathroom, so I just turned it on its side and put it behind the highboy to pull more light into the room.  Then I hung some framed wedding photos with ribbons. 

You long time readers have seen this fabric covered headboard with nailhead trim before.  I made earlier this year. 

I special ordered the chandelier from Home Depot last year.

The damask duvet is Ralph Lauren, from our wedding registry.  It’s held up all these years.  I bring it out every summer. 

I’m sentimental, so I recently framed our wedding picture above our bed.  Sconces are from Pier One.

I bought an inexpensive 24” x 36” frame from Aaron Brothers, and a large thick linen textured poster board.  Then I painted and cut some balsam wood, and mounted it to the poster board like I did with this key art project.

DIY framing up close:

On my side of the bed is the Ballard Terrific Trio table I found on Craigslist. 

On the table are some favorite reads, a thrift store lamp that I wired myself, and deep purple roses from my garden. 

I found this rose bush at a local nursery two years ago, and it thrives in my back yard under a lemon tree. 

The crystal vase was a wedding present. 

On his side of the bed is this side table Mr. CG found at an antique fair.  We used to have a pair of narrow nightstands flanking the bed, that matched the highboy and dresser as part of a set, but was all too matchy matchy for me, so I switched them out with his side table and my Ballard table.  There is the other thrift store crystal lamp I wired earlier this year.

Some of my favorite colored accents are this sequined celadon accent pillow. 

This aubergine urn and colored glass bottles.

And this original painting by Ernesto Treccani we found at a gallery on our trip to Bellagio, Italy many many years ago.  It’s called “Maternita” and it reminds me of all three of my children.  I have only three pieces of original art in my home.  This is one of them. 

The store bought window panels I’ve had for over eight years.  They are a pale grayish celadon color with a subtle floral pattern in cream and bronze.   I’ve never ever lined them on purpose because I like how the light comes through them by day.

Pattern up close:

In front of the fireplace is a reading chair I ordered from Calico Corners seven or eight years ago in a bronze lattice patterned fabric.  The olive colored silk pillow pulls the colors from the rug.  But quite frankly, it’s not really a reading chair.  It’s a “collector of all the unfolded laundry” chair.  The pile climbs high very quickly. 

Then there’s the area of the room I call the “south side” because it’s just not right.  Not yet.

It’s way too many wood pieces right up next to each other.  I love the antique dresser, the mirror, and the inlaid wood armoire in the corner.  What I don’t love are the (temporary) dining room chairs.  I’m definitely on the hunt for a pair of fabulous upholstered chairs on either side of this dresser which will make the “south side” look less like an antique store.  With a pair of upholstered chairs, this side will feel much fresher and more modern.

But this mirror and this Lladro I do like very much. 

My grandfather used to buy Lladro pieces for my grandmother years ago, and as a girl, I always admired them.  This particular Lladro was a present from my hub when the babies were born.  How sweet is that ?  But he’s no fool.  Whenever I’m upset, he just points his finger at it.  Smartypants.  

The aubergine and green accent colors are repeated with these garden hydrangeas.

My bedroom is certainly traditional, but to me, it is also classic and timeless.  It brings me comfort at day’s end.  It’s where I cuddle up with my family and read my favorite magazines.  Oh sure, it could use some new upholstered chairs, but if I start to complain about that, then there’s something wrong with me.

It’s simple, soft, serene, and it’s mine. 

I mean, it’s ours. 

And perhaps you’ve noticed, but there is no television in my bedroom.  Not judging – that’s cool if you do.  I’ve just never had one in my sleep space.  We’ve been tempted to get one before, especially for Saturday mornings when the kids wake up way too early and want their cartoons and we want our sleep.  But we’ve just never brought one into the space.  And I doubt I ever will.  In here, I personally prefer the quiet solitude.    

So tell me, what is your most favorite decorative piece in your bedroom?   

And how do you feel about having a TV in your bedroom?  Love it ?  Hate it ?  Can’t live without it ?  Do share.