For my first post of the year, I outlined some things that I wanted to work on. One of those things was to launch into re-decorating (or maybe just decorating) our master bedroom. Over time, it had become one of those places where things just got stored, rather than one of those places that I wanted to be. Which is unfortunate, because it's also one of the places in the house that gets the best natural light and I always found myself coming upstairs to knit there. And then I would end up sitting on the floor.
The first part of the project has involved simple changes. For instance: making the bed every morning. I can not put my finger on why, but it just makes me happy to see it all made up, to see my pretty pillow shams and duvet cover looking the way they were meant to. I've also managed to eliminate most of the clutter. The maternity clothes and nursing equipment are packed away. The old speakers and stereo equipment moved to a place where John can get them ready to go on craigslist. I thinned out my closet and organized my clothes better with a promise to myself to hang up or wash bin my clothes when I take them off. Yarn and spinning wheel relocated to my guest room in the basement (which is not nearly as bad as it sounds, since the guest room is also my new fiber area). All little things, but en toto they make a big difference.
Now that the room is mostly free of clutter, I've been letting myself get on to the decorating part. There are new green velvet curtains for the balcony doors. There is a lovely soft green runner with embroidered water lily blossoms on the dresser. A vase filled with silk magnolias. And now this:
This lovely lamp was something I found via the design*sponge blog -- which is a fabulous source of all sorts of decorating and design ideas and inspiration. This lamp is the creation of Hannah Nunn (please be sure to take a look at her Etsy shop -- her pictures show off more details than mine) an artist in the UK who works in parchment to create beautiful, nature-inspired lamps. Given Ms. Z's love of butterflies, this lamp was an easy choice. It looked beautiful on line and once it arrived in Chicago, it was just as lovely as I imagined. When I plugged it in, John thought it looked like it was lit by a candle instead of a light bulb.
It is not bright enough to read by (at least not with the bulb that it comes with), but it will be perfect for soft mood lighting in our bedroom -- which is exactly what I wanted. I think it would be a lovely night light in a child's room as well, or any place that you wanted some gentle lighting at night.
I'd also like to say that Hannah was very quick to answer my questions, shipped quickly and kept in touch about the process. It was a pleasure to work with her -- and I hope to again, just as soon as I figure out which design I would like to have on our other nightstand.
The first part of the project has involved simple changes. For instance: making the bed every morning. I can not put my finger on why, but it just makes me happy to see it all made up, to see my pretty pillow shams and duvet cover looking the way they were meant to. I've also managed to eliminate most of the clutter. The maternity clothes and nursing equipment are packed away. The old speakers and stereo equipment moved to a place where John can get them ready to go on craigslist. I thinned out my closet and organized my clothes better with a promise to myself to hang up or wash bin my clothes when I take them off. Yarn and spinning wheel relocated to my guest room in the basement (which is not nearly as bad as it sounds, since the guest room is also my new fiber area). All little things, but en toto they make a big difference.
Now that the room is mostly free of clutter, I've been letting myself get on to the decorating part. There are new green velvet curtains for the balcony doors. There is a lovely soft green runner with embroidered water lily blossoms on the dresser. A vase filled with silk magnolias. And now this:
This lovely lamp was something I found via the design*sponge blog -- which is a fabulous source of all sorts of decorating and design ideas and inspiration. This lamp is the creation of Hannah Nunn (please be sure to take a look at her Etsy shop -- her pictures show off more details than mine) an artist in the UK who works in parchment to create beautiful, nature-inspired lamps. Given Ms. Z's love of butterflies, this lamp was an easy choice. It looked beautiful on line and once it arrived in Chicago, it was just as lovely as I imagined. When I plugged it in, John thought it looked like it was lit by a candle instead of a light bulb.It is not bright enough to read by (at least not with the bulb that it comes with), but it will be perfect for soft mood lighting in our bedroom -- which is exactly what I wanted. I think it would be a lovely night light in a child's room as well, or any place that you wanted some gentle lighting at night.
I'd also like to say that Hannah was very quick to answer my questions, shipped quickly and kept in touch about the process. It was a pleasure to work with her -- and I hope to again, just as soon as I figure out which design I would like to have on our other nightstand.
How lovely!
PS I think a made bed does make a difference.
It's a lovely lamp. I like mood lighting in the bedroom. For reading, I mounted small wall lamps behind the headboard. Since I have a ceiling-mounted canopy, the lamps are hidden but provide bright light when I need it. And I always make my bed. :)
Sounds nice. I need to get organized with mine.
Though I always make my bed. It's my #1 most effective tidying trick. Makes the room look better even if you don't do anything else!
In the bathroom: close the shower curtain and put the lid down on the toilet.
Smooth clear surfaces carry the eye and instantly make the space look tidier.
(Peg Braken's I Hate To Housekeep book has been a lifelong inspiration :-)
Now I need to do something about my kitchen with the dishes perpetually on my countertop!
I never really thought about making the bed until we decided to sell our condo. Now it is part of the morning ritual, just in case people come to view the place during the day.
I love the lamp. I will need to check out her other designs.
Do you get the FlyLady daily missions? www.flylady.net. She starts with shining your kitchen sink, but acknowledges that for other people it could be something else, and bed making is often the second choice. I think the habit of the month for February is making your bed every morning. It does make such a difference!