We moved into our new home about six months ago...and that's how long it's taken me to get this place in order. It probably would've taken longer, except I had a major incentive - a photo shoot at the house! My amazingly talented photographer friend,Vanessa Stump, was here a few days ago to take some shots of me for my new website (more on that later.) Let me tell you - there's nothing like scheduling a photo shoot in your own house to kick yourself into high-voltage decorating gear. I certainly didn't want to take pictures against piles of laundry and half-painted walls, so I spent the better half of January painting, shopping and styling.
Here's a before. (See? Big mess. It's embarrassing to share this.)
And here's a couple of shots of the bedroom from the old house. (I blogged about this transformation here and here.)
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| Bedroom: Version 1 |
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| Bedroom: Version 2 |
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| Bedroom: Version 3 |
What's changed?
1) Wall color.
The new wall color is Benjamin Moore's Embroidered Flower from the Color Stories full spectrum line. I was originally thinking of painting the walls a blue-green, but we decided we already had enough cool blue-green hues in the house, and it was time for a change. It was a little bit of a challenge finding a color that would work with the existing headboard, bedding, nightstands, lamps and green dresser, but once I landed on this deep pink, I knew it would work. And I'm loving it. It's like sleeping inside a giant geranium.
2) Sheets
I found the awesome pink sheets AFTER the room was painted. I swear. Kate Spade sheets at Marshall's. On clearance. $25 for a queen set. Definitely a case of being at the right place and the right time.
3) Throw pillows
I added two throw pillows. Both the pink and green pillows are from Ross. I think they were $10 a piece.
4) Actual room
This room is not the same physical space as the first two shots. I know it looks the same but it's not. Sometimes when people move they feel like they have to change all their furniture and decor to "go with the house." I say, give paint a shot first. And invest in a few new accessories. Sometimes it's just a matter of tweaking a couple of things. I didn't love the way our bedding and furniture looked against the previously yellow walls. Now I do. Maybe even more than versions 1 and 2!
5) Styling on nightstand
The lamp is the same, the other styling items are a little different. But, with the exception of the fresh flowers, I used items I already had. There's a million other ways I could have styled the nightstand. This is just the one I landed on for this particular shoot.
Moral of the story?
Rooms can be transported from home to home. They may need a little customizing along the way. You might need to edit, you might need to re-style. But don't assume that just because you move you need to buy all new stuff. Sometimes the old stuff works just fine.
