Brookside Master Bedroom Plans

Now that we have doors to our Master Bedroom, it is a little bit easier to envision the space. We have already purchased the upholstered bed and the bedside tables. We have also painted the walls Sherwin Williams Anonymous. I am still debating on the color, but for now we are sticking with it. Here is a look at the other "base layers" (and sources) I have picked for our room:

1// Upholstered Bed. We were so excited to have a big master bedroom that we splurged on this gorgeous bed from Mitchell Gold Bob Williams right when we moved into our new home. We love having a king size bed and it makes for a great focal point in our large space.

2// Moroccan Souk Rug. This rug is ultra plush and will be great to put my feet on first thing in the morning. I have wanted this rug for like ever and now have the perfect spot for it. I also really like the geometric pattern and ethnic feel the rug gives the room. There are lots of places to buy souk rugs, but we are digging this one.

3// Semi Flush Fixtures. Our current lighting situation is an interesting one. Currently, there  are 4 sconces and 2 ceiling fans. The ceiling fans have no lighting so we are left with dim sconce light and the light from our current bedside table lamps (which I might add we are down to one table lamp after a certain kitty knocked one over). All that to say, our lighting situation is looking dim (hah!). We are currently on the hunt for fixtures similar to the ones shown. We need three light fixtures in a slightly larger size to provide adequate overhead lighting.

4//Ikea Trysil 3-Drawer Dressers. We stumbled on these during our last trip to IKEA. We really liked this option (and this one), but the price point was really eating into our budget. We decided to go for the low cost option (the look for less if you will). We like the metal legs, the clean lines, and the wood finish. We also found this Trysil Ikea Hack that we thought was a super creative way to add some brass to the look.

5// Fiddle Leaf Fig. The perfect way to add modern greenery to a room. I am still debating on buying a real or faux plant. My track record for keeping indoor plants alive is not so hot. Have any of you bought a fiddle leaf fig? What was the upkeep like? Easy to maintain? 

More to come as we pick out bedding, chairs, upholstery, pillows and lamps to complete the look of the master. What type of bedding and decor would you choose to go with this current look?

How To Prime & Paint Solid Wood Doors {and a FREE Printable!!}

Don't forget to look for the free HOW TO Printable at the end!

When we made our big to do list, we talked about adding doors to our Master Bedroom. (Yes, we bought a house without doors to our bedroom). I laugh because it has been 3 months and Ty and I have gotten use to having entire conversations from the living room to our bedroom with no problem. We are excited to have some privacy when guests come, and to stop tip toeing around in the morning when one of us gets up before the other. Because of the archway, these doors needed to be custom so we contacted a contractor in our area and had him come out to measure and create a template for the doors. 6 weeks later they arrived at our home to be installed. Our next step is to paint the doors. We did a similar door painting project on an exterior door in our last house, but this one is much easier since we have a fresh slab of wood rather than a door caked in years of paint. Here is how we painted our solid wood doors (and how you can do it too!).

How To Paint Solid Wood Doors

1// Remove door from frame. Remove all door hardware including hinges. This will give you a clear surface to paint and keep your hardware paint-free!

2// Lay your doors flat! This is key in avoiding drip marks during the painting process and while the doors dry.

3// Gather your supplies. We found that a foam roller brush gives the smoothest finish on doors and cabinets.You will also need a primer made for bare wood if your doors did not come primed. We chose Valspar bare wood. You will also need a foam sander block. This is essential for sanding between coats of primer. Depending on the finish of your doors you will need fine or a moderate grit sanding block. We bought both just in case. These are great for other sanding projects around the house too. Lastly, you will need a tack cloth to clean off the sanding debris, and your choice of paint for the door. 

4// Time to prime. Our doors were sanded well and smooth from the beginning so we did not sand prior to our first coat of primer. If your doors are uneven or have layers of paint, you will want to thoroughly sand them prior to priming. Using our foam roller we applied one coat of primer to each door and allowed it to dry for 2 hours  per the directions on the primer can.

5// Now that the primer is dried, its time to sand. We lightly sanded each door until the surface was smooth. Using a tack cloth, we then wiped the door of all sanding debris. This part is essential to keeping debris out of your paint and off of your roller.

6// (Optional) Depending on how well your primer went on and how porous your wood surface is, you may or may not want to coat with a second layer of primer. If so, repeat steps #4 & #5. We opted to move forward with painting at this point rather than a second coat of primer.

7// With the surface clean and dry, its time to paint. We really like Sherwin Williams ProClassic paint for trim and doors in our last house, so we went with it again. We also chose a semi-gloss finish in a custom white for the door. Using our foam rollers again, we rolled one coat of paint on to the door surface and allowed it to dry for 45 minutes.

8// Repeat step #7 until you have achieved an even coat throughout. We did three coats of paint total.

9// Once paint is completely dry, flip the doors and repeat steps 4-8.

10// Rehang newly painted doors. Replace hardware and hinges. Enjoy your newly painted wood doors!  (Before & After of our newly finished doors coming soon!)

Enjoy this FREE Printable:

Mid-Week Must Haves

1. I really like the use of washi tape in this room.
2. These are great tips for making the most of a small closet space. 
3. Being intentional with my time and my year is so important to me. This list on being intentional with your purchases falls right in line.

4. This dining room is perfect.
5. These are great ideas for any of you experiencing writers design block, especially in your own home.

Have a great rest of the week!

Tips for Finding the Perfect Light Fixture

Owning a 1950s Ranch home that was updated in the late 80s, early 90s makes for a mix of old, new and the in between. Most of our lighting is in that awkward in between stage. It is not so old that it has come back in style, but it is old enough to show that its not new and sometimes takes away from the look of a room. That was the case with the oversized fan in the guest bedroom. More than being slightly dated, the fan was way to large for the room. We have 8 foot ceilings and the fan hangs at least 13" down from the ceiling (not to mention its 52" wingspan). So when we were perusing the lighting section in Home Depot a few weeks back and stumbled on this fixture I knew it was going to be a good fit. Not only was the price right, but it was also retro and glamorous all at the same time.

All that to say, I am very pleased with our new lighting solution for the guest room.  How did I know this light fixture was "the one?" There are a couple of guidelines I use when picking out fixtures. These are not hard and fast rules (hate those!) but they are good things to consider when purchasing a light fixture. 

Tips for Finding the Perfect Light Fixture

1. Choose a fixture that is decorative AND gives light. Fixtures not only add light to a room, but they also add interest. Pendant lighting, colored lamps, and chandeliers are a great way to add a pop of color to a room. 

2. When decorating over a table, such as a dining table, kitchen table or island, coordinate the length of the fixture with the length and direction of the table. 

3. Make sure your light fixture matches the style of your space. For example, track lighting might clash with a traditionally decorated space, but could be a better solution in a more modern space. 

4. Size matters. Your fixture should be proportionate to the room, as well as to the furniture it is  above or beside. A minimum of 7 feet of clearance between the ceiling and the bottom of your fixture is a good rule of thumb. For lighting over a tabletop, hang your chandeliers at about 30"-36" above the table. 

5. Don't forget that you can place lights in unexpected places. For example, a chandelier can also be used in a bathroom or a bedroom as a focal point.

Light fixtures are one of my favorite elements of designing a room. Ty will tell you, I never met a lamp I didn't like (or couldn't find a place for!). What is your favorite element in designing a room?

Mid-Week Must Haves

1. Ty stumbled upon this home listing this week. The kitchen is practically perfect. 

2. This is a great how to on cleaning your natural sheepskin rug.

3. This bathroom remodel is amazing. 

4. I really want to find a place for these chandeliers.

5. This site has great Kilim rugs & pillows. I ordered one for our guest room this week! 

Have you stumbled on any great finds this week?

**Take a peak at other must have items here. **

The Perfect Shoe Storage Solution

When we moved into our new home, I was unsure of how to use the open shelving that leads from our bedroom down the small hallway to our ensuite bathroom. Orginally I thought I would use it for linens, but then quickly discovered that I had enough room in the laundry room for all of those. Then I thought I would store my clothes on the open shelves and put Ty's clothes in the closet. Truth be told, these open shelves have instead become a disorganized dumping ground for extra clothes and anything else since we moved in. Previously, our shoes were stowed on expandable plastic shelving in our closet. There was not room for all of our shoes on the shelving so more often than not our shoes would be strewn across the floor, keeping the bifold doors from closing. When I ran across this photo last week, I knew it was our shoe solution too! 

Eclectic Closet by London Interior Designers & Decorators Turner Pocock

So this weekend, I decided to give our shelves a mini-makeover and turn them into the perfect shoe storage solution. First I cleared the shelves of all items and gave the shelves a good dusting. Then, I adjusted the shelves to the proper height for boots, heels, and flats. Lastly, I placed the shoes on the newly cleaned shelves, and added a basket to house and hide our most casual slip ons. We are loving the results! Our closet floor is clear and our shoes are now in sight and easy to access.

I am excited to see how this shoe storage solution works out. So far, I love being able to see all of my shoes at a glance. I also like that these shelves are no longer a dumping ground for junk and are serving a purpose. I also really like that I can store my out of season shoes and dressy shoes at the top where I can still see and easily access them. Do you have a creative way that you organize and stow your shoes? I would love to hear your shoe storage solutions too.

2015 Valentine's Day Round Up

1// Last year, I did this super cutsie DIY I Love You art that I still find to be such a fun project.
2// These hanging hearts would make a great Vday mantle piece.
3// This is a great list of cocktails suitable for the day of love.
4// The Inspired Room gave some great tips on making the week more romantic.
5// I mentioned this Valentine's Day round up a few weeks ago.

6// I really liked the subtlety of this Vday window garland. 

7// I loved this post from Emily Henderson's blog a few years back about the holiday.
8// This DIY heart art is the perfect holiday accent.
9// I love the idea of framing love notes and making them into art.
10// I love these Valentines Day cards I found on Etsy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

XX

Shopping for the Perfect Office Desk

We are currently on the hunt for right desk for the right price for the office. We have been using our kitchen table from our first house as the office desk for the past year and half. It served us well in our last house when it was the centerpiece of the room, but in this shared office/bedroom the desk is WAY too big. We are looking for something with modern lines & slightly rustic feel to complete the space. Here are some of the desks are considering:

1. World Market's Josephine Desk

This desk is still in the running. I would pair it with a ghost chair or metal chair like this one to add a rustic feel. 

2. Ikea's Micke Desk

I  really liked the drawers and the bright white and clean lines of this desk, but when we saw it in person the size seemed a bit small. Then, we checked out Ikea's Malm Desk with a pull out panel. We liked that one too but I worried about not having any drawers for storage. 

3. CB2's Carbon Grey Rolling Desk

It's on wheels! Enough said. I love the mobility and the modern lines. 

4. West Elm's Parsons Desk in Rosewood

Simple. Modern Lines. Drawer for Storage. Right size. Higher Pricepoint

5. West Elm's MidCentury Desk

I love this desk. My only complaint is the price. We have been shopping around for something similar at a lesser price point, and have come up empty handed. There are several other desks we liked at this price point: this one, this one, and this one, but we are not quite sure we are ready to spring for them yet.

6. Ikea's Alex Desk

This desk is similar to the Micke but is larger in size. The only issue is that shipping is almost the cost of the desk and it was sold out at Ikea Atlanta during our last trip. I love the modern lines, the two drawer storage and the size. 

Have you guys been searching for just the right furniture piece? 

What is it? Come across any desks you just LOVE? Please share!

Turning a Mirror into a Headboard

The office has been more of a storage room for the first couple of months in our new home. With the change in my job hours to nightshift, we bumped this room up on the list of to dos. This room will now serve the dual purpose of office & nightshift sleeping room. I am excited to have a cozy little nook to doze in during the day.

The walls are now painted a neutral grey rather than bright green. Last weekend we added roll down blackout shades and a light fixture that actually works. We finally sifted through and sold most of our excess furniture via Craigslist. And this weekend we readied the bed for all of my daytime sleeping by turning a mirror into a headboard (oh, and Ty's deer also found his place).

In our first house, this mirror was the perfect addition to our hallway. During Christmastime, we even used it to display all of our Christmas cards. In the second house, it was a great floor length mirror in our guest room. And in this house we are re-purposing it for a headboard.

The mirror already had the proper brackets in place which made this project super easy. I tied picture wire to the the brackets and it was ready to mount (the twine is just leftover from the card project!)

Then I placed the mirror behind the pillows to determine the correct height. I wanted the wood frame to sit above the pillows while the pillows covered the mirrored portion. Admittedly, I nailed three holes in the wall before I got the height just right. Maybe next time I will use a tape measure instead of eye balling it (duh!)

I love how it turned out. The room is small and so finding a way to have a headboard without making the bed stick out further into the room was essential. I love the contrast of the wood and the walls and the pillows. I also really like that this project was free and made use of a mirror that we really like but couldn't seem to find a place for.

This nightshift haven is coming together slowly but surely. We still need to install curtains, find a proper desk, mount the TV, and find some storage solutions for our office supplies. More to come in the next few weeks. 

Have you guys re-purposed any home items lately? What did you do?

Mid-Week Must Haves!

1. I really love this banana leaf art. 

2. This is a great DIY Marble Topped Console Table. 

3. I really enjoyed this wallpaper round up.

4. I really loved exploring this home. 

5. This Valentine's Day round up of free printables is just in time for the holiday. 

Have you stumbled on any great finds this week?

**Take a peak at other must have items here. **

Our Snow Day in Pictures

What a sweet surprise at the end of a long week: SNOW! I popped out of bed like a child on Christmas morning when I saw the flakes on the windows and immediately  ran outside with my camera to capture the white goodness before it melted away in the sunlight. Here's to our first snow in our new home, and to a day of rest.

Happy Snow Day!

Mid-Week Must Haves

1. This desk set up is perfect.

2. I really like this post from Zillow on the incoming and outgoing trends for 2015

3. This is an amazing story of a climber we really admire. 

3. I really enjoyed this house tour.
4. I shared this post on sharing a small closet earlier in the week.
5. This is a spectacular navy blue settee & these fringed pillows are great.

Have you stumbled on any great finds this week?

**Take a peak at other must have items here. **

How to Insert a Duvet the Easy Way

Ever try to put a stuff comforter inside a duvet cover and end up sweating and frustrated with a lumpy bed cover to boot? Well, I have and I dread washing my duvet for this reason. I recently saw this video posted on facebook where they teach you how to put a comforter into a duvet cover the "easy" way using this burrito method. Here is the original how to video as featured on the Meredith Vieira Show.

I just had to try it out for myself. My video is actually my fourth attempt to roll the duvet cover out correctly. I still will say that it came out better than the "stuffing it" method but it did take me a few attempts to figure things out. 

Here are a few tips to help you insert your comforter into your duvet perfectly the first time:

1. Roll from the top towards the opening of the duvet cover.
2. Tie or pin all four corners of the duvet to the comforter.
3. The tighter you make your roll the easier it is to stuff it at the end. 
4. Watch the final step before the roll out carefully. I ended up with a literal burrito several times with no way to unroll the duvet (although this did make for a good laugh!)
5. The roll out isn't as glamorous as it looks on her video but don't fear, a few shakes of your duvet and it will look gorgeous.
6. Use two people if you can. It will go quicker and the roll will be tighter(see 3)

What do you think of this method to insert a comforter into a duvet cover?