So Fresh & So Green
We pulled a little art switcheroo in the guest bedroom and wanted to share the play by play. Since it’s the room with one of the best views of the house (it overlooks our big green backyard) we wanted to introduce a little more green (to work with the existing green headboard & compliment the view) and some graphic elements (to tie in the super graphic blanket at the foot of the bed).
Here’s a shot of the old art work (striped fabric that we framed a few years ago):
And a close up of the new art that we introduced instead (blown up color copies from a decorating magazine of two graphic green wool rugs which I then snipped into strips so both patterns could appear in both frames):
I love the newer, more interesting patterns and textures going on- and they work like a charm with the quilted bright green headboard that we made a while back (as well as the crisp, modern lines of the blanket at the foot of the bed):
I also removed some old circle art that I made using photoshop about five years ago in NYC when I was in desperate need of some bright, colorful art in my bleak and boring studio apartment.
All the bright reds, oranges and turquoise shades seemed a bit much, so I decided to tone things down and introduce some texture that really plays off of the brown and white blanket. And who doesn’t love animal prints? This was actually another image of a rug found in a decorating magazine that I blew up and then cut into sixths:
I also added another print in our new green and brown color scheme to tie everything together and keep things looking soothing and fresh for our guests (and ourselves!):
Hope you guys like the switcheroo!
Burning Question: An Open Relationship?
We’re back with yet another burning question for you guys. And it has to do with open, common areas vs. separate, private spaces. Do you prefer an office with walls and a door, or a desk in the corner of a family room? What about when it comes to washing and drying? Do you favor a room devoted solely to laundry, or a laundry corner in a den or other informal family room that facilitates relaxing between loads and folding while watching some tube?
Here’s a rarely seen angle of our very own den. You can see that we created a laundry nook a few feet away from our seating area in the foreground and stuck a desk on the left side of the room so one of us can type while the other is tv-ing. I guess it makes us feel like we’re spending more time “together” even if John’s busy folding and I’m busy formatting a document.
But that’s just our approach. And we wanna hear what you think. Is open living so in vogue that even a laundry center and an office out in the open appeal? Or would you rather draw the line at open kitchens and living areas while keeping the desk and the dirty clothes behind closed doors? Spill the beans.
Pardon Me, Do You Have Any Grey Poupon?
I don’t think you’d be able to stomach any such mustard after one peep at this Reader Redisign sent in by Annastazia. But before we get to the stomach churning before, here’s her letter:
Hi John and Sherry- I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and am so envious of both your talent and your ranch home! Stairs and second levels are overrated if you ask me. I thought you should know that your bedroom design totally inspired me when I was stuck about what to do with our own bedroom. With low angled ceilings that slope as low as four feet from the ground and very small rooms, furniture placement and design have been difficult to say the least. I knew that I wanted peaceful pale blue walls with a black and white color scheme, but after that I was stuck. That is, until I saw your “hotel inspired” bedroom makeover! Alas, my designer’s block was gone and I had a vision! I decided to use very low-to-the-ground furniture in order to make the room appear taller. Thanks to IKEA, I also found the perfect furniture, curtain fabric and lamps to mimic that “hotel room” feel. Let me tell you, it feels like an entirely new room up there! We feel like we’re sleeping in a luxury hotel room and I have you to thank!
Oh Annastazia, you peach. We’re blushing. And we’re sending you a big virtual pat on the back for all the hard work it took to transform that doozie of a bedroom. And now ladies and gentleman, we give you the before… which frankly just doesn’t cut the mustard:
And the delicious and delectable afters:
One of the funniest things is that Annastazia’s bed and dresser and both from Ikea’s “Malm” series, which is EXACTLY what we have in our bedroom (but in the dark walnut color). It’s a small world (with sloped ceilings evidently). Anyway, many thanks for sharing the fantastic bedroom makeover Staz!
And everyone knows we love home makeovers (especially when we don’t even have to lift a finger) so feel free to send over your amazing before and afters, you clever readers, you.
