Updating the Master Bedroom

photo by Bekah

Last week, we painted the master bedroom.

We had done our last update nine years ago, right after our son Ryan got married. Ron had replaced old ugly ceiling tiles with wallboard, we had stripped wallpaper, and bought new bedding. Then we painted the walls a pale taupe, and the trim white.

I liked the look initially, but it wasn't "me." All the other rooms in the farmhouse have off-white walls , and the trim is painted some colonial color. (If you peek at my Pinterest board "I Could Live Here," you'll see the pattern!)

So when we decided to make our bedroom a little more of a retreat, and Ron said that we could paint the room, I knew exactly what I was going to do. We went from tan walls and white trim, to white walls and tan trim. Aren't we just two crazy kids?! 

We used Behr's Swiss Coffee for the walls. For the trim, we also used Behr paint, but had it color matched to duplicate the color we have in the living room, which originally was color matched from an Olde Century Paint color that I think was Linen White. I love this color, a non-yellowish tan which serves as a neutral, but is a definite color. (Did that make sense?)

Of course, undoing the room in order to paint provides the perfect opportunity to make other changes! (Right, ladies?)

Over the years, I have decorated the master bedroom based on what was available or things that were given to me. At one point, my great-aunt had given me an antique wash bowl and pitcher set. It is a fabulous family piece, and includes, not only the wash bowl and pitcher, but the cold water pitcher, soap dish, and chamber pot. It is decorated with yellow and pinkish-purple flowers and has gold accents. The only problem is that I am not drawn to those colors (for my home) and never use them in my decorating. After many years (and dreadful wallpaper chosen to go with the set...but didn't quite), I decided that I would pack away the wash bowl and pitcher and save it for another family member who would one day love it!

This time around, not only am I not going to follow the trend in choosing paint colors, I am not going to decorate around anything that I do not love. 

That doesn't mean that everything in my room is my ideal. I am on the lookout for a bedside table that could also serve as a desk to replace the nightstand. I am also keeping my eyes out for an armoire to replace the large bureau. I think a taller piece would have the same storage but with less width, opening up the space. I'd not say no to an antique chest of drawers to replace the stock one that is there now. No hurry. There is nothing wrong with the pieces I have now (except that my taste has changed), and so I can patiently wait until the right thing (at the right price) comes along, if ever.

But what it does mean, is that any choices I make will be things that I love. No more hanging a picture in my bedroom just because it doesn't go anywhere else. No more lovely white Martha Stewart bedskirt that I bought on clearance but it just isn't me. No more decorating around stuff that is the wrong color or the wrong style or just "meh."

(I feel compelled to add that there is nothing at all wrong with making do. I have done it for years! Sometimes the budget or circumstances dictate that you make do with things that you don't love. Thank God for His provisions and be content! I am speaking as one who has learned this lesson. And now, after thirty-five-plus years of making a home, I know my style, and am simply making choices to eliminate what doesn't fit and wait for what does.)

How about a little tour of the "new" room? 

We'll start with the "before" (tan walls, white trim, and a few things that didn't make the cut), and then move counterclockwise around the room from the door.

photo by my friend Frances

photo by Bekah

photo by Bekah

photo by Bekah

photo by Bekah

~ childhood photos of Ron and me ~

What about you? Do you know your style? Do you love everything in your home? Are you willing to make do until the right thing comes along? 

Let's talk decorating!

Linking with Joanne at My Not-So-Empty Nest for 

Make it NEW Monday!