Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Day 648's color commitment


I have been loving, loving the colors in the spring collection at J.Crew this year. Loving them. They are so light and sweet, but still sophisticated. And since I can't exactly makeover my entire wardrobe (unfortunately), I've decided to apply what I've seen to the guest bedroom, which is slated for a makeover as it is. Or rather, a "make," since there is really nothing in there to be made-over. Here is the plan (hold me to it!).


First of all, we need a bed. We have a bed frame, and that's it. I'm keeping an eye on Craig's List hoping a set of matresses will magically appear between now and July, when we have weekend guests coming. I'm determined that I can make an upholstered headboard (the Collins Headboard at Pottery Barn is my inspiration) and my friend Caroline has offered to help me make a slipcover (hi, Caro!) in gray linen.


On the walls, I want to do a soft gray-green-blue (this is not news, I know) like in Katie Lee Joel's guest bedroom. Anyone have a color they love that might work? This one has been tricky to nail down, so far. On the bed, I'll probably do mostly white, and it will probably all come from TJ Maxx/HomeGoods. Love those places. I'll spice up all of the white-ness with a lumbar pillow in a pretty pale peach/orange fabric that is TBD.

We will something to serve as a bedside table, and at least one lamp. I'll be scouring my favorite flea mall and local garage sales for these items. And speaking of garage sales, that's exactly how we plan to pay for all of this. We cleaned out most of our closets a few weeks ago, and made a gigantic pile of stuff in the guest bedroom. The first item on the agenda is to get rid of it! Any Birmingham girls want to get in on the yard sale action? You know where to find me.

And by the way, thanks for all of the well-wishes and kind words about our cat. Good news! I found him last night -- he had been hanging out under the neighbor's house since Saturday! He's a little skinny, but is just fine. Maddie was barking toward their house late last night and when I went to get her, I heard a faint meow. I was able to pull a little vent off the foundation and free him (need to go apologize for that today!). I still can't believe he'd been only 20 feet away the whole time! The little stinker wanted to go outside this morning, but I think he'll be spending some time in the house for a little while. Sheesh.

21 comments:

  1. Love those colors! And I know you two can easily make the headboard. Glad the kitty is home safe and sound - that must be a huge relief!

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  2. Hello, a great color is Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray. It's a very soft blue/ gray.

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  3. ooh boy...i can not wait to see this room develop! And I am loving your inspiration...if only I was in AL I would join you in your yardsale - a huge pile is growing in our dining room! Why don't I just move to AL - then we could add 'multi-family' to the signs :)

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  4. Great ideas...I always put my house before my wardrobe as well!

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  5. love the color inspiration! and wickham gray is a fab color...i just used it in a client's house! so glad the kitty is hoime safely!

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  6. I can't wait to see the guest room transformation. I am still looking for a fabric to make my headboard for my master bedroom.

    Glad Peepers made it home!

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  7. Aw so glad Peepers is home! And if you find the paint color please let me know. I'm not set on our MB color and would like to do a gray/blue/green in there...maybe. Of course I do love arctic gray BM but it is a gray/blue not a green.

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  8. Hi, love your blog. I just pored over BM's gray offerings for a project. Wickham Gray is definitely beautiful, it comes out more on the blue side.

    For a gray with more green in it, gray Gray Cashmere. It's a beautiful, soothing color like shimmering ocean.

    B.

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  9. Just wanted to second that on J.Crew's spring line. I have bought more clothes from there in the past few months than I think I have EVER! It's a tiny bit out of control.

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  10. Glad your cat made it home safe. I would keep him inside permanently to ensure his safety. The world is a dangerous place and there are lots of bad things that could happen to him.

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  11. Hooray for J. Crew colors and the cat returning!!

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  12. Love your blog...I found it the other day and have been worried sick since reading about your kitty. Glad he is home safe! My kitty did the exact same thing once and I found her when she gave me a faint little meow..poor thing was terrified of the big outside world! She was literally right outside my front door hiding in the bushes.

    Great idea for the bedroom redo...love the gray/blue color. Can't wait to see it all finished!

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  13. After living in my house for almost two years I finally worked on my guest room a few months ago and I love it now! Everything came from craigslist or yard sales. I never could find a bed for cheap and then I saw a tutorial on marthastewart.com about how to make a headboard out of two wooden doors and some crown molding. Mine turned out great and was very inexpensive to make. The tutorial has been taken down off the website for some reason but if you are interested just e-mail me and I'll send you the photos and info. Love the blog!

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  14. Love the direction you are going in the guest room. Totally wish I had one in my home, but I need another bedroom for that. So glad to hear that peepers is home!

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  15. Oh yeah... and even though Peepers tried to slap Tallulah into tomorrow the first time they met, I'm still glad he's some safe and sound! Yay!

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  16. Ohh you're going to love me. I have the actual name of that wall color - I saved it from Domino a while back. It's Cliffside Gray by Benjamin Moore. I, too, someday want to paint our MB that color. I hope to see it in yours soon!!

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  17. Sounds absolutely beautiul, Jennifer! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

    PS So glad Peepers is safe and sound - though it sounds like he had a bit of an adventure!

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  18. I love your room idea. It will be gorgeous I am sure. I am happy you found your cat, yeah!

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  19. Soooo glad to hear your kitty is home safe and sound. What a relief.

    Tricia - Avolli

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  20. Yay, I'm glad Peepers is home!! Silly cats, I have one as well.

    I've been loving the colors at JCrew as well, so I can't wait to see the finished product. Love the wall color!

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  21. thanks for the color advice, everyone!

    and Bryn, now that you mention it, I think I knew that. blogged about it, even! :)

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