Look at her...just sitting there all peaceful-like...
You see, like every other room in our home, this little room is very much a work in progress. We still have ten things left to do in this little 6'x6' room alone. #1 is to rip down the sheetrock that's currently covering our newly-discovered, planked wood ceilings. I'm excited to report that demolition is set to begin very soon! #2 will be to add crown moulding. #3 will be to create a new hole for a (#4) new hanging light fixture in the middle of a (#5) new ceiling medallion. #6 is to finish painting the quote around the top stripe. #7 is to find the perfect pillow to put in place of the blue one I had sitting there temporarily for the photo. #8 is to decide on a window treatment. #9 is to finalize my decisions on accessories. #10 is re-cover the little shade on the lamp.
Of course I'll have to pack up everything in the room and move it out before we start to tackle item #1, a.k.a "Dustfest 2009".
I'll start with the twin-sized bedspread I recently bought at a flea market/antique mall here in Prattville for $12.50...
It's identical to the ones my Grandma Evelyn used to have when I was a little girl. She and my Grandpa had separate bedrooms. She had two twins beds in her room and there were two bedspreads just like this one on each bed. When I stayed over night with her, we would hold hands across the space between the beds until we fell asleep. Well, at least until I fell asleep. I'm sure she waited for me to doze off before she undoubtedly placed my arm gently back onto my bed.
I sure wish I could ask her if she did that.
She passed away on Valentines Day of 1999 and I've missed her every single day since.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another new addition to the room is the $3.00 milk glass lamp I picked up at a flea market in Milton, Florida...
...its hobnail pattern and the pom pom fringe on the bedspread are now BFF's. :-)
Another newly-added item in the room is this lithograph by artist Roger Tory Peterson...
It was printed in 1942, and it's called "Dogwood Time".
I'm not sure if it will stay in the room or not, but for the time being I enjoy seeing it propped up on my rustic, old shelf. It reminds me of my Mom. She's a bird watcher, so I think of her every time I look at it.
I enjoy the process of creating an inspired home so much.
It's natural and flexible. It allows your personality to speak, and your heart to sing.
Sherry Holetzky once wrote, "Choose and use the things you love. Surround yourself and your family with comfortable, usable things that make you feel relaxed. Remember, if you love it, it is good design."
Well said!
Hope you're having an inspired day :-)
Layla
PS...If you'd like to read about how I painted the stripes in the Reading Room, click on the FAQ's button in our left sidebar.
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58 comments:
I love your little reading room. It does look peaceful. I can't wait to see what you are going to do with it.
Your blog is like a breath of fresh air. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I hope to incorporate some of them in my new place.
That is always my motto too.
Surround yourself with the things you love!!
After reading the title, I was worried that you were going to completely change that beautiful room! It sounds like the improvements you're planning are going to make a big impact. Good luck with the dust!!
I love small spaces. This is gorgeous..., the horizontal stripes are perfect and I'm really curious what the window treatment and the lighting will be!
And the quote "if you love it, it is good design"..., a life saver for me as a non professional!!
I love this room! I wish I could find a place in my house to create my own reading room/corner.
Love your adorable cottage! I guess I came across your blog while searching for inspiration for my own home. Flea markets and thrift stores rock! Now if I could just figure out how to re-upholster, and decide on some paint colors, I'd be set. I look forward to coming back to your blog for more inspiration!
my grandma had a beadspread just like that, minus the cute pom poms. I remember laying on her bed and running my hand back and forth over the texture, I loved the way it felt. Great finds!
can't wait to see the finished product!
SMiles!
Michelle
Wow...what a cute little room! Perfect for reading! Can't wait to see it when it's all done.
Jane @ Finding Fabulous
Love your reading room. What paint colors did you use for the stripes? Any tips on painting stripes like that? I'd like to do the same in my guest room. Thanks!
I love the reading room...I can only imagine how much better you can make it.
I have that same lamp, and I love the base b/c it's perfect to display a couple of small shells. An idea for the window treatment: rustic wood shutters mounted with hinges to open and close to allow just the perfect amount of light to flood the room or darken for a nap. Oh, and a burlap pillow with text to coordinate with all the warm woods in the room and the text you plan to add to the walls.
When I read fleamarket in Milton, Florida, I immediatly began to google directiions. I thought "Yay! A fleemarket worth going to in my State!" Unfortunatly, even though within the same state, it is almost ten hours away. Got to love Florida! Thanks for the inspiration with the reading room. I hope to use a similar weird-hole-area in my new house in a similar way.
I love that blue pillow! It's the one pop of color in the room. I can't wait to see the finished wall quote and the new ceiling!!
I love the plan! This room is already fabulous so I can't wait to see where you take it!
Did I miss the guest bath re-do? All I've seen is the lavender.
Layla,
You such a way with accessories. I love how you pick up things that mean something to you or inspire you. It gives your home such a soul and a peaceful look about it. Very beautiful indeed.
p.s. I am already envying your plank ceilings and I haven't even seen them yet!
I loved your sweet Grandma story. My grandma passed away on Valentine's day in 2005.
oh dear layla ... so much to comment on!
#1 you would have a hay day making lists like this in our house ... when are coming over?
(seriously, your gumption and enthusiasm are contagious ... you certainly have our attention!)
#2 when i saw the bedspread, i smiled really big as my mom still has one just like that only in gold on a double bed ~ i always trace my fingers in the pattern ...
#3 my heart melted at the story of your grandma evelyn ~ she will be smiling so on you ... with a bursting heart full of pride for her little granddaughter ... i wish she was here, too ~ but you certainly are left with most beautiful memories ~ hold tight!
#4 my mom just told me this morning on the phone that the blue birds who have been splish splashing in her bird bath this summer must be en-route south as she hasn't seen them today, so they are probably headed your way! tell your mom to watch for them!
#5 sherry holetzky is a wise woman ~ surrounding yourself with love is the best design ever ...
thanks for the lovely post,
prairiegirl x0
I'm curious about your letter stencils. Do you cut them yourself or do you have a good source you can recommend for purchasing a variety of precut stencils? I'm definitely looking for stencils, as opposed to decals.
I check out your blog every morning while enjoying my first cup of coffee. I just love it!
my Nana had bedspreads like that too. Love it!
Everything looks great Layla! How's the bathroom going?
Very pretty! How funny...Milton is right near my home town in Florida. Small world.
~Blessings to you today,
~Melissa :)
Looking great! I have that same little lamp, but mine was $5 -- and I thought that was a steal! It didn't have a shade, but after seeing yours at least I have a better idea of which direction to go.
I love the room already, but I can't wait to see the finished product. Well, if anything is every really finished! Don't we always find something new to add to the to-do list? :)
Can't wait to see your progress! Nice job so far.
for your window treatment...you could find 2 metal, creamy colored, corbels and put a wonderfully aged wooden shelf on top and then add loads of books on top of it with maybe a pretty plant.
Since it's a reading room, it'd be great to add books wherever you can and you won't lose that beautiful sunlight by covering it up with fabric.
just a thought...
I hear you on lots of little projects. We made a big effort this summer to finish all of the "little" projects left in the living room, and did all of them except for one, which required finding the right supplies. Still looking for that last one!
Don't forget to add the books! :)
That's seriously one very cute room you have there!
Brenda
Totally head-over-heels for that type of bedding. Excited to see all the new things that are going to "come about" at the little LC. Toodles, The Lady
Looks like some exciting updates coming up. Just so you know though.. that little blue pillow on the bed is one of the elements I love most about the room- a little pop of color & personality. Ever since I first saw the photo of your reading room, I've loved that pillow in there. But, if you must change it out, you must. :)
I'm new to your blog and have to say I've fallen in love with your little house! When we get settled from our move, I can't wait to incorporate some of your fantastic ideas! Anyways, I just wanted to say - I love that little blue pillow!!! I think it is perfect!
I love the pom pom trim that perfectly compliments the hobnail lamp. Rooms~ homes, should have character.
You inspired me to create a shower curtain out of drop cloth. Thank you.
Looking forward to seeing the little reading room get even better.
The story of your grandmother and you holding hands from bed is so precious.
Rhonda
I can't wait to see how it turns out, as I think that the reading room is just marvelous now.
Thank you for your generosity in continuing to share your inspiration and talents with us mere mortals. ;)
Have a blessed week.
XO*Tricia
Love the story about your grandma! So cute. My grandparents slept in separate bedrooms too and my grandmothers had very similar bedspreads. Must have been a generational thing. Love the bedspread--lucky find. :)
What a dear little room! Enjoy the projects.
I love your reading room just the way it is...but I understand the "it's a work in progress" and all your changes sound like they will make the room even more charming.
What a fabulous space. It just makes one want to snuggle in with a good book. Love the pillow and bed skirt fabric too.
Oh , I love it just the way it is !!!
You always inspire me! As an interior decorator and stager, I get everyone else's home looking great, but I can't seem to decide what MY style is. Everytime I see your home though, I am at complete peace and feel so comfortable 'there' ...so I'm pretty sure THAT's my style...but I'm lost on where to begin in my own home!
Traveling to Minnesota anytime soon??!!??
I still think you need your own show on HGTV...you'd have been a much better Design Star than Antonio! Sorry, but he really did not have my vote!!...he has some great talents, but truthfully I think I'd have voted him off several episodes back.
Have a great week. Can't wait to see the 'finished product'!!! :)
Hugs,
Tanya
I love the part about your grandma and you holding hands until you fell asleep! What a treasured memory!
That description of you and your grandmother holding hands as you fell asleep had me in tears. What a wonderful, cherished memory.
I have always loved your reading room....I'll be waiting to see the "finished" version!
Layla, is that a twin bed with just a frame and mattress? Or a box spring too? I'm getting ready to redo my office/guest room and I love the way yours looks. Such a relaxing space.
This is such a peaceful room! I love the bedskirt too. Did you make or buy that one? Where did you find it?
Thanks!
Amy
athomeamy1@windstream.net
Oh, that bedspread. I remember one just like this from my childhood home. It was on my mother's bed and I remember the little pom poms and nubby texture. I would love to find one somewhere.
Thanks for sharing that beautiful memory.
I just love this room. It's so calming. I think I would fall asleep as soon as I started reading haha. The horizontal strips make the room look bigger and are super cute. We recently painted our dining room in vertical stripes and it's quite the challenge, but totally worth it! I love that your bedspread reminds you of your grandma; what a sweet memory. I think your art piece should stay in the room. It adds a certain feeling, which I love. You are so talented. I am in love with your blog:)
Good golly Layla...don't you just hate tearing apart a room that looks so perfect? I'd probably rationalize my way into leaving it as is....so I give you a lot of credit. Look forward to seeing that plank ceiling!
All the best.
Joanne
I also remember that bedspread from my childhood. Makes me want to curl up with a good novel. This is a beautifully calm room.
I just love your reading room with all it's homey touches! So cozy!
Looking at the picture I would think it's the after, not the before. It's gorgeous.
I adore this little reading room ~ I can see myself cozied up on that bed with a good book and a cup of tea!
This would be a perfect widow treatment
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-build-your-own-barnwood-shutter.html
Your room is really cute.
Your story about your Grandma holding hands with you is sooo sweet, and inspiring, brought a tear and a smile to me! I hope my children and grandchildren will have simalarly fond memories of me when I'm gone! How special!
OMG! I have two of the same lamps!
My grandmother gave them to me when I got married almost 10 yrs ago. I think they still have the original shades too!
I do believe this is the sweetest, coziest room I have ever seen. I could just curl up on that bed right now.
Outstanding!
If you hadn't told us this room needed anything, we'd never have known! I think you did a great job with this room and way to go on the milk glass find! :) I really enjoy reading your blog and can't wait for an update on the reading room. :)
You know that Roger Torey Peterson is the guy who wrote all the Peterson bird guides, right?
Love the painting, love your little lamp. I grew up with one just like that and have always kept my eyes open for another one.
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