Monday, March 3, 2008

Will you be my guest?


This little guest room makeover became more involved as time moved on! What was just going to be fresh paint and a few French inspired decorative items kept growing until I almost felt like it would never be completed.....................and it isn't, yet.

However, as I promised some photos I've decided to give you a glimpse as to what's been done so far.

My painter scraped off the ceiling texture, then painted it along with the walls giving me a blank canvas. I painted and distressed the pine bed, head and foot boards, also painted and hung the old wood shutters.
I added this small table with a drop down front, already painted and bit chipped - perfect in place of the cumbersome nightstand which was moved into the closet to be used for extra storage as it has two good sized drawers. I added the antique metal French styled bow.

For years I held on to this magazine page because I love the old French rope samples. I mounted it on a red and aqua scrapbook paper and stamped the mat with French words.


Some of the old books I purchased recently ~ the crystal, silver lidded powder bowl on the left was a 21st Birthday gift to my Mother (c. 1932), the other one a gift to me from a dear friend on a visit home to England.

The closet doors got their new painted finish ~ and yesterday I installed the wall writing.

Aimez, riez, revez ~~~ et allez dormir

(Love, laugh, dream ~~~ and go to sleep)
The pine armoire has not been revamped yet ~ a project for another time. This mirror is now crowned with a painted carving.

The French wire basket holds old books and rolled sheet music.
Another shot of the recently purchased secretary which took the place of the pine chest of drawers. This piece is certainly the biggest change in this room. The antique chair will soon have a new seat cushion.

The newly painted attic storage door on which I hung an old oval picture frame which I painted and glazed ~ it looks like molding and adds some decoration to an otherwise utilitarian door.



Above and below, my precious photos of my Mother and her siblings, and my Grandmother.

I'm now working on the items requiring fabric, trim, thread and the sewing machine........will show you these later. Last but by no means least, awaiting the chandelier...................that, I believe, will be the finishing touch for this room.

~ Shopping List ~

SuzAnna's Antiques, Raleigh, North Carolina
Shutters
Ballet slipper used as blind pull
Bedside table
French style metal bow
Vintage books
Oval wall mirror
French wire basket
Antique Secretary
Picture frames

Fetch Treasures for the Home, Hillsborough, North Carolina
Antique chair

Michael's
Small lamp on desk
French style glass bottles

Homegoods
Waste basket
Toile storage boxes on armoire

Home Depot
'Shabby Chic' style switchplate

Lowe's
All paints by Valspar
Wall color ~ Cincinnatian Hotel Hannaford
Doors and Bed - Lyndhurst Stone

Wisedecor Wall Lettering
Typeface 'Handwriting' ~ Color Tan

26 comments:

  1. Mary, the guest room is so tranquil & welcoming! I can tell that each piece was chosen from the heart!

    Just lovely...

    Chris

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  2. Hello there
    My name is Jasmine, the title of your blog caught my eye, because I am also "across the pond" in Ireland ( nearly
    years) - I am from South Africa originally..
    As I looked further - I saw a beautiful house, and well - this guest room is gorgeous. I love all of your old photos, one of my favourite things to collect and cherish and I love the oval frame you put on the door, very creative.
    take care and I'll visit again soon
    Regards from Ireland

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  3. Such a beautiful room Mary. You have so many creative ideas! One of my favourites is the two smaller pictures with the larger frame surrounding them (and the vintage tag left on). I love the wall lettering ~ perfect quote :-}

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  4. Oh Mary!!!! It's just so serene and GORGEOUS!! I'm packing my bag right now ~ we'll go antiquing when I get there, OK?? I just love the little touches everywhere, the old books, the rolled sheet music the soothing colors....it's truly all just beautiful, but I knew it would be! Have you seen Corey's feature in the newest Romantic Home magazine?? I'm seeing quite a bit of similarity here!!!! Wonderful job, Mary ~ xxoo, Dawn

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  5. Oh, I want to be the first guest! This room is beautiful...one could get lost in thought just being there. You've done a wonderful job. And like the other poster, I do so love the large frame with the 2 smaller pictires in it - I may just have to use that one - if it's OK?!
    Colleen

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  6. Well, Mary, it certainly came out beautiful. Is your Grandaughter going to be the first honored guest? I bet she will want to stay forever. Great job.

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  7. Absolutely wonderful! You did an outstanding job. It looks so warm and welcoming. Your guest will never leave!

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  8. I love your guest room and would enjoy being a guest there. Does it come with the typical French breakfast of toasted baguette with butter and a cup of cafe au lait? :)

    I am still very busy in my home sorting through things. I really hope to get busy now with putting some things out in my mother's room for her visit. It is going to be April before we know it. I am trying to be ruthless and let go of some things in our house to make some space. We sold two of our ugly closets. Yesterday evening they were picked up so that is one item out of the way. I don't have a large home and no attic. I need to pare down what I have to make life easier for myself.

    Did you find yourself decluttering when you did this makeover? I love so many of the little details. I want to print out old letters on parchment to use in a similar way as you did with the sheet music. I love gazing at your beautiful new secretary.

    How as your day with Linda at your home?

    Happy Monday to you dear Mary!

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  9. Stunning! Your "super man" did good job to scrap ceilings! As usual - your choice of colors absolutely lovely!

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  10. Hi Mary,
    I am ready to move right in.
    I love it!! I am partial to anything French. You have done a beautiful job so far.
    Rosemary

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  11. Very warm and inviting:-). Love all that you have done.
    Have a wonderful day!!!

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  12. Your lovely nest is coming along beautifully!

    I just posted a new vignette that I put together this morning. I have some of Daddy's old sheet music - I didn't know what to do with it...thank you for your idea to just roll it and tie it up!

    Hope to see you soon!
    Deborah

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  13. Mary, your guest room is wonderful! I knew it would be! I love the personal touches you've added.

    Thanks so much for adding your shopping list. Great idea!

    It's all so beautiful! I'd love to spend a night or two in this room.

    Pat

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  14. What a gorgeous room! I'd love to come visit but I might not leave! Ha! You did such a marvelous job.
    :-) Rosie

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  15. Your newly minted guest room is very lovely and inviting. I like your sense of style, with whimsy thrown in...love the color of those shutters too, oh, and the French over the closet doors, and the old books tied up with ribbon...it's all very charming. I'm now waiting for the photo of the chandelier....with bated breath!

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  16. What a wonderful room! Your guests will feel welcome, cozy and comfortable. I am jealous! Fondly, Kim

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  17. Mary,
    Oh Mary....your room is so serene and peaceful. It is truly beautiful! You are doing a wonderful job with it. I had the idea to put shutters on the sides of my boys bedroom windows and never got around to it, such a nice decorator touch!
    Hugs,
    Rose

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  18. Just saw a comment by you, over in Pat's 'Back Porch Museings.' You said something like French influenced guest room makeover and I just _had_ to come take a peek! :-) Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! -happy sigh-

    What a wonderful project you have going here. I'll be back again, to vicariously enjoy your progress and project.

    Mari-Nanci
    USA

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  19. Oh it is so wonderful.. Any guest would be delighted to stay thre
    and I love the picture frame on the attic
    door. Just the right touch of whimsy
    thanks for sharing dear friend

    Happy Spring!!!
    deena

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  20. I am very impressed. It looks lovely and very welcoming. Good job!

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  21. This is really looking nice and becoming very warm. I know when all the fabrics are added, so will more warmth be added. I love your old shutters...I, too, use them in my living room. I always loved the texture they added to the room.
    Have fun with it!
    bj

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  22. Hi Mary, The room looks so wonderful! Out tastes are so similar as the french is so fab, love the colors, and the french words. My birthday is 10/28 so just two days after yours!
    Mandy

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  23. Mary, I adore the wall writing and the secretary! I always leave here so inspired :)

    Joy

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  24. If I were the guest then I would feel special being offered such a wonderfully decorated room
    The snag would be getting rid of me
    I especially covet the secretaire

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  25. Wow - I am really behind with reading/commenting. I am so enamored with your guest room, and you aren't even finished yet. I, too, save old clippings and emphemera for some future use.

    I have earmarked that site for the wall writing and plan to order something (too many choices). It looks extremely easy. A phrase would be perfect for my daughter's old room now turned office/art room. But first, I have to get rid of the vibrant aqua walls (her choice, and I respected it, but step into that room and your eyeballs vibrate!!)

    Julie

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  26. I really enjoyed this room decor, tres chic of course. Thanks for sharing, and I just LOVE that wall wording over the closet!!!

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