Moody Master Bedroom Mood Board

A dark and moody master bedroom with the perfect mix of masculine and feminine details! 

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend. 

I spent most of my weekend sanding and refinishing a set of antique theatre seats and a pine cabinet that I turned into a market counter.  It was a messy, yet productive couple of days.

In between sanding, I decided to do a little online shopping/browsing and stumbled upon a gorgeous black and gold dresser.  It was way out of my price range but sparked the inspiration for a moody master bedroom design.

Feather Flock Peel and Stick Wallpaper / Rug / Dresser / Wood Floor Mirror / Owl Art / Deer Sketch / Landscape Art / Gold Sconces / Jenny Lind Bed / Walnut Nightstands / Black Velvet Quilt / Wool Plaid Pillows / Green Lumbar Pillow / Waffled Black Stripe Throw / Fiddle Leaf / Ceramic Planter / Marble Frame / Gold Bowl 

I usually start a room design with an area rug or piece of art and have a general idea of the type of space I want to pull together.  This bedroom design came together much differently though and evolved one piece at a time. 

The gorgeous black dresser was my starting point then I added the feather flock wallpaper and ivory/tan hand-knotted area rug.  The wallpaper has a great mix of masculine and feminine details, while the neutral area rug is muted just enough to tone down the wallpaper while still adding texture and interest.

The majority of the details in this moody master bedroom are more masculine with hard lines.  Opting for a Jenny Lind bed, brass sphere shade scones, and a curved wall mirror break up the hard lines and add a touch of softness.  

What do you think?  

- SHOP THE ROOM -

     

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Neutral Modern Vintage Bathroom Mood Board

A neutral modern bathroom mood board with a mix of metals and a touch of vintage! 

For years, I've wanted to completely gut and remodel our master bathroom.  It was one of the first rooms we had renovated and after 16 years could definitely use an update.  

Unfortunately, a major bathroom renovation isn't at the top of the priority list.  That doesn't mean I can't dream, plan and design a room that is full of everything I love......modern, vintage, texture, contrast, warmth, and a mix of metals. 

I thoroughly enjoyed designing this modern vintage bathroom and sourcing the perfect pieces to create a beautiful space I love!

NEUTRAL MODERN VINTAGE BATHROOM SOURCES 

FLOOR TILE-  I'm a little obsessed with the black terracotta floor tile and love that it can be laid in a variety of different patterns.

SHOWER TILE- I love the look of classic subway tile but prefer something with a little more texture and character.  The 3x12 white ceramic tile from Floor and Decor has the character I crave while also staying classic and timeless. 

VANITY- Last week, I shared a beautiful creamy gray vanity on Facebook, which kind of jump started this entire bathroom mood board.  I searched online for a similar colored vanity and found this one from Wayfair. 

BLACK SINK FAUCET- Simple, sleek, and in my favorite finish.

BLACK ARCH MIRROR- This arched black mirror adds a touch of softness and helps break up all the hard lines. 

BRASS AND GOLD LIGHT FIXTURE- The perfect mix of brass and gold!

WOOD STOOL-  Every bathroom could benefit from a small wooden stool.  They're practical and also make great plant stands. 

BATH MAT- A black and white dot bath mat for a fun addition. 

BATH TOWELS- Turkish towels are a favorite of mine and these striped ones are soft, absorbent and perfectly stylish. 

BLACK HOOKS- Modern matte black hooks for hand or bath towels. 

TOILET PAPER HOLDER-  Modern matte black toilet paper bar to match the towel hooks. 

BLACK SHOWER FAUCET-  Who doesn't love a rain shower head?  

WOOD WALL PEGS-  For an extra touch of vintage, use an old wood accordion rack instead.

WOOD WALL LEDGE-  A warm wood wall ledge ideal for displaying art and small potted plants.  

ARTWORK- A framed black tree sketch and black and white swan add the perfect touch of vintage, while the gold frames help tie together the vanity hardware and light fixture. 

GOLD VANITY HARDWARE- I love mixing metals and these gold rectangular knobs are a great contrast to the rest of the matte black hardware. 

WALLS- White board and batten walls are an easy way to add texture and interest to a smaller space. 

CEILING- Did you think I would have a room in my home that doesn't include Iron Ore?  I've always wanted to paint a ceiling dark and a small bathroom is the perfect place.

   

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Inspiration: Vintage Decorating Tips and Ideas

Add character, interest and style to your home with these beautiful and inspiring vintage decorating tips and ideas! 

It's been cold, dark and rainy, our well pump decided to burn up and my motivation to do anything besides sleep, binge Netflix and gorge on Cinnamon Toast Crunch has been seriously lacking. 

I've been wasting my days mindlessly scrolling social media and have come across a ton of beautiful and inspiring homes full of vintage decor.  

I mix a lot of old and new decor in my own home.  It's my favorite way to express my style and create dimension, warmth and character, for a comfortable and lived-in feel.   

In an effort to feel slightly productive,  I'm sharing a curated collection of vintage decorated spaces and my favorite ways to incorporate vintage decorating into your home. 

HOW TO DECORATE WITH VINTAGE ITEMS

1. LET THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER SHINE

From original hardwood floors and intricate molding to beautiful leaded glass windows, nothing beats the history and character of older homes.    Restoring and refinishing original features and architecture keeps the history and allows the beautiful and old details to shine.

Consider keeping and/or restoring these charming original home features. 

- Dutch and pocket doors

- Transom windows

- Leaded glass windows

- Stained glass windows

- Original hardware

- Glass doorknobs

- Original floors and molding

- Wainscotting

- Claw foot tubs

SOURCE: Deuce Cities Henhouse

2. ADD VINTAGE STORAGE

I'm a big fan of using vintage crates, baskets, bins and totes for storage and organizing.  It's a simple way to get organized and add a touch of vintage to your home.

Favorite vintage storage items to keep an eye out for. 

- Metal locker baskets

- Lockers
- Canvas laundry totes
- Collapsible wire laundry baskets
- Wood crates

- Vintage suitcases

- Appothecary drawers

Vintage items courtesy of, Vintage By LHOF

SOURCE: Becca Interiors

3. CONSIDER TAXIDERMY

I know taxidermy can be a delicate subject, but if you're open to it, there are plenty of tasteful ways to incorporate antlers and mounts into your home.   Consider displaying a bowl of antlers on a coffee table or creating a gallery wall with a skull mount and a collection of vintage art. 

SOURCE: Proverbs 31 Girl

4. KEEP IT LIGHT AND BRIGHT

I'm a huge fan of contrast but there's something about a collection of vintage whites that is undeniably beautiful.  Vintage signs, glass apothecary bottles, Ironstone, concrete planters and windows are wonderful ways to incorporate vintage whites.  Add in a few plants and you have a beautiful and classic combination full of contrast and texture. 

SOURCE: Keeley Mckendree

SOURCE: Keeley Mckendree

5. DISPLAY ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE

What is architectural salvage? 

Architectural salvage refers to items that are removed, salvaged and saved from older buildings that are being remodeled or scheduled for demolition.   

How to incorporate architectural salvage into your home decor.

Chippy and chunky corbels, balusters, spandrels, intricate molding and salvaged windows make great home decor additions.  Hang dental tooth molding or architectural pieces as unique wall decor, wrap an island in salvaged barn wood, make shelves out of antique corbels or simply display a unique salvaged piece on an entry or coffee table.  

WARNING:  To protect yourself from hazardous lead paint, be sure to seal chippy salvaged pieces with water-based poly or another preferred sealer.  

SOURCE: Candlewood Cottage

SOURCE: Our Home On High Street

SOURCE: Little White Farmhouse

6. MAKE A STATEMENT

You know I love incorporating card catalogs, vintage drawers and cubby cabinets into my home.  They're vintage, they make a statement and the worn and weathered wood adds so much warmth and character.  They can definitely be a splurge, but they are a splurge worth investing in! 

SOURCE: Little White Farmhouse

SOURCE: Miss Mustard Seed

SOURCE: Little House of Four

The best sources for finding unique vintage decor

- Antique shops and malls

- Vintage markets

- Auctions

- Flea markets

- Thrift Stores

- Yard sales 

- Church sales

- Estate sales

- Facebook Marketplace

- Etsy

- Ebay

- Upsclae curated online marketplaces (Chairish, 1st Dibs) 

- Vintage Keepers 

- Instagram 

Finding the perfect vintage items to add to your home can take time, but patience always pays off, especially when you find the perfect vintage addition to your home. 

Shop often, shop vintage and create a beautiful and charming one-of-a-kind home! 

    

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The Best Faux Apothecary Cabinet Makeovers

Do you love the look of vintage multi-drawer cabinets?  Does your budget not allow for an authentic vintage piece?  Get the same look for less with these faux multi-drawer cabinet makeovers!

It should be no surprise that I love vintage drawers. 

Card catalogs, apothecary cabinets, map drawers, multi-drawer cabinets, it doesn't matter.

The more drawers the better!

Unfortunately, authentic multi-drawer pieces are getting harder to find and can be a shock to your wallet and budget.   

The good news is, you can create your own apothecary cabinets, card catalogs and multi-drawer pieces using basic furniture and supplies!  

Read more »

Beautiful before and after projects! (And link up yours!)

Hello my friends! Welcome to a new week! I'm back with the before and after link up for this month. If you're new to this shindig and are a blogger, be sure to check below to see how to link up your favorite before and after after projects! And if you're just a reader, you'll find plenty of inspiration below as people link up their projects. 

I like to share a few of the projects from last month that caught my eye first! Carrie's bathroom makeover was a BIG transformation!: 

You really have to check out the before to see how much it changed!

Carli hit it out of the park again with this SMART and pretty coat closet makeover. It's a total command stations now and I love how she used the back of the door:

You have to see how the inside looks too -- love it!

This is brilliant and so easy -- Jenn shares how she hides the electrical box in her pretty laundry closet:

I love all the navy blue touches in here too! 💙

Angela shared how they created some great storage in an awkward spot by their stairs: 

I loved that it's tiered to fit in with the stairs but offers as much storage as possible for that spot. 

I LOVE Jennifer's use of color and the pink (that door!) looks SO good with the black and white touches in her new bathroom: 

I don't care what color you paint your doors -- but do it. ;) It adds so much character to a home! See how I've done it here.

Continuing with our color trend, I loved the awesome storage and pop of blue in Cynthia's light and bright bathroom:

She repurposed and old cabinet and this looks amazing! And the storage is great if you don't have a bathroom closet.

Haeley shared her fabulously organized craft closet:

Organized bins and labels make me happy. And I love that you can still see all the color and what's inside each one!

And finally, I was swooning over Melanie's classically beautiful dining room:

I LOVE that color -- it's so soothing but looks fantastic against the white trim. I just love this space!

There you go! Some of my favorites from last month -- if you'd like to be considered for next month's share, please add a link to this post or to TDC at the bottom of your blog post. Or you can just copy and paste the code here into your post:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" title="TDC Before and After" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" alt="TDC Before and After" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Now let's see what you've been up to lately! Please link up only you're own projects and/or makeovers!

My fun house plans for 2017!

Well it's a new year and it's off with a bang that ended up with my car being towed into our mechanic. Good times! 😂 I hadn't planned on doing another no-spend month this January but it may be in the cards! I know my post schedule has been wonky for the past few weeks but next week we'll be back to normal. 

I said this last week when I shared my biggest redos of 2016, but this is another favorite post of the year -- I love looking forward to the projects I have in mind for our home for 2017! But first, let's look at my plan for last year and what I knocked off that list! 

I have to admit...I went back to look at that post and I was kind of impressed...with myself. I actually focused on the rooms I SAID I was going to focus on. I'm not usually that good. #squirrel 

I wanted to complete our loft space and I transformed it into an awesome, organized craft room slash office that we use nearly every day:

This room is one I've been wanting to tackle forever so I'm thrilled it's done. 

I wanted to update our yellow bathroom from my son's baby days and was able to do it with some leftover paint and a few new accessories: 

This room is one I want to redo on a bigger scale this year, more on that in a bit!

I really wanted to get our master bedroom done and I got close: 

I finished painting the room, changed out some accessories and made some new pillows. I still have to paint the nightstands and work on the fireplace wall in there...and then I'm done! Our master bedroom is so bright, clean and pretty. I'm kind of obsessed with it lately and want to carry that feel throughout the rest of our house this year! 

The final big project I was hoping to do this year is one we decided to tackle very last minute -- it wasn't something we thought we would complete at all. After a LOT of hard work on my part tiling this beast, this stone fireplace wall has completely transformed our basement: 

We sat down there last night and every once and awhile one of us will mention how much we love it. 💓 I'm so happy we were able to make this happen. 

Now onto some fun projects for 2017! I scored nearly four out of four last year and I'm not expecting that to happen again. Goals! ;) I sometimes get asked what I will do when I finish our house. The answer is I have no idea. Ha! I do think it will be awhile. And by the time I finish it will have been years and years since I've finished other rooms so I think I'll have blog content for a long time. We LOVE this house and I have loved making it ours. 

I'm super excited about my plan for our stairs: 

They have undergone quite the transformation over the years and I'm so happy with them. When I pulled the carpet off and stained them years ago we had carpet throughout the rest of this area so I went with a reddish stain. If you look close you'll notice it, but it hasn't bothered me enough over the years to make it a priority. 

I really want to have them sanded down (professionally because they can control the dust better than I can) so I can restain them the color of our hardwoods. 

I also have big plans for the walls on the staircase: 

I plan to cover them with a paneled look like we have in our family room. Not all the way up because I value my life...but a good distance. I'm so excited about the crisp white walls against the dark floors! 

The walls will look similar to those I have on the wall behind our bed above, but here's some more inspiration: 

Tiek Built Homes

Alice Black Interiors

I'm also hoping to add at a couple sconces, but we'll see if I can make that work. I think it would be so lovely to have more direct lighting on the stairs. 

You'll see as I go through my plan that a lot of what I hope to accomplish this year is in the entry of our home. Contrary to most of rest of the finishes in our house, we didn't have many options for tile when we built. So in our foyer I went with a gray/purpley tile that went with our formerly pink walls. I didn't pick pink on purpose (say that three times fast), but it came out that way. 

Anyway, I've never loved it. I actually hate it, but in the scope of life it's not a big deal so we have kept it. OH and tearing it out is going to be a huge, massive pain in the butt, so there's that:

But this year I want it to happen. I already have a plan in place to extend the hardwoods throughout most of the foyer. I want to use a patterned tile in a smaller area for the entry. We just don't need that much tiled...something we've realized as we've lived here over the years. 

I'm STOKED about this but it won't happen until I get up the courage to take a hammer to that floor. I'll let you know when I do. ;) 

Another big project I want to tackle this year is doing something to the walls in our living room and foyer to make them not feel so...vast. It's hard to see here but our ceilings in this room are two and a half stories tall. I LOVE the open feeling:

But it feels awkward to take art too high and awkward to have it down too low. You see wide open spaces like this and fall in love, but then you realize how hard they are to work with. I still wouldn't trade them and I have an idea in my head to make the main level walls feel like their own space but work with the tall ceilings. I just need to formulate it further before I make a move. :) 

And finally, one I'm not sure I'll complete this year but really want to start:

I have disliked that wall separating the bathroom into two rooms since we moved in. It makes what is a decent sized bathroom feel super small and cramped. You can read more about my ultimate plan, but these pics give you a good idea: 

Houzz

The first step is to add a window over the tub -- I'll see from there if the natural light helps open up the room and decide my next steps. I've been planning this redo as long as I can remember but it may not be as big of a change as I anticipate. I have a feeling I'll still want to take down that wall. But we will see! 

I know many of you have our current layout and love it with multiple kids. Since we only have one using it I want to make it better for how we operate. I'm excited to see what happens in here! 

It's going to be a fun year my friends! Of course I have no idea if we'll be able to tackle all of these -- it will depend on our budget as we pay for all upgrades with cash. I'll be able to do a lot of the changes so it will be a lot of sweat equity like always. And as always, I'll take you along for the ride! 

If you've worked on similar projects I welcome your advice! Taken down 1a wall in the bathroom? Worked with super tall walls? Torn up tile on the floor? (Is it as messy as I'm thinking it will be?) Do tell! Thanks again for joining me on my DIY adventures in this home we love! 

The beautiful color trending this year (it's my favorite!)

Hello! Are you ready for the weekend? I'll be working on a fun project in the basement -- I hope to share it with you next week! 

I kind of can't believe it but it's true...I am ahead of the game with a decor trend. This NEVER happens. Usually I'll sit by and watch to see if I really like something -- for years -- and buy into some of them when they're not even trendy anymore. It's my thing. 

But THIS time I am right there in it and even though I don't find it "trendy" at all, the color BLUE is all the rage this spring. I think it will continue on throughout the year so if you are a blue lover, rejoice! We are cutting edge my friends! :) 

What I think is particularly funny is I used to say I'd NEVER add blue to our home. I disliked it very much. But minds can change and for years now I've been obsessed with it. You'll find various tones of blue in every room of our home. I also think it's funny that just in the past few weeks I've deliberately been adding in some different colors (that I'll show you soon) other than my beloved blue. I'm always missing the mark. 😂

But I could care less and could write a whole post just on trends. I say if you like them, use them. If you don't, DON'T. Who cares, it's your house! 

I've noticed blue in many places lately and had to share some of my favorite instances of it and how to use it well. I was at the fancy mall yesterday and was drooling at all of the pretty blues used in the Pottery Barn displays. You can see some beautiful ways to incorporate in their latest catalog: 

Blue is a chameleon. It looks clean and crisp with white, and can easily go nautical. But with the right touches it can also be both traditional like the photo above, and contemporary like below: 

It's all in how you style it. There's something wonderful about this color -- it's grounding like black but with the punch of color. At the same time it's very soothing and easy on the eyes: 

We visited the Indy Home Show last weekend and the model home this year (by Fischer Homes) was gorgeous as always. It had a slightly nautical feel but it went much more modern than I've seen before. There was blue everywhere, which I loved!:

The walls in the bedroom were navy blue grasscloth -- stunning! 

I was obsessed with the dark blue vent hood in the kitchen: 

So lovely against the white cabinets. What a great statement piece. 

The best part was this dark blue wall with chunky cedar shelves in the family room: 

I just LOVE a navy blue wall! (Check our our son's navy blue bedroom here!)

The decor stores at the fancy mall were filled with blue. This tablescape at Williams Sonoma really caught my eye:

So gorgeous! 

Blue is a beautiful color alone but works well with every color -- I honestly haven't seen a blue combo I didn't like. I always lean towards a more classic/traditional combination with white or neutrals, but this color really does work with anything. 

Do you use this color in your home? Are you ahead of the game for once like me? ;) I'm totally reveling in this happening once in my life, ha!