Last week I posted this picture of Barbara Barry’s Poetical fabric and a few paint swatches that were the inspiration for my parents new bedroom.
I posted that picture prematurely because we ended up going in a little bit different direction with colors after going shopping for complimentary fabrics. So pretend that I never posted that first image and I’ll start over with my process. :)
Step #1: Assess the Room.
Take a critical eye to the space and figure out what’s working and what’s not. If you’re having a hard time putting your finger on what’s wrong, ask a stylish friend to come over and give his/her opinion. Sometimes it just takes a fresh set of eyes.
My parent’s room hadn’t been redone in years and it was time for something more current. It was funny how as soon as we laid out some of the new fabrics, my mom started tearing the room apart. “All this red has to go NOW!”
The bed needed to be centered on the wall. The TV cords needed to be inside the wall. All the furniture needed new paint finishes.
The bathroom was in for a complete overhaul, including new flooring and a new paint finish on the cabinets.
Every single wall needed fresh paint. More lighting, art arrangements better suited to the scale of the room, and all new bedding.
And we had less than one week to accomplish all of it. So I left Grace and Claire with my mom for some fun Grammy time. Then my sister, Ali, and I took our two babies shopping.
Step #2: Fabric Shopping.
I always, always start decorating a room with fabric. Nothing inspires me like textiles. And while I love to buy fabrics online, there is nothing like shopping for fabrics in person to get a true sense of the color and feel. I get nervous about buying expensive fabrics or lots of yardage online without seeing the fabric in person first.
My gorgeous sister, Ali, who makes the best design assistant in the world. Miss you, sister!
I brought a swatch of the Poetical fabric to Home Fabrics last week and my sister and I did some scouting for secondary fabrics. Originally we were looking for something with that aubergine color. But then I spied a whole roll of Suzanne Rheinstein for Lee Jofa ‘Hollyhock’ for $6.99/yd, which was great with the Poetical. And just like that the color scheme changed. We ditched the purple and took on yellow.
{Which is a mini step just to keep in mind: Be flexible. Don’t get so attached to an idea or color that you make poor decisions or miss out on better options.}
After grabbing the Hollyhock, it was easy to select other patterns from all the great options at Home Fabrics. We got a few yards of a Robert Allen yellow ticking stripe, a gray, blue and yellow floral, a subtle leopard print and a lovely pale aqua damask. All of these were less than $7.99/yard.
These secondary fabrics would be used for pillows, a new shower curtains and small upholstery projects.
Step#3: Commit to Paint Colors.
Make sure you always buy your paints after you have your fabrics. It is so much easier to match a paint color to a fabric than the other way around.
We kept some of our original paint ideas. Ralph Lauren’s Mauntauk Driftwood, Smoked Glass and Hopsack were purchased. But the other colors were traded out for two colors in Martha’s new line at Home Depot: Yellow Magnolia and River Mist.
Step #4: Shop for Accessories.
Here’s the really fun part. Bring your fabric and paint swatches with you. Don’t forget to take some measurements of your space before hand and bring along a tape measure. And make a list! Don’t buy something just because it matches your color scheme. Make sure you know where something will go in the room before you purchase it. Though if you’re at a store with an easy return policy, its probably just worth it to buy anything that might work and then just return the no-go’s later.
We scored majorly at Home Goods. I had my fingers crossed that they would have a pair of yellow lamps. And it was a good day:
I know these lamps are a much brighter yellow than the mellow marigolds in the fabrics we selected, but I think it’s so important to layer shades and tones of colors in the room’s palette. That’s how you get depth in a room.
I needed a large and interesting mirror for the vanity area. At first I liked this huge, thick wooden mirror from the clearance section, but I worried that it was too heavy, even if we painted it out in a lighter color. We needed something with more mirror surface and less frame.
This 36″ circular beauty was $40 on clearance and I knew we could come up with something fun to spice it up a little (and to cover the scratched up surface).
Other accessories were piled in (three carts worth!!) at Home Goods and then we hit up a vintage furniture store that was going out of business. There we bought an old vanity stool for $12 and a bunch of accessories (and some other goodies for clients back home – thank goodness for the extra suitcase!). We also went to some used book stores looking for art books and to Target and IKEA.
Once we had all the major items on our list, it was time to sit down and brainstorm a second list that included all the components we would need for the projects of the room. Most of the items from this list were at Michaels, Joanns and Home Depot.
The car was JAM PACKED and it was time to get started on the actual projects for the room.
I took this photo while I was loading up at Home Goods. Two mature ladies in gold sweat suits walked by and said “Oh my goodness! Are you a decorator? Or just a serious shopper?” I said “yes.”
Come back tomorrow for all the DIY goodness.
CanNOT wait! I learn so much from your blog and think your style is amazing. :)
Wow! So much fun, shopping with your sis and getting to do what you love but for your own family! Doesn't that make it feel so much more special?
So curious what vintage furniture store was/is going out of business? I just might need to stop by :)
Sounds like a great trip, and I'm loving getting a peek into your design process!
I had a good laugh at the comment from the "mature" ladies at HomeGoods, as I had a similar experience not too long ago. I was pulled up out front (we call it HomeSense in Canada, but its the same store) with my cargo trailer attached to my SUV, loading the trailer up with tons of stuff for a client whose job was about to be installed. A lady walk by and kind of nodded her approval and said, "now that's my kind of shopping!"
Karla
blog.kerrisdaledesign.com
The real question is, where can I purchase a gold sweat suit??
It will be fun to see this unfold! Lucky mom! Janell
So excited to see what the end result is ! Gorgeous I am sure! I will have a giveaway soon.
Karena
Art by Karena
That round mirror you bought totally reminds me of the mirror hanging over the President's tub (I believe) at one of the vaca houses they stay at. It hangs by an attached chain though. It is gorgeous. One of my favorite classic mirrors. Love the mirror you bought, ok LAHV LAHV LAHV (in a fab Gaga voice)! Quick question, why not have painted and poly'd a lamp yellow?
I'm truly amazed that you were able to get all that accomplished w/ babies in tow! I would have considered myself lucky to have gotten just about one of those items!
Thank you, Jenny for explaining your design process and breaking it down it steps. I learn so much and cannot wait for the reveal!
I have that Suzanne Rheinstein "Fall Chinoise" in a different colorway in my living room. I love the fabric. When I first saw it, it was on a chair in a Henredon showroom…..they wanted over $400 a yard for it. Of course, I bought it directly from Lee Jofa, but I feel sick that you found it for under $7/yard. Amazing. I cannot wait to see more.
Now thats a cliffhanger if I ever saw one! Woah!
I am so excited I can't wait to see the room!
The new fabrics are so wonderful. And your point about being flexible…a must!!!
I laughed looking at the back of your car…looks like mine right now! :) Can't wait to see it done!
I am really enjoying your blog.
Can't wait!!! Love Home Goods!!!
fun! look forward to your net post!
I loved seeing your baby in the cart! Wow.
Looks like some serious damage was done!
pve
Thanks for posting this – I never know where to start with a room. I love fabric too, so this is all SO helpful!
I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Very anxious to see how this comes together! I love the Hollyhock and the leopard together. It's going to be fabulous, no doubt. I just can't imagine how in the heck you get so much done so fast!!! Red Bull? Green Tea? What in the world makes you go go go?!
So, so hard to wait!!! I've missed reading you over the past week…hope you are feeling much, much better!
I can't wait! :)
Um…you totally left us hanging! Cannot WAIT to see the rest. It looks fun.
I wish I had the energy it took just to do the shopping for this redo. Nevermind that there were babies in tow also.
Count me in as can't wait for the reveal.
Thank you so much for breaking down the process for us. This is very educational as well as entertaining. I can't wait to see what's next!
can't wait to see more! love seeing your step by step. Oh, and the sanatori is now going on my bedroom bench. It is a perfect match to my headboard and pillows!
Oh – you left us hanging! I LOVED this post. I love your answer to the 'mature' ladies too. Too funny – both your descriptions and your response! I can't wait to see how it all pulls together. I've always wondered how designers pull together rooms so quickly – this is a super treat for me to read! Love it!
Yay! Thanks for posting! I love this!
I got a couple of yards of that Barbara Barry Poetic at DeBois. Luckily, they're just a mile or so from my house!
Oh, YES! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. My husband is wanting me to redecorate the bedroom while he is away on business and while it sounds like a lot of fun…there is a huge element of "uhh…hmmm….so….where do i start?" I'm trying to document it on my blog a bit but just getting started. Can't wait to see the follow up post to this!
I love the step by step process of putting the room together. Can't wait to see the final results!
I love reading about how you made your decisions, and some of the "hunting" that took place. I can't wait to see how the room turns out!
I can't wait!!! Thanks a million for posting the fabric store in Baltimore! I can't wait to check it out!!
such a tease! Can't wait for the finished product… especially the bathroom… I'm battling with a similar one now and could use some inspiration!
Sooo much fun! I can't wait to see the finished bedroom I bet its going to turn out great.
Oh, yeah. Work it, Ali! :) I'm so excited and can't wait to see how this came out!
Awesome post. Do we get to know the final cost? I am a big bargain shopper and I would like to compare my recent bedroom re-do to yours!
Thanks!
It's interesting to see this whole process for someone who knows zero about decorating. And now I know why I put it off: I hate shopping. Your day of shopping is like my nightmare. I think I need to hire out.
Ooh I can't wait to see the finished product.
This is SO exciting. I can't wait to see the big reveal :)
WHAT?! You're making me wait? Sheesh! It's gripping. It's just not right that you end with a car LOADED with HomeGoods bags and say, "okay, that's it for today"… Hmmm… I will be back.
I live in Alaska now and sadly, there's no HomeGoods. Or Ikea. Or any decent antique/vintage stores.
Hope you're feeling better.
I am always really excited to see your room reveals and this is certainly no exception.
Also, do you have suggestions for finding good fabric stores? Places like JoAnne's and Hobby Lobby are about all I usually come across around here in Cleveland.
Hope you're feeling better!
Oh my goodness! I cannoooottt wait! LOVE the palette! Love that most everything came from Homegoods!
This is so much fun!! Can't wait to see it all together!
Can't wait to see it!
Love this post! Thanks for sharing your process with us. Can't wait to see the results. :)
Love watching the design process. I also start my decorating with fabric…much easier to match paintn to fabric than vice versa. Also LURVE Home Goods! Such a dangerous store. :)
Can't wait to see the finished product, but what I really want to know is: how did you do all that in one (?) day with a baby in tow??? Seriously, I only have one baby and it would take me 3 months to get all that done. You are amazing.
I can't wait to see what you do with it all.
Seriously can. not. wait! But don't kill yourself. You've got to get better! I'm jealous of this fun shopping spree. I'm redoing my bedroom too, but it's a loooooooooooonnnnng process because I don't have a chunk of change to go out and get all that I want right now.
I don't think I've ever done that much shopping in one go! Excited to see the results.