I’m slow when it comes to designing/decorating/creating a space. I’m so amazed at those people that can bust out an entire room makeover in a weekend! Even if I tried, I couldn’t do it. I’m too distracted to focus on any one thing at a time. I used to think I needed to change that about myself, but I’ve learned that this is just who I am. I work where I feel inspired; so I do a little here then I do a little there and eventually I make it to the finish line (if you can even call it “finished”). The good thing is since I love a collected look – it ends up looking that way – because it is – not because I planned for it to be – does this make sense?
Case in point – our master bedroom which looked like this when we moved in over 2 1/2 years ago.
Until my hub gifted me (for Mother’s Day) a freshly painted bedroom in Martha Stewart’s Wrought Iron………
and finally finding the perfect chest to use as a night stand on my side of the bed, and we’re almost there (that imaginary finish line – that we all claim exists even though deep down we know it’s just an urban legend).
Here’s where we are today.
If you follow me on instagram (Carmel_ourfifthhouse) then you may have already seen the new chandy. It’s from West Elm but it’s no longer available. The stainless sconces came from Lowe’s. The ceiling was painted Martha Stewart Sandpiper. It’s still light but provides a nice contrast to the white moulding. Many of you have asked about the drapery fabric. I bought it at a local fabric store; it’s called Vilber Egeo. I love it! I left the edges raw and only hemmed the tops and bottoms (obviously with no sew hem tape).
I love the casual look of the raw edge, but it’s a super quick fix if I tire of that look later.
SO, long drawn out story short – we’re inching closer – step by step – there are just a few more “things” to do.
And oh my gosh – I forgot to mention the new carpet which made a HUGE difference in person but doesn’t really have much of an impact in pictures.
It looks freaking amazing!!! Definitely not the same space. I'm going to give new hardware a shot for our dressers before telling my husband they've gotta go. This makes me want to get cracking on our master.
aaah! it's just gorgeous!!!!! i love every last detail and i love that it is SO you!
I'm absolutely dying over this room Carmel….see how I can't commit to which room in your house is my favorite??? I have been craving some navy blue, and was going to use it in our basement, but now you have me rethinking my bedroom. I love how you made your space functional and pulled together….it's gorgeous!
That is a huge makeover and it looks great. I think the carpet makes a huge difference. Love the texture it adds. I will eventually replace our shag. Thought I liked that look, but not anymore.
Carmel, this room is beautiful! Love how different it looks with the same furniture. (And, I totally agree. The finish line is a complete urban legend!)
What a beautiful transformation! I think the biggest impact is the darker walls – it totally changed the mood of the room. But it's all the little finishing touches that bring the room together. Just lovely!
Your new room looks so much warmer and inviting. Well done. 🙂 I love when I'm working on a project – be it a room or a piece of furniture, and the finished result comes together and it's perfect. Your room looks like that.
Great transformation, it's amazing how those new hardware pulls on the dresser really changes the spirit of the piece. LOVE!
Love the new look, it is fantastic. Amazing what the hardware did for the dresser. It looks wonderful. I also love that color on the walls, gorgeous. You did a fantastic job. Mine takes years it seems like, but that's ok. YOur room is truly lovely. Hugs, Marty
I'm totally amazed with the change in the dresser! Just a new set of hardware, really? I'm inspired!
It's gorgeous! I think the dark walls are my favorite, but I love that mirrored chest, too. It all looks so polished and sophisticated, yet the collected over time aspect makes it warm and inviting. This might be my favorite room in your house.
Good job, girl!
I love the progress of your master bedroom – it is to die for! And the fabric you chose for the curtains is amazing! It really ties the whole room together.
WOW Carmel this room is PERFECTION!! You did a beautiful job transforming it. Your room belongs in a magazine!!
What a fabulous makeover! Love the new look!!
Seriously, seriously fabulous! There is nothing I don't love about the new room. Where did you buy the Martha Stewart pulls on your dresser? Love them, thinking I might like to swap out my current pulls for something similar.
Unbelievable!!! Love the after so much!
I would say your bedroom is looking pretty incredible. And those curtains are pretty ridiculous!
So, so pretty Carmel. And talk about a dramatic before and after! Love how you worked with the furniture you had to create a totally different look. The chandy, your artwork, your beautifully styled desk and nightstand, the trunk at the foot of the bed…all fabulous! Thanks for the fabric info. Don't you love the Wrought Iron? I used it in my office that I just finished and posted about yesterday. Such a moody color that changes throughout the day depending on the lighting. You did a great job at using a bold color but not making the room feel too dark and heavy. I bet you're having sweet dreams!
Seriously slow stepper here. 🙂
I can not believe the difference in your bedroom. Changing the hardware on the furniture completely erased the olden look. I have very similar furniture and since my hubby thinks we keep it f.o.r.e.v.e.r….I might need to do something like you did. I love the color of the walls too. Wow!
The transformation is just amazing! I know it took a lot of time and tons of steps, but what a great vision. You really modernized it while keeping all the major pieces of furniture. I'm really impressed and inspired.
It's beautiful. I could totally relax in there. I still can't believe how switching out the hardware on the dresser completely changed the look of it. Enjoy it!
Gorgeous, girl. I LOVE the deep color with the light accents. And the fabric is so perfect for the drapes. The trunk is one of my favorite pieces. What a transformation. And over here, there is never a finished. Not even possible!
It looks so gorgeous! I love the rich color on the walls and the lighter accessories, so beautiful!
fantastic! i'm a step by slow step kind of girl too. the only problem with that is that I usually change my mind in the middle of my long, drawn out process, then I don't know what to do. start over again…so yes, that finish line is definitely an urban legend!!!!;)
wow this looks amazing! I like how polished and clean it looks now. a lot cooler! i'm like you…. things get drawn out. unless it's a small project, it will take forever to get done! 🙂
They're from Home Depot – her line of hardware there is so great!
Thanks so much everyone!
What a difference a coat of paint and some new hardware and awesome drapes makes. Your bedroom is stunning. Beautiful job.
Love your bedroom. Your paint color may be on our bedroom walls this fall. Thank you for sharing.(NKOTB?) Wow! My daughter's bedroom was wallpapered (so to say) with New Kids on the Block photos back in the day. I admit, I went to one of their concerts.
I love that your bedroom has evolved. I totally agree – I am a slow step by step person as well. My living room seems to be taking forever but at least this way I know that I really love everything that I put in there.
Gorgeous! Loving that wrought iron paint colour. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
That is such a dramatic change! The paint color makes it look like a different room completely! Did you have to wire for the sconces? I'd love to put a pair in our dining room on either side of the mirror.
Wow! Your bedroom is absolutely gorgeous. Love the wall color. Actually, love everything!
I love the blue. For me, it varies whether or not I am a step-by-step (ooooh baby) or a bust-it-out type of girl.
I love what you did to your bedroom!! I love your mirrored night stand/chest. I've been in the market for something similar. Where did you find this one? It's gorgeous!
I need color, I need drapes – I'm inspired! Your room rocks! Pinning! Kelly
Good choose of wall color. Navy blue provides high contrast to white furnishings and trim.
I am a seriously slow decorator too. And actually, I find that I love the rooms I decorate more- and keep the things in them longer- when I do it that way. For me, decorating fast ends with buyers remorse and items that don't last through trends. Your room looks great! I love the paint colors and that you mixed in some unique bedside tables. Great job!
What a gorgeous dramatic makeover – love the wall color ( I had a black dining room so can appreciate the dark!!! ) Beautifully done Your newest follower – would love to have you come by and follow back when you have the time! Hugs, Suzan
I love the color you chose, the sunburst mirror and the reading space. Just Fab!!!
Your wall color is wonderful. What a huge change. I love the gold chandy and your amazing room.
Love it. It inspires me to actually try decorating! I'm slower than anything when it comes to decorate. I've never actually fully decorated a room before! Sad, I know. Great job!
I LOVE the wall choice color and the curtains. Do you give out the names. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it all!!!!!!
AMAZING!
WOW…what a fabulous transformation! Love the new hardware on your chest, it really made all the difference! Hopped over from Furniture Feature Friday and I'm happy to be your newest follower. Would love to have you stop by for a visit. Blessings ~ Judy
Your new space looks so modernly classy & effortless! My absolute favorite bit is your reading nook. Oh how I wish we could have a larger master just for that very reason. I'll live vicariously, mmm k?! I'm definitely a slow, bit by bit decorator here! Half due to time available and half due to budget or lack there of, LOL. Even though it's not by design, I have to agree with Jenna (@ Homeslice) that the quick rooms are usually the ones I have had regrets about in the past. I usually have a finished vision in my head quite quickly, getting our reality to that point mostly takes quite a long while. Plus I've learned that my mind's sight visions aren't always based in reality. Sometimes pieces I envision in a space just don't function well for us. I have had rooms I've not quite finished with, only to tire of them or realize we need to rework them for changing function to suit our family better and then start all over again. That can be a bit disheartening at times. Sometimes it's maturing & changing style that's to blame also. Just last spring we did a partial overhaul on our living/family room with a new ceiling, light fixture & new paint. We went deeper/moodier there and have been loving it with more of a textural feel to the ceiling. We're looking at going deeply moody in our master. I just haven't nailed down our paint color yet. We're building on an addition that will house our master and a mudroom. Sounds grand, but not enough dollars for an en suite. It will actually be quite cozy, but much more private on the main level with all the kiddos upstairs.
fantastic room! So love the color – so cozy yet elegant. Love the chandy too! Great job!
This transformation is magazine worthy! Not only is your ideas and design fabulous but when I look at the pictures, I feel like I am in a House Beautiful magazine! You did a great job and I am so happy I stumbled across your blog, I look forward to staying connected and checking out your past and future projects 🙂 Cheers!
That shade of blue is just wow!
oh my – it is BEYOND gorgeous!!! I think I need to go paint my bedroom navy, RIGHT NOW! (too bad I have a partially painted dining room, partially painted entryway, and little boy's room that needs painted… I'm like you!)
I love the bed!! Where in the heck do you find a king sized poster bed?! Dying to have one!
Your room is beautiful! I love your trunk. Can you tell me where you got it?
simply ah-mazing! what a fabulous transformation. job well done!
Where did you find the short curtain rods? Did you make them?
I absolutely love the bed! I've been looking for that exact one for a while and no luck. Would you mind telling me where you found it?
I love the navy. I'm also really drawn to the white lacquered writing desk in contrast with the gorgeous wood bed. I never think to pick up more modern pieces to complement the traditional wood tones. You have really pulled it together here!
Oh my gracious. There are no words. Well, maybe there are a few words: this gives me hope and inspiration for our knotty pine matching bedroom furniture we bought as newlyweds! Thank you!
came from IC today – love the number {finger} paintings and the Napa print, I need to do both those projects asap!
I'm thinking of the dark walls in my bedroom, but it is already small and Im concerned it will close it in more. Would you mind telling me what your bedroom diminsions are?
This is beautiful- you are so generous with your inspiration and sources. I love the idea of allowing a home to evolve as well. It tells the story of the people who live there some much more accurately. Just curious about the carpet choice…looking for something similar for our great room to mimic sisal but with the soft feel and practicality of nylon wall to wall. Can you share what your carpet choice was for this room?
Love the room! Have to ask, is that horse picture "Lexington, the Blue Horse"? We live in Lexington, KY and it looks familiar.
I LOVE your separate reading area! I have pinned your photo on Pinterest for our study/office area. We are building new construction and I recently started a blog to document the process and future home decor posts as we move in and make our new house a home. I featured your reading area on my blog here: http://sweethomecarolinas.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-study-upgraded-formal-living-room.html
Thanks so much!
These are the perfect interior design for a home. Its like a dream house of anyone. Also these designed houses shows the luxuriousness by their amazing interior design.
It’s going to be truly beneficial for the home owners to hire the top class painters through the ZAPC Dir online, as it will provide better opportunity to invite quotes and compare services.
It looks freaking amazing!!! Definitely not the same space. I'm going to give new hardware a shot for our dressers before telling my husband they've gotta go. This makes me want to get cracking on our master.