Blogging Notes 9

Posted on August 10th, 2008 by Jean

Last night, Tom and I attended a fundraiser dinner/auction. Part of the auction was live, and the other was silent. With a silent auction, you put your name and the amount you’re willing to pay on a sheet that is in front of the item. I had bid on a wine rack complete with 1 bottle of white wine plus a prime rib dinner for two at a nearby restaurant. Tom bid on a red-headed duck.
 
We got a couple of beers, then sat down at our table. A sweet little old lady came up to us and asked how we were doing. I had seen her picture before, but had never met her. (She has advertised in our magazine.) She said she likes to outbid friends for fun. We got a good laugh over that, and then she went on her way. Well, do you know that she outbid not only Tom on the duck, but me on the wine rack combo? So I upped our silent anty, and outbid HER on a couple of items she wanted. ::: snicker, snicker, snicker :::
 
That little trick taught me a lesson! I almost got stuck with a pot that I didn’t want! Thankfully, at the last minute, 3 ladies walked up and outbid a lot of people. They saved my hiney!
 

 
Look what finally arrived! The pantry door!
 

 
Yeah! Yippee! Yeah! Yippee!
 
Bedroom Progress: The new curtain panels haven’t arrived, but we took down the old curtains. Cracks in the wall have been patched, and a fresh coat of cream paint applied to 2 of the walls.
 

 
I ordered the bedspread! Thank you to all those who suggested red, to Taina for recommending Bed Bath & Beyond!, and to Sandi for suggesting a duvet!
 

 
Now I’m off to watch the Olympics.
 

Tags: auction, bid, decorate, design, interior, remodel

My Bedroom Needs a Make-Over

Posted on August 2nd, 2008 by Jean

Warning: If you are not into decorating and/or home shows, reading this blog may cause excessive drowsiness and mild nausea. Other symptoms may include dry mouth, watery eyes, loose stool, difficulty breathing, and toenail fungus.
 

 
Rate My Space
 
There’s a new show on HGTV. What makes this show unique is that it started out as a website where people could post photos of their rooms. Some rooms are gorgeous, and some rooms are in need of help.
 
My bedroom is ready for an upgrade. I posted my pics on their site this a.m., and received 1.5 stars for my lack of style. I know it’s tasteless. That’s why I’m reaching out for help.
 

 

 
Nearly all of the commenters mention that my bed is not centered on the wall. The problem is that there is a vent on the floor between the bed and the arch.
 
There’s 23″ between the top of the headboard and the ceiling. Should there be knickknacks up there?
 
Here is the other area that needs addressing: the closets. I’d like to remove the saloon doors and raise (or remove) the cornices, but have no idea what to cover the openings with. Curtains? Beads? Some sort of door that would slide to the center area when we need to access the closets? Should that wall be painted a different color from the rest of the room?
 

 
None of my furniture matches. I’m thinking of finding a dresser that matches the wall-unit headboard since that is the newest piece in the room.
 

 
Our bedroom also houses my treadmill. Since the t.v. is on a wall-mounted, swivel unit, I could turn the t.v. around to face the treadmill when I’m working out.
 

 
This corner of the room used to have a crib and changing table, but the girls are in their own room now. The wall is bare, and the tiny art piece seems out of place.
 
At first, Tom wanted to keep the curtains. I finally sat him down and asked if he was in love with those curtains, or could we get something else. Well, long story short, we are going to try some new panels I found online at Target on sale for $14.24 each.
 

 
The curtains are not lined, but we have these insulated top down/bottom up blinds.
 

 
Tom also admitted he didn’t like our comforter, so we’ll be replacing that as soon as we can decide on a color.
 
Here is my inspiration room from the show Design Star.
 

 
I love how the designer, Jennifer Bertrand, free-hand painted the leaf pattern! I used photoshop to see how it would look in our room.
 

 
The leaf pattern would match the fan. I wonder if they sell stencils of big leaves?
 
Here’s the room from another angle. The giant beach ball needs to go.
 

 
Your ideas are so welcome!

Tags: advice, design, design star, help, interior, rate my space