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English Country Cottage Bedroom - Before & After


The door is open, so step on in to our Master bedroom.  




I know many of you have been reading my blog for a long time and so you know that our family has had some hard times, most of which I don't share publicly but some that I have.  We still do have our hard times. Probably, we always will.  But, I believe that in between those bad times we are given glimpses and moments of joy that make those hard times bearable and give a little reprieve to get us on through.  I cannot begin to say how blessed we feel to have found this house we are now living in.  It is like a dream home for us and it feels like home, a feeling my kids, hubby and I haven't really known in some time despite the fact that we have been fortunate to live in some lovely places, especially when we were in Colorado.  


This past weekend we hosted a Basic Training send off party for Jonah.  We invited friends and family and this was our first large gathering in our new house.  Most everyone that attended has known us through good times and bad and most of them commented about how this home felt like the 'Robert's house'.  One of my sister-n-laws commented and said "I couldn't imagine you all living anywhere else".   My Mother in law stated that, "there couldn't be a more perfect house for you all" and one of the boys best friends, Bryan (who is like a family member to us and has grown up around us), commented about how this house brought him back to his childhood memories of the 71st Street house (our home which we lost to foreclosure…the last place to feel like home to us).  Everyone made this night so special and it felt so wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate Jonah and welcome us into a new home.  I had a 5 minute hugging and  bawling session on the couch with Jonah's best friend Robert…a giant guy who is a giant teddy bear.  We had a small fire lit out in the backyard and some of them played football (at 3:00 a.m. in the morning I might add!!!) while some sat around the fire and we listened to Shawn, my boys and a couple of their friends play guitars and sing.  It was such a fun evening and I'm so grateful for those that came by.   Thank you!

Five of my kids and some of my many nieces and nephews…two sisters which are both expecting their first babies soon!

Jonah's BFF Robert, aka Bert.  So thankful Jonah has such a great friend~

Ethan and Shawn singing and playing some Tom Petty around the fire~


 and the man of the day too.
Jonah with Grandpa and Grandma Roberts (Shawn's Dad & Mom)



 I just couldn't help but share some pics and mention how not only do we feel like we're home, but so do our family and friends.  That is a really good feeling.  Okay, so back to the bedroom.

Before moving in, I took a few photos of most of the rooms.  Our bedroom was painted a garish yellow color which needed to go bye bye.  I chose to paint the room a color called Afternoon Tea in an eggshell finish.  I like eggshell paint because it has a very subtle sheen that reflects light, it covers well and it is washable.  The color is reminiscent of hot cocoa with lots of cinnamon, a perfect backdrop color to my bedding ensemble which includes several printed fabrics: paisley, tattersall, floral, plaid and pinstripes in shades of green and aubergine.  I love many traditional styles so it's sort of a mix of English Country Cottage meets Bohemian Ralph Lauren.  I created custom looking bedding by mixing patterns and collections and because I love color I added whites here and there to tone down and break up the bold use of color.  I think it's important to add some light when you use so much color.  

Before 

After


Before

After


I do realize that the carpet is a choking hazard, as in I feel that I'm about to choke every time I look at it, but that's what lots of throw rugs are for and eventually, and hopefully, new carpet or even better; wood flooring.  Besides the 80's sculpted carpeting I am loving this bedroom and I thought it would be my least favorite space in the house.  The reason for that being that the angled wall bothered me and it doesn't align with the corner that it faces…and then on top of that the ceiling fan is just randomly placed on the ceiling.  Those things may not bother many people but if you're OCD, it can be a serious dilemma.  Now that it's all together, I've realized it's more spacious than I thought it would be.  We were able to add a seating area at the foot of the bed and in front of that is an armoire which houses our television.  I love the room now and feel it exudes exactly the romantic, cozy cottage feel I wanted it to have…  


…and of course be a place to display some of my purple transferware collection.

Next post I'll be sharing some vignettes around the room with close up pics and decorating details along with announcing a giveaway.

Stay tuned and thank you for stopping by,






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Comments

  1. Nancy your room is beautiful, as your friends and family said, homey! Congratulations on the move and all that you've accomplished. You give me hope and inspiration of getting things done around here.Each day is a challenge but forging forward... Love, love, love all the purple transfer...I enjoy mine in the sunporch daily... many many hugs fondly ~lynne~

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    1. Hi Lynne, Thank you for your sweet comments. You are inspiring as well. I love seeing your posts and love your porch too! Hugs to you as well, Nancy

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  2. Have to say I love your room! It's great to see some color instead of only neutrals. It looks so warm and cozy. I'm glad you are so happy in this home. Hope times just get better and better for you and your family and that you son has a great experience in the military. My husband served in the U.S. Navy for four years and gained so much wisdom and maturity from that experience. God bless your son for his willingness to serve. (p.s. You are the one who got me addicted to blogs. I didn't even know they existed until I stumbled upon your site. So now I'm not only addicted to decorating blogs but also to transferware. I have quite a nice little collection of my own now.) Joanie M.

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    1. Thank you so much Joanie. I'm glad you found me and thus found some other blogs...there are so many talented people in blogland!

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  3. Wow Nancy! That's about all I can manage at the moment as I am still in awe at your beautiful bedroom (the rest of your house looks charming as well). You are a talented genius Nancy, the way you can transform rooms with such warmth and just the right amount of beautiful contrasting colours and eclectic mixture of exquisite modern and antique furnishings is simply delicious. This room exudes warmth, love and cosiness. It is absolutely charming. You are an inspiration Nancy. Best wishes to you and your family for the future. Amanda.

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  4. So nice to hear all is well with You and Your family.I LOVE Your style and of course Your colors.I'm still hoping to buy, even after all this time, purple transferware.Denise

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  5. Beautiful and so is your family! I'm sure you had a lovely M'sD with your parents as well.
    fabby

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  6. It amazes me how quickly you moved, unpacked, painted, decorated and are all settled in!!! Unreal!!! The bedroom is beautiful!!

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  7. Nancy, I'm so happy that you and Shawn have found a home that makes you feel "at home". The master looks cozy and inviting. Love the French doors and wall of windows. The rich color of the walls with the layers of textiles makes for a luxurious feel.
    All the best to Jonah as he heads off to serve in the military. I thank him for his service.

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  8. It is amazing what you have since in the short time since you have moved! Your transformation of the bedroom is nothing short of frantastic. How lovely and cozy it is now!

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  9. Nancy, what a beautiful transformation you made for your bedroom, and the photos of your family event were wonderful too. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Nancy, your transformation of your bedroom is beautiful. And the photos of your family event are wonderful too. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Love your bedroom. So nice to see color! It is very rich and inviting....love your names above the bed!

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  12. Beautiful and so elegant , it's just gorgeous
    I have never lived in a house so pretty as yours, you really can decorate girl
    glad better times are happening for you
    and I know your sad about your son Jonah leaving , here's wishing nothing but a safe experience for him
    You must work day & night to get all accomplished that you have getting all your inventory organized and your house

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  13. What an eye you have! Your bedroom turned out beautifully and looks both attractive and comfortable.

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  14. I don't know how you do it but you are amazing! You pack, move, paint, unpack & decorate so quickly and beautifully. Love this bedroom and I always love seeing lots of color. Thank you too, for sharing some of the down times in your life...not that I'm glad in any way but you are so "real" and I love that!

    xo
    Pat

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  15. Looks to me you've made the best of a bad situation and done so admirably! 08' and 09' about killed us financially and we nearly lost it all. I know how it brings you to your knees. I wish your son the best as he goes enters basic training. Lots of emotions for you no doubt- thank goodness for a loving family! I hope you have a nice weekend and Memorial Day.

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  16. The room turned out beautiful. I had not been blogging for quite some time. I started back and everything has changed. I lost my reading list so I have to re-follow my old friends. I am your newest follower

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  17. Your room turned out beautifully - so warm and comfortable! ... And what a wonderful send-off party filled with love. Best of luck to Jonah!

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