The Bedroom Reveal

I finally have everything organized to share with you.  If you remember, I actually completed my bedroom in March when I entered it in the "My Bedroom Retreat" contest by aparatmenttherapy.com.  You can click on the link to see my entry on their website.

Click on my "March" link on the menu to the right to see more drawings of my bedroom.

Below I have posted Before and After photos of our bedroom, plus a few more :)

Here are my Interior Ideas for our Newlywed Bedroom:

Before

After

We each have a photo of each other on our side of the bed.  

I chose lamps that coordinate in style, but differ in shape.  

The round shapes are more feminine on my side.

 Before

After

The gallery wall above the dresser is a dear reminder 

of the DIY details at our wedding reception.

The day passed so quickly, and this helps us relive it each morning.

Before

After

I installed decorative stationary window panels to frame our window,  

 in addition to our provided blinds.

...And a few more detail shots- I just couldn't resist!

 There is my DIY monogram, and a card 

from a bridesmaid- which I love!

Fresh flowers in the bedroom

 My husband and I were married at a winery, 

so we love the image of our wedding rings emerged in wine corks

 Layering prints with style and scale

 My ring box

Our wedding invitation- also DIY

Our Kate Spade wedding china

9 Hours Ago

I just wanted to share my day...

I met HGTV's Candice Olson!!!!

Wow, can that really be? Yes!  Last week I found out that Candice was going to be at the Kravet Showroom here in Chicago at the Merchandise Mart.  My boss had tried to rsvp for us, but the spots for  the presentation filled up in just two hours....My boss urged me to go and just see what happens, but I was nervous to do so.  However last night, I decided I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by- I mean if I was lurking in the showroom what were they going to do, throw me out? eesh, I hope not :p  So, I went out and bought a new book of her that focuses on kitchen and bath.

So, I got ready this morning and took the bus down to the Mart.  I always take the trains, but for some reason I decided to take a new route.  I arrived around 9:40 a.m. which I was hoping would be early enough to walk in like I had a reserved seat.  Since I never saw the actual invitation, I hurried up to floor six for the Kravet showroom, and as I approached who did I see?  Candice Olson!!  I was totally smiling, and a bit starstruck,  but was also very aware that the showroom was very, VERY empty.  I circled around looking for chairs, while Candice walked out in the meantime.  I was looking for a friend, and asked the showroom worker if the event was happening.  He said yes, the reception is here, but the presentation is on the fourteenth floor.  Go go GO!

I took the elevator, walked to the far FAR end of the hallway, and saw people gathering.  Then I saw people handing over little paper, like a ticket and I got nervous.  On adrenaline I continued in and realized people were just dropping business cards in a bowl- phew!  I slowly walked in looking for a friend I saw downstairs, until I was almost in the front- so I snagged a seat in the 4th row- woohoo!  Then I saw my friends from ASID and moved into the 3rd row- even better!

Candice Olson was just as free spirited and genuine as she is on television.  She told us about her business and how she got pulled on to tv- just an accident, really...but a good accident! Her presentation was full of "before and after" photos of projects she has completed over the years.  The main topic was about Contrast.  The contrast between colors (light and dark), materials (modern and natural), and finishes (matte and glossy).  She also stressed the importance of great lighting, which is of no surprise.  Candice's spaces are always glimmering and highlighting features.  With great lighting a $3 fabric can show as a $300 fabric.  The last concept was how to create a timeless and elegant space.  Even a modern design needs something old and familiar.  It brings warmth to the room, and contrast in style.

She also shared the design inspirations for her fabric line at Kravet- a best selling licensed line at Kravet, btw.  Her inspiration comes from fashion and classic pattern, then she stylizes it for modern day and adds a twist of sparkle for some "glint".

After the presentation, I met up with 2 co-workers to go to the reception for the meet and greet.  We walked in, and took out our books to get signed.  Then, Candice walked right by us and said, "Oh, would you like me to sign those for you?"  "Yes!!!!!"  How perfect was that? I thought we would have to wait in line for half an hour.  In my moment with her I just said how I've loved watching her show over all the years, and how she's been a great inspiration.  Then we followed her down a ways to take our photo together :D

 

Candice is so much more than a tv personality- she is an amazingly skilled designer and entrepreneur.  Her shows air in 147 countries around the world because her classic elegance with a fresh interpretation can be appreciated by all.

I'm so glad I got to take advantage of this opportunity- and yes, she is just as tall as she is on tv :)

PS...my husband even surprised me at the Mart to share my excitement

Back In 3D

I'm so sorry, I did not realize how long it had been since I included some perspective drawings with some color. I've been caught up in my technical drawings, and forgot to give you something more dynamic to look at.  I hope this helps you envision the bedroom better :)



Here are a few of my Interior Ideas (in 3D):

South-West Perspective

This will be the view when you walk into our bedroom.  The ikat drapery frame the window- I love it!  You can see the mix of all the fabrics from the duvet, to pillows, to drapery.

South Perspective

The bed is the centerpiece of the bedroom, of course.  Above is the enlarged photo of our wedding rings, flanked by portraits.  Our mix and match night stands match our his and her lamps.  It's eclectic and formal at the same time.

South-East Perspective

When we sit in bed we can see decor photos from our wedding reception.  This is great because the party went by so quickly, now I can relive it.  My custom "H" design and a wedding card will be on the picture ledge.   The vase and frames finish off the dresser.

My Three Walls

My bedroom has three walls to design (yes, there are four walls!)  The wall across from the bed are closet mirrors.  You've seen my color palette of neutrals, and I want the overall design to be clean, fresh, simplified and well designed- like a boutique hotel.

Here are my Interior Ideas:

I really want our bedroom to reflect our newly weds status.  I will enlarge a photo of our wedding rings to 24'' x 36''.  I am flanking it with a portrait of each of us.  The new bedding will be so crisp.  The end tables are existing, but the table lamps are new.  A square shape for my husband, and a round shape for me.

The drapery rod is only a few inches below the ceiling.  This will create the illusion of taller walls.  I chose a classic square-ish finial.  The pattern of the ikat drapery will frame the window magnificently.

I want to create a gallery wall, like in an art gallery.  I chose to use black frames since I have a black drapery rod on the opposite wall.  I'm using photos of our wedding decor, and adjusted them to a semi-sepia tone.  I am doing an art project and a framed card on the picture ledge.  On the dresser I am framing our wedding invite and portrait, and accessorizing with a great vase.

The Bedroom, Already?

The Living Space is really coming together.  Last week my husband and I went to the local hardware store and bought a piece of wood to cut down to 5 feet for the shelf above the television.  He painted it white, and we will hopefully install it tomorrow.

However, I have unexpectedly turned my attention to the Bedroom before completion of my Living Space.  I will be entering a Bedroom Contest, and the sooner I enter- the better!  So, let me fill you in..

The store I work at had a bedding sell in January, so I bought what I needed for a nice deal.  I have been dreaming of a neutral palette for my bedroom since last year. My inspiration was a modern floral print by Thom Filicia.  I bought just over a yard of it when I was at my previous job in San Diego.  I would love window panels, but a pillow is more in my budget :)

I have put together a combination of patterns: floral, stripe, geometric, ikat.  They complement each other because they share a color palette.  They also balance becaue they are different scales:  the stripe is large, the ikat is medium, and the jacquard leaf is small.




Here are my Interior Ideas for the Bedroom fabrics:

Inspiration fabric- by Thom Filicia

accent pillows 

Duvet Cover- horizontal stripe

Standard Sham- jacquard leaf 

Drapery- ikat 

Cut It Out

Thank you for your votes for the North Elevation- I have decided to go with Option 5.  As I said before, I will be putting up some wedding photos and some art.  Surprise, surprise, I have made the art myself!

I thought about floral, botanical, geometric shapes, but in the end I chose two animals.  (BTW, this is shocking for people who don't know me- haha).  I chose to create two paper cut designs with a squirrel and a bird.

The squirrel is an unlikely choice, but it does make sense for my apartment.  It's easy to spot a squirrel climbing up the trees in our neighborhood.  I was a little timid at first, but now I'm pretty confident that it won't jump on my head from a tree branch!  And, of course we have beautiful birds.  It makes for a personal, and fun, touch to our Chicago apartment.

This project is very low cost- in fact for me it was no cost.  I already had all my materials.  The great part is that they look bold, detailed, and expensive.  Your friends will be surprised, so try it out!

Here are the supplies you need to make a two-tone paper cut design:

Two colored sheets of card stock, design template, scissors, 

(glue stick) and exacto knife

Cut out your template and attach it to your card stock in 

several places to hold in it place.  Start with small voids, like the breast of the bird, 

while the card stock is stable.  This will help to keep from losing your grip and keep 

the paper from tearing.  Then continue with the outline of the shape.

When you are finished cutting, only your template remains.  Usually, I choose to flip the design over- it's usually a cleaner cut.  Touch up any cuts or 

edges that are not to your liking.

Cut your background colored card stock to the desired size for the frame and matte.  

Lay out your design.  I used the void pieces for accents.  

Doing this also creates repetition in shapes.

I used a glue stick to attach my cut outs to the background.

Place your design in your frame, and wahlah!   

I prefer a thick matte- it just looks nice and crisp.

Here is my Interior Idea:

I had two frames, No. 18a and b, so I made a collection.  

I used my colors as the opposite pieces in the design.  

This is a great trick to make two unrelated designs a "collection."  

Not to brag, but I am quite impressed with how my paper cut designs turned out!!

Fabric to Drapery

This project was completed 2 weeks ago, but I just had to share it with you.  The drapery fabric is the inspiration for the whole Living Space.  I bought it with my husband the 2nd day we moved to Chicago.  Yes, that means it's been in my closet for 7 months!  I was planning to start the apartment furnishing till after my wedding, but I just couldn't risk missing this fabric.  And good thing I didn't- the fabric store sadly closed last month...

My friend helped me make the first panel, and my husband with the matching panel.  Though timely, the execution of the project was fairly easy.  I don't own a sewing machine, yet, so I used Stitch Witchery.  This is a product that is a tape of glue webbing.  You place it between two pieces of fabric, lay a damp towel, and iron- the steam activates the glue.  If you don't have a second pair of hands to help you, I suggest using pins to align the face fabric and the lining.

This was a great process, not only did the iron adhere my fabric and lining, but it creased my hems perfectly.  I was able to replicate the first panel to a T- I'm so impressed.  The fold on the top zigzag creates a black upside down triangle, and the bottom has a small grey triangle.  Getting the edges precise was important with this horizontal pattern, because a slant would be easy to spot.  For example, a organic floral pattern would have some flexibility.

These are stationary side panels to the frame the window- they do not open and close.  The style is Flat Panel with Rings.  I paired the drapery with a black rod, black ring-clips, and gold finials.  I love the finished product!

Here is a "sneak peak" at my Interior Idea:

                                              Supplies

                                                  Drapery Panel 1