The Power of Color in a Playroom Nook

by Susan Jensen Smith on March 5, 2010

Awhile back I shared a wonderful meditation nook I discovered on a “girls spa weekend” in North Carolina (see post here).  Simply put, it was a bed placed at the end of a hall for guests to relax in while in-between treatments. Of course the vibrant drapes and oodles of comfy pillows added to the experience.

So here was my “inspiration room” for a retreat area in my own home:

I decided to use a nook in our bonus room, which serves as our play room, guest bedroom and upstairs family room. This is the nook before I got ahold of it – looks like a daycare!

By switching things around, I used what I already had and created my own version of the retreat using lively colors that matched the spirit of the play room.

But after awhile, I tired of the kiddo vibe. After writing the Color Trends for 2011 post, I started thinking about how I could use color to change the impact of my retreat (and reclaim it from the kids!).  Plus, remember…this is also a guest room when needed.

I was really drawn to both the “escape” and the “tribal” trends – I wanted something with an organic earthy feel, but that felt light and full of possibilities.

So I did a couple (very inexpensive) things:

  • I updated the bedding to something very neutral and soothing (and yes, “on sale”).
  • I added roman shades for texture and to add privacy for guests (very easy project – they hang on regular curtain rods)
  • I recovered the body pillow with a playful giraffe pattern (which ties in with the chocolate brown sofa on the other side of the room), and switched out the pink pillows with other ones I had in storage.
  • I simplified the wall art to be serene and relaxing.

Overall, I spent less than $200 (just for the bedding, shades and curtain rod). Now we finally have a space that is more comfortable for guests, and I have my little corner of the world where I can relax.

Who knew…color really is that powerful!

{Next step – add a soundproof curtain in front of the nook that makes me invisible to the kids while they’re playing Wii across the room. Yea, wish me luck on that one!}

How have you used color to change the feel of a room?

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Thanks for listening – 100th Post!

by Susan Jensen Smith on February 28, 2010

February may be a short month, but that’s no excuse for waiting til the 11th hour to squeak in a post! Yes I’ve been busy (isn’t everyone?), but that’s not why it’s taken me so long to post.  Actually I have several reasons:

  • This is my 100th post, and yes…I felt the pressure to make it something SPECIAL!
  • I’ve been busy redesigning the “Your home, only better.” blog to better reflect the spirit of what this site is about (I hope you like it!).
  • I’m also working on the “next big thing” for HOMEdigz, the online community I run for home enthusiast (coming soon!).

Ok, enough excuses. I really want to take this opportunity to thank the many readers and bloggers who have inspired me and kept me going. I write this blog from my heart, and hope that in some small way it touches you and inspires you to make your home the best it can be, and uniquely your own.

To celebrate this 100th post, I’d like to share some of my FAVORITE images I’ve used here on YHOB over the past year – this is what my house would look like if I had a do-over! Enjoy the eye candy! (pssst…click on the image to see the related post).

This is my dream bedroom – especially if it comes with an ocean view! Love the charcoal/lime throw on the bed!

I don’t think I’ve used this picture in any post yet, but have been dying too! It’s yet another fabulous photo from House Beautiful – I love the artistic simplicity of it.

This is actually a bedroom in a house down the street that is currently for sale – any takers? How smart is this design!

This is Drew Barrymore’s kitchen from The Big CHill retro fridge folks – bold and beautiful!

I love this home office – although I’d probably need a bit more storage. But the open feeling to the desk would nix any writer’s block, don’t you think?

I’m a mom, and I love color in kids rooms.  I love this smart design that includes form and function!

And lastly, if I could make it happen, I’d LOVE to invite all my readers and blogger friends to a big pool party to celebrate everything we love about our homes! Now doesn’t that look like fun! Who’s in!!!!!????

Thanks again for a fun 100 post journey.  You guys are the BEST!

~Susan

xxoo

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Laundry Space from Drab to Fab

January 29, 2010

Thanks to everyone who lovingly nagged encouraged me to keep my word that I would redesign my hard-working laundry room closet!
I’m happy to report that just two weeks after I posted my embarrassing laundry closet in “My Laundry Closet Needs a Makeover”, I’ve transformed my closet from drab to fab – or at least fab [...]

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My Laundry Closet Needs a Makeover

January 15, 2010

My laundry room is just an upstairs closet off the main hall.   But it’s also the only “room” in my home that I haven’t at least painted!
I actually started this project over a year ago by adding “Laundry Room Flair” with cute knobs, writing on the wall and a fun switch plate cover.  In fact [...]

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Painting Wood Floors

December 31, 2009

Looking to make a BIG change?  Ready to stir things up a bit?  How about painting your floor?
For me, this fits the category of “I’d love to do it, but don’t think I can gain spousal consent.”  Yes, it’s a bigger job than painting a wall, or even a ceiling.  But if your wood floors [...]

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Holiday Inspiration (and blog party!)

December 3, 2009

In the spirit of efficiency, I’d like to shamelessly highlight some of my favorite holiday posts from last year – both here at yourhomeonlybetter.com and at the HomeGoods Openhouse blog.
While it may appear that I’m being lazy, put I actually discovered that when I switched blogging platforms early this year I lost many images from [...]

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Choosing Paint Is Like Buying Toothpaste

November 20, 2009

Have you noticed that when you go to the store to buy toothpaste, there are so many choices that it’s overwhelming?
Do you want whitening, tartar control, fluoride, sensitive, gel or paste, sparkles, or one of my favorite…”pro-health night toothpaste” (huh?).  And the price points are varied as well, anywhere from $2 to $5 – quite [...]

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Color Trends for 2011

November 4, 2009

Last week I attended Benjamin Moore’s ColorPulse™ 2011 web conference to get a sneak peak into upcoming color trends.
I sort of envisioned a crystal ball with lights of predictive color flashing out of it.  Or perhaps a group of creative souls around a conference table at OPI discussing what to call this season’s nail polish [...]

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Creative Uses for a Faux Mantle

October 27, 2009

I have a project in my mind that I’ve not had the opportunity to do just yet.  If ever we finish the basement, my vision is to create a faux fireplace focal point and avoid the “box with cheap carpeting” look.  But it’s got to be fun and kid-friendly.
My original idea was inspired by this [...]

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Confessions of a Curious Driver

October 20, 2009

For the past year or two I’ve taken notice of a blue colonial on my street that I pass daily. I’m not sure if it was the house itself, or the perpetual renovation action around it. Dumpsters out front, various contractor trucks coming and going.
And seriously, this wonderment went on for a long time. [...]

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Use What You Have Decorating

October 13, 2009

I’ve never truly loved my family room. I’m holding out love waiting for new furniture after the kids are a bit older. For now, I’m making do with black leather bachelor furniture that came with the husband almost 12 years ago. I figured they’ve both lasted this long, sooooooo… lol.
Do you have [...]

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Sliding Barn Doors: Beyond the Farm

October 5, 2009

Integrating farm elements such as sliding barn doors into a home adds oodles of character as well as functionality. Sliding barn doors can be rustic and earthy, or modern and sleek. And they can be used both inside and outside. Here are some examples to inspire you!

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The Castle on Talcott Mountain

September 29, 2009

What started as a simple family hike turned into a fascinating story about a family named Heublein.  I knew we were hiking to see a castle home on Talcott Mountain, known as the Hubelien Tower.  We can see it in the distance from our home.

What I didn’t expect was the story that goes along with [...]

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Art on the Pier at P-Town

September 24, 2009

While on vacation at Cape Cod this summer, we visited P-Town (a.k.a. Provincetown) at the very top tip of the Cape. While we walked along the pier waiting for our whale watching boat, I was able to enjoyed three lovely yet very different pieces of art. Each inspirational in their own way.

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HOMEdigz Hump Day Blog Party Kickoff

September 22, 2009

HOMEdigz.com is out of beta! To celebrate, we’re starting a weekly HOMEdigz Hump Day Blog Party tomorrow! So get your blog ready, and join the party at http://homedigz.com!

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Got Kitchen?

September 15, 2009

Have you ever drooled over kitchens used in commercials?  Well, I finally got my chance to see the process in action.  My two girls and I were asked to be in a milk commercial that was shot locally.  The spot would be shot in a large, lovely kitchen in town.  So of course, I couldn’t [...]

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