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?
Do you LOVE it?
(
2 votes, average:
0.50 out of 1)
Loading ...
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
Do you LOVE it?
(
1 votes, average:
1.00 out of 1)
Loading ...
