Bedside Table & Lamp Revision x 2

Just in case you wondered if I really AM working on a middle bedroom - the answer is YES. 

The middle bedroom that somehow in my head seemed like a project I could whip out in a couple of weekends has turned into a much longer project. I've endured loads of complications and multiple furniture moving sessions, much to my dismay.

BUT, now that I've sufficiently whined, I DO have a few vignettes in the room.  I actually have some finished projects that turned out well enough to show you, so...

Here are the before photos, and if you remember, I purchased one lamp at Walmart years ago, and the other at a thrift store just a couple of years ago. 

I always liked the faux hand-rubbed antique bronze finish, but had not used them in a while. 

After about the fourth design direction for this bedroom fell through for whatever reason, I decided just to get this room finished using mostly things I had around the house already.

Two iron side tables - a bit small for my tastes, but the right scale for the room and bed placement.

They were the original camel painted finish in which I found them at Ross about 6 years ago. I just used a can of white Rustoleum satin spray paint to update them for my new room.

Since my plan is to use a variety of whites from pure bright white to dirty antique whites and greiges, it worked.

I have a sort of garden/bird theme developing in there, so this looks a bit like garden furniture.

The lamps got a greige and antique white plaster of paris paint treatment, followed by a light sanding.

I've seen things in stores that look just like this, so I'm pleased. Mine were basically free. 

I'd purchased two lampshades at Walmart months ago, not knowing where I'd use them, just that I would. They worked perfectly. They're a white-on-white embroidered pattern from Better Homes and Gardens brand. I think they look more expensive than the price I paid - I know it was under $10 per shade.

So now, I have two matching bedside tables and lamps to use in my garden/bird-inspired room. 

That makes moving the chest of drawers and bed for the THIRD time just a little easier to take. 

And it feels SO good to have at least TWO things turn out like I imagined it  in my mind's eye. 

More coming soon!

WORD FOR THE DAY:

Job 29:2-4

2 “Oh, that I were as in the months of old,
as in the days when God watched over me,
3 when his lamp shone upon my head,
and by his light I walked through darkness,
4 as I was in my prime,when the friendship
of God was upon my tent...

Linking With
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://www.bystephanielynn.com	Sunday Showcase Party
Monday
http://betweennapsontheporch.net	Metamorphosis Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/	Restored it Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.greenwillowpond.com/	What We Accomplished Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/	Transformation Thursday
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/	Inspired Creations
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.remodelaholic.com/	Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/	Flaunt it Friday
http://vintageinteriorblogs.blogspot.com/	Weekend
Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/	Saturday Nite Special
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday

Still Loving Whites

Two years ago, when I first began blogging, I was drawn like a moth to a flame to the mostly-white, light neutral, drop-clothed, tarnished metal environments I saw. After years of intense color, it felt like a big, deep breath of cool, fresh air. 

All around me, I see people adding color back into their formerly pristine white homes, some in tiny amounts and some very boldly. 

As I began painting my reds, greens, blacks and yellows in shades of white and gray, I told myself I could always do the same if I craved intense color again. 

I'm not there yet. 

Two years, gallons of white and pale, neutral mis-tint paints later, I still love the look - without even the faintest hint of color. 

I may be running with abandon toward a look that some would consider "tired, over-done, passe." Do I care what some designer a thousand miles from me might say about my home? Not one whit. 

All that matters is the way I feel when I walk through the door. (This is a DEFINITE perk of growing older.)

I like waking up on Saturday morning, tuning in to Air1 radio and lighting some scented candles while I sweep, mop, clean the fridge or do other boring chores. I like rearranging things and creating new vignettes with my thrift store, white-painted objects. It is an act of love.

My home (at least the finished part) feels calm, serene, restful. I don't find it bland, vanilla or boring at all. In fact, vanilla is a favorite of mine. 

Sure, sometimes I want a little hot fudge, nuts and whipped cream, or maybe a brownie with my vanilla. (Hey - they're neutral, too!) I'll eat the cherry, if there is one, but I don't miss it if it is not there.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE color. Color is kind of my "thing." I do it well, though you may not know that. People ask me what goes with what, and I know the answer. 

I've studied color theory and design. I know all about the physics of color and the perception of color. I ADORE color! I would NEVER want a world without color! 

I admire the hot pinks, navy, turquoise and greens in other homes, and I'm so very glad they are all out there for my visual stimulation! 

But for now, for MY home, I'm sticking to my whites. I'm not about to polish the silver or brass. I still like rust. Texture is my friend.

Next year, I could change my mind. If that happens, I'll go into my garage and dig around for some of the colorful things I packed away, buy more paint, and add some color back into the mix. As a matter of fact, I just added some aqua into my middle bedroom today. We'll see how that goes...

The den will still have reds and greens. The art room may have color...we'll see. But for the living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen, it's neutral all the way, baby. Plans for the front bedroom are following suit, except for more contrast with browns and blacks mixed in. 

Trust me, you'll be the first to know when I'm ready for color again. Until then, Hannah and Ethan and Mason's homes will have color, so I can embrace color with all the love of a "grandparent!" I can go to their homes and even help them decorate and paint in cheerful color. Then I can leave and return to my subdued home, happy for both experiences.

I am still progressing on my middle bedroom, but in spite of temperatures in the mid 90s, we have been overcast, so I have not been able to get photos. 

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Word for the Day:
Daniel 12:10

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

Possibly Linking With
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com/	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com	Silver Pennies Sundays
Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/	Make it Pretty Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/	Mod Mix Monday
http://www.maisondepax.com/	Give Me the Goods Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.whitelacecottage.com/	The Scoop
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com/	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.greenwillowpond.com/	What We Accomplished Wednesday
Thursday
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/	Treasure Hunt Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
http://www.commonground-do.com	Be Inspired
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com/	Rustic Restorations Weekend
http://www.shakentogetherlife.com/	What’s Shakin’ Link Party
http://www.commonground-do.com
http://vintageinteriorblogs.com/	Weekend
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com/	Get Schooled Saturday