My guest room decorating efforts | How About Orange

September 19, 2013

My guest room decorating efforts


Our house has two finished attic rooms on the third floor (or crow's nest, as my pa has nicknamed this floor, and which has stuck). One is a guest room for empty cardboard boxes and things we don't know where to put yet. The other is a guest room for humans.

Our old living room rug got demoted and sent up here. As did our old bed and a spare duvet cover. Beige, ugh. That's a lot of brown, folks. No fun.


So I spray painted the faux wrought-iron headboard red.


I bought fabric for curtains that 1) looked happy 2) went with brown, and 3) went with red to tie things together. After hemming, I put the panels on curtain rods with drapery hooks so they'll slide easily. I used some IKEA fabric from my stash to sew a couple orange patterned pillow shams, and the pink cushion was a spur of the moment Amazon purchase.


We got this little lamp as a freebie from a furniture store, so I sprayed that, too. It was unsightly before — I'm not a fan of cheap, fake distressed stuff — and now it's slightly less ugly.


This end table was $10 from Craiglist and needs either refinishing or painting, a project for another day. But for now it's doing a fine job of holding up a $15 Craigslist lamp, which got a new embroidered shade from Target.


The chair should have a cute pillow, right? And the bed should have one of those fancy throws that goes across the foot like you see in decorating magazines or hotel rooms. It falls on the floor and you wonder where to put it, and it's totally useless? One of those. It would break up the beige desert. If I ever win the lottery, maybe I'll get one.

It's a simple room, but much improved from when Grandma G stayed here and it contained only an unfolded futon!

22 comments:

Grandma G said...

Much improved, for sure!! I will love to stay in there next time! :) Great job!

Mum

Grandma G said...

Not that I didn't enjoy staying there the last time, mind you. That futon is very comfy. But this is all so much PRETTIER!!

Mum again

Anonymous said...

Nice! What about hand-stamping a bold geometric border along foot of the duvet cover? It would serve the same visual function as the throw...

emily said...

I think it looks great so far! I hate those useless things that drape across the bed! Instead of one of those, what if you sewed a band of fun fabric across the top of the duvet, appliqué style, to break up the beige? Beige broken up and no useless thing!

Megumi said...

So this is my new room! I love it very much!!!

Lori said...

Great decorating!

Sugar Plum Eats said...

The room looks lovely. I love iron bed frames, having it red is unexpected but amazing. X

mathea said...

A hemmed length of that red, white and orange flower print from your Outside Oslo line would look great, and would serve to protect the duvet from a suitcase or bag your guest might place on the bed for unpacking.

annie dee said...

Looks good!!

Loulou said...

What a lovely guest room you've created. Anyone would feel quite comfortable and special being shown to that room for their visit. Really makes me want to spruce up mine!

Jessica Jones said...

Megumi, yes, this is your room! Hope you will like it.

Everybody, you've got great ideas to address the boring beige / throw over the bed foot situation. Thank you!!

amy said...

I just wish we could see more of the bed legs. I think that would help. I hate dust ruffles so I don't use them, I just put a fitted sheet over the frame of the box spring. That would help the beige too, I think. Love your blog!!

theladykay said...

I love the painted bed frame. I just don't know if I have it in me to do that to mine, lol.

I agree with earlier comments about adding a piece of fabric to the duvet cover to tie in the orange, pink and brown.

Thanks again!

Unknown said...

I love this decor for the guest room.
It's really cheerful when the sun light comes in.
abito da cerimonia elegante

Caca said...

bravo! I'm happy for you

Unknown said...

I love this room! Red is my favorite color, and using it in accents like the headboard and lamp ensures it is not overwhelming. I'd definitely enjoy being a guest in here :)

Kaz said...

Just beautiful - you're eye for detail is a gift!

Marilyn Ohara said...

I enjoy the curtain. The color and design is interesting.

Uyen said...

Do you knit or know anyone who knits? You could have a fancy knitted throw across the bottom. Something like this, but with much more reasonably priced yarn: http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2010/10/2/whits-knits-pixie-dust-lap-blanket.html

Jessica Jones said...

That would be lovely. In red or pink or orange.... I can see it. Wish I could knit!

Uyen said...

If you can do all the crafty stuff you already do, you can knit! I taught myself from youtube tutorials, mostly theknitwitch. :)

Jen Jen said...

Love love loved it!