Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Small And Simple Bedroom Updates

We’d like to present our bedroom with the award for Most Often Tweaked. It just seems like time goes by and a few things get added to the mix and it inspires us to remove the top bed rails, hang a ram above the bed, ditch the duvet, or move out some horse art. But we’re all about trial and error and learning as we go (who gets it all right on the first try? And if you do, please share your secrets!). It’s definitely one of our more out there rooms (read: not everyone’s cup of tea), but we like that since it’s our own private bedroom and not a common space where we entertain. So as long as we love it, my mom or the lady next door don’t have to understand our giant dandelion-ish chandelier or Señor Ram (who was originally seen here doing yoga with Burger)…

Ram Pic6

Although mom recently shocked the heck outta me and actually said she liked the whole room. I guess that means we have to do something crazier sometime soon. Haha. But really, one lesson that we’ve loved learning over the last few years is how much freedom there is in allowing yourself to make your home “yours” and not trying to please everyone – just do what you love so your house gives you a big ol’ hug whenever you walk in the door.

Anyway, this time the tweakage in here was inspired by our new nightstands. And those guys were much awaited. For the last 8+ months we’ve been using side tables from our first house’s living room, which were about 5″ too low (reaching down half a foot from bed was muy uncomfortable) and completely and utterly drawer-less (read: messy and waaay too tempting for a 15 month old to grab stuff and carry it around/hide it).

Nightstands Old Vs New

But thanks to the $11 yard sale nightstands that we grabbed last week in Delaware (mentioned here), we finally had two extremely appreciated features: about five more inches of much needed height (so they’re finally easily-accessible from bed) and drawers, glorious drawers!

Nightstand Close Up

Of course this side of the room is still only about 10% done (our last bedroom took about four years to evolve into the room we knew and loved when we left) so we still need a cabinet on the left wall to balance out the door, a longer and lighter bench at the foot of the bed, maybe a colorful throw at the foot of the bed, perhaps some smaller objects on either side of the ram, etc.

Vertical Bedroom

But before I get to the tweakage they inspired, I’ll go off on a side tangent. Typical. The cause of the tangent? Dude, our side tables stunk! So we had to deal with that super musty smell. And fast. They’re mid-century originals, so I guess we shouldn’t have been surprised that they smelled 60 years old. Maybe even 160. So to google I sprung, where I quickly read about and tried two different methods. The first was wiping them down with mild soap and water (Dr. Bronners). Total non-difference. Still smelled like a moldy rug. The second method was wiping them down with undiluted vinegar. Amazing difference! It worked like a charm. I just used a rag to rub them down inside and out with vinegar (which definitely smelled like salty potato chips until they dried and suddenly had no odor). Seriously, they went from smelling so musty that it smacked you in the face when you entered the room to not even smelling if you put your face in the drawer and take a nice big whiff. Woot. So if your drawers smell, you might want to try it. Not your underwear. I literally mean your drawers.

Back to our other night table related tweaks. Here’s the wide shot of that completely unfinished side of our bedroom again. With the pillows going both directions just for fun. Because I’m wild and crazy like that.  Oooh, hooorizontaaaaaal…

Bedroom Horizontal

Ahh, now they’re veeeerticallll…

Vertical Bedroom

Notice anything different besides the pillow turnage? Well, for one, the sleek lines of our new mid-century night stands have inspired us to remove the finials that we added to Ed the bed and try something that Bryn recommended to us a while back instead (she linked to this pic found here, and we really liked it).

Look, it’s Ed the bed. And he has some handsome contrasting post tops. But instead of using something permanent (like paint) I decided to use something free and completely removable (like ribbon). I already had some in my little gift closet full of to-be-regifted bags & bows. And I thought the greeny-gold color would tie in nicely with the curtains. So I cut four small pieces off of the long strand that must have come wrapped around some big box last December and used regular old scotch tape to attach them at the seam (which I faced towards areas that we don’t see, like the wall behind the bed)…

Nightstands Gold Band Close

Oh and I wrapped that piece of tape up and across the top of the post so they were nice and secure from the side and the top.

Nightstands Gold Band Top

Notice any other tweaks? The art finally got raised thanks to the new higher side tables (we were waiting to get them to see where we’d want the art to hang permanently so we didn’t make ten holes in the wall along the way). Originally we thought the art should line up with Sir. Ram, but we held it up in a bunch of spots and liked this placement best. Probably because it creates a triangle with the chandelier – and Sir Ram holds down the base of it like the bad arse that he is.

Oh and we also grabbed new lampshades from Target for $19 each (with 5% off thanks to using our Target card, I love that) because the last ones were looking a little dingy and the slightly wider shape of these guys slayed us. They’re actually either the exact same shade or extremely similar to the one that we purchased back in 2009 for our basement makeover (seen here).

Nightstand Close Up

Bedroom Horizontal

Oh duh and we finally put the Ikea duvet that we mentioned buying here on the bed. We heard so many good things from a bunch of you guys who had the same one and loved it. And surprise, surprise – we love it too. It seems to magically stay clean even with a baby and a dog and it’s comfy like a big ol’ cloud. We also love that it’s nice and calm looking, just because we like the idea of letting other things like our Alaska berry prints, the horse art, my paint chip creation, our giant mirror over the sink nook, and the big chandelier be the stars and add texture, interest, & color in other ways. But we’re still definitely thinking about bringing a pop of color to the foot of the bed in the form of a throw. Or we could build/upholster a longer, lighter bench with some color going on. And even bring some hue up on the ceiling. Oh the possibilities!

I’m banking on at least 50 more tweaks over the next few years as the room slowly fills in a bit more. Which is actually quite titillating to a gal like me. Seriously, that’s my idea of a good time. Look, here’s some photoshop fun. Ooh a bright throw and a soft plum bench along with a moody greeny-gold ceiling could be interesting…

Bedroom Playing Around1

Oh who am I kidding, we’ll change our minds a million more times (and it looks crazy because it’s fake – haha). But it should be fun to see where we end up someday!

Any tweaks going on in your bedroom? Do tell. But let’s keep it clean. My mom is probably reading (and admiring Sir Ram).

Comments

  3. Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says

    I love the new MCM (mid century modern) night stands. Do you think you’ll refinish them? In the one picture they seem a little ‘distressed’. Either way, I think they look great and I’m sure the drawers make them even more functional than the old ones. And, I still love the striped pillows. So clean and graphic.

    And, I love the ribbon at the top of the posts. Such a nice little detail. Kind of reminds me of the dipped chair legs, which I’m dying to do.

    We’ve been making a few subtle changes to our master bedroom. A more weather appropriate blanket, new side tables and a few art changes: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/sun-bursting/

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Cute! As for the night stands, we think we might re-oil them to get them gleaming, but we’re so in love with the wood look for now (it looks great with the wood dresser from John’s parents on the other side of the room). So no paint!

      xo,
      s

  5. Ellen says

    I love the new nightstands! They were definately worth the wait.

    And who says you can use vinegar in your undies.. ha.. ok in all seriousness I have not. But, I do toss some in with my gym clothes on occassion. Amazing stuff. Good to know it works on that old musty furniture smell!

    Reply

  7. Mollie says

    likey! i think i missed the post of you taking the plaque thingies down from beside the ram…but i definately like it like this! light and clean just like a bedroom should be. :)

    Reply

  9. Amanda says

    Vinegar’s some good stuff eh? Good on your fries, and good on your furniture!

    I’m still lusting after those night tables … ahem.

    Question for you, how often do you wash your duvet cover to keep it nice and white? I’m always too scared to buy white bedding because .. .well it’s white. Just curious. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Maybe once a month? Not that often like sheets (those are once a week). Oh and we don’t use bleach or anything if that helps (some folks say that can yellow things over time).

      xo,
      s

    • Donita says

      P.S. I am SO envious of those end tables. I have been looking for different end tables for our room. Your new ones are my perfect style, and the era I love. ;-)

  12. Elizabeth says

    Love the whole room!! It looks like a perfect place to relax! I was wondering if have you ever thought about putting a love seat in front of your bed instead of a bench? What is your guys take on that look?

    Reply

  13. Julia @ Chris loves Julia says

    We are currently nightstand-less and lamp-less, but we just started on our bedroom, so I’m cool with that. I am also guilty of changing my mind lots and lots…..and lots. What can I say, I like to keep people on their toes!

    Reply

  15. Elizabeth says

    Did you know you can wash your drawers, as in undies, in vinegar? Add a little to your washing machine as a natural fabric softener.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- I should have realized that because I actually wash all of Clara’s new clothes in vinegar to get rid of the extra stuff (I read somewhere that it makes regular clothes more “pure” like organic ones). Who knows if it works but we love that they don’t come out smelling. It’s a miracle product!

      xo,
      s

    • Wrenaria says

      Vinegar is also great on sunburns. Helps balance your skin pH and promote healing – and greatly reduces the pain. Cool vinegar baths got me though a really painful Hawaii sunburn on my legs the summer before last.

  16. Annabelvita says

    Did you also ditch the sconces? Or did I miss that a while back?
    My most recent tweak was finally hanging my pinterest challenge postcard frame up in the bedroom. I hung its sister frame next to it, planning to do the same thing with it, but at the moment I’m digging having the small picture that used to hang there ‘framed’ by the big frame. It’s a bit wacko and my mum and the neighbours might not approve so I’m following your advice to only please myself. And my boyfriend haha!
    You can see them in the background here http://annabelvita.com/this-is-the-story-of-a-bed

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Nope, it didn’t stain or anything. I think since it’s clean vinegar (the white kind) it shouldn’t do anything suspicious other than just get the smell out. However on earth it does that. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  18. Virginia says

    Such a funny coincidence — we have this same Edlund bed and have been having the same lack-of-good nightstand woes for ummm almost two years since we moved into our house. And I just came back from vacation to see you found your nightstands — and it just so happened that I also scored some vintage nightstands in an antique store while we were away! They’re a bit taller, skinny with lots of drawers and from the 1920s and weren’t quite so cheap (but $35 a pop is still not too shabby, right?)… and they also stink like they are one thousand years old. So I am highly excited to learn this vinegar trick and off to clean ours out immediately!

    Room is looking lovely.

    Reply

  19. Sam @ The Junk House says

    Yay for nightstands! I finally bought and painted a pair of nightstands for my bedroom a couple weeks ago. 2 people, 1 nightstand is not practical. Although, the nightstand was on my side, so it didn’t bother me as much…muwahahahaha (evil laugh).

    Reply

  20. Lindsy says

    First,love the nightstands, I have been scouting for some of those myself…and I think I have the same Target lampshades. But thank you for posting about the smell of old furniture. I have several old thrift-store pieces that have ahd issues, but the worst is a sideboard I made over. I washed it a few times with Murphy Oil soap, but a couple of years later, it still hits me when I open the cabinets. I seriously can’t wait to go home and wash it out with vinegar!

    Reply

  21. Meredith says

    Wait, you have a gift closet full of to-be-regifted bags & bows?! This makes my hoarding self happy. Where is this hiding in your house of neat closets?! The playroom? ;)

    Also, love the updates!

    Reply

  26. Kelly says

    I just started reading your blog and love it! You guys are so inspirational.

    My bedroom needs a lot of tweaks. We have been in our house for two years and it is one of the only rooms I haven’t done anything with. I just learned how to sew, so I am hoping I can make a new duvet cover and curtains to dress the room up. I look forward to seeing the changes you make in your room!

    Reply

  27. Allyn says

    I’m in desperate need of curtains for ours. We’ve done so much, yet the windows are still naked, aside from the lovely roller shade.
    Sadly, I keep finding not so cheap curtains from Z-Gallerie and places like that. The hubs isn’t too thrilled at the though of spending $200 on curtains for one room, but we can’t find cheaper ones we like.
    Sigh.

    Reply

  28. Maggie Rose says

    The new nightstands look great, along with the new lampshades! Moving up in the world, haha! The ribbon is cute too, but I still miss the rails around the top. Fingers are crossed that a future tweak has them going up again when you’re craving change. ;)

    Reply

  29. Reenie says

    I’ve heard that sprinkling baking soda in drawers that are stinky ~ let it set for a few days then wipe it out ~ will take the smell out.

    Love the lil changes that you did. I’m always switching my bedroom (err…my whole house) up ~ when I find something new at a garage sale, or estate sale. Keeps things fresh and new =)

    Reply

  30. Katrina says

    Vinegar, huh. We bought a dresser fro $20 at an estate sale, but it has lived in our garage since since it smells like old people! We’ve wiped it down with mild soap/water and let it air out for a month now. Did you just pour white vinegar into a cup and go to town?

    Reply

  31. Gigi says

    You might want to stick some sachets in the drawers too. I know coffee grinds in a container are an old trick of Martha Stewart’s. But then you might not want the smell off coffee in the drawers (could work as an early morning wake up, lol). Charcoal can work wonders too of course not the bbq kind, more like the kind used in water filters or for plants, etc., lastly cedar. Enjoy your boudoir :)

    Reply

  32. Christine says

    Wow- those tables are ten kinds of perfect for that spot! What a find! They are the exact right height. Vinegar is a wonder substance… we use it for so many things around the house. Cheap and organic— I like it!

    Reply

  33. Connie says

    Unlike John, I do enjoy “romantic” style (he was pretty upset about that assessment when he took that quiz, huh?). I lucked out with beautiful hardwood floors, an exposed brick fireplace and huge tall windows. I recently got a toffee colored pin-tucked bed spread with matching pillow shams, and a metal decorative headboard. I plan on getting a beautiful vanity with a pin tucked bench, and a big comfortable chair (I hate to say it again, but maybe pintucked? Or over-stuffed.) to sit in front of the fireplace. I’ll be getting a nice plush area rug (I prefer leaving the hard wood exposed, but NYC landlords are tricky about that…) and some rich colored curtains with a sheer panel (I have really nosy neighbors.)… I have a feeling mine will take a while with lots of tweaks, too!

    Reply

  34. Marcie says

    Our “tweak” going on today is new electrical wiring for our entire second floor. I’ve been listening to drilling and sawing all morning, as well as cringing at the idea of a huge hole that had to be cut in the ceiling of one of the bedrooms because we have no attic access. Our house will be safer, but certainly not prettier for awhile. On the plus side I can start shopping for new light fixtures now!

    Reply

  35. Heather S says

    Love how it’s all coming together!!! My friends (and husband) make fun of me for constantly changing up our bedroom. Used to have a blue accent wall, but then switched it up to an awesome orange. But since the orange only looked “awesome” with this one quilt I had, the orange went and a rich brown took over. But now, it’s all Dolphin Gray (no more accent wall.) I even have the same Ikea curtains as in your living room (actually bought them before your post and thought they’d look perfect with your Moonshine walls!) Yes, that’s me – a design expert.

    The biggest problem with our master is the 5 lampshades!! There are 2 sconces on the wall with lampshades (that act as main room light), but then we also need table lamps for reading lights. And then there’s the awesome big drum pendant light in the middle of the vaulted ceiling (same as Katie B’s from Will’s room.) Might have to post my problem over on your facebook page and get some reader advice. “Hi, my name is Heather, and I’m addicted to lampshades.” : ) I’d love to remove the sconces & table lamps and have swing-arm lamps, but I’m no electrician!

    Reply

  37. Molly says

    I love the mid-century nightstands! You have such luck finding items like this!

    A love seat with rounded curves could look beautiful at the foot of your bed especially with all the straight lines in there now

    Reply

  38. JEN C says

    Was the picture above the turned pillow pic supposed to be the “before” pic with lowered art and the finials? I looked at those 2 pics for a long time trying to find the differences, but they are actually the same (except for the pillow turn). Maybe I just miss understood.

    Reply

  39. Liz @M2M says

    I want your nightstands… :( I love that there’s a drawer! I’m constantly having to locate the objects I have stacked on the bottom shelf of our (one solo lonely) nightstand. Like the tester quilt my grandmother made before doing my baby quilt 25 years ago. And any books I’m reading. ::sigh::

    Reply

  42. Emily @ Merrypad says

    Brava on the duvet choice! It appears to be the same one that we have too – it’s worn very well through washes and bleaches and oxycleans, and easily our favorite one that IKEA has ever made.

    Reply

  44. Janelle says

    Interesting tweaks. I never would have thought to put ribbon up on the posts. And those nightstands look amazing, of course! My tweak for our room was a fun little hanging heart “headboard”. I’m a little shy to link up, but if anyone is interested I did a tutorial on my blogspot, TwoCupsOfHappy.

    Reply

  45. Megan R says

    Forgive me if you mentioned earlier, but what is the style of the duvet cover you bought at IKEA? I’ve been looking for an all white duvet that has a little texture to it.

    Reply

  46. heather says

    I like that you guys aren’t afraid of color. I’m never “sure” of a color and think I’ll get sick of it after all the hard work is done. So I still with the basics. Your grellow kitchen is completely my cup of tea though – and I love the idea of your bedroom with a greenish ceiling. I tend to go towards the more muted/spa-ish colors. I think I need to get a pair of (color)balls.

    Reply

  47. kelsey says

    Omg thank you SOOOO much for the vinegar tip. I recently picked up an antique dresser but haven’t put my clothes in it yet because of the musty smell! (My plan to “just air it out” was not so successful…) I’m going to try this trick tonight!

    Reply

    • heather says

      Same thing works if you make something stinky in the kitchen (like fish) just wash your counters with undiluted vinegar and it will disinfect the countertops and the smell will help dissolve any stink in the air. :) On a regular basis you can use diluted vinegar with water as an alternative to cleaners. It’s a good window solution too (1/4 C vinegar, 1/2 tsp dishsoap or detergent and 2 cups water). The detergent helps with build up and the vinegar helps with streaking!

  50. Blythe says

    You probably already know about Howard Feed-n-Wax, but my husband and I use it all the time for old furniture we buy at thrift stores and the like:

    http://www.amazon.com/Howard-FW0016-Feed-N-Wax-Conditioner-16-Ounces/dp/B001BKQYGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315943526&sr=8-1

    It definitely gives a natural gleaming look (we use it with a very, very fine steel wool). It was recommended to us by a popular thrift store owner here in NYC!

    ps- love the tables!

    Reply

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