Young House Love

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Spray Painting Mismatched Frames

We all know I have a pillow problem. And true to form, I couldn’t resist grabbing two of these boldly striped 26″ x 26″ euro pillows for just nine bucks a pop when we came across them at HomeGoods. In my defense, John walked off and came back holding them, so he might have a pillow problem too. But come on, $9? For giant 100% cotton euro pillows? Sold. In our house, pillows are definitely nomads, so these guys could end up doing a little tour (hitting up the guest room, the playroom, and even the sunroom or living room). But right now we’re loving them in our bedroom with the similarly toned flower & berry prints from Alaska that we hung a few weeks back:

Bedroom Pillows

It’s sort of like adding a completely temporary boldly striped headboard without doing anything more than spending $18 and tossing them on the bed. No muss, no fuss. And no commitment. We really like how they work with everything from our garage sale botanical art and the lighter toned greeny-gold curtains to the green potted plant on the other side of the room and even Sir Ram. Because when you stop to think about it, what really works with a giant ram head over your bed? Am I right? Oh and as for the smaller greeny-gold pillow, it’s sure to pop up in other places too, so it’s not always destined to be layered with the new striped pillows for those who object (although in person it’s really nice pairing that further ties in the curtains). Here’s a wide shot of the very unfinished side of our bedroom:

Bedroom Bed Side

I know, I know. That picture looks crazy. So check out all the doodled changes that we’re planning to make as we go:

Bedroom Bed Doodles

To further expound upon my doodles:

  1. We hung the twig & berries art on the same center-line as the ram (just so they wouldn’t look like they were riding high and because the lamp shades only overlapped the written flower/berries names and not the illustration) but once we get new night stands that are hopefully taller (since those old living room side tables are way too low and don’t have any concealed storage) we’ll probably scooch everything up a bit.
  2. The ottoman is necessary for Burger to get in and out of bed (yes, we pander to him, although we refuse to buy doggy steps) but it’s a little short and chunky and dark (although it does tie into our leaning mirror and dark chair) so we might get/make something lighter and longer (perhaps with dark legs but a lighter fabric top).
  3. The wheat colored lamp shades sometimes read as a little dirty since the bedding, trim, light fixture, and door are so white. Mehaps a little makeover or upgrade is in order.
  4. We’d love some sort of big chunky cabinet to the left of the bed for function, balance, and to make sense of the odd little nook there.

So that’s the long-term plan in there. And just as new additions to a room often inspire some tweaking (ex: in a surprise turn of events our twig & berry art spurred us to lose the ol’ printed duvet cover), the addition of the new striped pillows sparked a little art tweak on the other side of the room. Ever since we added the matching framed botanicals by the bed (along with the matching wall plaques on either side of Sir Ram and the matching new striped pillows at the head of the bed) the horse art somehow slipped from feeling nice and balanced (since it had two different items under it – a chair and a dresser) to feeling a little too balanced and mirror-image since it was one of many things that were now in pairs…

Bedroom Final1

So because we were itching for a little less symmetry (while still wanting to maintain some semblance of balance to help the new-ish chair and the very old dresser relate), we decided to play around with stuff that we already had to see if we could come up with a free alternative:

  1. Down came the horses above the dresser (which now reside in the playroom but will hopefully find a permanent place somewhere else down the line).
  2. Up went two differently sized old Ikea frames that we had sitting in the playroom, waiting to be hung for almost 8 months.

We immediately liked the less symmetrical arrangement but the oddly mismatched frame colors weren’t doing it for us (one was a clashy reddish brown and one was white). And since the botanicals looked so good with a little oil-rubbed bronze spray paint I decided to quickly pop the glass/art out of them and give them a few thin and even coats of leftover ORB. You know, so they’d tuck into the room a bit more and look more integrated with the stuff going on across the wall. So outside I went with my sexy spray painting socks (see those here)….

Frames Before

… and soon enough the frames were bronzed and beautiful…

Frames Sprayed

Then I needed something to put in them. So I dug through the old art stuff we already had and found a simple little green dandelion print from Ikea (it used to hang next to our front door in our first house). I also decided to make some always-appropriate-for-a-DIY-couple’s-bedroom “paint chip art” with old Ralph Lauren swatches that I had in my basket (yes, I have a paint swatch basket since I hate throwing them away, which is also where I house all of my paint decks except for my favorite one that hangs in the hallway). Home Depot doesn’t even sell Ralph Lauren paint anymore, so I figured “recycling” the old swatches was better than hoarding them or just trashing them, so I pulled out all of the little colored squares…

Swatches 1

… and just used tones that reoccur in the room so it would tie in (I didn’t need something that screamed since that would compete with the botanicals and the remaining horse photograph over the leather chair). I was left with a little pile of browns, grays, blue-grays, greeny-yellows, soft sand colors, creams, and whites. So I just arranged them in a gradient from darkest to lightest (this photo was still a work in progress since I switched out a few of the chips that stuck out too much or looked out of order).

Paint Swatch2

Little loops of scotch tape on the back of each one held them in place on four pieces of card stock that I taped together to create a big 16 x 20″ background to fit the frame. Ta-daaa.

Paint Chips

We love that the paint chip art looks like a pixelated photo and the dandelion pic is a nice little “neutral” touch in the room as well (so it all layers in nicely without conflicting too much with anything else on the walls). Yay. We’re fans. Although we’ve learned that art posts are definitely the most not-everyone’s-boat-is-floated-by-the-same-stuff kind of thing. But we sleep in that room and we like it mucho. Hurrah! Clara’s favorite part? The pig of course (she runs into the room squealing “piggy!” and pointing while oinking). Very cute.

Dresser New Frames

For another version of paint swatch art, check out what we did with leftover swatches in our old office (on our postcard ledge) and drop in on Jessica Jones’ awesome paint chip art project here on How About Orange.

Oh and since I’m in a doodling mood, here’s a bit more about why we did what we did:

Dresser Doodles

See, it’s not as perfectly balanced and mirror-image-ish. But it still kind of goes. And it’ll work a lot better after some tweaks over time (get ready for more doodling)…

Bedroom Other Side

… like this…

Bedroom Other Side Doodles

We really like that the white mirror in the nook relates to the glossy white window trim, and the art hanging on either side of it is dark enough to feel balanced but not exactly the same size/shape anymore. So that’s where we are.

Who knows what else we’ll change as we go though. We’re definitely fans of the trial and error method (since we never seem with it enough to get things right on the first try, haha). Although this corner view is still my favorite for some reason. Probably because the mirror reflects a ton of window-light and the big chandelier is floating overhead with the neutral-ish-but-not-white curtains, the dark moody leather chair, and the horse art in the background.

Bedroom Corner

So anyway, it’s nice that something as simple as two cheap-o pillows and some fast & free art swappage (I must be in a free art mood this week) could add a bit more interest while taming the super-symmetry that seemed to build and eventually boil over as we added art and accessories.

Have you guys bought cheap-o pillows lately? Or decided to switch out art and accessories as you toss in other additions and slowly build a room? Any favorite pillow sources in general? Oh and has anyone out there gotten it totally right with everything from the furnishings to the accessories in one shot? That must be amazingly serendipitous. We’re more of the learning as you go slash bumbling along type. Haha. But at least we didn’t break anything this time…

Comments

  1. Lauren says

    Love the changes! Lots of fun!

    I have to admit that the hubby and I also have a storage ottoman next to our bed so that our mini dachshund can get up and down. Her little legs just can’t make it all the way up on her own.

    Reply

  2. Roberta says

    A temporary solution for the bathroom cabinet are curtains hung from tension rods…real simple and do-able. You could find a coordinating strip to match the bed pillows. Here’s a post I wrote on the curtains I use around my house to cover bookcases: http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/03/wednesdays-workbook-wfmws-curtains-nbookshelves.html

    And here’s a post on my bathroom vanity curtain: http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/04/metmorphisis-monday-tiled-bathroom-backsplash.html

    Finally…if you want a step-by-step sewing tutorial on making these easy peasy casement curtains…here ya go: http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/03/wednesdays-workbook-new-soft-furnishings.html

    Hope this helps, Roberta

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks for the tip Roberta! It’s definitely something we’ve considered, although we worry Clara will get into stuff more easily (whereas doors can be locked with kid-safe stuff). Just because we don’t have a medicine cabinet to put not-Clara-safe-stuff in since we just have a mirror in front of a window instead. Haha.

      xo,
      s

    • Roberta says

      Oh yeah I hear you on child safety…I have those plastic drawers hidden behind my curtains…full of stuff ;) Perhaps you can put a set of drawers with lock behind a curtain for safe keeping. I don’t know if those safety latches would work on my plastic drawers but I know they can on a pair of wooden ones, etc.

  3. Kelley says

    OOO! I totally saw those at my HomeGoods store, too. I was shopping for some euro pillow inserts and thought they would work. I was actually walking to the register with the red & white striped ones when I realized that I couldn’t just take off the stripes and find an insert inside – it was just the stuffing. Boo. They are fun, tho! And I love the paint swatch art. I’ve been wanting to do something like that for so long!

    Reply

  4. Cheryl says

    I love paint chip art! I did a my own version of this here, http://zodirowe.blogspot.com/2011/08/paint-chip-art.html.

    I also really like this layout, http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-make-easy-paint-chip-wall-art.html. Somehow, that one reminds me of you two. Not that we’re best freinds and I know what kind of art would fit you best, but I read your blog religiously so. . . I don’t know where I was going with this. Sorry, I’m a dork.

    I like paint chip art.

    Reply

  5. Amy says

    I do a lot of digital drawing and photography. I loved your idea of the horse prints in your bedroom and put a little twist on it for our new living room.
    There is an old carousel near our house that was just refurbished last winter. (My area is known for it’s carousels since there are 5 or 6 in town) I took a bunch of photos, edited them to be high contrast black and white image and resized them to 18×24.
    The rule in our new house is that any and all artwork must be created (or altered) by us or a friend/family member.

    Reply

  6. Allison says

    Do you actually make your bed each morning? I used to…then I got married- ha! About pillows- my dad has always said he is going to toss all the pillows down on my mom’s casket before the fill it in with dirt because she loves pillows so much, she can take em with her. Sounds morbid now that I’m typing it, but so funny when he says it! p.s. He is not trying to compel her to the grave- just saying!

    Reply

  9. Wendy says

    Ok, NOW I like this room! You are so speaking my language with the new art and changing the duvet. Have you guys ever considered a color/patterned quilt or coverlet and folding back the white duvet at the foot of the bed? Or vicuh~versuh ;) with a white/neutral blanket and a color/patterned duvet cover folded back at the foot o’ the bed? Also, it may just be me, but I love your floors as they seem on my screen. But, I was just admiring the whole dresser side of the room and its vignette…a smaller cool rug (that speaks in compliment or subtle contrast to the bed rug) would look so nice under the dresser coming out into the room a bit. It would break apart the 2 woods (floor and dresser) letting each be special.

    Ok, now I feel weird commenting on yall like this. :)

    I love the pillows, love duvet change-up, love the art!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We definitely have considered something other than a duvet on the bed (quilt, coverlet) so we’ll just have to see what grabs us! The room is definitely still a work in progress, so it should be interesting to see how much it continues to evolve as we go!

      xo,
      s

  10. Laura at Running In The Delta says

    Sherry…your blog is one of my FAVORITES!!! I am inspired by you guys every day. I was going to ask a question about your $9 Euros…what if….
    You bought a 3rd one….
    And put them…
    Wait for it…
    Across the BACK of the bed???? Like right up against the headboard.
    And some crisp white shams for your 2 standard pillows in front of the Euros.
    And a nice saturated throw at the foot of the bed.
    Too much?
    Have I gone to far?
    Making suggestions to the experts is tacky, maybe?? :)
    Just a thought. I love it the way it looks now, but we’re all friends here so i just thought I’d throw it out there.
    Keep up the great work!
    ~Laura

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- we’re definitely not experts so feel free to suggest away! As for three of those euros, they might be too big (literally wider than the bed) but you never know where we’ll end up! We’re definitely open to adding a throw, a new duvet, and generally changing up the pillows, art, and pretty much everything else as we go!

      xo,
      s

  11. Rachel says

    Love the pillows! In fact, I picked up one last week at HG! Like you, I could not resist the stripes, and have it in our master bedroom. I figured for that price if I got tired of it in our room that I could always move it to my son’s room.

    Reply

  12. Cheryl Balmas says

    oh em gee brilliant idea with the paint swatches…I have tons and tons and tons of them cuz when I pick up a color I can’t just take 3 blues I have to take all 15! then i feel guilty cuz i don’t really need all of them! i hate throwing them out and i actually returned some once…got some strange looks ‘putting back’ the swatches vs taking them! but this a way cool idea! i may have to try this! my husband will bust a gut laughing…he thinks i’m obsessed with paint chips!

    Reply

  14. Brittney says

    Just picked up a couple of those pillows in the green stripes and the navy stripes for $9.99 a pop here in Minneapolis. Such a sweet deal thanks for sharing! The cashier was actually surprised at how cheap but nice they were which always is a sign of a good deal. :)

    Reply

  17. Jackie says

    I am a twenty-something young girl and can sympathize with you both about finding a cheap set of big fluffy Euro pillows! I am in the process of re-decorating my room (mostly re-organizing) with a few drastic improvements and am on the hunt for some giant Euro pillows. $9 is definitely a bargain!

    Reply

  24. kaylan says

    Love the pillows and I like the direction your bedroom is heading! I pinned the picture of your pillows right after you posted them, but just got around to making my own version.

    Reply

  25. df says

    I love the whole room! I’m a teenager and i love to redecorate and do DIY projects! Maybe interior design is in my future..? Anyways, I love your blog- i just discovered it a few days ago-and recently i hung new art on my walls similar to what you just did. Thanks so much for all of your amazing ideas :)

    Reply

  26. Hilary P says

    Love the paint choir art! It’s delays been something I’ve thought about doing. What kept holding me back was what to do with the color names on the front. Leave them or cut them? I think I can see on yours you left them as is? you don’t think it’s too distracting in person? Or maybe offers an interesting added visual!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, they were so subtle on these that I left them on! I’d just look at the ones you have on had and decide if they’re super noticeable or not! Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  28. Bonnie says

    Hi! I searched and didn’t see any questions about your dresser so sorry if this is a repeat. I love it – the color, the style, etc. Any idea of what wood it is? And what “style/era” of dresser? I’d love to find a similar one. Love your site – thank you! -Bonnie

    Reply

  29. Sharon says

    Hi, what color are the walls in your bedroom in the pictures above? Is it still the gray color (rockport, I think I read).

    Love it :) Thanks!

    Reply

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