Marisa's Pink/Red, London/Paris Bedroom Retreat Design Board

Ah, another year's Church Christmas Cookie Walk and Gift/Craft Fair has come and gone.  I did very well.  I sold many of my facial cloths, polish star ornaments, mugs, etc.

But the ending of another year has me itching for some change.  I have been trying to declutter and organize our home, i.e. my life, but it hasn't been going so well.   It's organized chaos around here, with three households combined into one: that means three households of stuff, six people, a dog, a cat, and even a fish all in one place.  

But my bedroom especially is in need of some help.  When I returned home last year I didn't ever fully organize and set up my bedroom because I wasn't sure at the time when I'd be moving again.  But when you work from home and your bedroom is your creative space, it gets really stifling to live somewhere that is so clearly "in transition" when you are trying to be efficient, productive, and innovative.  It is mentally draining to look around at the mess.

So, to boost my morale, I made a new inspiration board for myself.  I'm not sure if I will be revamping the bedroom this winter over my work holiday break, or if I will wait until I move into an apartment again in the late spring, but either way, this incorporates mostly things I already own with some small changes.

I could also label this, "I am a Basic White Girl and this is where I sleep."   I could have also called it, "I will never have a man in my room again."

But officially, this board is entitled, "Marisa's Pink and Red London/Paris Bedroom."   I have had a red, white and black bedroom.  And I have had a pink, white and black bedroom.   But never before had it occurred to me to combine that bright cherry red and hot pink, but I am really digging the effect.  And I will never have to decorate for Valentine's Day specifically again.

Everything here I already own, or is from Ikea, Target, Partylite Candles, Overstock.com, or Michael's Crafts

Enjoy!

Autumn Appreciation...

Wooden Pillar Holders and Pillar Trio: Partylite (discontinued); Paris print: internet; Hello Fall wooden sign: Target dollar bin section; maple leaf ribbon: Michael's Crafts; Owl tealight holder: Dollar General; Aqua Rooster Pitcher: Food Network line at Kohl's; Burlap leaves and sprays: Michael's Crafts; Brass Scroll Sconces: Partylite (discontinued);
mini pumpkin: Big Y Stores

I have been remiss in my blogging duties again!  But our house has been bustling since my last update.  My sister had her baby and while I have been trying to organize our house for Fall, it has just not been coming together as I had hoped.  Translation: I have been lazier than I'd hope to be.

But I have managed to get some Fall décor up.  Notably, I am not the best photographer anyway.  But I find that our Craftsman home, which is beautiful but rather dark thanks to all the wood trim and paneling, is particularly difficult to photograph.

So, here are the pictures and forgive my lack of skill.  I am sure you will get the idea.

Silhouette Teapot: HomeGoods; leaf jar holder: Partylite, glass clock: Thrift shop find; Autumn leaf glass tray: Pier One; white plate frame: Michael's Crafts; mini white pumpkins: Big Y stores

Fabric Photo coffee table book: Ikea; turquoise leaf metallic lampshade: Target; Leaf fabric for toss pillow: Jo-Ann's; Black sweater throw pillow: Walmart

Aqua frames: Target; Clean House sign: specialty shop in Mystic, CT; French inspired Clock: Ikea; Red painted M: letter and craft paint from Michael's Crafts

Red patterned tablerunner:  Target circa 2013, Threshold brand; Ironstone basin and pitcher: antique store finds; Pinecones; Dollar General; red and orange berry garland: Michael's Crafts

Threshold Farrah Curtains in Black: Target (discontinued in 2013)

Red Bicycle Canvas Art: HomeGoods; Red Distressed Burlap Frame: Michael's Crafts, Eiffel Tower Print: Target 2009; small wooden sign: Mystic CT specialty shop



I made that bunting banner from a recycled paper banner purchased from the Target dollar bin section, and I hand stenciled and painted the letters and leaves using Acrylic craft paint from Michael's.

 

Glass Cake Pedestal: HomeGoods; Glass Hand Blown Pumpkin and Glass Pumpkin Cookie Jars belong to my sister, the Beta Fish is my nephew Micah's

that beautiful Watercolor Autumn painting was done by my uncle, Jeff Messenger, who is a local artist.  The brass candlesticks have been my mother's as long as I can remember, and the brass pillar stand and snuffer are Partylite from years ago.  The Cranberry wreath came from Christmas Tree Shops in North Conway, NH.

 

Valentine's Day Decor

My apartment is naturally decorated for Valentine's Day, between the red and pink color schemes.  However, I couldn't help myself.  I had to add a few additional touches, here and there.

I have a love/hate relationship with this day.  For a huge portion of my life I was one half of a couple.  But even then, I always felt conflicted because Valentine's Day never quite lives up to the hype.  And now that I'm single, and have been for some time, I have decided to re-frame how I look at this day.

For the past couple years I've been trying to embrace it creatively as an alternative.  That includes baking delicious cupcakes, buying myself flowers at times, and of course adding home decor touches.  Here are a few snapshots of my holiday touches.

letters are from Michael's Crafts, I painted two red

Red Heart Felt Mat from Michael's Crafts

Jar Candles from Michael's, Signs made by painting Canvas board with acrylic paint, and then cutting out letters and shapes from damask patterned craft paper, then modge podging each onto the boards.

I had my snowflakes up at Christmas, so adding a few paper doily hearts from Michael's to the display seemed like it fit.  I also hung a wooden heart ornament from Michael's that I had painted red/pink with felt tip markers from the knob and my array of french country inspired mugs that are always displayed are very appropriate for V-Day!

Another view, another wooden ornament hung, plus a Fleur de Lis ornament I picked up on Clearance at Pier One after Christmas in 2010 or 2011.

This Michael's Crafts chainlink heart garland was a natural addition to my already pink bedroom.  I might leave it up permanently!

Another View.  Can you see how the hot pink curtains make the whole room glow pink during the day?