Well, it ain't over yet.
Sure, progress is sloooow...considering our decorating budget is fairly non-existent. But that doesn't stop me from trying! And when one finds something special that one just can simply not live without, well...then one has to make an exception to the no-spend rule.
Example:
This lovely blanket - circa 1960.
When Stuart and I were browsing around a downtown vintage, second hand store a few weeks ago, we ran across this deliciously colorful bed cover. It was $26.
"Are you sure we should get it? I mean, it's $26..." my husband oh so lovingly whispered.
Yes. Yes, I was sure.
I've been looking at bed covers. Remember? And even though discount store specials run about $75. So yes, if you missed it, I was sure.
Unfortunately, this blanket had three problems (it was used, after all):
1. It had this horrible, nasty crochetted fringe around the edge
2. It had two small rips at the seams
3. It smelt like old-lady perfume
But I'm a determined son-of-a-gun, and I'll be danged if I'll let a few setbacks stop me.
So, I brought it home, ripped off the horrendous fringe and threw it into the washing machine on the 'gentle cycle' (completely ignoring the 'dry clean only' claims).
Old lady smell conquered.
Then, I took the blanket up to my Mom's so she could sew along the edge (creating a finished look) and also fix the few small rips on the seams.
Nasty fringe and small tears conquered. Well that was pretty painless!
I. Love. This. Blanket. And while I can appreciate the fact that the peacock colors are not quite everyone's cup of tea, I find them quite exciting. After we put in on the bed (over our deliciously indulgent down-comforter) Stuart made the comment that it made him feel like someone important. Perhaps a Prince of sorts, enjoying his royal bed.
There was another problem though. You see, we had old green throw pillows on our bed. And the 'old' green didn't match the 'new' green. Not to mention, the room was now on green overload: green dressers, green blanket, green throw pillows, green curtains, green lamp. Yikes!
And that's where you come in. I need your help!
I've searched long and hard and am struggling to find the perfect, solid orange pillows I so desperately desire. Maybe it's a sign. But isn't this just how decorating works? You fix one design problem, only to cause two more.
So now, I am now in the market for a new, bold & fun lamp, accent pillows, and some colorful accent pieces for the walls. Maybe a cluster of prints like this:
And on it goes...
I think I would look for yellow pillows.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible with it comes to putting colors together!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I will say... I love old vintage linens and things. I've got an ORANGE bedspread waiting for it's debut!
But I'm keeping the fringe on mine (it is in good shape)
I'm OKAY with orange-- and the pillows you showed have just enough red to make it interesting!
I can't wait to see what you choose.
Pat
I would definitely go with orange or even coral; follow your heart. We redid our old farmhouse a few years ago, and I agonized over the colors, but the ones I dreamed of turned out to be exactly what we wanted, and, with planning, they worked. Temper the intense colors with some very quiet colors. The gray would work. Can you repaint the dressers? Recover the pillows? Paint the lamps? Oh, how I wish you were nearer; I have some lamps that are mottled orange and dark yellow from the sixties I'd give you! They are probably way too big for a bedroom, anyway. They look sponge-painted...that might work for you! I needed throw pillows for a room, and the colors of the ones I had were wrong, so I dropped them into pillowcases and folded them back into a point behind the pillows and safety-pinned the excess. Nobody ever knew! My mother used extra bed pillows covered with remnants for throw pillows that were actually useful on the couch. Use your orange, and maybe a gray, and possibly a plaid or stripe with those colors and the peacock color, and it will be fresh and new. Don't let others' opinions cause you to bypass what you and your husband want. The print idea is a good one, if you can find something with the colors you want. Go for it! And POST PICTURES!
ReplyDeleteA delicious chocolate brown.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the orange! Perhaps even a copper like orange.
ReplyDeleteI also love the idea of prints. I love old advertising posters and such. I have some French chocolate ones in my kitchen. I found a website that might be helpful (and thrifty)that has all sorts of free posters and such which you can print up. Here is the link if you are interested. http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/index.cfm
I love the orange! Go for it! If you can't find what you're looking for, maybe you can purchase the fabric and make it?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking gold, copper, & shiny chocolate brown.
ReplyDeleteGoogle the Color wheel! Just go for the opposite, or complementary, color from the green. I'd say a red orange might look mighty fine :-)
ReplyDelete