MG's Master Bedroom: Before and After

Happy Saturday! I have been meaning to share my before and after of our bedroom for quite sometime now. I introduced our home from my very first post which explains the disorganization and scattered decor shown in these before photos. And although it isn't 100% (lighting) I think its ready to be showed off. My bedroom is a place where hubby and I can tune out the outside world, sink into our cozy bed and just relax! Here are the before and after shots of our room...

Entrance before

After

Before

 After

Before

Kelley Moore Paint Color: Roanoke ::ceiling color::

Kelley Moore Paint Color: Open Road ::wall color::

After

My hubby and I try to be minimalists and considering how much stuff was in the room before we cleaned it up, we definitely wanted a clean, refreshing and comfortable style. 

The accents.

I tried to make this room as gender neutral as possible. After all, it is a woman and a man sharing this bedroom and although I do like a masculine styled bedroom, I still wanted to maintain balance..

My personal touch to the space. This Ikea vase had the perfect neck to hold my bangles. 

Since we're both more on the spiritual side of things, it was necessary to have Buddha in the room..

 

Simple bedside decor. These lamps added style to this simple vignette. Scored these at Marshall's for $26/each!

 

Keeping personalization to a  minimal..what hubby reads

My wisdom rock; words of encouragement. I rotate this on each side from time to time.

Reading material

The lovely view from our bed..but only lovely when its not foggy!

I approached this room decor like I would for any redecorating project; on a budget! Once I got my base bedroom pieces in, it was time to bargain hunt..

I found this 4-piece wall art set at Kohl's for $5!

This is one of my favorite pieces in the room. I found this one of a kind original canvas halfway hidden amongst other art at the Goodwill for $5!

I love the swirly texture. It was the perfect hanging piece above my dresser. And to think this was probably going to sit there for who knows how long, unappreciated. The saying is so true. One man's junk is another man's treasure. This WOman sure was lucky!

This was another awesome find! This is a wine rack I found in the clearance section at Kohl's for $15! It made for another perfect piece in our room. Kohl's quickly became my favorite place!

DIY framed wall art. These 20 x 26 frames cost me $10 for all 3 at SCRAP. I purchased 2 large pieces of handmade paper and cut them in half.

I started this herringbone pattern with a pencil and went over it with a Sharpie. The art in the middle was my take on the zen enso. I used a plain old plastic cup (the red party cups) roughly tracing around the cup then going back and freehand tracing to create thicker areas.

Free hand linear patterns

Once my lighting is up, the room will be complete! Your entire home should be your oasis, but your bedroom is your ultimate getaway. It's where you can hide and let go of the outside chaos that presently surrounds you. Leave all that at the foot of your bedroom door and RELAX!

San Francisco Rental by Kyle Schuneman

Flipping through the pages of this months Sunset Magazine Issue, I came across a beautifully decorated San Francisco half duplex designed by Kyle Schuneman. In the article Kyle states,“Even in a rental, it’s about making a space that works for you,” a statement I can relate to. As a renter myself, I believe that no matter what your housing arrangement is, owned or rented, the space is YOURS so make it your oasis...and in this case Kyle did just that...

via www.kyleschuneman.com

I love the subtle masculinity of this living room. He used plush furniture in warm tones for an end result of pure coziness and comfort. Check out that couch! Doesn't it make you want to skip all your day plans to just snuggle up?!

via www.sunset.com

What I love about this room is that it was designed on a budget. Check out the shelves behind the couch made with plumbing parts and lumber making for an industrial style. Buy a bookshelf like this from Restoration Hardware and you may have to miss next months rent..

via www.kyleschuneman.com

Although the space is small there is always something that draws your attention. For me its that classic home bar up against that striped accent wall. 

via www.kyleschuneman.com

I love the simplicity in style and decor that Kyle so cleverly expressed in this home and the best part is no major deconstruction is needed when its time to move out. For details on how this space was decorated check out this months Sunset Magazine issue. For more on Kyle and his portfolio visit www.kyleschuneman.com. I am now a fan of his work!

Not So Baby Rooms

I've been asked about baby rooms a few times and whether or not they should be a BABY room or half adult half baby since parents will be spending a lot of time soothing the screaming newbie back to sleep. After experiencing a few baby to child room changes myself, I am happy to share some very simple baby room decor ideas that are appropriate for both baby and parents and perfect for the transitional baby to child phase.

Now we all know that having children is $$$$$$$$$$$ {yes that many dollar signs and more}. So for me, decorating baby rooms to make it look like Walt Disney characters thew up wall to wall is impractical because let's face it, the kid(s) will be occupying the room until they're 18 (let's hope) so to put hundreds {for those who have deeper pockets}, thousands of dollars into creating that perfect baby themed room that will only last for maybe 2 years is a waste of money. 

Here are a few of my favorite simple and affordable decorating ideas that still have that innocent baby aura but can easily transform into their child to young adult years...

First things first, color....

via www.realtor.com

I know this isn't a baby room but I love the paint job and color. This shade of blue works for both boy or girl. Half painted rooms are one of my favorite paint ideas..and the easiest. If you've ever painted a room you know its a motherF%^#$@. There's a lot of sweat blood and tears that come with painting; sanding, priming, maintaining consistent strokes, painting another coat, checking for missed spots, etc..Painting only half of the room midway horizontally is a style on its own and sets the color theme. Not to mention it will prevent additional tantrums. Another great suggestion is going with a neutral color so that you can change out accessories in any color tone without clashing with the color of the walls. The room looks more balanced out if the color is painted from the base up towards the middle..

via pinterest.com/brookeberry

Your base pieces are next. Of course you need a crib. If you are going to paint the room, I suggest sticking with the classic white or wood stained cribs so the room is not over saturated with color..believe it or not bright colors do make a difference in your mood and baby's mood. 

via www.brooklynberrydesigns.com

 via www.babybedding.com

Theme walls are also another easy paint job that add playful character in the room. Solid color or horizontal stripes on the main wall of a room make a statement.

These paint suggestions are an example of easy transition from baby to child. Its best to choose gender neutral colors so that in the near future you can easily switch out the decor but still maintain style in the room. 

via pinterest.com/brookeberry

It's time to accessorize..I consider a side chair as an accessory and is a must in a baby room..gliders are best and if you have enough space try to get a nice big cozy size to rest comfortably. 

If you choose to go with half painted walls or a subtle striped or block color accent wall, I suggest choosing bold patterned accessories to bring in some life...

via www.elizabethannedesigns.com

I love gray and white striped walls. This is the perfect gender neutral style and pattern that go with any rug and bedding pattern. 

Now, if painting an entire room is just too much of a hassle and you want to soothe your eyes from those overbearing stark white walls, choose bright and bold base pieces. I love this yellow crib! Its seems so unconventional than the normal wood stained or white cribs. Add in a stylish area rug and a colorful chair and you won't feel like you're still in the hospital. 

via livethemma.ikea.se

See how the half painted rooms can easily transition from baby to child? I love this room. 

via www.serenaandlily.com

Here is another great way of adding color in a white room. No painting at all!

via www.decorpad.com

Modern decorating doesn't have to end when it comes to baby or children's rooms. Kids are fun (when they're not screaming and throwing themselves on the floor) so why not match them up with a fun room.

Easy DIY Wall Pattern by JGW Interior Decorating

Happy New Year MGSimpleStyle followers =) We all survived the holidays! Before the year ended I came across an amazing wall pattern I had to share. Justina G.White is an aspiring interior designer behind JGW Interior Decorating who I have been following in the last year. Her recent project of the graphic wall pattern painted in an in-between space of her home is so unique and well coordinated that I had to ask how long it took. To my surprise this was a very easy project.

 Photos courtesy of JGW Interior Decorating

"I had wanted to do a wall pattern for some time, I wanted to do it in my bedroom as an accent wall. I played over different designs for a few months but couldn't think of anything original. The other night my daughter was coloring and I decided I would doodle a few patterns. I already had the supplies: frog tape, 1/2 pint of black semi gloss paint by Behr, roller, and paint brush (I have all this because I'm supposed to be redoing this antique desk I bought at a thrift store). I thought of a pattern that I liked and then I just started putting frog tape on the wall. It took all of maybe one hour. I put up the tape then took a picture to see if the lines were about even. I left the tape up over night because it was late when I started, the next night I painted the triangle shapes, I let the paint sit for 30 minutes and then took the tape away nice and slow, and there you have it!"~Justina 12/30/12

I love the finished result! A common shape placed in such an irregular pattern makes for a unique style. The black paint gives it a glamified presence and compliments her surrounding decor. This is proof that a splash of style is affordable and can be added in any space. A great example of a low budget project and the perfect additive for that extra wall space in your home.