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I could use some decorating advice...

I am going out on a limb here and posting pictures of my master bedroom. It is a work in progress but as usual, I get started, without a plan, and then get stumped on what to do next. Here's what is up for now...

First, this is a panoramic view of our room...












This is a new bedspread... a green plaid that seems a bit more "cabin" than I anticipated, but I do rather like it! I changed my green brocade style curtains with a red twill which I feel works well, but I am not sure whether I like the pulled back look for them. Next, I love my matelasse bedspread at the foot, but is it too neat?

Then, there is the art. I have a very modern art piece on the wall. I certainly do not need to have it there at all. If I remove it, what would be an appropriate piece there, or should there be anything?

Ok, the next thing... look at these accessories. Most of these are things collected over time, and sentimental, but are they appropriate? Sentimental things can be moved to a more appropriate place! Here are some close ups of the accessories... I have a lot more of the Thomas Kincade cottages, too, if that helps any!






And last, is anything missing from this room? A rug, a chair?

WAYYYY to scared to put this on Rate My Space, I need the loving advice of my blog friends, thank you very much!

in response to some questions...





Would you like to comment?

  1. I'm looking forward to what "the experts" have to say. I'd be delighted to have such a charming room.

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  2. I love your furniture! That dresser with the mirror is great. Our bed is very similar but in a lighter wood. I love your step stool to get up to it.

    I am not an expert so won't even pretend to know what you should do here but I would say my first impression of the room was that it was bottom heavy, which made me think of Kari and Kijsa's post today about molding.

    That would be gorgeous in this room.

    I would so love to have room to have a chair in our master for sitting reading. I am very envious. And a desk! Way too cool!

    No advice...just impressions and loves!

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  3. If you were on RMS, this is what I'd tell you:

    1) I think the walls need some color.

    2) I like the art piece; however, I'd put it over the bed. I think the long picture is a little to long for the space.

    3) I think there is too much furniture in the room. While I love the chair in the corner, I think it looks a tad heavy for the space (weighs it down). Also, think the desk combined w/ the little table makes it a little crowded.

    Now, this isn't on RMS, and I being confined by lack of space in some of my rooms, understand how this happens b/c you need some furniture for function, not necessarily looks. I do think every piece of furniture in the room looks very nice and of good quality. Didn't really have an opinion on the accessories.

    I'm no expert, just offering an opinion, since that is what you're looking! I hope it was constructive, and that you don't take it negatively! :O) Love your stylish background, by the way!

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  4. Thank you for posting the link to the most birthday card organized person ever! I am now in love!


    With the room-you are definitely on the right track-you have found a few things you love! Are you open to painting? I would pick a color that ties in with the curtains and your new bedspread and then we could go from there.

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  5. What about the tan that is in the throw pillow or the tan in the new bedspread? A little darker than the walls now but it would definitely warm it up!

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  6. Yes, that pillow color has more yellow in it while the wall color is more brown. I like that idea and that really wouldn't change Bob's idea of the room at all. If we used the red in the window treatment... he might squirm!

    I'd like to change the blinds to plantation blinds... would you?

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  7. I'm so bad at designing in any other style than shabby chic. I think it looks nice but maybe a darker, warmer wall color. I think it would give it a nice rich, warm feel.

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  8. Is it possible to loose the desk and then put the chair, lamp, and magazine basket in that corner? Then move the small table the tv is on possible on the wall where the floor lamp used to be. Could the tv be moved up to the dresser right beside it?

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  9. I would keep the blinds-just hang sheers over them to soften them up.

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  10. Great ideas... the sheers would be so easy. I have a tone on tone striped sheer now that I could use... or should I get just solid white?

    It would be so easy to move that desk. I have seven desks in my house now for two people. Ridiculous!

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  11. Seven desks? Yeah, the desk can go! Is the blanket at the bottom of the bed white? Are you planning on keeping any white in the room? I need to see a pic of the tone on tone sheers. I would actually go with a light tan sheer-this would tie in the new wall color and bedding with the curtains. Does the bedspread have any red in it? If not we need to come up with an idea to incorporate the red into the bedding-if you want to keep the red.

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  12. I'm not good at decorating someone else's space. I think decorating is very personal and finding a pleasing design is somewhat objective.

    But you asked me to give some advice, so for whatever it's worth here's my friendly input:

    1. All of the color is concentrated to the lower 1/3 of the room. You need to bring color up to draw the eye upwards. With the poster bed, it's naturally pulling the eye there to begin with, but there isn't much by way of decoration to keep one's attention.

    Options:

    a. Replace the white lampshades with something more colorful (or add electric, wall sconces instead).
    b. Paint the walls.
    c. Add larger wall decor to draw the eye up.

    .........

    2. Similarly, the walls are very sparce in contrast to the rest of the room.

    Options:

    a. Remove some of the furniture.
    b. Add more to the walls.

    .........

    I'd say a nice, large area rug (in a third, coordinating color with the green and white) under the bed would add some visual interest to the space and focus the eye to the bed.

    I'm not a fan of prints (just personal taste) so I would suggest having some special photos enlarged and printed onto canvas (or framed, if you prefer) to hang above the bed. The way you love photography, Terri, I can't believe you don't have photos all throughout the room!

    I can't think of anything else at the moment, so I'll end there!

    I hope my input was even remotely helpful!

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  13. I would do a solid sheer, if it were me. (not that you were responding to me). I agree w/ Brettinsky, a either creamier beige from that comforter (or whatever it is), or if you keep the art of get something new, a color from that to coordinate it. In the colorful pic, I would take a lighter shade from the right side of the painting, but I can't tell if it's a rust/terracotta or more of a brown/cream.

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  14. Is the stripe in the comforter red or pink? My computer shows it a bit pinkish. The bedspread at the bottom is beautiful-love the texture! Is it cream? It looks cream in the close up.

    You are welcome! This is fun for me!

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  15. I'd say the pillow color or the big square on the comforter. I'm sure you know, but the stores will match it if you take it in to them.

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  16. Don't you love the store matching opportunity! I think that rocks.

    I would say the "red" stripe is more of a berry color... not so "pink" as it is in the picture...although the blue and green are accurate. The matelasse is a cream.

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  17. I was watching HGTV for just a few minutes the other evening and happened to glimpse a bed that looked at lot like yours that had a canopy effect added. I believe it was somehow attached to the ceiling. It was so beautiful and I can't help wondering if you had ever thought of something like that.

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  18. great comments from everyone and I am in much agreement...

    ***if you love the spread...use the color :)

    you have great bones to begin this transformation and I can barely wait to see your finished concept!

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  19. Sherrlyn of http://www.lovesimplyhappens.blogspot.com says. . .a little peak into your bedroom upon meeting here for the first time. Organized.Serious.
    Where is the fun?
    ha ha I just returned from the Congo so everything American looks so, you know clean and orderly. But then you are principals (never could remember that correct end)

    My humble thoughts: Add some big splashes of colors on the walls. Big photographs perhaps or weavings from someplace you have traveled? Throw in a surprise. Then please come and decorate my room! I'm desperately in need of decor.

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  20. Sorry it has taken me so long to respond!

    Ok, if the bedspread has berry in it I would loose the red curtains. Find a darker tan in the bedspread and use that as a curtain color with cream colored sheers. The cream bedspread is beautiful and really should be the main color on the bed as you have it now. Hope all this helps!

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  21. I'd replace the desk with the chair, put the big piece of art above the bed, and paint the walls. Maybe get rid of a dresser...

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  22. Hi...I do have experiance decorating, I was a regional training manager for Sears home fashions division, training their decorators on window treatments and decorating in general....You do have way too much dark wood furniture in the room. I love the craftsman style chair next to the bed but you would be best served having a small upholstered piece there. Maybe a small wing chair. I would add some more interest to the bedding. I like plaid but you should add some throw pillows in a small floral or stripe as long as the colors match the colors in the plaid. I would also add a dust ruffle. Look at how a striped would go if not go with a solid color. Your walls really do need a bit of color. If you don't want to paint the whole room, do one wall. I have a bay window in my bedroom and just that wall is painted a contrasting color, giving interest to the room. Try re-arranging the furniture. I have to see a room in person to suggest what to move where but as I use to tell all my clients, if you don't like the bed there or the dress over there, move it... nothing is glued to the floor....Try a brighter lamp on the end table and do away with the floor lamp. And have one or the other, the bench at the foot of the bed or the step next to the bes, not both....I hope this helped...First thing get over to Home Depot and start looking at paint!! Have fun, decorating is always fun!!

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  23. I think it looks just wonderful so I would say good work so far! Like some of the others, I would say go for a richer, warmer wall color...something pulled from the bedspread perhaps. I really like the spread...love the look of it.
    I love the chair so if it wa sme, I would keep it!

    Now, if it was MY house, I would opt for the cream sheers with teh lamp shades matching. I would put the painting over the bed and the wall sign (that is above the bed and I like very much!) above the window or doorways. But that is just ME and i do odd things!

    The shades are fine but I do love plantation shutters if that is what YOU want! I also like the look of those matchstick blinds...the earthiness of them and that would work in here IF you like that look.

    As you can see, I am bad at giving ideas to others as it is so persoanl! I can only say what *I* would do and I am, as already said, odd! *laugh*

    I would add some baskets for books and the little things...

    I love your firniture. I am a dark wood person myself! I know it seems *in* to paint it all now but I will never do that...just not me! *smile*

    I love your bed steps. We have some that match our master bed and could use some in our guest room.

    Personally I think it all looks good. I loved Tardevil's comment about what RMS people would say...there is so much *sameness* there and so many that go along with the trends that HGTV itself puch anymore. I have a smaller house and I know would be told Ihave TOO much in the spaces but heck. I LIKE that look...it is cozier and warmer and we have to use our rooms OUR way! I love having a chair for reading and such. If you don;t use the desk you could move it but if you DO use it, heck, keep it!

    All in all a great room! very pretty and comfy!

    Love,
    Sue

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  24. Only thing this room needs is a velvet Elvis!

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  25. Of course you can read my blog! I just started it. I want to make sure I remember everything about my year with my grandparents so I can go back some day and write a book and make billions of dollars! I've also never commented on a blog, so I guess this is how I do it.

    PS I love all the pictures on your blog! You're such a great blogger!!

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  26. OOOOOOhhhhh.....just wish you would come help me out!

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  27. Teri, I haven't read the other comments, but there are a lot of them, so I'm assuming you're getting a lot of good advice. I think painting the walls a deeper color would make a big difference in here. I like your new bedspread and curtains. I can't wait to see what you do. laurie

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  28. I think the program I saw was Vern Yip and Deserving Design ... I went to HGTV's website but they don't seem to have photos of that show. I can't imagine why!

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  29. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Hi Terri
    We're getting ready to leave for home. A short weekend there, then back to the lake, for more painting etc.

    I'm doing some quick visiting while the dishwasher finishes...no this time it isn't Jim, but the automatic washer.;-)
    I love your furniture. It's fabulous, you have a great base to work from. I think you've been given some good advice. I like the idea of using the artwork over the bed. I would spread the mattelasse and fold the comforter at the end of the bed. Here's a little secret...if you want a fluffier looking comforter at the end of the bed, roll a couple of bed pillows in, as you fold. I'd drop the curtains rather than tie them back. That's just my opinion.

    Perhaps pull one of the colors from the comforter for the walls. I was told, grey is a big color for the moment. A good neutral. As far as accessories go, it's always a personal choice. Go with your heart on that one. Also, one thing that always sticks in my mind from long ago fashion accessorizing advice, in magazines or somewhere, can't remember. When you think you have just the right amount of jewelry on, or furniture accessory, in this case, subtract one piece. I've done a lot of editing of accessories lately!! I think I've gone a little overboard and may have to add back!

    My biggest advice is, play.

    I made some choices I regret, by following advice of folks who lead me in a direction I should have veered from, and believing what I was told about trends, etc. In the end, we are now working to get the house and the condo, back to "us". It all has to do with what you love, in the end.

    Good luck. I'm looking forward to progress photos!

    Have a great weekend.

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  30. Anonymous5:46 PM

    We have very different styles of decorating so I have no advice to give other than I'd paint the walls a different color.

    Good luck with this project, I can't wait to see what you come up with!

    Manuela

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  31. Okay, the room looks great to me. I tried to move my computer in our room and was told a resounding "no" by Mac, so maybe the computer needs a home. I love that big old chair. It looks great for reading...you can't lose the chair...please keep us updated on what is going on! And by the way, case you didn't read between the lines, the dreaded camera and I have an appointment with destiny on February 20th lol...I said he listens, I didn't say he obeyed!
    hugs
    Sandi

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  32. I love your furniture and I love the matelasse! I agree that having the walls a richer color would be nice, since your furniture is so rich. I also don't like shiny brass type lamps, but that's just me. I think a few more big pieces of artwork woud balance the heavy furniture a bit more.

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  33. Hi Terri

    Looks like I'm the only one to say this, but I don't think the plaid bedspreed is right for the master bedroom. For me, it looks too juvenile or "cabin-y". I agree that you need some color on the wall and I agree about putting a different painting over the bed. I also think you need much bigger lamps on each side of the bed....maybe pottery type lamps with bigger bases. The size you have now are too close to the size of the bed posts. A rug would add warmth to the room.

    Good luck. Let us know what you end of doing.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  34. I am busy working today (Saturday) on the bedroom! I am excited about the changes. I plan to post on Sunday about what I did!

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  35. I do agree with Pamthebeachkat. the plaid just doesn't do it for me either. I looked at all your photos and it's a fairly formal decor that you have. very traditional. I would find a bed coverlet that would be complimentary to the wall colour that I would pick. Keep it simple, add pillows for accents.

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  36. Terri,

    I may be coming in too late to this one, but thought I would toss out a few ideas. If I am being totally honest, I don't think the plaid bedspread is "you." You have a much more elegant and sophisticated style that the plaid just doesn't fit. I would go with a solid neutral, or something with a very subtle pattern, then add is splashes of color with lots of luxurious throw pillows.

    Next I would definitely paint the walls. As you know from having seen pictures of my home, I all about color. A nice, rich warm color would really make the rich wood of your furniture stand out.

    Then I would definitely pare down the furniture. The obvious choice to me would be to move the desk out. I love the idea of having a chair in the master bedroom so I would probably angle it in the corner where the desk is. I will have to go back and look at the pics again to see what else I would do.

    Hope this helps!!!

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  37. Terri,

    I may be coming in too late to this one, but thought I would toss out a few ideas. If I am being totally honest, I don't think the plaid bedspread is "you." You have a much more elegant and sophisticated style that the plaid just doesn't fit. I would go with a solid neutral, or something with a very subtle pattern, then add is splashes of color with lots of luxurious throw pillows.

    Next I would definitely paint the walls. As you know from having seen pictures of my home, I all about color. A nice, rich warm color would really make the rich wood of your furniture stand out.

    Then I would definitely pare down the furniture. The obvious choice to me would be to move the desk out. I love the idea of having a chair in the master bedroom so I would probably angle it in the corner where the desk is. I will have to go back and look at the pics again to see what else I would do.

    Hope this helps!!!

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