Hello friends! I’m so excited to share this master bedroom makeover because it has truly been a labor of love and something I’m really proud of☺️
It all started because I wanted to use this Dresden Plate quilt my mother’s aunts made for me years ago. I’d never actually used it because I was not sure how to incorporate these colors into my normal decor, and it had been stored in a cedar chest for years. I thought about using it in the girls’ room, but totally forgot about it until after I had finished that makeover.
My great aunt Kate had started the quilt, then after she passed away, her sister Frances finished it for me.
Pictured below left to right are my Aunt Frances, Aunt Kate, Aunt Leta, Great Grandpa Chandler and my handsome Pappaw Chandler.
I really felt like it needed to be in a room with lots of white (I know what you’re thinking – me🤷🏻♀️🤔?!!??) I did spread it out in the room before painting and felt like the gray walls just weren’t right for this quilt or the look I wanted. And the look I wanted was an authentically vintage farmhouse bedroom that my great aunts or grandmothers could have put together – simple, white linens, inherited wood furniture, lace curtains, and a colorful quilt lovingly made from saved scraps of fabric.
I also thought if I painted the room, it would be a good time to restore and install trim from the old house since I’d never finished that project. We were working on this room getting ready for photographers Gridley + Graves in 2014 when Luis was injured in a miter saw accident, and we needed to wrap this up and concentrate on his healing. I had at that point restored and hung the doors but we used 1″ x 4″ pine trim, which I had painted the same color as the walls.
So I have obviously been through a few changes in between, all of which I loved. This time, though, I really wanted the trim to stand out, and I felt like a light creamy color would also mimic the plaster walls of the old house, which were always painted and never had wallpaper as a lot of Victorian houses do. In the video I’ve linked below, I show some of the paint drips on the wood indicating some of the colors my grandmother used in the old house, and while she usually had a peachy/pink bedroom, I felt a creamy white would work better here with this quilt. I used a color I’ve used for a long time in this house, Geneva Swan Gray from the Colorplace collection at Walmart, which they apparently don’t have anymore. I took the formula to Lowes and had it mixed in Valspar Express around $13, and I was really pleased with the coverage, especially over the dark gray walls.
I am so in love with this room, and so proud of all the hard work I did because restoring each piece of trim, then cutting and installing it was quite the process. Three weeks of hard work to be exact! I really feel like it has exceeded my vision for a simple and authentic farmhouse bedroom.
I’ll show you around the room now, and please be sure to check out the video on my channel linked at the end for more.
Many of you will remember where a lot of these things came from, but I’ll add some descriptions for anyone new.
I restored the bed after finding it here on the property, and my maternal grandmother crocheted the beautiful ribbon blanket for my oldest daughter.
I thought it was a perfect accompaniment to the quilt.
I couldn’t love this trim more. I have hung the lace curtains inside the casings so the trim is not hidden, and tied them back in a rosette style, using rubber bands, a look that I actually saw on a TV set depicting the late 1800s.
I love how the inherited wood furniture looks with the trim against the creamy walls.
I restored the cabinet a few years ago and added back into it the medicine, etc., my grandparents had in it when it hung in the old house.
The brass oil lamp was actually a recent find at a consignment store here where I’d left some things to sell. It ended up being only $16.
The peonies were planted by my great grandfather years ago, and all the furniture was inherited from a late cousin of my grandfather’s.
The beautiful oil pastel was a gift from a very talented artist, Sue Bridges, who is also one of my choir members.
The art on this side was all painted by my late uncle who lived and ranched in Montana. My grandmother had a wonderful collection of his art that always hung in the old house then later in their new house, so not only were these paintings perfectly appropriate, the colors were perfect for the quilt.
I ended up adding a rag rug because the colors were just too good, and used another one for the Hardin settle, which was originally in the old house.
The lilac plate is part of a collection that came with flour sacks to the store my grandfather owned and ran here.
The exquisitely made gown belonged to my great aunt, and you can certainly tell the attention to detail women had back then in their sewing – especially as compared to today.
This trim really enhances the doors, and I’m so happy to have it all back together again just as it was in the old house☺️
This little gown was my grandfather’s, and the lace handkerchief on the other wall was a wedding gift in 1872 to a family member, who passed it down to her nieces – one of which was granddaddy’s cousin from whom we inherited most of this furniture.
I really am proud of all the work I did in here, and when my daddy saw it, he said, “it looks just like the old house.” ❤️❤️❤️ That certainly makes all the hard work restoring and installing each piece of this trim very much worth it.
I spent exactly $27 for paint on this room, then used all things I had, made or could restore. For me, that is actually what “farmhouse” is – using what you have and making something humble look and feel beautiful. All the women before me have excelled at this, and I hope, they would all love this room as much as I do❤️
Thanks for stopping by for my little makeover! Be sure to check out my channel for a video tour of the room as well as some behind the scenes footage☺️
Oh Anita, I so enjoyed that tour and your precious story of all the memoirs! What a blessing! This space is absolutely gorgeous. And I agree with you 100% on what makes an authentic farmhouse. There is something so comforting and so cozy and welcoming about a home decorated in this style. It truly makes a house a home. ♥️
Author
Thank you so very much for those kind words Carol☺️☺️☺️ That is exactly what I hope people see and feel, and hopefully incorporate those same things as well❤️❤️
love all of it!
Author
Thank you Polly!
Absolutely glorious! And the quilt makes the whole room glow!
Author
Thank you so much joy! I’m so happy to have it out and be able to enjoy using it and remember my great aunts☺️☺️
Anita, as much as I liked the moody dark paint color, this is so fresh and inviting. The perfect feel for the warmer summer months to come. The trim is such a treasure and it is just beautiful and worth all the hard work. Definitely a place to look forward to laying your head each night!
Author
Thank you Carolyn☺️☺️ It really does feel fresh and clean now, so I’m happy I went with my instinct☺️☺️
Oh Anita, Your Bedroom is absolutely Beautiful !! You did an Awesome job. Everything in the room is Gorgeous. The Quilt has such Beautiful colors. I really enjoyed the video. Your home is so Beautiful Anita. Thank you for sharing it. 💖
Author
I appreciate that very much Cathy, thank you☺️
Truly beautiful. Your home always looks like nobody lives there. Nothing is ever out of place though you have grown children and a husband who loves to enjoy the beauty you have created. And all that hard work you do is to be admired. Just gorgeous
Author
Thanks mom, but of course I just don’t take pictures when it’s a mess though☺️☺️😉😉
This post was very moving and a testament for the love of family and true treasures. When I watched the video it was so moving that I teased up! Americans do not honor the past or elders as other nations do. You honored your family and yourself with this most excellent work. The room holds more charm and spirit than most of the homes on IG, Pinterest, and magazines. Not painting this beautiful wood increases ones sense of connection to nature and her gifts for us. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Oh Karen thank you so very much🙏🙏🙏 I absolutely think you are right about how we view elders here, and it’s heartbreaking. There is so much to learn from them, and I sure wish my grandparents were still here, because now that I’m older, I have so many questions I’d love to ask them❤️
I meant to say I cried not teased!
Beautiful bc it’s an amazing treasured quilt and carefully hand carved trim. You and your family’s hands are touching all the same pieces. How awesome is that!! I have family pieces that I treasure and feel so fortunate to be the caretaker of bc of the stories they tell. Thanks for telling your story in the most beautiful way! It was very enjoyable and those colors on that quilt, stunning!! Your room is a treasure! It is so nice how you continuously honor your ancestors in your aesthetic. It’s stunning and love it all! Always look forward to the next post!
Author
Thank you so much Linda!! I appreciate your kind words, and you sharing about your own treasures☺️I find in these days we’re living, those connections to the past and the wonderful memories are all the more important❤️
Such a beautiful labor of love from family and friends. You are so blessed.
Author
Thank you Laura☺️☺️ It’s funny I get so overwhelmed with all the things life throws at us, but at the end of the day the blessings are greater and sweeter❤️
I so enjoyed this tour Anita. It has inspired me to use what I have….from my mom and other family members.
Just a beautiful and special room with so many precious memories.
Seeing your beautiful, loving restorations make me feel as if I’m home. The furniture, the accessories, the clothing, the flowers–ALL of it wraps me in peace. I’ve said it many times before and this latest work reinforces the fact that this is a home filled with love.
Author
Dear Sara, thank you so much friend❤️ I sure hope you are one day able to visit with us here☺️☺️
Absolutely stunning!!!! No greater compliment could’ve been given than that by your daddy…..”It looks just like the old house…”!
Author
Thank you so much Tonye!! Yes it was truly a heartwarming and memorable moment❤️❤️❤️
Anita, Hello! Oh, you have done it again! Everything looks so beautiful, that wood work is gorgeous, The light walls make the wood work shine and brings the colorful quilt, ribbon blanket, and rugs, front & center. I love all the bright colors. So much love and history in this room. This is why I just love your account, so unique and always honoring and remembering all your loved ones. Very special. Now, I hope you sit back and enjoy….. but not too long, I know your garden duties are calling. Have a wonderful summer, Anita! Fondly, Sally (Hugs)
Author
Thank you so much Sally for the kind words☺️☺️ It was truly a labor of love, and I’m sure enjoying the room❤️ And yes, trying to get the garden in and watered through this dry weather has been a challenge so no rest for the weary as they say😂😂☺️
Your “little” makeover is just so lovely! And you are so right on trend, even if you did not mean to, for CottageCore is so trending, with meaningful treasures of the past as you have showcased. That Quilt! oh my how summery it looks…just like summer sorbet or ice cream..cool! This room is so perfect for the design trends of today!
Author
Thank you so very much Alda☺️☺️☺️
WOW! That quilt is amazing! I love the new transformation! Bright and cheery for the summer!
~Nancy You know me as nance_endless_summer on IG.
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Thank you so much Nancy☺️☺️☺️
Lovely!
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Thank you☺️