PROGRESS IN THE GUESTROOM: A FEW UPDATES

After too much time has passed to say out loud, the guest room is finally coming together. I've been making decisions, ordering online, and picking up things here and there for the room for almost two years. Working full-time and decorating a home don't always go hand-in-hand. However, our latest addition, our first grandchild, spurred me along and lit a fire under my decorating feet because one little corner of the room is devoted to her. We are affectionately calling it Kate's Corner (until the next one comes along, anyway). 

Here are eight updates in no particular order. 

1. PAINT! The room went from Shaker Beige to Swiss Coffee. Both colors are Benjamin Moore. Paint, in case you didn't know, is a miracle worker! 

2. STORAGE. Sometime after Christmas, we found this small table at Home Goods. It's the perfect size for a few basics for Kate, and I had gift cards-always a plus!

3.  NIGHT STANDS. Last summer I ordered two small chest from Wayfair to use as night stands. They are actually children's dressers, so the size is perfect if you like a bigger night stand. 

4. PILLOW COVERS. I'm not sure when I decided to use red, white, and blue, but I'm loving it. I found these on Amazon. I was able to use inserts from other pillows I had. 

5. CURTAINS. I absolutely love these navy velvet panels from Amazon. Can't wait to get them up! Two panels for less than 50$. 

6. BASKET. Picked this basket up for blankets or toys for the grandbaby side of the room. 

7. ROCKING CHAIR. It took me FOREVER to bite the bullet on this smallish rocking chair. But luckily, it is the perfect size for this space. 

8. BENCH. Well over a year ago, I came across the perfect bench for the end of the bed while thrifting. It's headed to be reupholstered this week! I'll be using some fabric I've been holding on to forever that fits nicely into the color scheme. 

Links to a few of the products:

(affiliate links)

LEOPARD PILLOW COVER  //  RED FLORAL PILLOW COVER 

CURTAINS  //  ROCKING CHAIR  //  SIMILIAR TULIPS

CHESTS USED AS NIGHTSTANDS

(Looks like the white is sold out, but they have many other options.)

Still so much to do, but we're getting there!

VELVET PILLOWS FOR FALL - YES, PLEASE!

This year, about the only fall decorating I've done has been in my dining room. But this picture from the Instagram account of Park and Oak Design made me rethink my bedroom in the smallest and best of ways--pillows.

I loved the combination of the dark wood, the navy bed, and the white and gray wallpaper. So I began the hunt for my own green velvet pillow covers.

Here's what I found:

It's hard to photograph dark colors, but I tried. Hopefully you can get an idea of the quality. They are so soft and look great in person.

The fit and finish is perfect, too. I already had two 20 x 20 pillows and just swapped out the covers for these when I was ready for fall.

Miulee Pillow Covers

They come in a wide range of colors, and I'm thinking I could probably use some red ones for Christmas decorating as well. You can see all the color and size options here.

Pillow Covers from Amazon

Have you added any FALL to your home yet?

Thanks for stopping by...

**This post contains an affiliate link. That means I make a 

small commission if you decide to order these pretty pillow covers, too.

MY ONE PRIME PURCHASE: BLACKOUT CURTAINS

I only made one purchase on Amazon Prime Day, but it turned out to be a good one.

I bought new curtains for our master bedroom. I am loving them so much that I thought I would share them with you. 

A couple of years ago I decided to go with a more neutral look in our bedroom. That meant my darker drapes had to come down. I made some place-holding curtains out of drop cloths, inspired by pictures on Pinterest. They were a good, temporary fix and gave the room the look I was going for, but they were not nearly dark enough for sleeping past daylight. I don't even remember how I came across these on Prime Day, but for the price and with so many good reviews, I went for it. 

I've never had panels/curtains/drapes with grommets before--I've never been crazy about the look. I do see the appeal now, though. They make for super easy installation and they open and close with ease. When they are opened, the grommets are not too visible, and when they are closed, no one is here to see them. :-)

You can order individual panels, but I wanted two on each window. It made more sense for me to order the four-pack. 

It's hard to show you the quality in a picture, but the material is really nice and soft and substantial. They're machine washable and energy efficient, too. 

I ordered the longer length and have them puddling just a tiny bit. It would be nothing to hem them and have them flush with the floor. But for now I'm leaving them longer.

Here is a morning picture I hopped up and took with my cell phone this summer for comparison's sake. 

And this one is a late afternoon picture after both sets were up.

The final product...

They come in multiple colors. I bet they have the one you need if you happen to be in the market for new (and room darkening) curtains. Almost forgot to mention the price--you can do two windows for less than $60. I don't think you can beat that!

**This post contains an affiliate link. 

WHY I LOVE THIS ROOM: TEN TAKEAWAYS

Every now and then I pin a picture on Pinterest that I keep coming back to time and time again. The room I'm showing you today is one of those pins. It was created by Phoebe Howard. She's a wonderfully talented Southern decorator and has also written How-Tos for Southern Living. You may recognize her name from the magazine. Here's the gorgeous, tastefully decorated room...

The room has an old world, cottage feel to it and radiates charm. There's so much to love and so many ideas to take note of in this happy space. 

Here are a few things that I'm putting in my decorating file...

Ten Takeaways

One

I love the natural light. My eye is always drawn to the light in a room, probably because we have so little of it in our home. There are certain times during the day when the light streams in, but it's very limited. Others' natural light is what I tend to wish for more than anything else when I'm looking for inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest, or other blogs.

Two

And right down from the pretty window light are flowers in a pitcher. Flowers add instant glam. I don't really have a bush or blooms to cut from, but my high school has a courtyard that the agriculture class maintains. I clip from there every chance I get, and grocery flowers often come home with me.

Three

Collected items used in groups make a statement. Every now and then pull out part or even all of what you like to collect and let everyone else enjoy it too.

Four

Antique accent tables cozy up any space. I'll take something old over something new any day of the week. :-)

Five

There's a lot of white in the room--bedding, walls, lamp--but it's not all white. Just the right amount of color has been carefully mixed with the white to give it the charming cottage feel.

Six

The bedding is also a favorite. I like bedding that looks pieced together, a little here and there over time. And how about those pom poms on the bottom of the bed spread!

Seven

I love the window treatments. They are reserved and understated. Simple panels over a natural blind is one of my favorite looks.

Eight

The rug is also well-chosen. It doesn't scream "look at me." The stripes add interest and a touch of pattern. It nicely ties the space all together.

Nine

Color: just enough and in just the right way--added by the accessories. The yellow tones aren't necessarily all the same, but they all blend well. It's been hard for me to break the habit of thinking everything must match exactly. But look how wonderful it looks when it doesn't. I'm trying!

Ten

And not to be forgotten--blue, a tiny touch, on the bottom of the bed skirt and on the headboard. What room isn't improved by a dash of blue. :-)

To me the room is elegant but not one bit stuffy. The charm seems to have been created effortlessly. Hopefully you saw a few ideas you can steal borrow, too!

BEDSIDE CHARM

I know it's only January, and Spring is not yet on the horizon, but I am really longing for days of sunshine and warmer weather. How about you? I love to spruce up and change up little areas in my home as the seasons change. Bedside tables and night stands are an easy place to start. Today I'm sharing some inspiration for our bedrooms in case your night stands could use a refresh too.

I say we start with blue and white... :-)

Dixie Delights

The Pink Pagoda

Decor Pad

via Pinterest

Splendid Sass

William McClure via Bungalow Blue

A few for the farm house lovers.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Liz Marie Blog

Love Grows Wild

I love this next idea. This is the IKEA Kallax shelf unit. We have two of these in black in our youngest son's bedroom for his night stands. This one is styled perfectly. Wouldn't you say?

The Every Girl

More traditionally styled bedside tables are always going to be a favorite for me.

Style Me Pretty

Brit.co

Design Chic - J K Kling House Tour

Decor Object

via Pinterest

photo: Laura Sumrak via BHG

Simple Details

Apartment Therapy

Decorating Files

Okay, that's it for the bedside inspiration round up! Hopefully you saw something you liked and some hints for your own home.

I liked so many of the ideas. The white campaign chest with the gold bamboo mirror and white lamp was definitely a favorite. It was a clean and crisp look, and to me it says "spring." I'd love to hear in the comments below the post if you had a favorite.

Thanks for stopping by Woodbank Lane. Don't forget you can follow WBL on Instagram and Facebook too.

Kathryn