The Sparest of Spare Rooms

I used to love that line from Anne of Green Gables - "The sparest of spare rooms." There is something pretty wonderful about visiting a friend's house with a pimped out guest room.  I've been a fan of fully stocking a room with cool items for guests since viewing an episode of Oprah.  Don't get your hopes up - guests won't be leaving this room with a car but hopefully will find the decor leads to a restful evening.

The colour is called Diamond Dust - a grey/mauve that is accented with leaf green pictures on the walls. The room has to be multi-functional as well and house the computer.  Rather than using a computer desk - I opted to use an old antique cabinet and hide the desk chair on a hook on the back of the door.

The room is small and will only house a single bed but ensure the bedding is inviting and towels are plush can make a guest forget they are sleeping on a smaller mattress.

The pendant lamp was a very exciting find.  Home Depot sells this pendant for under $40 and has the option of extending the length to accommodate all ceiling heights.

This was a fun room to put together.  I even painted out a dresser (sad to say it was one that I sanded down in the 90s).  I've always been a fan of mixing antiques with modern - makes for a unique space.

Chair stored on back of door.

Pendant lamp

Grayscale Dreams

It has been soooo long since I've added a new posting and so much has happened.  I've literally painted all but one room in my sister's house.  I of course had to paint my temporary abode as well and I have to admit that it is one of my favourite bedrooms to date!  I like colour but in muted tones or little touches of bright accents but when it comes down to it - nothing calms me like shades of grey mixed with white and black accents.

Sounds boring I know but with the right accents and a fun damask patterned quilt - the result I think is quite lovely.

The ceiling light (very cost effective at Home Depot of all places) really brought everything together.  I never regret buying the circular Umbra mirror at the Umbra warehouse sale in Toronto.  I managed to find the only unbroken one in the bunch and it seems to go with any colour or theme.  The black pyramid shelf in the corner is something I normally use in my living room just as a book shelf but fits in nicely as book storage, picture display and media nook.

I borrowed the lovely bedside lamps from my sister - standard lamps from Ikea that have the wonderful telescopic bases allowing for extra height and making them anything but standard in appearance.  Finally - the curtains.  Lovely muted grey curtains with black-out material on the back which cost all of $15 a panel - thank you Giant Tiger!

My room is soothing and tranquil at the end of a long day.  Feminine but not girly which I love - all in all...I'm happy with the results.  Wish I had before pictures to show you but I got so excited to paint that I forgot to take pictures first.

Oh - the paint colour is Behr Silver Screen in an eggshell finish.  I didn't buy Behr paint though (sorry Behr but I hate how your paint goes on the wall).  My advice - go to Home Depot and buy Glidden paint and use a Behr colour.  Instead of $35-$40 a gallon, a can of Glidden paint costs $18 folks and I think goes on even better with less coats.  This is not a low viscosity paint so if you are sensitive to fumes, ask the person at the paint counter for the best brand.  I'd rather save a dollar and crack a window myself but I'm sure my lungs won't thank me for it.