November 18, 2010

the guest room

For the first time ever, Meadowbrook Farm will have a wintertime guest.

(Can I just tell you that I giggle a little bit every time I type the words Meadowbrook Farm? It makes me feel a little like Scarlett O'Hara talking about Tara... perhaps a wee bit pretentious, don't you think?)

Moving on.

The guest room is getting a makeover.

I've been in the makeover stage for a little over a year now. Last fall, we upsized from a double bed to a queen and that was pretty much the extent of my progress for about six months. As in, the mattress was leaning against the wall for that six months until I had a houseful of girlfriends visit and then the mattress was placed on the floor along side the old double bed for a charming mattress superstore effect.

I had an idea of what I wanted for bedding, but of course it didn't really exist anywhere but in my mind.

I knew I wanted to go fairly bright and cheery, and I knew I wanted these pillows to be able to do double duty when they weren't holding down the fort on the porch swing.

I finally found some Pottery Barn bedding that was in the right color family, and while I liked it well enough, I didn't love it. In order for it to work for me it needed to be cottaged up a bit.

Enter gingham sheets, vintage pillowcases and the quintessential cottage ingredient, a quilt. Add an old clock and some fit in with the color scheme books and I'm off to a good start.


I still have a long way to go, but having the bed finished gives me a focal point to work from. I have an eye out for architectural items and some form of artwork to bring it all together.


The cute gingham sheets will be swapped out for a set of Costco's fleece sheets so my wintertime guest will stay cozy and warm. Do you have a set of Costco's fleece sheets? If you live in a chilly climate, they will change your life forever.


Oh, and the walls are painted a color called Margarita. While it didn't photograph well at all, the color is perfectly named. In fact, when the sun shines in, you truly feel like you are in a Margarita....all glowy and green and a little bit woozy if I'm perfectly honest. The color may/will need some tweaking down the road, (I'm a chronic re-painter), but for now, Margarita it is.

43 comments:

  1. love the colors, very bright and cheery. all of the contrasting prints and gingham makes me want to dive right in...

    have a nice afternoon.
    xo
    ~molly

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  2. Your room is FABULOUS! I'm going to get some great tips from your photos. My brother's family is coming to visit for the first time during the Christmas holidays and I already started doing the very same thing - total bedroom makeover with Costco flannel sheets and all! It really all began when we decided to replace the flooring with carpet - then things got out of hand as I decided to switch the bedding. I've been searching high and low to create that cozy cottage look that's a bit rustic and settled on some Pine Cone Hill bedding (striped blanket and white pintucking duvet), mixed with a prairie style white bedskirt from Taylor Linens and eyelet boudoir pillows. Currently I have the same "Margarita" color on the wall, but will be going to a white for the first time in years! I just love the layered look and you've done an outstanding job pulling it all together.

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  3. Oh I love this! I have plans to fix up our guestroom (I've started, but not finished)! Your post has given me inspiration! Thanks for sharing!:) Have a blessed day!
    ~AFG
    Megan Jenelle

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  4. That is positively beautiful! I love where you're going with it!
    I had an episode of green in a really, really large, really well lit room once. I had a fever and fell asleep while my husband painted it. If he hadn't made so much progress while I was out, I would have stopped him. Light had a way of brightening my rather darling shade of pale olive green to a {Dare I say it?} brilliant shade of garish! . . . Since then, I warn people considering green to put a large sample up and live with it for a bit. Nobody has ever taken my advice. :) We have to learn from our own experiences, I suppose . . .
    PS Your color looks lovely. I love green. Almost my entire house is green. . . . just not the paint. Call me once burned, twice shy. :)

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  5. It looks so cozy and welcoming - exactly what you need in a guest bedroom! Good luck with the project and now I need to go to Costco to look for those sheets!

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  6. Teresa, I didn't know you were getting my room ready for the winter! I am going to love it...all the colors are great together. You cottaged it up perfectly and I love the little clock and books. This was such a sweet gesture. I would have been thrilled with a mattress just to get a look at that greenhouse :) LOL

    Love it, Amy

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  7. I love it!! Love the colors and I love how you have used so many different fabrics and patterns that blend so well together! Can't wait to see more and I adore the vintage clock.

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  8. Your bedding looks wonderful! I love the bright and happy colors!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. The bed is so inviting. Be careful, your guests might not want to leave. I love how the books match the fabrics.

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  10. Fleece sheets are the BOMB. Seriously. You can't even count high enough to get to a sheet thread count that would rival these bad boys. That is of course if you live in a cold climate. I spent 11 grueling years in Texas where the idea of fleece sheets would make one break out in hives and run screaming naked through the streets at night...so stinking hot down there. We live in southeastern Washington now and just got our first dusting of snow on the mountains this morning...so pretty. Your room looks so lovely...you may have a hard time getting guests to leave!

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  11. Oh, well it's perfection! I can't wait to sleep in that room one day. I will fight those bees for it! Your mysterious guest is one lucky goose!

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  12. What a delightful bed for your winter guest. I know the entire room will be just as inviting when you finish your refurbish.

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  13. Beautiful bedding, great job! and I do love Margueritas.. the color and the drink. With salt, please.

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  14. I'm taking notes as next year we'll start on the downstairs addition and that is guest quarters. I too was thinking of going to a Queen size bed for that room. I adore what you did, can you come help me up here in Alaska decorate mine? Nan

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  15. Ok, my bags are packed...my plane tickets is purchased. You DID mean I was going to be your guest of honor, right??? ;o)

    Oh well, it was nice to dream for a moment or two!

    Seriously, that is FABULOUS! What a happy place for your guests to call home!

    ~mary~

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  16. Um...that bed is gorgeous! I love love love it!! The sheets and quilt just make it. And the bed ruffle is lovely as well. :)

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  17. I adore all the color in your guest room. The minute I saw the pillow I knew it was from Amy. It is a small world in this blogland since I watch both your blogs. And the little clock would be welcome in my guest room anytime!
    Annette

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  18. OK....now I am jealous! I have tried to be nice about this....but you have overdone it! LOL LOL I LOVE this room! Can I copy it???? WHo made your quilt????? I have to have one! ANd the room is just so inviting!!!! Love it!!!!! The pillow sham looks like "In to Vintage" ????? Amy for sure! :):) I have to redo my bedroom and I am changing the wall color....I am going with a sweet light butter yellow, this all would be perfect! Thank you for the photos...even tho' I am Green with envy! ( just kidding!) LOL Sandy :):)

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  19. Love the bright, cheery colors- how could you not wake up happy in a room like that? I have not had the pleasure of the Costco sheets but I did purchase a set of two fleece pillows the other day to cozy up the living room couch. Un-be-lieve-able! Snuggling up and taking a little nap on the couch has suddenly been rocketed into another dimension with these pillows. I think if I purchased the sheet version, I would never get out of bed again!

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  20. Put me up in that bed and throw away the key, por favor.

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  21. Hi! I just wanted to say hello and tell you I'm SO enjoying your blog! I just found you this evening and I'm hooked! Your gift as a photographer is amazing!
    This guest room is so warm and cozy. It makes you just want to come in and STAY! Thanks for sharing your talents with us!

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  22. I'm ready to move in! At least til my family tracks me down n drags me back... I have lots of gingham n florals n quilts I love to mix, but not as beautifully as yours! That's one lucky guest. I'm sure to return many times for a "virtual" stay and can't wait to see what's next! ;-)
    hugs,
    Leslie

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  23. The guest bedroom is so pretty -Your guest will feel so welcome -I think it looks like a happy room!

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  24. Oh my! Can I make reservations for spring?

    It's all so pretty. I love your collection of childrens books (I love childrens books. the colors are always so pretty and cute pictures inside are always fun. I have a small collection myself) And don't get me start on that adorable clock.

    That's it - it's official - - I must have you cloned so you can come add some vintage charm to my house!

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  25. First, where in the world did you find that clock! I LOVE it! Of course, the rest of the room is fabulous too. I like green so even though I'm not a margarita girl, the tequila ya know, I do like the wall color.

    I think you will have problems getting rid of guests with a room like this. So cozy and warm. And speaking of cozy and warm, fleece sheets?? Is that a cold weather part of the country thing? I've never heard/seen such a thing. I'm gonna have to head over to my Costco tomorrow and check that out. I'm fortunate to work within walking distance of our Costco ;)

    Chris

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  26. I love the way your room looks, from the bedding to the dreamy drink colored walls! I am about to re-do our guest room and this has given me some much needed inspiration!

    Kat :)

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  27. Ok. I'm serious. I'm on my knees. I'm begging you. Please come help me. My upstairs bedroom is a hot mess. I will bake you honey cookies and vacuum every nook and cranny of your house for eternity, all the while, singing opera. Please. For the love. Come.

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  28. hee hee - I'm laughing at Jayme's comment...above.

    WOW! Theresa, that is simply gorgeous. I love, love, LOVE it!!! You've done it right. Can I say swoon?

    You know what I love the most is the underside (the part you see folded back) of the big red floral duvet and what's on the pillows. That blue and red vintagey look is d*i*v*i*n*e.

    You really did a beautiful job.

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  29. Are you taking reservations? I may never leave! I'll cook and clean if you'll let me! :)

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  30. What a gorgeous guest room Teresa! I'm not sure I would ever want to leave. :) I love all the mix of colors. Absolutely perfect!

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  31. My Goodness, even if you didn't add one more thing to this room it is wonderful! I Love beds that are layered and snuggly, and that one certainly is! And the colors- Perfect!!!
    I know that your guests will never want to leave. You might want to think about that... Ha Ha :)
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Joyce

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  32. What a welcoming spot! How can a guest help but feel cheery in there? (The margarita might help too!) I love the colors! Is that a pillow sham from the delightful Amy???

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  33. Oh I love the room. I'll sign up to be a guest!
    BTW before I forget thanks for coming over and visiting me and noticing the Fall collage. I loved all those photo's when I found them. I love the name of your blog and actually that is why I happened here the first time. I am drawn to certain names. I have a wish to live in the country in a cottage. You have a lovely blog and lovely home. Thanks for sharing yourself an visiting me. Have a great weekend.
    Sherry

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  34. love the colors! always an inspiration :)

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  35. Back. Looking at the room again. The clock is making my heart hurt. The bedding. I'm dying. Cookies are cooling on the rack and there's a fresh bag in the vacuum. What time will you be here?

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  36. Is there an 800 number I can call? I'd like to book a very long weekend please. And I've never, ever been to Montana. Just sayin'.

    Loving your quilt. And you may want to hide that alarm clock away before I get there. It's just about the Cutest Thing Ever.

    :-)

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  37. Gorgeous and cheery! I have the JC Penney fleece sheets and yes, your description is not an exaggeration! LOVE that clock, too!

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  38. Nice to see some color around here in blogland once in a great while! It's always white, white and some more white.Looks fun~

    The bedding is great and I am off to get me some costco fleece sheets Yummy! ~Cheers Kim

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  39. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE EVERYTHING !!!!!!! Oh my the colors and patterns are just wonderful !!!!!!!!!! Your guest's will never want to leave....since Jayme and I live in the same state, you can swing on by when you get done with her home...smiles, Linda

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  40. Do you take bookings?? What a beautiful bed... :O)

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  41. Okay my friend..I live in Alberta, Canada and I had never heard of Costco having fleece sheets til I read it here on your blog..and since it is very much indeed a chilly climate here, I took your advice and bought me some new fleece sheets last Thursday...now, if I could, I would still be in my bed enjoying said sheets, but since I can't..I am here, writing to you...thanking you for being my bedding advisor..you have saved me from many chilly nights and for that I will be forever grateful ;)

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