Our New Bedroom — Plans & Plan Of Action
I’m finally ready to turn my attention to our new bedroom, and I’m so excited to get started on this room! I had thought I might get started this past weekend, but I was worn out. These last few weeks have been very eventful with having my new workshop built, having our driveway poured, finishing my studio, cleaning out the carport, and other non-home-related obligations. I was pretty worn out, so I decided to take the weekend to recoup before diving into the bedroom project.
But now I’m ready, and I can’t wait to see this room finished! I was excited about it before, when I was trying to make that fabric work that I had on hand. But now that I’ve changed that plan and have chosen all new fabrics, I’m even more excited. I’m bordering on giddy. 😀
Here’s the direction I’m heading with the colors, fabrics, etc.
Of course, the grasscloth will go on the top portion of the walls. I bought enough to use on all of the walls, not just an accent wall. On the bottom portion of the walls, I’ll add wainscoting. I’ve used two kind of wainscoting in our house, and I’m still not 100% sure which one I’ll use in the bedroom. In the adjoining bathroom, I used this type, which I believe is called judge’s paneling.
That’s also the style I used in the hallway bathroom…
But I used this picture frame molding style in the music room…
I’m still considering those options, but if I had to choose right now, I’d probably go with the picture frame molding style for the bedroom, and leave the judge’s paneling for the bathrooms.
Of course, the bird fabric is going to be used on an upholstered headboard. I’m leaning towards this style with a nailhead trim. Or I might just use cording. I do like how that looks, but I’m a sucker for a nailhead trim. But the headboard will be tall and beautiful, and it will make a statement in the room.
I’ll be using the dark teal velvet for draperies. The velvet is Ballard Designs Signature Velvet in Deep Teal. On the website, it’s priced at $46.50 per yard, but I have a browser extension on my laptop called Microsoft Shopping that will tell me if a product is listed on another website at a cheaper price. And look at this! I was about to make my purchase on the Ballard Designs website at $46.50 per yard, and I got this popup telling me it was cheaper on eBay.
The seller has great ratings, and they assured me that the fabric isn’t flawed. It’s new fabric, not seconds, and they had a lot of it! So I ended up buying 21 yards from this seller for the price that I was about to pay for 12 yards on the Ballard Designs website. And because of the quantity I bought, they gave me a discounted shipping price. So if you don’t have that browser extension, I highly suggest it!
The rest of the fabrics in the picture will be used for accents. I’d love to use the thick, plush velvet on a chair, but that fabric is $159 per yard. I can’t see me paying that to cover a chair, which would probably take 5 to 7 yards of fabric. I could just buy a brand new chair for that price, which is what I’ll probably end up doing.
So here’s my plan of action for this room:
First and foremost, I need to install new hardwood flooring. Right now, there’s only subfloor in there. That flooring has been stacked in my breakfast room for weeks, so it should be fully acclimated to our house and ready to go.
Once the flooring is installed, I’ll need to rent the big sander to sand the floors. Then I’ll finish the floors (stain and seal) to match the rest of the house.
After the floors, I’ll start on the walls. I’ve debated whether to do the wainscoting or the wallpaper first. I think it makes more sense to do the wainscoting first. I also need to install crown molding.
Once the wainscoting and crown molding are done, then I’ll hang the grasscloth wallpaper. I’m a little nervous about this step. Grasscloth isn’t the easiest thing to work with because you can’t get wallpaper paste on the front of it or it’ll leave marks. But I’ll watch plenty of videos about the process before then so that I can feel more confident.
Next up, I’ll make the headboard. I’m so incredibly excited about that project. It’s been a very long time since I’ve made an upholstered headboard, so I’m really looking forward to this one.
After that, I’ll tackle the draperies. I’m less excited about that just because (1) sewing isn’t a favorite thing of mine. I do it because it’s necessary, but I don’t love it. And (2) I need to make so many drapery panels (six total), and I decided to make the panels for the bigger front window 1.5 widths of fabric each instead of 1 width each. I hate making those, but the final look will be worth the trouble.
Next up, I’ll need to build two bedside tables. I shared the ones that were really inspiring me a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve decided to go with these.
I love everything about that bedside table except the price. This one is from Wayfair, and it’s $1829. Of course, we need two of them. So I’ll be using this as inspiration to build my own.
At some point, I need to either find and order a new chair or find an older chair to reupholster for my reading corner. If I’m going to order a new one, I need to do that soon. I’ll want one where I can choose the fabric that goes on it, and those generally take quite a while from order date to delivery date.
I’ll also need to repaint/refinish the dresser that is in our current bedroom, and that we’ll be reusing in our new bedroom. The current color doesn’t work with the new colors and fabrics.
And then I’ll add the finishing decorating touches to the room, and that’s it! So, any wagers on how long this will take me? 😀 It’s definitely not as involved as a master bathroom remodel or a studio remodel, but there are quite a few projects (sewing, building, reupholstery) that are required for this room. I’m so bad at estimating how long things will take to finish, but I can say that Matt and I are both very anxious to get into our new bedroom! Let’s hope I can stay focused and get this done quickly, because then it’s on to the room that I’m THE MOST excited about — the closet and laundry area!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I am going to guess one month! And, I will be rooting you on!
Sheila F.
I don’t think it would be humanly possible for me to get it done in less than two months, and that’s if I spend every spare minute working on it, which I’m not inclined to do anymore. 😀 We’ll see, though!
I love the new direction the bedroom is going, especially the fabrics. So exciting! I might choose to use the judge’s paneling although it is more work because the bedroom, bathroom, and closet/laundry will form a connected suite of rooms and it seems more elegant and special. But whatever you choose, it will be beautiful!
I have to agree. These rooms are connected by the master bath, so I would use judges panel. (Although I like the less fussy picture frame.) And I’m going to give you LOTS of time…..my guess is Memorial Day, 2025! There is a LOT of work ahead of you, and you will want to veer off as you usually do, to something fun, so I’m giving that leeway! 🙂 And per the grass cloth, I have heard some say that applying the paste to the wall is the way to go, but I’ve not tried it, so see what the pros say!
Love that fabric! Fresh, colorful, soothing and beautiful!
So excited for the projects to come and get to see the process.
I was surprised about the dresser – I hadn’t imagined it would be coming into the bedroom since all of your other clothes are in the closet.
Kristi,
What BROWSER EXTENSION do you use?
It’s called Microsoft Shopping. I think it might only be available on Microsoft Edge.
Just remember one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, and most importantly, breathe.
I can’t wait to see the progress, it is going to be a gorgeous room, with such grown luxury in it. Makes me want to finish ours. You’re going to do great with this.
Cheers!
I love all the fabric choices, especially the bird fabric for the headboard. The Barclay Butera nightstand is pricey but stylish and I look forward to seeing how you make it. I can’t guess how long it will take to complete your bedroom and for me it doesn’t matter because I enjoy reading your blog.
For those who are Android/Google users, shopping.google.com is another good tool for comparison shopping online. Sometime I have to do a Google image search to find out the name of what I’m looking for first but it’s worth the time for the savings.
I was in a Ballard Designs this weekend and got to see your beautiful fabric in person. They also have the most glorious blush colored velvet that I am determined to use in my home somewhere. It would be a beautiful subtle accent in your room somewhere as it goes with that lightest pink(ish) color in the underbelly of the birds.
I’m so glad to see you back to your DIY roots (even though I’m following along either way). Over the years, your DIY projects have inspired me to try many things and I’m looking forward to some more inspo.
Yes, good thought! I’d love to see a blush or pink-ish color somewhere in the bedroom to help tie in to the master bath…and bring out the lovely color on the birds on the headboard fabric.
YHWH Bless You : )
Keep that dresser for the guest room and look for (or make) a new one for the bedroom.
It’s going to be so beautiful. I adore the bird fabric for the headboard.
I’m curious why you’d do the crown before the grasscloth. Wouldn’t putting up the paper first allow you to have the crown cover any wobbly edges at the top?
GOOD POINT! I hear grass cloth is a bear to trim, it wears blades down fast!
I’ve seen it done both ways. There are pros and cons to each way.
But you have to touch up crown after install, and caulk the seam. So you’d get paint and caulk on the wallpaper. I’d do crown first, too. In fact, am doing that when I makeover my powder bath in Q1.
I LOVE your choices for the bedroom! A bit ago I said I wasn’t clicking with your choices for the bedroom colors, fabrics, etc. I suggested that it reminded me of your first stab at decorating the living room. But, I also said, “Please prove me wrong!” Well, you switched gears and I think the bedroom will be beautiful! It flows with the bathroom and the brightness of the rest of your house! So I will totally be enjoying the ride on this one!
Thank you for sharing your plans for this room. The colors and materials are amazing.
It will be beautiful when it is complete, just like your other projects.
We really just enjoy watching the process as it comes together. It makes us feel like are there cheering you on.
So I would just say to love the journey while you are on it.
JMVHO
I would do the grass cloth first, then the wainscoting and crown. You won’t have to worry about getting drips of water and/or glue cleaned off those surfaces and your top and bottom trim cuts will be covered.
I’m going to guess by the first of the year!
Since you have lots of the headboard fabric, could you use some to trim your curtains?
I don’t think I’d use the headboard fabric for the curtains, but I do want to find something pretty to trim the curtains and bring the other colors onto the curtains.
Will you need to revise any plans for your master bedroom or closet/laundry room for the attic entrance and breaker box?
I’m planning to put the attic and crawl space entrances in the closet. I’m not sure about the breaker box. I want to move it, but I’m not sure where to put it. There won’t be any wall space available in the closet/laundry area. I don’t know where else to put it.
I love all the fabrics you are using and loved the Microsoft Shopping idea! Can you tell me the name or # of the KOVI fabric that is second from the left? I love the colors in it but can’t read the name or number on my computer.
Nooooooo!!!!! I just looked it up, and it’s been discontinued. 🙁 How disappointing. I’ll be on the lookout for something similar.
My guess is 4 or 5 months, that flooring alone will take a while and is a job in of itself. Not to mention all the details you will be adding like moldings, and building nightstands, which is time consuming.
I’m sure I’m asking a dumb question, but why not go top-to-bottom (mostly) in a completely empty room? I know you’ll start with what excites you more, but I swear, if it were me, I wouldn’t want to work from the bottom up. I’d be inclined to start by priming and repainting the ceiling/walls first, then install flooring, then wainscoting and trim down to the floor last. This way there’d be much less cutting in, taping off, or intricate working around obstacles when painting the big expanses and hardly any need to drape the subfloor except when painting trimwork. Of course, that’s just me.
But don’t leave us in suspense: did you get the doggone switch plate installed in the studio?!
I do the floor first because the only sanders available locally for rent aren’t the dust-free kind. They create an enormous amount of dust that finds its way into every single nook and cranny of the room. So once the floor is sanded, everything from the ceiling down has to be thoroughly cleaned.
I still haven’t been to Home Depot yet, so the switch still has no switch plate. 😀
Curious why you are moving the dresser into your room if you have so much closet space.
The closet is mine. The dresser is Matt’s.
Kristi,
I always heard you should work top down on a room – ceiling first, walls then floor. You seem to do the floor first, which can leave it open to paint, scuffs etc. Would love to understand your approach. Thanks! Great watching your plans. The room will be lovely!
Cathy
Just saw the previous question.. oops! If you have further insight it’s welcome.
If you’re installing pre-finished floor, I think it makes perfect sense to work from the top down. If you’re using unfinished floor but have access to a dust-free drum sander, I can maybe see working from the top down (although I probably still wouldn’t take the chance). But if you’re installing unfinished floor and only have access to a drum sander that creates tons of dust, I can’t even imagine installing grasscloth wallpaper first or installing wainscoting first. The dust would find its way into the grasscloth and never come out. It would get into every nook and cranny of the wainscoting and take forever to clean. If the floor is unfinished, and the sander isn’t dust-free, I will do the floor first 100% of the time.
I am curious to know why you’re doing the floor first – if you saved that for last you don’t have to worry about damaging the new floor with the heavy tools and paint you’ll be using on the rest of the room
Love all your projects but I’m totally stoked about the new bedroom
You go girl! I love the material for the bed and the drapes. Your colors are beautiful. You have lots to do, but you are excited about it so you will dig in there and get it done.
Have a good week.