Ok, admit it. How many of you read that post title and thought, “Ok, The Crazy Craft Lady has totally lost her marbles”? Don’t worry. (I think) marbles are all still here, and there is a really good reason for the title of this post.
Last week, I shared with you my plans for participating in the One Room Challenge from Calling it Home. My Cape Cod inspired bedroom still has four weeks to go until the end of the challenge, but I’m sharing updates this week. Those updates include zoning out and lightening up.
Zone Out
This room is mine. Sorry kiddos, but unlike the toys you were fighting over this morning, this one thing is “mine, mine, mine!” In other news, we’re going through a “mine” phase around here. Advice, words of wisdom, and wine are appreciated.
Since this is my space, I really wanted a reading corner. So, like any good parent, I stole from my children.
I had a gray chair in the twins room that was being used less for late-night snuggles and more as a ladder to aid in pulling things off the walls and the top of the dresser. I exercised my parental eminent domain powers to take the chair for my new reading corner.
So much better.
I also added a rug to better ground the bed and define the space. I bought it at Target last summer. It was in the living room, but I decided it was too small. Now it has a new home in my bedroom.
Lighten Up
I’m going through a major obsessive phase over white furniture right now. That meant that the black sideboard console and dark brown little tables were not going to work.
Instead of painting the black sideboard, I ended up selling it and buying an Ikea Hemnes dresser. The new dresser only cost me about $40 more than what I sold the old piece of furniture for, so this was a really great budget-friendly solution. Never underestimate the power of Craigslist to stretch your budget when redecorating!
I also painted my old mirror white – custom “Ikea white” to be exact, so it matches the dresser perfectly. I still have one more coat of paint to go, so there is still tape on the mirror.
Then there is the nightstand situation. I’m trying to be budget-conscious here, so I opted to skip new nightstands. Instead, I’m keeping things simple with these little side tables that I already had. They are a little small, but I think if I style them correctly and maybe add a floor basket or two, they will work.
The only problem: the dark brown finish.
I was afraid of everything looking too matchy-matchy, so I decided not to paint white. Instead my mom helped out and stripped the finish and sanded everything down. This was not pretty, and chemicals were definitely involved. 
It was one of those brush on, scrape off kind of jobs.
All of that stripping and sanding left the wood looking really dry…
… so I treated it with a wood conditioner. You know, the kind with beeswax, honey, and rainbows? Ok, not the rainbows, but it did warm up the wood considerably. This was the end result:
Here is where I need your help.
What do you think of my new nightstand tables? Should I:
(A) Sand them down a bit more for a more even finish;
(B) Stain them;
(C) Keep them as is.
I think I like them as is, but I’m not totally sold. I would love to hear what you think!
Stay tuned next week for my update about clearing clutter and getting organized. Happy decorating everyone!
what about really getting g the tops totally cleaned up & natural with a waxed finish & painting the legs black?
Thanks for the feedback Mickey. I’m not sold on adding any more black furniture, but I suppose I could go with white paint.
I think the tables would work perfectly if you attach a bigger top. I like the finish color…do you like the finish texture up close?
Hi Tracy! Yes, I like the finish. I’m just afraid the tables look too “unfinished” if that makes sense.
Is the bedframe going to stay black?
I like Mickey’s idea on the two tone but I would lacuer the tops in a rich brown and then paint the legs white or an accent color you are going to use in the bedroom itself.
Yes, the bed is staying black. I am really liking the idea of white paint on the legs. Thanks Barbie!
I like them as is maybe a clear satin finish on top with a dark basket on the floor underneath to pick up the knobs on the dresser and the bed frame.
Hi Cheryle! Thanks so much for the input! I think I have a Home Goods basket shopping trip in my near future 🙂
How stable are they? I assume if you’re going through the ‘mine’ stage yoru kids aren’t much older than mine. Stability is paramount in my house and I tend to avoid tall narrow for that reason (although you did say this space was YOURS! 🙂 )
Regarding the ‘mine’ stage, what we did was work on ‘trading.’ (Of course I only had one at a time.) I’d sit down wiht my son with two toys that I thought he’d want. I’d give him one and play with the other and when he started saying Mine and reaching for it (usually while trying to put the other one behind him,) I’d make him trade me. I tried to make it a game. It seemed to work really well and when little brother showed up, he continued ‘trading’ for what he wanted. Of course with the baby getting to the age of actually wanting things, it’s getting harder, but maybe worth a shot?
Thanks Amy! The tables are pretty stable… I will likely just style them with stacks or books, and maybe a simple vase. Nothing crazy.
Great tip on sharing. I think I will have to introduce the word “trade” into our vocabulary quite soon!
Hi it’s Karena coming over to see your ORC! Love the tables and I think the accessories will make the look! Baskets under and maybe a small lamp on top!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Artist Nathaniel Galka
Thanks Karena! I’ve got to get going with the accessories!
The side tables look beautiful, but I’m sure they’ll also look great if you decide to finish them up differently. Good luck with the project!
I like the stools as is., they add a warm natural element to the room (my favorite with white).
Another thought would be to dip dye them. My favorite ones are at Serena and Lily..,
http://www.serenaandlily.com/dip-dyed-stools/m10423.html?cgid=decor-seating-and-poufs&dwvar_m10423_color=White#start=16
Good luck! It will be fun to see what you decided!
xo
Great idea Tricia! I’ve considered doing the dip-dye look on the kids table and chair set, but that would look fabulous here.
I actually like the tables as is, but I think they’ll look great with painted legs or stain as well.
Regarding kids/toddlers and sharing – love the idea of introducing the concept of ‘trading’ Love. It:)
Regarding the end tables……………am I the only one voting for a light stain to bring out or beautify what’s already there??!!!
Lynn
I love this! So serene yet warm and cozy! Your room is looking haven-like. How about painting them a soft light gray or staining them with the gray stain you used on the Alphabet frame you made? I’m in a very white and clean-finished mode right now so that’s my thought, but if you want to keep a bit of a rustic vibe, they work as they are! I definitely think the small size is fine. The more open space, the more serene and there’s less room to clutter up. I do think it would also be neat if you added a small shelf (a board attached to the legs half way or so down) and put a pretty basket to contain your little things out of sight=storage and beauty! Loving your room! So glad I found your blog today!
Thanks so much for the ideas. Yes, I need to get some baskets ASAP!
Maybe add a drawer pull (even though there isn’t a drawer there) and dip the legs in white paint