Guest Bedroom – Soon-To-Be-Master

So the “master” plan is to move the entrance to the master bathroom to the guest room, therefore making the guest bedroom the master bedroom. Confused yet? Well, we’re not sure how it’s going to work out, but it’s all to expand our master bath and the only way we could do that is to cut into the neighboring room.

So even though we’re looking at the guest room – keep in mind, this is going to be housing our king, platform bed. Don’t mind the dual toned walls… We’re still figuring out paint colors.

I would like to go ahead and hang the rod and put up the curtains I purchased (both rod/panels for around $40 at Tuesday Morning – I feel all of 87 when I talk about Tuesday Morning, but it really is a hidden treasure) but I think I need to dial up my patience only because I’m not sure when the king bed is in the room that it’s going to interrupt the natural width of the window and panels.

In the picture above, you can see the wall that the bathroom entrance will be on, and I want to make sure there is plenty of walking room between the bed, the curtains and the doorway. Just fun home thoughts to ponder…

In the meantime, I’m loving the bedding, the sisal rug that was one of our first joint purchases after our wedding (Crate & Barrel Outlet), the sweet bed I’ve had since I was a little girl, the mod lamp that came from my secret treasure, Tuesday Morning… The room is looking good. I’m still on the hunt of a pair of cheap, matching side tables. Nothing me and my spray paint couldn’t handle though.

2 Comments

Categories: Decorating, Purchases, Renovations.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 19, 2009 at 5:12 pm

A Good Martha Stewart Find

Our guest bedroom has gone through several transformations throughout the last year – it has mostly served as a loading zone/storage unit and for about 9 months living quarters for Will’s business partner.

Once the room was mine, all mine I went on the hunt for affordable bedding – oh, and a bed to put it on. My goal was to spend no more than $100 on the room.

In-expensive mattresses are hard because you don’t want to go 2nd hand. I can’t think of anything worse than a 2nd hand mattress – unless it comes from a friend, rather a clean friend. After Will told me to chill and that a mattress will find us, not the opposite, I found out that our friend Monica was storing a queen mattress in Austin while they were away in Vancouver for the year – Note to self, listen to cheap husband more often. Instead of having it stored away, we thought we’d put it to use! Rodenbusch 1, pocket book, 0.

Once we had the bed and the rails, I went on the hunt with every coupon known to man and headed to my favorite retailers – Tuesday Morning, Bed Bath and Beyond, JC Penny’s, Pottery Barn Outlet. However, all my usual suspects had failed me. Apparently this recession has put the power back in the hands of the discount retailer. So I thought It’d take a gander at Macy’s of all places and I found the most beautiful Martha Stewart bed in a bag, originally $225 – now only$59.

That’s right… I said “bed in a bag.” I love quality linens, and they typically aren’t found stuffed in a plastic bag. But in all honestly, it’s nice! Thank you, Martha! It’s hard to tell in the picture, but the bag included 2 euro shams, 2 standards, a bed skirt (not shown) and a comforter. The paisley was a bit much for the olive/khaki walls, so I left it folded at the end of the bed. The white down comforter came from TJ Maxx ($18) and the sheets from Tuesday Morning ($24). I don’t count these in final total only because these were items I purchased long ago… so like not real money.

With my $30 something dollars left, I have big hopes for either a headboard or a mirror. Speaking of potentially cheap mirrors, did you know that Aaron Brother’s has a 40% – 50% coupon on their site at all times? Mmmm… good finds..

3 Comments

Categories: Decorating, Purchases.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 19, 2009 at 4:23 pm

White Flowers – One of My Favorites

I can’t get enough of their pale colored petals. They let their texture do all the talking and don’t take you aback with their colors. They are soothing, a little vintage and definitely underappreciated.

If you want to dress up a table or warm a kitchen, the easiest way to do it without challenging what you already have going on – full, lush white flowers.

1 Comment

Categories: Purchases.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 15, 2009 at 9:23 pm

Less Ranchy, More Pretty

As part of a whole-house sweep, I’ve finally got around to the front door. In this case, I’m not sweeping up dust bunnies, I’m sweeping up Texanza. I almost want to apologize to those who like Texanza, but I’m not, because it’s just wrong. The only two environments where it’s acceptable is in Texas fraternity houses and legit ranches.

…Not 1950′s ranches. When we moved in, we removed the texas star and the texas ceiling fans, and the texas light fixtures – it all went away. Right after we signed on the house I was found ripping this off the side of our house (A fine fraternity item, but not good with the rustic shutters and Austin stone):

The we sold a pair of these on Craigslist in record time – Should have asked for more because these went fast:

I also painted the sutters and front door a deep navy in an effort to rid myself of the rustic cedar – below is the before to give you an idea – keep in mind that just to the left is a wrought iron gate with (you guessed it) Texas stars front and center:

Just this weekend I went wreath shopping. I feel that things can get real country, real fast when it comes to wreaths. I fell in love with a wreath that I spotted on a family friend’s door. It was metal painted white, minimalist leaves and flowers. I loved it because it could work year round, it would last forever and it looked clean, not too much going on.

I found this at Tuesday Morning for $19. Not sure if it’s a winner – If you look closely you can see that the price tag is still on it! I needed an overnight test drive before I committed. I like it – It does what I need it to do for our front door, but I could use a larger diameter. I could also use a new front door too! I have dreams of a modern, horizontal, 5 lite front door, stained dark to almost look like metal. Until then, I think a wreath will keep me classy.

Anyone know a classy place to get a wreath in central Texas? Online?

1 Comment

Categories: Decorating.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 15, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Wider Walk-Thru Complete

It all started with a beer and a saw…

On a slow Sunday evening, Will and I decided to take action against our narrow, pocket door entry to the kitchen. No prior research, but we did know that on either side of the door were two supporting beams so we made sure to mark off how large the final width could be. So with a small buzz from our beer and a false sense of confidence, we bashed out a wall of cabinets that stood where our new walk-thru would be…

…then took a reciprocating saw to the wall and removed the pocket door frame. What was left was a jagged wall and a very luxurious entry to the kitchen.

Sweaty and somewhat regretful that we didn’t score the drywall first – The demo was complete!

We hired out to a friend of ours for the rest of the framing and then used our counter top guys to stain the floor. I finished the job just this last weekend by patching up the surrounding drywall and voila! Feels good to have it complete… sometimes we get used to living with half finished projects. Bad homeowners, bad.

2 Comments

Categories: Renovations.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 13, 2009 at 6:29 pm

House Warming

About a year ago my parents came to visit our new house and wanted to gift us something for our new home. I knew that we needed a buffet but after several trips out together, we couldn’t find one we liked… er, one we liked and wasn’t thousands of dollars!

We found the buffet of our dreams at Zinger Hardware in Austin but the price was not right. $1600 And I’m sure worth every dollar, however I was convinced we could find something similar for much less. So for about 9 months I scoured Craigslist and finally after months of “sideboard,” sideboard spelled wrong, “buffet”… and buffet spelled wrong. Finally, I found this beauty. It is identical, it was 1/3 of the price

It really does go to show that if you can be patient and you don’t need it tomorrow, you can get what you want for less. We love it! Thank you parents for the beautiful gift – it’s too nice for us!

3 Comments

Categories: Purchases.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 12, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Pretty Things for a Rainy Day

I went out yesterday afternoon to find a new wreath for the front door but returned with this bushel of Dusty Miller.

It’s serene colors are right up my alley and they give my color just the right feel. Perfect day to stay inside and enjoy the sound of rain.

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Categories: Purchases.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 12, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Update on the Dining Room and the $40 Rug that Transformed it All

A little before and after:

Last Thanksgiving at 11:59 pm, I found myself with hundreds of shoppers waiting in line to go into the Pottery Barn Outlet in San Marcos. I had dreams of dancing sofas in my head, while Will was wondering where to get the free pajamas he had been promised – something about showing up in your pajamas then getting a free pair from the outlet… don’t ask. Finally the time was right and the doors opened. I had dolled out the dutys – Will was on the hunt for a media center and my sister-in-law was on the hunt for a rug I had spotted the week prior. Within 2 minutes of the doors opening, she had spotted the rug and snagged the ticket – thank you, Stacia!

I was so pleased! It was still expensive but nothing compared to the original 1400 something price tag. I loved it and put it in our dining room for months. Just recently, I started to realize how busy it was and how it might actually be doing more harm than good. I replaced it this past week with a delightful $40 find from Craigslist.

I think it’s transformed our dining room from a buzy bohemian mess to… to.. to something else! I don’t know what to call it, but it’s soothing, it’s proportional, it matches and it just works.

Before:

Getting there – Right now, we’re a little too country…

Experimenting with paint and one very large mirror:

After:

So what to do with that beautiful rug?? It’s a crewel Williams and Sonoma rug… it’s just gorgeous. I will try it in a bedroom before I opt to sell it. I hate to see it leave me because it really was a steal.

2 Comments

Categories: Craigslist, Decorating, Purchases.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— September 12, 2009 at 1:38 pm

Something Thrify That Isn’t House Related

There’s no place like Marshall’s. There’s no place like Marshall’s. There’s no place like Marshall’s to purchase a pair of ruby red slippers.

I love these Anne Klein shoes I found on sale this weekend for $20 at Marshall’s. They are incredibly comfortable and I don’t even mind that they are over the top. I just need to make sure I’m muted and monochromatic up top to balance the bling below.

Just thought I’d share my steal.

2 Comments

Categories: Purchases.

By Cora Rodenbusch

— May 17, 2009 at 7:37 pm

New Bar Stools… and a Little Chair Envy

Last weekend I made the journey 30 minutes south to Kyle to purchase these two bar stools, both for $30/chair. They were advertised as Pottery Barn, but had West Elm on the box. Either way, I was happy to cart them home.

I’m now on the look out for slip covers. These things would never stay white without one. I would love something like this found at Country Home, but in dining room chair, slipcover form: