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the essentials inside Hi pveale. A few things you could do would be to get new bedding w/decorative pillows, frame the mirror above the dresser and change out the ceiling fan.

Also - if you could upload a couple of daylight photos, that would be great!

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

pveale What look do you suggest for the bedding and fan? I will get you better pictures. Thanks!

pveale Here's some better pictures. Thanks!

loubelou I love the shape or angles of your room. What color do you like or would like to bring in this space? Once you find bedding with colors you like bring into your space and build from there. I think you should get rid of the tab top curtains once you find your bedding. Then you could bring in some artwork.

decoenthusiaste The dresser and chest are nice, but don't work with the wicker very well. Which are you most attached to? Would you be willing to paint the wicker a darker color? If so, I might pull some of the ceiling color down into the lower space with paint for the headboard and bedside tables. Have you thought of removing the mirror from the dresser and putting the TV there? :You need new drapery that reaches the floor and has no ties and is not sheer. I'd rather see a seating area at the window end with two chairs and table or a chaise and table. Will the chest fit on the wall where the telephone table is? Try the art from above the bed above it there. Darkening the wicker will be key, I think.

Mega Builders A nice framed mirror over the dresser, another framed picture between the dresser and TV, side panels from heavier material to frame the window and visually widen the room. a plant or a nice flower vase, on the small table between the doors.

Kelly Spray the side tables a fun color- use this color as your jumping off point.I was thinking BM Arroyo Red or Tulsa Twilight. A neutral but bold bedding and then accent with the color you paint the tables. Some tailored pillows to keep everything from getting to frilly. I think some wicker chairs under the window with some gorgeous pillows.

janseye The fan doesn't bother me. And with the dressers, it gives the room a vintage feel. I'm thinking Key West or Morocco. Are plantation shutters out of the question? I like everyone's ideas ... bringing down the color onto the wicker, repositioning the tall dresser, moving the TV, a sitting area. I'd use the piece under the TV and the phone stand somewhere else in the house. I don't think you need a new mirror, but I'd raise that one up about six inches. For bedding, I'd go fairly neutral with bold throw pillows to carryout the theme. And get new artwork over the bed and a fake palm to add some height.

bigbama9 Adding a frame around the dresser mirror and a knew bed spread and closet door

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hello - few ideas to spruce up your space:
1) new table lamps - yours are too small
2) new bed in a bag set - always best way to get a new feeling in a room
3) de-clutter and re stage with new accessories and artwork to compliment the new bedding

Couple of mood boards attached to show you how you can update your room with changes to the accessories - find your inspiration point in new bedding, then repost for help with accessorizing.

Good Luck

pveale Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm up for painting the wicker ($15). Should I try to match the ceiling? or other ideas? I prefer to keep the bedding because of the cost (I'm extremely frugal). The afghan comes off for summer (I live in Florida) so I can add accent pillows. Color or print suggestions? I agree with the mirror on the dresser. It goes with the dresser, but I could get a nice wood framed mirror to hang in its place. The TV is on an electric fireplace, which I like for cheap ambiance. I like the idea of a sitting area by the window. Maybe an antique rocker? I could also move the tall dresser to the opposite corner and put the tv on it and move the fireplace to the other corner. I know the closet door needs to be replaced. I'll be remodeling bathroom/closet in the near future and the closet door will be the entrance to the closet and bathroom. It will be a regular door. What type of art would look good on the walls? I greatly appreciate everyones input. I like everyones ideas, I just have to find what will give me the best look for the least amount of money. Right or wrong, I've had most of this furniture for 20+ years.

pveale Another question, plantation shutters or curtains?

Kelly It all depends on what you want to spend....plantation shutters are very expensive. My guess you are probably looking at minimum $300 for that window. But they would look lovely

bevballew You need a spread and the colorful blanket needs to be treated like a throw.

camillealbert Paint the trim white. Paint the walls blue. Get rid of the afghan all together and look for a matalese cover in cream. You're in Florida so you can get away with soft colors. The drapes should go also. A soft cream there too, maybe stripe or a floral print with the rod lower and touching the floor.. Lots of throw pillows.

Brenda Sjoberg I would get rid of the dark furniture(or paint them), paint the ceiling, get rid of the fan or get one that is lighter in colour. The TV, I would get a smaller one, maybe mount it on the wall or remove it from the bedroom. I would also lower the curtain rail to the level of the window. Go with light pastel colours for bedding.

corinne22 I'd paint the ceiling and trim white change the wall colors to pale blue / gray seem to be popular or whatever pale color you like. Get new bedding, if it's a female's room I'd find something more feminine. Get rid of the fan and put in a chandelier. Change furnitiure or paint. Change curtains to lighter color you can tie back for light.

MARLENE BURNS FINE ART pick some art you love and allow the color palette and shapes guide you through the fabric and accessories, etc, NOT the other way around!

Monika Hornbostel What a great art deco style dresser. Why not find one piece in the room that is your fav and organize around that in terms of style. Paint is inexpensive and has fabulous results. Paint all of the walls a uniform color (neutral, very light grey?) and trim white for some crispness. Box springs look nice and clean directly on the floor too. I think the problem with the room is that there are too many eras, styles etc in one space. Focusing on just one and working around that piece will look great and put together. I cant wait to see your after pics!

bhelmly What are your favorite colors?

GizV I would paint the bed wall a lighter shade of the ceiling, about two steps lighter. Your head board would be an appropriate contrast with a darker color behind it. Adding a couple of shams in a a similar brown as your afghan and a couple smaller decorative pillows in a print with the afghan colors makes sense to me.

Your art above the bed is nice, but I think it is too small and would move it to another wall.

I'd replace the brown sheers on the windows with a creme color to compliment the wall color to eliminate that contrast. I think it's too much brown on that wall. Shutters would give you more light control.

I think the brown trim on the doors is jarring and a bit old fashion for your minalmist look and would paint those in to make the doors all one color.

I think the suggestion to frame the mirror will make it look purposeful. And painting the wicker will look good.

I hope you post pictures of what you decide to do. There are many great ideas provided by everyone.

marmey Look at the ceiling it needs brightening!Pale blue is current and sky like...but any Pale fav would be Huge! I agree that you should find art or an inspiration jumping off point then paint furniture if it still needs Brightening !the afghan is probably a family piece but looks "tired" ...I'd choose something white or cream that could stand test of time.Bring colors you like in throws,pillows ,frames ,etc..after you choose your colors. Often if you peruse your closet..you'll see the colors that flatter you and ones you Love!

jshardison I agree you should start with artwork or an accent color you LOVE. Keep it CHEAP by finding a fabric you can staple to a large canvas to make it artwork over the bed. Use the colors in your artwork to help you decide on bedding/paint color. . . You might look to add some TEXTURE as well, by accent, via plants or with wall stickers or stencils in your style . . This can be FUN & inexpensive!!

Primed By Design Inc Move some furniture and add some paint!
Start with removing the fireplace altogether. Then move the tall chest right up against the other chest (the look will be like a wall-unit of cabinetry). Add a chair, ottoman and floor lamp to the corner where the tall chest was.
Remove the mirror from the dresser and put the t.v. on it (if you must have it in the room).
Now, paint the dresser and chest white to minimize the bulk and not throw the room off balance.
Add a brightly coloured throw for the bed and choose coordinating wall and ceiling colours as shown in the inspiration image provided by "decoenthusiaste".
Another relatively inexpensive way to update the bed would be to add a solid colour upholstery fabric to the headboard, just under the curved frame (nail head trim would be nice if you could figure out what to put under the fabric that you could nail into).
Then as per the other suggestions, add new drapery panels (that go to the floor), some toss cushions, new artwork and you're done! Enjoy!

bigbuttons2 I agree with decoenthusiate. I would put the tv over the dresser. Maybe look for a old window to use as a frame for the mirror or you can make a frame rather cheaply and hang over the bed. If you get a old window, carefully using a small chisel knock out the chalking that holds the glass in. Remove the glass and sand the wood and paint. Attach the mirror to the back. This is a little time intensive but the look gives a big WOW. I would lighten the ceiling color. The dark color makes the ceiling feeling heavy. I would also change the curtains. Plantation shutters are wonderful if you want to splurge but new bedding and curtains would be much more affordable and more impact in the room. You live in Florida so try beachy colors aquas, sea glass greens, tans, grays, colors you see in sand and ocean. For the seating area at the window try to slip covered arm chairs with a small table between them. Have fun.

dempsey2012 If you really want your room to look decorated, then you are going to have to spend some money. Colour is definitely needed to start. The wall colour in decoenthusiate's picture is wonderful and perfect for a bedroom Stay with one colour rather than the striping effect you currently have). Eclectic can be effective but your furniture is not working with all its different weights, tones and designs. Choose a design and replace the rest. The shutters idea is also great. New bedding is also a must. Anything linen and layered (see for example Restoration Hardware for its linen collections). Given the height of your celings, art should allow for the scale of the room but after that it is really a personal choice. Remove the picture above the headboard. Because the room is large, you could delineate some areas such as a reading area with an upholstered chair and table and an ottoman. Remember scale and mood. A wicker headboard with a tailored bedskirt, for example, are not in the same mood category. Same with heavy and dark wood with wicker. Check out Craig's List or Kijiji for bedframes as you can get wonderful beds for a low cost. Personally, I do not find that wicker looks good on carpeted floors and for the size of your room, it really does not have enough weight. Avoid the furniture in the corner on an angle approach and instead place furniture according to use, again, delineating areas in the room. Remove the mirrored closet doors and get a large hanging mirror for one wall (this would help with your scale and be a form of artwork for one wall). I do not know if you have Homesense where you live but they have huge mirrors for amazingly low prices or if you are handy you could make your own frame and get a mirror custom cut from a glass company. Take out the mirror over the dresser and whatever dresser you have can have an art display/collection above. After you see how everything looks, you may want an area rug that pulls your colours and mood together.

Marcia I love blues for a bedroom, they're so serene and calming....add a couple of brightly painted nightstands or paint the ones you have, coordinating pillows....and change out the ceiling fan for an elegant chandelier. Pops of bright colors for accessories help a lot too...I have sky blue on my walls, tone on tone curtains with a moracan design, and accents and a framed mirror done in hot pink (even thinking of painting my nighstands pink) and it works...even surprised me!

camillealbert Dempsey is right on. Browse the pictures on houzz for some great ideas.

Elena Korakianitou Ok everybody, one thing which is important in a bedroom is to be a peaceful and zen place where one can rest. A bedroom is our sanctuary . A room where we need to empty the activities and troubles of the day, to relax.( Of course other fun activities to be welcomed) but mostly if everybody agrees is to rest. If we start putting read and black pillows, purples and yellow we are creating a bit of a bordello esthetic. Nothing wrong with that if thats what one wants. My expert advice is stay with warm, quiet grays, buttery whites on cooler whites, deep warm earth tones and soft surfaces. Example photos are bellow

Elena Korakianitou Oops! the lower two photos are there by mistake.

debdebweb I like the bedskirt and headboard. Now it just needs a complementing bedspread or comforter -- either in the same green/yellow family of colors or perhaps eggplant (a muted purple) that complements your shade of greens well.

The blanket at the foot of your bed is a nice touch. If it doesn't quite complement your new comforter, It could be draped over a chair if you had one in there.

I would also mount your mirror on the wall over the dresser (rather than sitting on top of it) and use one with a frame to make it look more finished.

I like the paint colors and the lighter stripe at the top perimeter.

The TV and TV stand look a little dark and lonely over there in the corner. I wonder if you could soften the dark appearance by mounting the tv on the wall above it to give a little space between the tv and the tv stand. It just seems like a lot of darkness in a concentrated little space. Then you could put a colored table-runner or something on the tv stand to soften it up a bit.

Also, the white tchotchkes on the tv stand don't look like they belong there.

I'm in favor of an updated ceiling fan -- not sure what color, but I'm not crazy about the wood look.

Between your dresser and TV stand, things look a little bare. What do you think about putting a padded storage bench there and a framed picture above? Or perhaps a comfy chair and side table with reading lamp to add interest and function to that space. (A chair and side table might look better in the corner while moving the tv & tv stand on the same wall as the dresser & mirror.)

The dresser in the corner looks a little busy with stuff on it. Maybe pare it down to three items to give them more emphasis.

I agree with another comment indicating that larger end table lamps would make more of an impact and bring attention to the pretty headboard.

Okay, well, that's my two cents (or 45 cents I guess ;)

Good luck!

~ Deb

jukesgrrl A big change could come from putting a wallpaper on the wall behind the bed. Wallpapers are quite popular again, so there are lots of stunning patterns to pick from and it would keep you from having to put a pattern on the bed — you could keep it white. Paint your headboard a color taken from the paper and move the picture from over the bed to the opposite wall. I'd put some solid-color pillows in a coordinating color on the bed to brighten it up and I agree that the bedside lamps need to be scaled up in size. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, find a pair whose shape you like in a second-hand store; spray-paint the bases and add new clean shades if necessary. I'd also put up a new window-covering. You could make one from a king-sized flat sheet for a bargain solution.

loudoo1 Definitely give the rattan headboard and table a paint job....a darker color of your choice. Remove the art from over the bed. Maybe find some inexpensive framed mirrors (Lowe's or Home Depot) and hang them in a straight line over bed. I can some metallic color in your rattan perhaps. Also your drapes look out of place; too short and too sheer. Maybe give the window a look of looking larger by placing drapes wall to wall. Let me go back and re-look the room.

makawao96768 I would put color in the walls or color in the furniture-all the white is boring. Change the ceiling color too. It looks heavy. The wicker would be gorgeous painted or nice against a contrast wall color. If you are set on keeping the comforter, you can get some throw pillows in your new color scheme to brighten up the white. I also agree with other posters that the tab top curtains have to go. Or, if you can sew, add a strip of fabric across the bottom in a pattern or contrasting color to make them long enough to look better. Good luck!

Committed Photography, Inc. I agree that the art above the bed is a bit too small. A great alternative is to combine multiple smaller pieces together or a single large panoramic in order to cover the space. I would recommend a piece that would span about 80% of the width of your bed.

Here are a couple recommendations that would bring some color to the room.

Panoramic:
http://www.committedphotography.ca/photos/frame/5693



Square (use side by side):
http://www.committedphotography.ca/photos/frame/117
http://www.committedphotography.ca/photos/frame/120

chime1 I love making big changes with little money! I would paint the entire room one color, not so keen on your racing stripe there! Soft green? Love your ceiling fan, must have in Florida! Softer paint will really bring it out to shine. Paint stores have great back rooms with cancellations and errors, haunt them and find your paint for pennies on the dollar. Your romantic? Why not place the fireplace at the end of the bed, the TV above it? I would try the vintage dresser in front of the window, without the mirror, let it be a focal point, with a changing landscape of favorite things. . later, there could be two upholstered chairs on either side. White sales! Find sheets you love on sale, use clip rings and hang them up as drapes, no sew, easy. Long wall behind the bed, I might consider mocking up another "window" there, and hang those same sheets there, makes a big statement on such a big wall, artwork is always going to look too small there. This would highlight your headboard. Consider using contrasting sheets sewn togather to make a duvet cover for the bed. Don't sew? Make it even easier by tying it instead, use contrasting ribbon (thin, silk) threaded through an upholstry needle, tack togather and tie in a bow. Pretty. I agree that the lamps are too small, garage sale! They don't need to match, just need to be same size and shape, new matching lampshades. So what's left? Will the drawer unit fit between the bath and closet door? Can you hang the mirror there turned on it's side? Would be nice reflecting the room and put your clothing closer to your closet. Place one of your extra lamps there. I'm at $300.00 and a weekend, plus a couple of garage sales, was fun!
Thanks for sharing!

bevballew Love the artwork,suggested. Great start. Look forward to hear what colors,will be chosen.

JAMEITE Hand-painted Silk Wallpaper Co., LTD I hope that helps to get you started.

wrighttr73 First off, I love your room. I would try to brighten the room up with a little color. My personal favorite would be purple, I would paint the walls, and then redo the furniture you already have. Either restaining or painting. Either one will brighten up your room.
Side note...I am loving the silk wallpaper co. photos (above).

bevballew Gorgeous selections above. I would love one of,these choices. Gorgeous!

Sheila McNeely what kind of paint do you use to paint furniture

Marcia I have great luck with just spray paint, several thin, even coats. Otherwise, talk to someone at the paint counter at Home Depot or Menards and they will tell you which paint you can use if you prefer to brush or roll it on. Make sure you invest in a good, soft bristle brush for a smooth finish!

Dixie Landers I also love the size of your room. But before you spend any money and buy paint or fabric, make some "feeling" decisions. It seems dark, so first decision is do you want your bedroom to remain dark for sleeping advantage, or are you looking to brighten it up? Next, can you rearrange furniture, to create 3 areas in the rectangle: a sleeping nook, a reading/sitting nook, a dressing nook? Then you can change the layout before you spend any money too. ONce you know what you want your bedroom to do for you, you could can save by shopping secondhand, even for fabric that you could make a bedcover for or fabric to drape that only requires minimal sewing skills. Paint is still the least expensive investment in changing a room, and can even be used to define those three areas that you might want. Even the art suggestions don't have to be expensive: a 2' X 3' scrap of wallpaper that might be free can be framed and hung beautifully, and maybe cost you $5 for a tag sale frame, but will look very elegant, or lend credibility to any design look you prefer. You could even cover a headboard and the ceiling fan blades with fabric; low cost new look!

Intra Space Design,llc With only one window for a good size space I would tend to keep walls light. Including the drapery treatment.
I agree with some of Dixie's suggestions for creating areas within the space, as well as looking at second hand stores to find accessories.
Finding the bedding duvet or comforter or a piece of artwork is where I would start and build from there. What colors do you like? What's adjacent to this room as far as finishes? I would try to tie the Master Bath with this room. It looks like your furniture color is the same so you do need to be aware of this and work it into the color palette.

Home Style I would take advantage of the high ceiling by removing the horizontal molding and painting a softer, soothing color all the way up the walls--painting the angled ceiling, only a softer color of the walls or an almost white coordinating color. You could do this without removing the molding, too, but I think it chops the height with the horizontal lines. The placement of your curtain rod is correct to show the lovely height, but do buy either rod pocket drapes or add rings to drapes and have a full length of fabric from the rod or ring to the floor--no long, stringy tabs(Urban Outfitters, World Market, etc have inexpensive ones and other stores often have great sales on panels.) There is a comapny called MirrorMate that makes framing kits to add to plain bathroom mirrors, similar to yours--it is easy to install and adds a nice finish. I would hang it about 5" higher than it is now, or more if you are tall. I like the spray paint idea for the furniture--just make sure your clean the furniture to be painted well (greasy finger marks, etc will eventually cause paint to peel) and use a 200 grit or higher sandpaper to give the surface a little "tooth" to hold the paint. I love the decoenthusiast's photo and the way the dark wicker bed worked with the lighter furniture and soft walls. I also liked that the furniture was neutral, so that if you change your mind in a few years on the wall color, or want to move the furniture between rooms, you are not locked in to furniture that is an unusual color--especially after all the work painting it! You could also switch out the long wood handles (assuming they are not part of the drawers) with either long hardware handles or fill those holes before painting and add pretty knobs. I also liked Jameite's ideas and perhaps doing wall paper or something like a large decal high on the tall wall would be nice to bring your eye up. If you wanted to design your own Spoonflower will make any design for you and offers lots of ideas. Good luck and have fun!

travisinteriors Color entire room a soft gray. Paint doors a white white.dont break up room with color band. Change bedding by using a color from walls, some design with color.

travisinteriors Remove mirror from dresser it looks dated. Put large painting. Over bed also large painting. With yr high ceilings you can go bold. In bedding and art work. Put bigger nite sands in with new lamps on each side of bed. Nite stands do not need match dresser. Make sure they are large. Put tall big lamps on nite stand white shades.. I think painting and new bedding is a good start. Keep same color going In to bathroom. Remove all small art work like one in bath. No need.

travisinteriors You have a lot of furn in this room. Do you need chests by window. Could one go I closet or anther room.? A nice big chair would be nice instead. Put white panels on window, on each side they will not close must go to floor. Do you have a mini blind there too? If not put white in cheap at Home Depot. Change out fan to stainless doesn't need a lite. Use silver in yor lamps white shades large n tall.

travisinteriors The white thing is that a valet? Move between bath and closet.put a nice tall full silk plant there instead. If you have to keep 2 chest in rm don't angle them put against wall.

travisinteriors Sorry now that I look closer see its a TV . Get rid of stand, and mirror over dresser put TV on dresser. Still put comfy chair where TV was.

krismort First thing that catches my eye is the lack of contrast between the headboard and the wall. With light, neutral colors on both, the headboard just blends in. Then add white bed covers and it's gets even more bland. I'd suggest painting or wallpapering at least that wall so the bed stands out a bit. Or paint the headboard if you want to keep the walls light. And while you're painting, lose the stripe around the top of the walls. It brings the ceiling down and makes everything look cramped. I'd also take the wall color all the way up across from the bed and on either side rather than keeping it the same color as the ceiling. That would open the room up visually as well.

The picture over the bed seems disproportionate to both the wall and the bed. The straight edge right about the curve of the headboard just doesn't look right to me. If you want artwork there, maybe a series of smaller pictures would look better.

Since the bed is so light, adding some color with the bedding would be helpful. I get the not wanting to spend a bunch of money on the bedding thing. I'm pretty frugal myself and spent about a year looking at the clearance section at my local Bed Bath & Beyond until I found something I liked then used one of their coupons on it. It's a soft floral (on a med/dark sleigh bed) and I keep a couple of complimentary colored solid throws on the bed as well. When I put them on, they're just tossed on near the foot of the bed a bit haphazardly because that's how I like them. When my husband puts them on, they lay straight and neat across the foot. So, whatever you like is how I'd suggest putting the throw.

Some have suggested larger lamps on the side tables. If it were me, I'd hate to do that. It would take up too much space where I like to keep the book(s) I'm reading, my reading glasses, ipod, water bottle...but that's just me. I guess bigger shades would do the trick. My lamp is actually small for my space and it looks fine, probably because it doesn't really stand out. And I can see past it just fine to the framed picture of the grandbabies. So that's another option if all you need is light and you're not trying to make a statement with your lamp.

As to the curtains. I have allergies so don't want fabric curtains in my bedroom to catch the dust and pollens in the air. I have easy to dust/vacuum wood composite blinds in my small windows and plantation shutters in the larger window. I really like that look and don't miss curtains at all. I think shutters would look great in your window.

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