Wednesday, January 30, 2013

36 Reader Space: A Beautifully Designed Bedroom

Today is a fun day as I am featuring a beautiful bedroom designed by a beautiful girl named Michaela, and I am being featured over on her blog here as part of her She Loves Me series!


I haven't had the opportunity to feature too many bedroom spaces, which is a shame since they really are an escape from the rest of the home.  And for Michaela, it also doubled as her study space, so a little extra organization was a must!  Be ready to be amazed, this is one incredibly happy and darling room!

I asked Michaela a few questions about her beautiful bedroom:

What is the main function of the space?

The main function of the space is sleeping, getting ready for the day and doing desk work, such as client drawings, crafts and of course, blogging!



Any superstar tips for keeping it organized?

I love staying organized, so in order to do so I have many different baskets, drawers and furniture pieces to keep everything in its place.  The white dresser is key to storage because it has a log of great drawers.  I found this for only $70 at Goodwill and refinished and lined the drawers with pretty paper.  


One of my favorite tips to staying organized is to go through your things often and clear out the clutter!  I try not to keep things I haven't used in a few months, and only decorate with knick-knacks and books I truly adore.  Less is more!  Am I sounding like Monica from FRIENDS yet?



What items did you find essential when organizing your space and why?

Because my vintage desk only has one drawer, the little piece to the right of the desk came in very handy when organizing.  My scrapbooking and stationary stash is tucked away in clean, white boxes and adorned with a few simple decor items.  The other white piece of furniture to the left of the desk with the two baskets and big mint storage box on top was also essential.  I've found that papers, craft supplies, and all the other items that come with being a designer would totally explode and take over my room if I didn't have designed storage in place.  When you organize, you need strategy.  Mine was to put papers in labeled folders and store them in the mint box, craft items in the wicker boxes, stationary in the white photo boxes and writing utensils in mason jars on my desk.  Pens, pencils and markers were separated in their own jar to make the desktop look cute and clean.




What did you do to go the extra mile and make it pretty?

By far my favorite element in the room is the architectural gallery wall I put together with the help of a few talented friends.  I had a sweet friend paint some beautiful furniture pieces {that black and white chair... I smile every time I look up at it} and another friend sent me some stunning photographs of buildings from her travels.  Black and white frames help bring in balance above the desk.  Being lovers of all things organized, I am sure you're with me on this - there is nothing better than a perfectly organized and styled bookcase.  My bookshelves constantly change, as I rearrange them on a monthly basis, but I just love how this styling turned out.  I tried to display things that truly spoke to "me" and symbolized a collected and inspired home, with all the treasures I love.





Where did you find your inspiration?

My inspiration was found in the color palette.  I knew I wanted something light, sophisticated, and fresh.  When I think of the word "fresh", minty seafoam is the first hue that comes to mind.  Throw in a dash of peach and blush, and I'm a happy girl.  The Caitlin Wilson Textile fabric I used for my curtains was truly the perfect starting point to my color story.



What items did you DIY to stay on a budget?

A true DIYer at heart, I did mostly everything myself!  I thrifted the dresser for $70 at Goodwill and refinished it.  After browsing HomeGoods, I scored the nightstand for $40 and refinished it in dove gray.  The abstract art above the bed was something I created to add a punch of color and the desk and chair set was a consignment find for only $150 {and it's vintage - huge steal!}.  My favorite DIY project and money saving tactic were the curtains.  On a college student budget, I was looking to stretch the bank any way possible.  Of course I fell in love the CWT fabric, but it was a bit pricey.  I opted to buy one yard of the patterned fabric and sew an 18" panel at the bottom of my existing West Elm curtains.  My sweet grandma helped me {and by help, I mean she basically did it} I couldn't be happier.




How has it impacted your life for the better?

One of the many reasons I'm going into interior design is because of the sheer joy one feels upon completed a room they truly love.  When you enjoy spending time in your home, you are inevitably happier.  So when I created this bedroom to reflect my personality and all the things I love, I felt just that; so joyful.  I was able to experience the feeling I hope to instill in future clients first-hand.  The mint color is unbelievably calming and the peach gives me just enough energy to get the day's work done.  My cutie pie puppy, Hope, seems to love the room too!  It's safe to say we heart it!


Isn't it lovely?  Such a happy sanctuary to both work and rest.  I love that it is so nicely balanced, and that so much of it was DIY'd with passion.  You can really see Michaela's love for design and organization shine through in her space!

You can always find more eye candy and happiness over on her blog hereThe lovely room photography was done by Gem Photo.

Anyone else having a "working" bedroom?  How do you keep the balance between rest and function?


ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please submit your story and photos here and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!

36 comments:

  1. Wow, this is such a lovely space with an awesome color palette and feminine style. And it's photographed so beautifully too! It's so pretty that you don't notice the storage, it just fits right in with the decor. Totally inspirational!

    Http://vintagezest.blogspot.com

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  2. What a beautiful room!

    I agree with Diane ^^ - the storage fits perfectly with the decor. That's something I'm currently working on in my home.

    Thank you for sharing!

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  3. What paint color did you use Michaela? That is perfect!

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    1. Hi Ella-- thank you! I used Sea Cap by BEHR. It's the perfect shade! :)

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    2. I was just going to ask the same question. It is a lovely choice.

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    3. I was searching and searching for this shade. This is definitely going onto my bedroom walls this month!

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  4. Adorable space. Michaela is the sweetest.

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  5. Such a pretty and soft space. I imagine it's easy spending time in there. Love the colors and gallery wall!

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  6. Love the space she created. Michaela is such a sweetheart!!

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  7. Thank you, sweet friend, for having me!! It's so fun to see my bedroom up here on your beautiful blog. xoxo

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  8. I love all the DIY elements! Such a great blend of cozy bedroom space and practical {yet beautiful} work space. Thank you for sharing, Michaela!

    ~Abby =)

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  9. What an adorable room!

    I definitely have inspiration now for how I might redesign my own space.

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  10. The colors in this room are so relaxing! Thanks for sharing...

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  11. What a beautiful room!!! Michaela, you did a fabulous job!! So soft and pretty, and so functional too. I love the built in above your daybed. And the pretty color on the wall.... gorgeous!

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  12. Such a beautiful, functional room - those colors are so pretty!

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  13. That bed looks amazing, so soft and cosy looking!

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  14. The painting above the bed and the piece sewn on the curtain are both adorable.

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  15. I love her room! The colors are so complementary and soothing. Nice work! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. How can you be a scrapbook er and designer and be so minimalist. I a in the process of downsizing and going minimalist . I need to fit everything into a book shelf . Will be using box files and magazine boxes

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  17. Bravo on being a crafter AND so neat and organized!

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  18. It all looks so great! I wish I could learn to create this beauty.

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  19. What a lovely space! Thanks for sharing!
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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  20. It's a great Girly room!
    Love it!
    Heart it!

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  21. What a timely post! I've just been planning on adding a little work space to our bedroom, and this is great inspiration. Thanks for sharing, so lovely. :)

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  22. What would you think of using the color theme for a living room? I just love this shade of green - mint, teal with peach, gray and white. Great job done. So inspiring :)

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  23. wow,that is gorgeous. amazing to have so much gorgeousness and function in the one space.. and how gorgeous is Michaela.. she looks a bit like Denise Richards..stunning girl.. over to check out her blog now.

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    1. Hi Amanda! Thank you so much. So funny-- I get the Denise Richards things all the time (especially living in LA!) You're too sweet. Glad you liked my room!

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  24. THis is gorgeous! You're very talented, Michaela:-) I'd love to know if there are any specific tutorials you used in your refinishing? I have a toy box, medicine chest, and captain's bed that need to be refinished and I'm too scared to start! I don't know which/whose advice to use but it looks like whatever you did was very successful!

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    1. Hi there! Yes! I have the tutorials on my blog. Here is my process of how I refinished my dresser :)
      http://michaelanoelledesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/dress-er-up.html
      Hope it helps!! Feel free to email me if you have any questions :)

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  25. I love the color palette. It is so soft but makes a bold statement.

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  26. Absolutely perfect room! I <3 it!!

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  27. this is such a pretty room.. what a nice taste you have.. I'm impressed...

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  28. I love this room and want one myself. But, hasn't this been featured on your blog before? I think I've seen this surfing through your past posts.
    Love the drawers in particular and looking forward to some spring weather so I can get out and have a try at refinishing something on my own.

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    1. Nope, first time being featured here :) It's so sweet that I am sure it has been featured elsewhere as well.

      xo!
      Jen

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  29. Love the colors! What color are the walls?

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