Yes. We have a spare bedroom. I must confess that at times, it about kills me. Although it's nice to have one when we have the occasional guest in town, it is one of the only things about the house that is not a perfect match for us: its size. I think the spare bedroom and the office, as well as the living room and den, could all be combined into two rooms, really: one living area and one office/guest bedroom. All these extra spaces (a couple of them seldom used) seem to make this house a little too big for a family of three. Sometimes, it feels a bit wasteful to me.
For a while there we thought there might be another kid, so it made sense... But we now know that won't be the case, thus the house at times strikes me as being rather large - and decadently so.
At any rate. The guest bedroom. Let me share it with you...won't you come along?
The quilt was made by Bill's mother when we first started dating. It was originally intended as a gift for her bachelor son, but I love it, so it gladly got adopted into the collective of togetherness that has been our life now for... close to 12 years.
(Actually, let me pause here for a moment to admire this beauty...will you indulge me, just a bit? I love distressed furniture - a love that only those who love it, too, can understand, and those who don't...well - they simply don't do this to their furniture. Or if they do, they regard it as the ugly stage in the way to refinishing. I love to leave it just like this - really, it's crazy how madly happy just looking at it makes me..!)
The wood floors in this room were painted a glossy black. In a way, I was delighted; Bill simply stared in horror. Of course there were the really purple walls, too. And the zebra skin painted on the door. And there was some hot pink, too. And a little desk lamp with boa feathers. I think. Maybe the horrified look I'm attributing to the floors is misdirected. But I digress.
I was ecstatic because it meant I could paint over the floors - something Bill would have balked at had the floors been the wormy pine and oak of the rest of the house... But I adore painted floors. Especially in creams, grays and whites... They become such a neutral and soft background for everything else... don't you think?
The closet was added on at some point and is definitely not original to the house. You can even see the remnants of a fireplace hearth on the bottom right corner.... Anyway, the closet was cut out with an opening so crooked and low that no door would really work. Which gave me an excuse to do something else I really love - hanging heavy curtains high up, almost to the ceiling, to emphasize the beautiful height of the ones in our home.
And that, my friends, concludes the tour of our guest bedroom. Like I said before - it feels like too much of a luxury for us at this point... So we'll keep pondering this issue for a little while...
For a while there we thought there might be another kid, so it made sense... But we now know that won't be the case, thus the house at times strikes me as being rather large - and decadently so.
At any rate. The guest bedroom. Let me share it with you...won't you come along?
The quilt was made by Bill's mother when we first started dating. It was originally intended as a gift for her bachelor son, but I love it, so it gladly got adopted into the collective of togetherness that has been our life now for... close to 12 years.
The dresser (found at The Screen Door, in Asheville)...
(Actually, let me pause here for a moment to admire this beauty...will you indulge me, just a bit? I love distressed furniture - a love that only those who love it, too, can understand, and those who don't...well - they simply don't do this to their furniture. Or if they do, they regard it as the ugly stage in the way to refinishing. I love to leave it just like this - really, it's crazy how madly happy just looking at it makes me..!)
The wood floors in this room were painted a glossy black. In a way, I was delighted; Bill simply stared in horror. Of course there were the really purple walls, too. And the zebra skin painted on the door. And there was some hot pink, too. And a little desk lamp with boa feathers. I think. Maybe the horrified look I'm attributing to the floors is misdirected. But I digress.
I was ecstatic because it meant I could paint over the floors - something Bill would have balked at had the floors been the wormy pine and oak of the rest of the house... But I adore painted floors. Especially in creams, grays and whites... They become such a neutral and soft background for everything else... don't you think?
The closet was added on at some point and is definitely not original to the house. You can even see the remnants of a fireplace hearth on the bottom right corner.... Anyway, the closet was cut out with an opening so crooked and low that no door would really work. Which gave me an excuse to do something else I really love - hanging heavy curtains high up, almost to the ceiling, to emphasize the beautiful height of the ones in our home.
And that, my friends, concludes the tour of our guest bedroom. Like I said before - it feels like too much of a luxury for us at this point... So we'll keep pondering this issue for a little while...
that quilt! gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I, too, love painted floors. My parents have them in their old drafty closets, and they always feel so authentic farmhouse to me. Of course, any kind of wood floor makes me deliriously happy.
ReplyDeleteI would love love love to paint some floors! I enjoy your house tours because the rooms are so beautiful and your descriptions are so vivid. I feel as though I just walked through the room with you. So much style, so much inspiration - thanks for sharing your space!
ReplyDeleteOh Maria - I LOVE it all!! How special to have a quilt made by your mother-in-law! I of course adore your distressed dresser - I am envious:) We have such a tiny house for 5 people, don't you feel guilty any longer, you enjoy that beautiful room:) Thank you so much for sharing more of your beautiful house, I feel like I have just read the 'perfect' magazine article! Happy day to you - Tina xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. And I especially love that dresser. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWell, well, well...can I come and be a guest in that pretty room? So tranquil and calming! I understand what you mean about having a 'guest room' and feeling a bit indulgent with space. A wise man once told us that you should only have enough bedrooms for those who actually live in the home and require a room. He said guests can stay in hotels, for he never understood why people paid such money for rent/mortgage just to provide a bed for someone during a few days of the year! Of course, he was Parisian, and rents are based upon the number of rooms! In any event, you have made this room a perfect escape spot, and any guest is lucky to stay with you! I love the long curtains as the closet door - we did the same in our crumb's room!
ReplyDeleteYour guest room is lovely!! I LOVE the painted floor. You are lucky you had an excuse to do it...I'll never have one and my hubby loves nothing more than a shiny varnished wood floor!!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with the closet and the chippy dresser is to die for!! I have a table like that. I just love it as it is!
xoxo
Jane
I know what you mean, Maria, about having all these different spaces in ones home that feel like non-necessities. Our house isn't all that big (1600 sf-ish), but if often feels ridiculous that Erik and I each have our own office/studio spaces in addition to a large living room and dining room. We could function just fine if his computer desk was in the living room and my art studio took up shop in the dining room. I like spaces that serve a dual purpose .... but, I'm also pretty tolerant of creative messes (Erik, not so much!). Who knows, maybe if we end up having a kid or two, this house will turn out to be the perfect size! Love what you've done with the guest room. It looks like such a serene space.
ReplyDeleteMe encanta tu cuarto de huéspedes!!!
ReplyDeleteMuy cálido y sereno.....
Yo quiero ir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PD: éstas fotos me las enviaste para "mostrá tu casa"??
Hi Maria,
ReplyDeleteBill's quilt is far too beautiful for a bachelor's pad. Your guest bedroom looks like a nice peaceful room and this comes as no surprise. You are the queen of nice peaceful rooms.
Hope you are well!
Denise
My file of saved pictures is filled with ones of white-painted wood floors. But as I've always been a renter, it's still a "one day ..." dream. Your guest room is lovely. I'm sure it's a treat for friends and family who visit to stay.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt! Simply gorgeous! Don't feel guilty cause you have an extra room. Maybe make it into a craft room/guest room. Or combine the space with another room. You should never feel guilty about having too many rooms though.
ReplyDeleteWhat, you got rid of the lovely purple and black and feathers and zebra skin MERELY for the sake of all this airy freshness? Surely some mistake. No, but really, it's lovely, and I'm with you on painted floors and high curtains. I used to have a guestroom/office, but that just annoyed me when guests were here and I lost my peace, so now I have both and am happier. Don't merge both too quickly.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any solutions to suggest, I just want to say how perfectly lovely your guest room looks. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a super cute room! I love the dresser :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a peaceful spot, my dear! You've done it up beautifully!
ReplyDeleteat least you are mindful of the luxury of extra space instead of the majority of americans who think they "need" it for god knows what :-) i don't think i'd normally go for painted floors but you do it so well.
ReplyDeleteI understand your point, Maria. We don't have a space technically devoted to being a guest room, but that is simply because most of our family lives mere minutes away. But I feel the over-abundance of space in our rather large home every time I clean it. Ugh. Your room however is so lovely I can't imagine there isn't a line of family and friends waiting outside the door. :0) And I love your painted floors and chippy dresser. I definitely "get" it.
ReplyDeleteI am blown away by the loveliness of your house, inside and out!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a gift Maria....a gift for simplicity and loveliness....I am not so good at that, I wish I was. This room is so lovely and calming. I adore that dresser, it makes me giddy happy as well & I love that you love it so much.Thank you for sharing this with us, I adore the glimpses into your beautiful home.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Melis
ps I sent your tiny tree today, I sure hope you love it! :)
i love this room - so many beautiful ideas. i really love that quilt and the dresser...i love them with a love that is deep in my heart. :)
ReplyDeletemaria- it was so nice taking a tour of your guest room. there are so many things i love--the quilt (and bill's mom made it, how wonderful!), the light streaming in the windows, the distressed dresser with mirror. the mood of this room is so calm and peaceful, perfect for lounging in with a good book and a cup of tea. your guests are lucky!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a serene space Maria! If I were a guest at your house I would be thrilled to sleep in this room!!! I love distressed furniture :) You did a great job decorating.
ReplyDeleteI love everything - the quilt, the chest of drawers, that bright whiteness. Lucky guests!
ReplyDeleteI adore painted floors too!! And that dresser *sigh* it's gorgeous...I totally get what you were saying about distressed furniture...my dad likes to joke that you couldn't pay him to have a piece of furniture like that. Well I love it and I love your guest room too!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend Maria ~
:) T
Your guest room is so cozy, with little details the that give off such warmth! I think I love every room in your home ~
ReplyDeleteso pretty and calm! lucky guests who get to stay there. i love that dresser, it's just perfect! i'd love to find one like that.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog, LOVE your style! I read all the way back and cannot wait to read more!!!
ReplyDeleteBloody Brilliant Geust Room!!! That dresser is stunning.
ReplyDeletenice one..love it .
ReplyDeletelight colors , love the quilt and the lamp looks great
Oooh, I love painted floors too!
ReplyDeletegorgeous quilt. what a treasure/ heirloom. and i would also like an excuse to paint the floors. i'm not sure i'll ever have a guest room, but i do long for one on those few weeks when we have guests. first, a bigger studio! xoxo, k.
ReplyDeleteMaria dear - when can we come and visit? I feel at home already! Cyber hug
ReplyDeleteIt is so pretty. I can share your delight at discovering floors you can paint. My husband looks like I've just stabbed him with a fork whenever I suggest painting our floorboards. He thinks that painting wood is a crime. Sigh.
ReplyDeletelovely friend.......and your distressed chest makes me smile!
ReplyDeletexo
What a beautiful room! I love the quilt. And definitely the distressed furniture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful room. And let me tell you that as you grow older, an extra room becomes more valuable than it seems to you now. Value it.
ReplyDeletenice post, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis guest room didn't look simple because for me it looks majestic and very stylish. I'm a big fan of vintage that's why I love all everything about it. As for me, we just recently replaced our wooden floor with tiles that we got from a shop that has tile(s) (Tampa area). And we decided also to bring our carpets also to a shop that offers stainmaster carpet (Tampa) which removes carpet stains for our rugs to look new and well-maintained.
ReplyDeleteHotels also put holds on credit cards, but unless you're up against your credit limit that usually isn't a problem.
ReplyDeleteRio Pousadas