Master Bedroom- Frickin Done Already

Well as you may remember, I did a big wall renovation to our master bedroom. I had a few LITTLE (haha) projects to finish and I'm pretty much done or as my husband puts it "we're frickin done with this shit". So here's the wrap up. Remember the little nightstands from Round Top? They got cleaned up and painted green.

Then I turned this old brass lamp that was my grandfather's into a nickel one all with the magic of spray paint and a little helper. (Just throw some primer on there and then the color of your choosing and you are good to go- yup, it's that simple). 

I also added some curtains from World Market, a new lamp (a second one is on order for Ryan's side) and a new coverlet and shams to the bed. So here's a before and a couple afters.

Master Bedroom... Monkey see monkey do

Well I've been dying to post this little master bedroom renovation and thought I would wait until I'm completely done, but hey, that's just no fun! Our master bedroom is a bit bland. It's calm and spacious, but there's nothing exciting about it. When Ryan and I were first married, we went out and did the whole "buy a room, no down payment, zero interest" thing. I really do like the bedroom set we picked but my taste has changed over the years. Now I like a bit more eclectic and less matchy matchy. We have also been down a headboard since we upgraded to a king size bed a couple years ago. In my 2 year search for cheap headboards I've become paralyzed with ideas. There are so many good ones out there that I just didn't know what to choose. I wanted a headboard that would soften the feel of all the heavy furniture but would still hold it's own in such a large room. I also just couldn't bring myself to ditch all my "buy a room" furniture because my tastes have changed (I'm neurotic but not wasteful). So I really wanted to work in some color and cheap finds to go with what I already gots. That's when I stumbled across this little genius:
http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2012/01/master-bedroom-before-and-after.html

This gal, Mandi, has the most incredible blog. She has fantastic taste and design skills and she's pretty damn handy. Love her. I hate to even share her with you because she is WAY cooler than me, but I figure it's good karma :)

So yup, that's where I stole/borrowed these ideas. Even bought the same headboard (I think) as her :-) So here is my before pics and after.

Basically it's a process called board and batten and Mandi has a WHOLE tutorial on her blog if you are interested in doing this. Her tips and techniques really did work. Took us about 2 whole days with 2 kids slowing us down a bit. The hardest part is getting the math right for hanging the boards. Once you get that figured, it's all down hill. I ordered this metal headboard from overstock.com and I couldn't be happier with it. It came in black so I took it outside and assembled it with Ryan. Then used a primer and can of spray paint (matte nickel) to get this effect. It goes with the hardware on my furniture. 

I'm planning to sell my two nightstands and pop in the ones I bought at my Round Top trip. I'm thinking of painting those a turquoise or teal or kelly green. Would love your thoughts people!!! 

I still have several smaller projects that I'm working on and will share over the coming weeks. 

     * curtains

     * refinish my nightstands from Round Top

     * new lamps

     * craft table make over

     * grandpa's lamp

My Happy Place- Round Top, TX

Twice a year this little bitty town, 2 hours east of San Antonio, holds an antique fair that will drop your socks. There is no explaining the madness that takes over this town. It's like your on this sweet country drive through wildflowers and cow pastures and then BAM, tent freakin city of awesomeness. More shit than you could ever dream of. You need it, they got it. You want it, they'll find it. You weren't looking for it, it'll bite ya in the ass. Hence my purchase of a vintage baby scale. Yup, I had to have to it.

The Low Down. What do all these vendors sell? Let me put it to you this way- I've bought drinking straws made from glass (yup, just like Oprah's) and a 6 foot spiderweb candelabra for Halloween.  They have it all. New clothes and boots, old saddles and minks. Our family friends have a booth for pennants (it's a serious amount of pennants- every team, school, event you could think of and one kick ass gift for your spouse/ boyfriend or even college roommate). Bring cash, check (holy geez Carrie I really thought you knew that) and credit. Cash speaks loudest, but most vendors take additional forms of payment. You can expect a gentle negotiation (usually reduce the listed price by about 10%). The air conditioned buildings (Cole's is my favorite) are slightly higher priced with higher quality merchandise (these vendors usually really know their inventory). Outdoor tented areas and field vendors have a REALLY wide variety of stuff and it's more like a treasure hunt.

Wear comfy shoes and layered clothes. I like to pack a couple of those bags that roll up and stow in your purse for extra handling of my purchases. I usually bring a granola bar or two and some water since it may be a bit of a trek to get to a dining area (they have everything from girly sandwiches to bbq).

Round Top happens twice a year. The last weekend in March through the first weekend in April. Then again in the fall (last weekend in September and first weekend in October).  The first weekend has a bit more selection before it's all picked over. The second weekend I see better deals because vendors don't want to pack it all up. You can't go wrong. If you plan to stay the night (and yes, there is plenty worth seeing over 2 days- think Disneyland), then plan ahead. B&Bs fill up fast.

Children? Well I wouldn't. I've brought an infant there before but I had help from my husband. You don't see many kids out there and there isn't a whole lot for them to do. Husbands? Well depends on your man. Mine likes to see our friends and family and enjoy a beer (yup, booze is allowed and encouraged) out there but the amount of shopping is pretty much his idea of hell. Our compromise? He gets to stay at home, but watches the kids and I get a day to myself.

Here's a few shots of my FAVORITE booths:

This is Traci's shop. She's like a mini Anthropology with authentic stuff. How cute are those coasters? And I LOVED her display of thermoses in the back.

My mom and I refer to this booth as The Kitchen Lady. She has EVERYTHING vintage for your kitchen. It's all in perfect condition and the cutest little color coordinated sets. I mean seriously, pedestal glass celery holder? Yes, please. 

Ran across this darling booth just outside of Cole's called Flown the Coop. This place really had my brain going 90 miles an hour with creative flow. Love this desk in the center. See how they painted just one handle white? Clever. 

Box of lace. Need I say more? You'll see a little Pinterest slip project I'm planning in the future with a little swatch I picked up here. 

So here's what I actually I took home this trip:

Twin bed frame for Rhett's room. Two 1920's nightstands that need some love and COLOR. Drink carrier, two hand painted oils, 2 cake toppers (I collect these), hanging files for my master bedroom, wooden tray for God knows what?, and an & symbol for my bookshelves. 

Best part is the little bits of history you find. Thanks Ms. Bess Booth McKay for my sweet little paintings!

Thought I would use this old card catalogue for organizing my photos. Opened it at home and found an old card from a church listing- rather amusing. 

No trip to Round Trip is complete without a dinner at my FAVORITE restaurant ever. It's called Brazos Belle and it's primarily French cuisine featuring excellent beef and fish selections. Chef Andre always says hello to his guests and has an awesome selection of wines and dessert as well (must get the chocolate mousse). 

Round Top resumes this fall September 27th- October 6th. Hope you check it out. I pretty much go rain or shine twice a year (only exceptions are like labor and it would have to be imminent labor at that). 

Bling Bling on Pegboard

Y'all I've got more jewelry than the beach got sand (word up DMB). It's bad. Real bad. And I really like it. I keep it everywhere too. Jewelry boxes, bead boxes, hanging jewelry holders, pretty little ring things, etc. It's stashed all over my room. I've got a good mental inventory but let's face with 2 kids (ok shit even when I didn't have kids) it's hard to rack the cerebral library and select a piece that really makes the outfit pop. I wind up putting on my few favorite pieces over and over and over. And I'm seriously sick of not putting the stuff to good use. SOOOO after scouring Pinterest I found a great idea... pegboard. So I had my favorite handy man, Mr. Ryan, install a few pieces in my closet. I have a rather large closet that is MY girl space. It's pink, has a little chandelier and vanity and it does not allow children :-) My own little private corner of the house- also the perfect place to hang some jewelry. Here's how it turned out. (*pardon the shots, it's a tight corner and hard to photograph*)

A few organization tips:
* Hang like things together. For example, I hung all my bangles in the same row so when I'm in a bangle mood, I know exactly what I have to choose from.
* Things I don't use as often or that are bulky I hung higher.
* Things that are harder to put away, like earrings, I placed lower so I could get to them a little easier.
*Use the space to spread out your necklaces. You know you will NEVER wear your necklace if you are constantly getting out knots. So even though they are tiny, I made sure they each had their own little space.

Well I wish I could say I got it all up there but there are still several stashes. The good news is that I got the majority of pieces that really make an outfit up there. Kind of like hanging a shirt. Things that are more valuable or I wear for more special occasions are still put away, but my head space is much more organized by having this much out and ready.