It’s been so cold here for the last week.. freezing cold and snowing again.
It might be time to move.
I think the Amalfi Coast or Provence would be near the top of my list.
But then again, there are so many places I’ve yet to see, I can’t rule out the possibility of other countries.
I don’t ask for much.. fresh market produce, inexpensive wine, and sun..
lots of sun..
oh, and the ocean as well, I’d love to live on the ocean but walking distance would be fine.
{ sigh }
Do you ever long to move somewhere else?
Where would you go?
♥
Back to reality..
When my son decided to move to the bedroom downstairs, I decided it was time to give our Guest Room a little makeover. “Shopping” my home and moving things around is such an affordable way to change up interior decor. I realized lately that not many people do this sort of thing. They decorate in a more permanent way and then leave everything as it is. I think I get restless for change and I do get a little “lift” in my heart when I walk by a room that’s been changed up. It’s like that look when you catch a glimpse in a mirror after a new hair cut. You’re expecting the familiar and you get a lovely surprise when you walk by!
♥
After settling Phil in downstairs, I brought the white and blue bedding upstairs. I brought out the blue and sand colored painting that I bought from a local artist, Samantha Da Silva, a few years ago when she had a “studio moving” sale. It used to hang at the lake.
I love that I’ve found a new place for it, this painting reminds me of our beautiful, hot summers and friends.
♥
I replaced a hockey photo with a little picture my grandpa painted for me as a child.
I moved my old vintage trencher dough bowl upstairs and filled it with items that a guest would appreciate.
Hockey souvenirs and memorabilia still hang in place, I didn’t have the heart to move them all.
When my son saw what I was doing with his old bedroom he was happy that he’d given me a new project to work on ♥.
{ By now I think my family “gets” me, at least I hope so! }
♥
I sure love doing this sort of thing..
The trencher is filled with a cheery vase of pink tulips, inspirational books, heart shape rose-bombs from Lush…
..and pretty soaps and a cookie tin from Crabtree & Evelyn { they have a sale on right now! }.
I so love bumblebees! I picked these towels up from HomeSense a few years ago, I couldn’t believe my luck when I found them!
I have some tumblers in my kitchen with bumblebees on them too.
They remind me of Provence, France.
I moved my cello, acoustic guitar and electric piano onto the other side of the room, I figure this can be a guest room slash music room.
Hopefully we’ll have guests who can play these instruments too!
♥
I haven’t had a “designated office” for work for a few years.
So I gathered all of my real estate stuff together on the other side of the room.
I think it’s still a bit cluttered, but it’s a work in progress..
kind of like my life right now.
You can see by how dark my photos are that winter is firmly entrenched here on the Prairies.
If I can’t move to Provence or Italy or Anywhere.. I just might have to curl up with a book in my “new” Guest Room… and wait for Spring!
♥
I’ve been working on designing a new Real Estate website..
I’m excited to use my blogging knowledge/expertise and apply it to a business website!
I’m not sure how long it will take, but I wanted to let you know that it’s been quite time consuming.
Postings may be a bit less frequent, but I’ll try to get around to visiting all of you!
Stay warm.. and if you already are.. well, know that you are envied!
♥
A complete dream! Did you know I have a very soft spot for soaps? I buy them in all sorts of fragrances, love to try new kinds… in Brazil they have lots of quite exotic soaps, so every time I go visit my family I bring many back in the luggage
Now I know something new about you, Sally:D My daughter used to collect them as well, we’d bring her home various shaped and scented soaps when traveling. I wonder where that collection got to?? Oh, dear.. I know whose room needs to be looked at next;)
What a beautiful warm and loving haven you have created for your guests Smidge. You have such a beautiful home!
We are being spoilt with an extended summer and I am hanging onto every ounce of warm weather while I can. I shall enjoy it for you too.
Have a beautiful day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Hmmm.. if your summer is extended and our winter is extended.. maybe the earth has slowed down? Lucky you.. I won’t mind if we get an extended summer this year, fingers are crossed! xx
Beautiful! And I feel the same way about the weather. It’s 26 here in southern New Hampshire today. Ready for spring! ~ April
I don’t know many in the North Hemisphere, that is, who aren’t sick of the unbearably long winter this year!! I hope you get spring soon, April! Our forecast for warmer weather isn’t until the start of April!! Which is your name.. so it’s a great month, don’t you agree:)
Cannot wait for the invitation!
GORGEOUS!
;0
V
Thanks, Valerie! xx
That’s a beautiful bedroom. Can I stay? 😉
😀
So inviting!! 🙂
xx
Such a gorgeous bedroom 😀
I would sleep forever!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I wish I could, CCU:D
Love the tulips! Fresh flowers are everything. Hmm. Maybe I’ll grow some next year. And the wooden bed and white linens and the orderliness (have to work on that!).
Tulips are so beautiful, aren’t they? I tried planting bulbs a few years in a row, but not much came of them. I think our springs are just too short.. or else I just didn’t know what I was doing.. which is quite possible:)
Just imagining how blissful it must be to be a guest in your home, Smidge! Wishing you warmth and sunshine 🙂
If only your wish would come true.. tomorrow!! xx
Just wonderful, i would LOVE to be the guest in there and what a good idea to use the room for yourself when it is empty of said guest! I have not been here for a while (so sorry) but in the meantime you have changed your site and now it downloads SO much faster on my slow as snail mail internet connection.. what a treat. Take good care.. we are frozen again too and i have almost had it, I am feeling sick with the cold, not a cold, just THE cold! But it must get better soon. We must work hard to keep our spirits up.. c
I know, c, I think I’d love to be a “guest” in there too:D Maybe someone would bring me tea? I’m so glad my website loads for you now. I’m positive it was the size of the old photos I’d upload. I thought “go big or go home” was the rule of thumb if you’re into photography, haha. Yeah, not so much, eh? I think I have them compressed too.. but I’m not sure about that. I sure hope it warms up, it’s much harder on you and your farmy animals.. poor dears!xx
Smidge, if real estate doesn’t work out, you could always go into interior design, because you’re a natural at it! Or house dressing! 🙂 What a wonderful job you’ve done, and I love that you’ve repurposed existing stuff instead of simply going out shopping. I know everyone reading this post will be saying the same thing, but…can I come and stay? Hahaha… xxx
I did think about Interior Design.. but it’s a tough industry to jump into. I’ve done real estate for ten years since I retired from teaching. I keep thinking it’s really the best fit for my available time and my lifestyle. And.. I get to help stage homes for sale:D Yes!! Come and stay! xx
Shopping the home is such a great idea! We all get tired of how things are decorated, no matter how nice they are. Such an easy way to change things up a bit. Lovely room — we’re all coming to visit!
😀
How pretty, I know you’ve mentioned shopping your home before and this bedroom is a great example. What happens to the spaces you shop from?
That’s the best part, Eva, the other room gets a change as well:) It’s just a big switch around moving things from one room to another. Now in this particular instance, I’d show you the “old” guest room that is now my son’s.. but it’s mostly posters, incense, clothes… and a tv. I think he moved down there for the tv:D
I think you have created a beautiful space and very cozy I would be happy to stay here even during your cold dark winters. I am excited to hear that you are creating a new Real Estate website. Good for you! Take care and stay warm. BAM
There are so many companies that will set one up, it’s tough to know which one to choose. I think I could almost design my own.. but not really;)
Okay, so you’ve made this room so beautiful… I volunteer to be the first person to try it out… ha!… it looks so relaxing… Diane
I feel your pain about the cold weather. Yesterday the high was 22, it was grey and the wind was gusting up to 40 MPH. Since I’ve been staying in so much, I’ve been doing a little redecorating as well. 🙂 You did a lovely job with the guest room.
This is a beautiful room makeover, you have such a eye for details. The calming blues and whites are beautiful 🙂
GORGEOUS!!
It’s still snowing? Unbelievable. I love your guest room; it looks very inviting and cosy. I think I saw some of your heart soaps in one of the images. You sound super-busy. Good luck with your website xx
It looks so cosy and welcoming. We have a pal arriving form England next week, I am inspired to go into our guest bedroom and make it look a little more interesting!
This guest bedroom is so inviting! I’m sure you must go in there many times a week just to admire your handiwork. And guests would be comfortable enough to stay as long as you have the welcome mat out. 🙂 I don’t really want to live anywhere else, to be honest. We have the weather and unlimited fresh produce and more cultural opportunities than I have time to enjoy. And the Pacific Ocean within 45 minutes of home. I’m happy. On the other hand…we had a 5.1 earthquake an hour ago. So nowhere is perfect! It’s just home! ox
Good evening Barbara! You do such a great job decorating, you should go into interior design and decorating! the bedroom is lovely, very beautiful, warming and makes you feel like home! 🙂
Michael
Good job, Barb! Yes, you re-purposed the room but left enough behind that you haven’t lost it’s original purpose — nor should you. Nice, too, creating an office area for you to call home. You really do have a flair for this kind of thing. If you ever want a real challenge … 🙂
You have an eye for this, Smidge! What a lovely guest room! Wish I have half your talent.. Would totally enjoy being a guest in your place. So cosy and so well-thought out.
So inviting and comfortable. Your guest may not want to leave 🙂
When I can I check in ???? Barbara, just how I image a guest bedroom would be in your home … fresh lovers, crisp bed linen … and the small extra so special touches.
Your work desk cluttered … you should see mine.
So inviting.