I love my guest room, but it’s awkward. It took about three years to finally give my guests a comfortable space, but one thing was still missing. The poor person who slept on the right side of the bed has never had a nightstand. They’d have to pass their glasses or cup of water to the person on the left side. That’s a pain. The problem is that there’s an attic door right where a night stand should be. Like I said, this room is awkward. Charming, but awkward. It finally occurred to me that a stool was the perfect answer. It provides a mini nightstand, but it can be moved to easily access the attic.
I also swapped out the pillows with the unfinished needlepoint pillows I had in the living room. They add nice warmth to this room and the white ones look better on the living room sofa. I love when I can move things around in my house to solve simple problems. The best thing is it’s free!
I also took some time to makeover this bird cage I found at the Raleigh flea market over Thanksgiving. Sorry for the blurry picture. It doesn’t look too bad, but it was poorly painted with tacky gold paint peeking through and, to add insult to injury, it had a dusting of iridescent glitter all over it.
I used the “kiss” principle, here. Keep It Simple, Stupid. A coat of white paint can solve a multitude of poor decorating decisions.
I showed this birdcage what some real glitter looks like! Nothing but German glass glitter in my house.
I have an exciting day tomorrow and I can’t wait to share it all. Also, don’t fret, I will provide additional information on making your own mirrored dressers. Lots of exciting things are just around the corner.
The stool was a brilliant solution, and it looks fabulous, too!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Anne
perfect solution! and it looks fabulous {as always}. LOVE the birdcage make over! Thanks to your fabulous tutorial, I ordered some of my own german glass glitter and have used it for some Christmas presents. Hoping to post about it soon, when I can get it together!
love the room- I think the red pillow gives it a nice punch!
I love the color combo in this room. And I'm a sucker for bird cages (:
Congrats! I saw you were featured in the 'Romantic Homes' issue I received today. Pretty exciting stuff!! Sally
Love the changes in the guesthaus. Are you expecting guests for Christmas? Can hardly wait to hear what your news is! Ann
That's a great solution Marianne, and a great stool.
My mom has a bonus room over her garage with the same problems, only she has 4 sets of doors that all lead to the attic and/or crawl spaces. There is one on each wall, in awkward places of course, so it's always been challenging to place a bed and tables. My solution? I screwed shelves to the outside of two sets of the doors. I cut the shelf down the middle so that when you open the doors, the shelf opens too. Works perfect!
Lovely! Beautiful! I did sort of the same with a bird cage in a guest room. 🙂
Here's a link to my Bird Cage project: http://www.whiteinspirations.com/?p=167
And here's a link to my guest bedroom with the Bird Cage:
http://www.whiteinspirations.com/?p=179
Love it when simple solutions work, don't you? Looking forward to your news.
Judy
Beautiful. LOVE your mirrored nightstands! Did you use the white GG Glitter on the "2" & "5"? The kiss principle worked quite well for your birdcage & what doesn't look awesome without your GG Glitter banners? I'm going through a white out this week and just posted my desk. Gotta love white paint, especially in teeny weeny homes like mine. I'm excited to see what you have cooking tomorrow, my friend!
xoxo,
Jami
Love the white makeover. Hides a multitude of sins. The glass glitter is the perfect touch. I just got some GG that I found on etsy. I bought 3 small sizes to test the colors out. Can't wait to use it.
So very beautiful and cozy. I always love to see what you do!
Blessings,
Cindy
Love the stool idea… perfect solution!
I have a confession, Marian…when I read your header then started reading your post, I thought you were going to tell us you mounted the birdcage from the ceiling hanging over the side of the bed, and that was your nightstand solution, lol. Maybe a bright idea for later….much later, hehehe
xx Karen
That stool is the perfect solution and I love the pillows on the bed! Beautiful!!
Love German glass glitter!!!
And the bird cage looks wonderful!
Hugs
SueAnn
i just did a re-do of our bedroom & used a stool that looks like yours on my side of the bed due to lack of space…great minds think alike?! 🙂
Your guest room is delightful and inviting! I love the cozy, simple feel.
I would have passed over that birdcage. But your repurposed one… I would have snatched that up in a heartbeat!
What a wonderful visit!
Yvonne
The guest room looks so cozy and welcoming – what a beautiful job you have done. Now, when am I coming to stay?!!!
What a great idea with the stool as a new bedside table! Who would have ever thought! (except Miss Mustard Seed) 😀
Lisa – 16 Sassy Street
Love the look! Great job! Thanks for the information on where to buy the german glass glitter at wholesale!
Charming! You are the busiest doer I have ever seen. It's no wonder that your business took off, Miss Mustard Seed! Your blog is like a great little magazine "fis" every day. Thanks for sharing all that you do
Oops! Make that a magazine "fix" every day!
Love the littel stoll idea! A great bedroom…your guests may never leave! and I love the birdcage!
Happy Holidays!
Tammy 🙂
JUNK WILD
Love the chair/nightstand idea. I have used that a lot in my home. Another idea is to put castors on a nightstand to make it easy to move. Very nice room just the way it is.
I have what appears to be the same exact bird cage! I have it on one of my previous posts.. I haven't painted it yet as its freezing and i havent been able to get to my grandmas garage, but I also want to print it white, I dont have much white in my house but i cant think of any other color to paint it so that itll look good!
I have the same problem in my guest room, not enough space for a side table! Thanks for the idea I will have to keep my eyes peeled for a stool in my treasure hunting!
Marian,
The stool is perfect and looks great. I also like the pillow exchange. I actually threw away a bird cage like yours years ago and now wish I had it…you've made me see the possibilities!
Happy Wednesday,
karen at Garden Home and Party
Great idea and I love the look! I love your guest room too! 🙂 Your bird cage turned out so pretty!!
Love the stool! The bird cage transformation is so pretty!
Hope you have a great rest of your week!
XO
Kristin
Ha – I used a stool for years 'cause our bed was on an angle and I couldn't fit a big nightstand in. I can't believe you dissed glitter, even the non-German kind ;).
Super idea and can I say I'm SOOO IN LOVE with your bird cage. I've wanted one for so long and just don't see them around. swooooonnnn
Great choice on the bird cage!! The Merry Christmas sparkle is perfect.
LOL! LOVE the KISS Principle, Marian!! Too funny! I'll have to remember THAT one! 🙂
The birdcage looks so much better white — and simple! lol! I've been seeing a whole lot of German glitter around, and it sure makes a statement!
xoxo laurie
I have always liked your guest room! I love the red pillows and the clapboard wall…someday I'm going to do a clapboard wall!
You have so many comments, I feel like I'm just saying the same thing as everyone else! 😉 But, anyway, I just love this! I adore this guest bedroom and totally want it, or want to stay the night in it to be sure. 😀 Thanks for sharing this with everyone!