I’ve been a busy girl the past couple of days, which is why I’ve been quiet on my blog. Yesterday, I made a cord cover for the chandelier over my vanity in the master bedroom…
I just used scraps from the fabric feature wall. It’s a small thing that really finishes off the room. Here’s the chain without the cover…
…and with…
It’s easy to make. Just cut a 5″ wide piece of fabric about twice the length of the cord you want to cover. Fold it in half with the wrong-side-out. Sew the two sides together with raw edges facing out. Turn the piece of fabric right-side-out, which is a tedious process, and slide it over the cord. Just think of it as an over sized hair scrunchy. (I still need to get some white shades for it.)
I also repainted the room with the help of my new “intern”, Kelly. I received an e-mail from Kelly a couple of weeks ago. She is a student at Gettysburg College and is interested in decorating and design. Her mom reads my blog and suggested she contact me about working as an intern, so we started this week. It was great to have an extra set of hands…
…literally. (I love those teal nails!)
The room color went from Halo, which is a very pale greenish color, to Simply White, which was recommended to me by The Nester. (Both colors are by Benjamin Moore.) It’s a very subtle difference, but the room looks fresher. In addition to painting the room, hand modeling and snipping boxwood branches, Kelly helped me with painting planks for the bedroom ceiling project. It was awesome having her help. (I get her once a week! Thank you, Kelly’s mom!)
My husband took down the ceiling fan and moved the junction box to hang the chandelier over the bed. He really surprises me sometimes. Not only did he say it was okay to take the ceiling fan down, but he did it himself.
Unfortunately, in my enthusiasm over getting rid of the ceiling fan, I threw away all of the screws, some of which we needed today to hang the chandelier. So, I went on a treasure hunt for them…
My mom was amused and took a picture of me digging the screws out of eggs shells. The chandelier was worth it, though, I will say. A little rummage through the trash was not going to deter me.
Today, my husband and I worked on getting the planks up…
…dad made sure the planks were free from paint drips or anything else that would prevent the tongue and groove from fitting together…
…and my mom made sure the Joker and Darth Vader didn’t take over the Batcave.
She also proofed some of my HGTV.com articles and took pictures of things that amused her.
Somewhere between all of the painting and planking and digging through the trash, I spent some time working on my new milk paint colors…
One of them is perfect. I’m still tweaking the others.
This evening, as we crashed on the bed for a few minutes and looked at our newly planked ceiling and vintage crystal chandelier, I told my husband, “This is my love language. Working on projects together as a family is my absolute favorite thing to do.”
I’m definitely in the right line of work.
And I definitely have the right family.
55 Responses
And we definitely adore you…and what you do!! It’s going to be a drop-dead gorgeous room, and can’t wait to see the final reveal!!!!
That is so sweet and I especially love the ceiling planks!
Definitely delightful.
I love the look of cord covers. I have only been asked to make them a couple of times. I have never understood why more people don’t use them. Love the ceiling as well!
I understand the working as a family thing completely! It is such fun pulling together for a common goal! Last week, two of my closest friends spent the day at my place cleaning, sorting and creating a workshop with me in the basement and it was the best day ever! We even had another friend bring us a huge pot of homemade mac and cheese for the day! We were praising the Lord for sure for our fun day! I get you Marion… 100%!
And…I am anxiously awaiting those new colors – looks awesome!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Wow! Such a beautiful thing….I am totally agree with you about the love language is the same for me too…
All this love work in making your room wonderful!
Carolina
That love language comment is the sweetest thing. And that orange! I die!
I love your new bed, fabric wall, planked ceiling, etc. in your bedroom. It will be outstanding when you are done!
I love reading your blog! You have inspired me to do some projects in my home. Last week I bought a sewing machine and made three throw pillows. My next project is to make lined drapes.
How do I see your articles on HGTV.com?
There is an HGTV link at the top of the page
The new colors look great. I am not sure how you found time for it all but, glad you did.
Beautiful. Every single bit of it!
I so know what you mean. My love language is being with hubby pottering around together and just spending quality time with each other! Love the planks on the roof. I cannot wait to see the finished product!
Sweet post! So REAL! I did the same thing Thursday. Painting planks white to use as a photography background for the products in my online shop. My husband and I had to work like a good team to make the tongue and groove fit together.
How sweet that your mom is wearing a sweater with your logo on it :-).
Welcome Kelly!
Love the plank ceiling (and the focal wall behind the bed and that sweet little chandelier)! I noticed the cordless nailer your husband was using. Would you tell me the brand and if he happy with it? I am shopping for one. Thanks!
It’s a DeWalt finish nailer and we really like it. The only downside for me is that it’s pretty heavy. It can get tough on your shoulders if you’re working over head.
Lovely, fun, fulfilling, encouraging. Thanks.
Whoa, mama…. Hope the orange is the one that is perfect. What an accent that would make!
Love the ceiling and those colors are great too, can’t wait to see which one you pick I think we need a tan …. Maybe a ” lunch sack ” color
I just love the beadboard ceiling! I love your style….very inspiring.
I love it when my husband and I are working on and creating items for my store out in our garage shop. I’m designing, he’s making it happen, and the kids are pounding nails in random boards and learning how to use tools! Great family togetherness!
Your room is really coming together and looks fabulous already! I loved seeing photos of your family working together on this project. THAT is very inspiring of what can be accomplished by yourself especially when you have such great help! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
I never thought of that being a love language but I’d have to say it is mine too! My favorite is when my husband and I create something indoors or outdoors. I’ll tell him this is our love language. He’ll get a kick out of that.
Yeah, it really is! I do love flowers and dinners out, but give me a day in the workshop and that will put me over the moon. 🙂
This bedroom series you’ve been doing has been my favorite thing from your blog thus far! I love the real life before photos and seeing the project through a very honest lense. Thank you, it makes the projects feel attainable….which is what I find inspiring.
Smiles,
Emily
Absolutely loving the planked ceiling. It adds such gorgeous detail that’s both subtle and striking. I went to Gettysburg College 🙂
Wow you have been busy~Love all your projects and help you received. Your bedroom and desk area is truly beautiful. Love, Love your style.
Sarah
Regarding the new colors, I love the barn red but I hope the gray-ish one is closer to lavender when you get things finalized. A smoky violet paint would compliment your existing paint colors. Thanks for sharing!
Your love language … and your family converses! 🙂 I love all the details.
I tried to load your blog last night but the page froze and I had to “force-quit” my browser. And it was verrrry slow loading today. This happens from time-to-time with your blog. If it helps you to know, I’m using Safari on my my Macbook Pro. A few weeks ago, Edie’s blog (Life in Grace) seemed to be having the same troubles for me (and others with safari) and she figured out it was an ad causing trouble. Maybe its just me this time, but thought I’d let you know in case you’re getting other notes.
I want to see the planked ceiling and light!! I love this idea! I told my husband, he is skeptical, but I want to see!! What a fun room it is going to be!!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogpsot.com
LOVE this. Think it’s wonderful to work on things as a family, too….the ceiling is going to be gorgeous!!
🙂
shaunna
I look forward to your blog everyday and have recently purchased some boxwood topiaries at HomeGoods after seeing yours. I had no idea they carried preserved boxwood and at a pretty reasonable price. We grow boxwood in our yard and I just found out how to preserve it myself; very easy, as it turns out. Glycerin, hot water and green dye. You probably already know all about preserving it! (-: I’m going to give it a try!
Never have seen the cord fabric covering before- must save that directions- thanks- looks brilliant. They say it “takes a village” you prove it “takes a family”
It’s all perfection!!! I love it all. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite part of this post.
My husband and I love to work on projects together too! Will you be giving any more info on the plank ceiling? This is a project I would love to take on too! Thanks! 🙂
This makes me want to paint the ceiling planks in our bathroom. Guess what project I’ll be doing next? Can’t wait for the tutorial, I can think of a few other areas I’d like to put some planks in!
Kudos to you for such sweet shout-outs to your family. Loved the picture of the boys with your Mom. And, my husband and I loved meeting your Dad at Lucketts two big slaes ago 🙂 🙂 🙂
wow busy and the bedroom is looking so good…love the idea of the planks and would be so cool in our bedroom vs having to do the depopcorn, The new colors…..the orange would be fun
Everything is looking fabulous!!
And yes…you are blessed with the perfect family for your line of work.
God is good.
An intern! Great for you, great idea the mom had, and Kelli is one super lucky girl! The things she will learn! The room is looking wonderful. I agree–working on projects together as a family is great for relationship building–talk about communication! Before we moved into our present home we added beadboard, painted every room and ceiling, built a desk in a closet, cleaned, the list goes on. Our girls were a wonderful help. They were about 7 and 10 at the time. “Helping” was mostly staying busy and being good so the work could get done for the better of our home and family. They were sooo creative with play (inside and out) and patient during this time! It was a special time–all 4 months of it, almost every single weekend!
I make cord covers and have come up with a super duper easy way to turn them inside out. Push a plastic mop or broom handle all the way through. Sew a few stitches by hand through the two layers of fabric right on through the hole in the handle. Pull the fabric that is now attached to the handle all the way through. 30 seconda! Now snip the thread a wah lah ! It’s done:)
Can you give us more information on your boxwood wreaths? You are making them? Where do you get the boxwood? Any tutorials coming?
Ann, Yes, I made the wreath for an HGTV.com tutorial and it will be available soon. I make them out of preserved boxwood.
Great transformation occurring in your master bedroom. Have you written a tutorial on the plank ceiling? If not, please consider doing so. We (my husband and I) would love to do the same thing in many areas of our house.
I love your blog and was so disappointed I missed you when you visited Raleigh, NC. Hope you come to visit again, maybe closer to Winston-Salem or the Triad.
Thank you,
Teresa
Please oh please development a pink milk paint!
Love language – I love it! That is definitely an awesome family you have. 🙂
Love the cording on the chandelier. This has inspired me to make one for mine. You are truly and inspiration. I have been so motivated by your blog and look forward to reading it every day. I am in the process of slipcover a chair thanks to you. It is coming slow and not perfect but not bad for the first go around. Your relaxed attitude is helping me not be so critical of my sewing skills.
Oh- cannot wait for the new paint colors! I love your paint, it is awesome!
I just figured out what I am going to do to the hideous popcorn ceiling in my family room! Thanks for a great idea!!!!
I adore that large gold mirror!!!!!1
Sweet post. Every detail of that room is appealing to me. Now I KNOW that this is not a beauty blog…but please ask your intern what color and brand that nail polish is.
Thank you for showing the cord cover! My husband has been asking me to make one for the cords hanging from our wall-mounted tv in the living room. I wasn’t sure how it would look, but you gave me the courage to pull out my dusty sewing machine and give it a go. It looks much better than a white snake running down my wall! ….And your room is absolutely stunning!
The room is really coming together! Looks beautiful! I love seeing the process and know how helpful this will be for all the DIYers out there. How wonderful to have the family help. You are so fortunate! I’m on my own with projects, but I’m grateful that the family loves the results and is very supportive. My grown son said this weekend “It looks like a magazine, Mom. It never looked like this when we were kids.” It is a process . . . Thanks always for the inspiration. I love sharing your book! Fun to see you on The Old Painted Cottage this month!
I love the planked ceiling! I can’t wait until I own my own home and can try that myself. But what I’m wondering now is where you got the chandelier that hangs over your vanity? I rent and the owners very thoughtfully declined to put an overhead light in my bedroom. So I am trying to find a light like your chandelier that I can plug in and hang over my bed.
Marian, I LOVE that orange color. I really hope that is the one you have perfect. I have been decorating in orange and gray blue for sometime now. My taste has evolved a lot since we moved into our first home in 2008. Your home has been my inspiration. I am not afraid to let my tastes change. And I too have a very patient husband 🙂
Hi Marian – would you please tell me where you purchased the bird’s nest picture. Thanks!
This is not the right post to be putting this on but I can’t seem to find the wallpaper source for your oversized damask print wallpaper. Where did you get it?
Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges.
It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful.
Thank you for sharing!