The Blue Room Challenge

When I see the 'new' pastel color palettes on Pinterest and elsewhere on the net, I have to smile. . .especially when I remember using pastels with white. . .what? . .seven years ago? . .Over the years I've pretty much decorated following my instincts no matter what everyone else is doing. . .Yeah. . .I'm a rebel (I am from the South, you know). . .I do keep up with the times but there's something within me that has to tweak it into my style--my style at any given time because I do change--never straying too much but ever evolving.

And so it was with my parent's home--a fourteen room house that was built by my Grandparents in 1948-49. . .It was pretty well dated. . .I think the last time Mom did any major decorating was in the 1980s. . .They maintained the house well, so it was mostly cosmetic work we had to do.

A challenge?. .Yes it was. . .I wanted it simple. . .I was also limited in cash flow. . .so I decided to paint most of the rooms in soft whites. . .but in the guest room to leave the walls blue with lots of soft white accessories and linens. . .I also wanted to see how many items I could remove and not put back. . .see how simple I could make it. . .I had no budget for the change and would have to rely on my fabric stash and items on hand. . .I've known for a long time that style doesn't have to cost a fortune. . .In fact, it doesn't have to cost much at all. . .A little imagination can go a long way.

One of the secrets of implementing simplicity is choosing a minimum of colors, keep it light and neutral, choose larger objects as focal points. . .The heavy mahogany four-post bed with lots of draped satin fabric had to go. . .Walls and shutters painted soft blue and an off white carpet remained to gave the illusion of a room much larger than it's 10'x12' size. . .Once I removed the other heavy mahogany pieces the room began to fill with light . . .It was fine for my Grandmother and then my Mom but I was feeling claustrophobic. . . I checked my stash. . .2.5 yards of single knit lace. . .9 yards single knit sheer stripe fabric. . .one thrift store woven cotton bedspread with the fringe missing. . .miscellaneous pillow shams and cases. . .a make-do round table from the back of the closet. . .

I started with that table. . .

I decided to try my own twist on this one, drape the knitted lace over the top and allow the softness fall and pool on the floor. . .Simple enough. . .I found a piece of an old white sheet and threw it over the table for the lining. . .No cutting or sewing. . .just tucked the excess under the table. . .Then I draped the entire 2.5 yards of soft knit over that. . .tucking those edges under but bringing them out into the room. . .about five minutes worth of work. . .so soft and feminine. . .easily removed and washed. . .simple. . .elegant. . .

Using the louvered windows as a back drop, I thought the flowered shams in blues, pinks, lavenders and white would be a good transition from the blue walls to the white linens. . .There is a short headboard behind the pillows but I kept it low so that everything flowed for the eye. . .

For the accent color--that little extra--picking a color in the shams--I simply hung a toddler's lavender dress. . .The contrast was just enough. . .

For the bed, I laid the sheer knit across the box springs from side to side for a dust ruffle and then wrapped the mattress with the fringe-less bedspread modern style. . .A silk tree on the opposite side of the bed emphasizes the cottage garden look. . .A white painted dresser and mirror were placed  on the opposite wall. . .(Sorry I didn't get photos of that). . .The result? . .I was pleased. . .It is now an inviting guest room, void of clutter, calming to the eye, and plenty of room for luggage and personal items. . .

Remember. . .I decorated this room several years ago. . .What is the trend today? . .Well. . .We're seeing pastels on the net more and more--soft blues, pinks, and yellows teaming with whites and neutrals. . .Lots and lots of pale blue. . .Now I ask you. . .Am I a trend setter or just lucky? . .(a wink and a grin). . .Maybe a little of both?