master bedroom makeover

When we bought our home a year and half ago, this is what our master bedroom looked like...



The rest of the house required a ton of work, which put our room at the end of the "to do" list. Even though the carpet was new it is purple-ish, pink-ish, brownish...just plain ugly. But I'm leaning that there are somethings that I just have to live with. The furniture is very traditional, which is what I liked 11 years ago. I would go more Anthropology, Urban Outfitters, West Elm now, but I'm learning that we can't always replace the things we no longer like.

Besides, I have two sofas that are on my bad side that I intentionally pray for someone to throw up on so I have a really good excuse to get rid of them. So sofas 1st. Then carpet. And, well, that super dated ceiling fan, that has to go too. However, I've learned ignore it...for now.

We lived with a dozen varieties of green paint samples on the wall for several months.



Then I had a sudden change of heart and decided, with some help of a blog vote, that aqua was the inspiration I was looking for. It went up as an accent wall and I've been content since.

However, lately, it still seemed unfinished to me.

It didn't need much. I just purchased white grommet curtains to pick up the white in the Pottery Barn, I had to hold back all my impulses to buy until it went on sale, quilt.



I also added this funky flower pillow from Target to pick up the mustardy-gold color from the quilt. It is amazing what a pop of color adds.



Before:



After:





And now the room is truly complete. But, I must say that it isn't the quilt, pillow, or curtains that make our room feel special. It is the family history that makes it a place where l want to dwell.

This old trunk traveled from Norway in 1884 to the United States with my dad's grandfather. It now holds blankets and lots of memories, I am sure.



Check out the inside...



This bible from my grandparent's has beautiful pictures of famous paintings of biblical scenes inside the pages. I remember sitting by the bookshelf in their farmhouse dining room as a young girl as I flipped through the pages. It was the only thing I requested from them when they passed away.





And this is how it is used in our room...



Although this photo isn't my grandparent's farm, it looks very similar. In fact, when both my brother and sister saw it, they asked how I got the farm photo. They could not believe it was not our grandparent's farm.



Lastly, I remember reading in a decor magazine that you should keep kid photos out of the master bedroom. At first, I disagreed. However, I flanked both nightstands with engagement photographs taken 12 years ago and I get it now. This is our sanctuary. Every other room in the house is for the family. This is a space for the two of us, even though one boy often tip toes in and climbs in bed with us during the middle of the night. That's alright, the intention is there, right?



Wow, we were REALLY young!

What about you? I'm curious, have you made your master your sanctuary? What is your favorite item in your master? If you haven't created your space yet, what one item would be a dream come true for your room?

I can't wait to hear from you.

Much love,
Katie

P.S. I am linking up to Life Made Lovely Mondays HERE. Come on over and visit!