Redecorating: Picking the Perfect Bed

After realizing how crazy expensive furniture can be, we knew we had to prioritize what we wanted to buy lest we completely deplete our savings. I wanted to start in our master bedroom. Brian wanted to start with a dining set. So, we started with the bedroom. Just kidding, we bought both at the same time, but I'm going to start with the bedroom since it's what I wanted.

For our bedroom, I wanted a real, grown-up bed. Our previous bed was a mattress and box spring that sat on a cheap metal frame. Absolutely devoid of style and functionality since it actually rolled all over our hardwood floors thanks to the casters. The metal bed was necessary though because Brian can't fit his ridiculously long body on a queen bed without laying diagonally and thus entering my precious sleep zone. I was ready for an upgrade. A California King sized upgrade.

I started gathering inspiration and pinning all sorts of beautiful upholstered headboards.

DIY Tufted Headboard via Schue Love

Layla Grace

 

Modshop

 

Not only are these beds gorgeous (what I wouldn't give for that Modshop one, I'm obsessed you guys), but, as I explained to my husband, these would also be practical since you can lean against them to read or lounge in bed. He wasn't buying it. He hates upholstered headboards. Reluctantly, I gave up my dream and searched for something that would work with both of our styles.

Pottery Barn Valencia II Sleigh Bed

I've always liked sleigh beds and I thought this one's simple design could work for years. Unfortunately, I was afraid that the curved design would take up too much space in our cramped room, so it was eliminated rather quickly.

Yardley Bed from Macys

I really liked the simplicity of this bed's design. It can work in any house and could work for many years to come, I don't have any experience with Macy's furniture though, and I wasn't sure the quality was as good as others we were considering.

Pottery Barn Hudson Bed

This traditional style would fit right into our house and wouldn't go out of style any time soon. Unfortunately, this bed is about double the others we were considering, so we would have to live with it for a really, really long time.

So, what did we choose?

The Hudson bed from PB (not that you can tell that from this terrible picture)! While the cost was really hard to accept, we tried to keep in mind that we would be using this bed every. day. for many years to come. 

And Charlie approves, so obviously we made the right choice!

How do you handle differences of opinion on design with your partner?

Furniture is Expensive

When we moved from a ~800 square foot apartment to a three bedroom house, we knew we would need to buy some new furniture. My parents had always given me furniture (they're antique dealers, so they always had something) or built me pieces, so I was excited to buy new furniture for the first time ever. Until I saw the prices of new furniture.

Who knew furniture was so damn expensive? Obviously not me, since I was appalled by some of the prices I saw out there.

Restoration Hardware

This table starts at $2025 on sale. It is made from lovely reclaimed materials which is awesome and beautiful, but that price hurts!

Crate and Barrel

I have wanted barrister bookcases forever. They were originally used by lawyers to store their legal volumes (why normal bookcases didn't work, I don't know), but the style and practicality (less dusting!) is what sold me. Plus these are named Atticus, which makes me happy and reminds me of my favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird. At $1600 though, these will remain a dream for quite a while longer.

Ballard Designs

I just love this style of chair; it's classic and a bit feminine while still being functional. With each chair costing at least $330 though, my dream dining chairs were out of grasp.

Arhaus

The awesome thing about this media center is that the faux drawer fronts slide together to hide your television when you don't want it seen. We actually saw this piece in person a few months back and were impressed with the ingenuity, even if the style or size doesn't fit in our house. Plus, at a whopping $4900 (on sale from originally over $7000), there is no way we would be bringing this thing home any time soon.

After getting a reality check about furniture prices, we decided to prioritize what we wanted to invest in immediately and what could wait a few months (or more).

Are you shocked sometimes by the cost of furniture or am I just cheap?

Dear Winter,

We need to talk.

There's a car under there somewhere.

Things just aren't working out. I think we should see other people.

This took Brian two hours. Husband award for sure.

Also, it's not me. It's you. Definitely you.

Puppy Parent Woes

This was a difficult week for us as puppy parents; we took Charlie to the vet to get neutered.

See his shaved leg where they put the IV? Breaks my heart!

Although I am definitely pro-spaying and neutering pets, I had a lot of anxiety about having Charlie undergo the procedure. I was afraid, of course, that there may be medical complications, especially since he had to be put under general anesthesia. And I was afraid (and sad) that we would be leaving him at the vet overnight. He has never spent the night away from both of us and I thought he might be scared or resentful that we 'abandoned' him.

I was also afraid that having him neutered would fundamentally change his personality. I love that he is ornery and playful and happy and I didn't want those things to change.

Luckily, my fears have turned out to be unfounded. Charlie physically handled the surgery wonderfully and had no complications. He is obviously a bit groggy and not as active since coming home, but he has moments he wants to jump and play. He still seems to love us despite what we just made him go through. 

Most importantly, he is happy, healthy, and back at home.

Did you have anxiety about getting your pet fixed?

Finding the Light

As I posted a while back, one of my Christmas dreams came true when my father in law and husband installed a light fixture in our living room.

I still love it, but it is past time to find a replacement fixture for this space. I can't say I have a ton of experience shopping for lighting fixtures, so I am turning to you to guide me in the right direction.

Our house is fairly traditional, as are most of the furnishings, so most contemporary styles won't work. Our ceilings are also on the short side--8'--so a flush or semi-flush mount are probably going to be the our best options since we don't want to run the risk of running into it (Brian hits his head on lights all the time). We also want to avoid the 'boob light'. You know what I'm talking about:

Home Depot - definitely mammary-esque, no?

 

With these requirements in mind, here are a few I'm liking:

 

 

 

Murray Feiss from Amazon

 

I like the oil rubbed bronze finish, the low overall height, and the simple design. My main worry is that it only uses two bulbs and I'm not sure that is enough for the entire living room.

 

Progress Lighting on Amazon

 

This light fixture is borderline modern or transitional to me, but it's not so much so that it will be out of place in our home. The simple design is perfect for our living room, but I fear the shade will really hinder lighting up the entire space.

 

 

Sea Gull Lighting from Home Depot

 

I love this pendant style of light, even though I don't think it works for our living room at all since we have zero room to let the light hang from the ceiling. I'm hoping we can find somewhere else in our house to incorporate this classic style though.

 

Hampton Bay Light from Home Depot

 

This light has good reviews, is very inexpensive ($30?!), and would fit the style of our house. I just worry that it might look a little too cheap.

 

Where do you go for lighting fixtures? Do you find searching for the right one as overwhelming as I do?