I’ve been working with American Express to redo my bedroom. They provided me with a total of 300,000 Membership Rewards points.
Hello, dark and lovely bedroom.
Everything came together just as I hoped it would. The colors and patterns of the new bedding look great together, and our bed feels so soft with its new pillows and comforter.
The Edison Chandelier is amazing.
We do have our fears about Eleanor jumping on the bed or swinging a pillow and breaking the bulbs. We may need to revisit our lighting options in a few years, but right now we are absolutely loving the chandellier.
I like the little pop of red from our phone, and the yellow of the lacquered tray holding magazines by my side of the bed.
I really love the play between light and dark in the room. Sheer white shades, white curtains, and painted white trim all provide a nice balance to the zinc walls, gray rug, dark furniture, and the Jacobean bamboo flooring.
Our overflow of books has been contained by the new bookshelf.
The bedroom is somewhat small and there is already a lot going on visually, so we wanted the new art to be subtle. I love the antiqued zinc finish against our ‘zinc’ wall color.
Soporific.
SweetBeaker
June 14, 2010 at 12:46 pmlooks lovely :) so fun following along!
Ludmila {CreamyLife.com}
June 14, 2010 at 12:47 pmYour bedroom looks so elegant due to the wall color! And the chandelier is pure gorgeousness!!! Love the entire look – stylish and beautiful! xoxo
Mandy Ford
June 14, 2010 at 12:47 pmGorgeous! I love the dark walls mixed with the greens and other pops of color.
Kate
June 14, 2010 at 12:48 pmGorgeous!
lesley
June 14, 2010 at 12:49 pmpretty!
out of curiosity, do you know what the dollar value of this would have been if you had just paid for it outright? it feels like the paint and the bedding really went a long way to making it feel like a completely different room, which gives me hope for my own desperately needed bedroom makeover (which has to happen on the cheap)!
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:07 pm300,000 points = $3000. The paint and bedding definitely went a long way though, so I’d concentrate on those elements for a new look. A lot of the money in my bedroom redo went towards a new rug (not necessary if you’re on a budget) and new pillows and a down comforter (which you can actually see). The light was pricey too, but I think it’s a pretty interesting part of the room.
Christen @ BakerLaneGang.com
June 14, 2010 at 12:49 pmLooks great. Where did you purchase your bedside lamps? We’ve been searching for some similar.
Thanks!
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:08 pmThose are from Pottery Barn. We’ve had them for a few years now and we still love them.
Jenny
June 14, 2010 at 5:10 pmThere is a similar type at jcp.com, and they are $50 each. Just thought I’d mention it! :)
M
June 15, 2010 at 4:53 amOr you could always try Lampsplus. I’ve had success with them in the past during their sales–bought some really great teardrop-shaped metal bedside lamps for about $60 each. It’s worth checking out if you can’t find what your looking for anywhere else!
Glenda
June 14, 2010 at 12:50 pmstunning, simply stunning.
Holly Marie Gibbs
June 14, 2010 at 12:51 pmIt all looks amazing! I just love it.
Brigite
June 14, 2010 at 12:51 pmWow. Looks FANTASTIC!
Jenn
June 14, 2010 at 12:53 pmSooo pretty. We rent but I am inspired to change everything anyway!
Mya Papaya
June 14, 2010 at 12:53 pmLove the room! Those closet doors: stock or custom built? If stock, where from please and thanks?
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:08 pmStock – Home Depot. “Nu Porte” was the name of the brand, I think.
Kristen
June 14, 2010 at 12:54 pmLooks great…I love the lighting fixture.. my favourite part of the make-over! Well done!
Loren
June 14, 2010 at 12:55 pmThis looks wonderful, the artwork looks fantastic. I love dark bedrooms, they are so cozy and cave-like perfect for curling up in. You’ve done a fantastic job. I envy/love your color sense.
Our bedroom is painted a purple that was inspired by the color in your old living room (from your apartment I think?). We love it. Thanks for that.
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:09 pmOh, yay! I’m glad to hear that.
Kerri
June 14, 2010 at 12:57 pmNicole, it is STUNNING. Seriously, you’ve outdone yourself here. I think this has become my favorite room in your entire house. I’m totally reconsidering my choices for my upcoming bedroom refresher now.
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:10 pmYeah, it’s my new favorite (but that tends to happen each time I work on a room).
Lauren Rauter
June 14, 2010 at 12:58 pmI’m so green with envy right now. I just did a whole post on Friday how I want a chandelier over my bed… lucky!!!
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:10 pmI never had one before. It’s nice!
Brooke
June 14, 2010 at 12:59 pmOh, I love it! Fantastic.
Lauren Rauter
June 14, 2010 at 12:59 pmI’m so green with envy right now. I just did a whole post on Friday how I want a chandelier over my bed… lucky!!!
Lindsey
June 14, 2010 at 12:59 pmIt came out so, so beautiful! We have gray walls with white trim in our bedroom…but I think I want to go even darker now that I see this!
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:11 pmThe dark paint gives the whole room some ‘oomph’. :)
wanderluster
June 14, 2010 at 12:59 pmThe room turned out great! The dark colour looks nice and cozy. Eleanor will love looking up at those lightbulbs and I think its great for kids to be surrounded by beautiful things (and learn just to look and not touch sometimes too).
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:12 pmThat light is definitely a look, don’t touch. ;)
JenWoodhouse.com
June 14, 2010 at 1:01 pmLove love LOVE that wall color! And the light fixture DOES look amazing! Great job!
andrea
June 14, 2010 at 1:02 pmnicole – wow! I am so happy that you got the chance to do this bedroom makeover. So inspiring as a reader!
It’s so funny you picked out the edison – we are planning to install it in our new dining room at the beginning of july when we move to our new-to-us house. Is there any way you can do a post on the installation process? I would really, really appreciate it!
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:13 pmThe installation was pretty straightforward. We used painter’s tape to mark off the spots to attach the arms before we put any holes in the ceiling.
Christine
June 14, 2010 at 1:02 pmLove it! So excited to finally see the reveal. I absolutely adore the bookshelf corner. The artwork is perfect.
arlene
June 14, 2010 at 1:03 pmGreen and Black. Love it!
Funnelcloud Rachel
June 14, 2010 at 1:32 pmThat looks fantastic! I love dark walls – we have a lot in our house (our dining room is painted “soot” – which is basically black, but sexier and more dramatic!)
Will you post some pics with the chandelier on? I’d love to see it all lit up! Is it too bright for a bedroom or do you have it on a dimmer?
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:20 pmIt’s hard to get a good picture with the lights on. The bulbs aren’t too glaringly bright though – only 40 watts. A dimmer would be a nice touch, but not absolutely necessary.
Jennifer
June 14, 2010 at 1:04 pmI absolutely love how well this room came together!
I’ve always shied away from dark paints because I’ve heard that they make a room look smaller. Since you mentioned that your room is already on the small side, I was wondering if now you feel that the walls make it feel even smaller?
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:14 pmIt’s darker for sure, but I don’t think it feels smaller. I’m a big fan of dark wall colors.
likemamusedtobake
June 14, 2010 at 1:04 pmWow, looks amazing. I love the two framed pieces of artwork and also the light fitting. Really want to decorate our bedroom this summer so hopefully I will get around to it. I’m thinking a different style though with antique cream walls and woodwork and some floral accents for a country cottage feel. You have given me another little push to get moving on this project so I hope I complete it soon.
Michelle
June 14, 2010 at 1:05 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! Looking at your room really makes me want to decorate our bedroom. We spent alot of time making our kids rooms beautiful and just so but we haven’t done one thing to ours except buy nice furniture! It looks kinda pitiful:( I’m putting our room on the to do list right now!
Heather
June 14, 2010 at 1:07 pmI love the wall color, and the green really works with the gray. Gorgeous!
Melissa de la Fuente
June 14, 2010 at 1:08 pmIt is absolutely stunning! I love the chandelier( it is a perfect focal piece) and all of the colors and patterns you brought together are just brilliant. Great job hun! Amazing!
xo
Melissa
Nataliya
June 14, 2010 at 1:11 pmabsolutely love the light and wall colour. did you also paint the ceiling the same colour? very very cozy :)
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:15 pmYes, the ceiling is the same color as the walls.
Stephanie Feldman
June 14, 2010 at 1:12 pmSo restful and stylish, and I love the pops of red and yellow!
Amy@MaisonDecor
June 14, 2010 at 1:12 pmFavorite thing: light fixture–really makes the space super cool! Second favorite thing: your fabrics and color combo. Nice job!
robyn blaikie collins
June 14, 2010 at 1:12 pmthe chandelier is worth it… whatever it was. man!!! love it love it love it. and hte zinc art. so interesting.
Kristen
June 14, 2010 at 1:12 pmLooks awesome!!! I especially love your wall art.
Amanda
June 14, 2010 at 1:13 pmLooks great Nicole!
Mrs S
June 14, 2010 at 1:15 pmWhere did you get your headboard? I love it!
Making it Lovely
June 14, 2010 at 1:16 pmOur bed is from Room & Board (Hoffman). We bought it shortly after we moved in three years ago.
Brittany
June 14, 2010 at 1:18 pmI spy a Chuck Palahniuk book on your shelf! :)
Merideth
June 14, 2010 at 1:21 pmI love your room! It is soo adorable. LOVE your website!!
Mel
June 14, 2010 at 1:22 pmGreat room! We are doing our rooms in the same colors & you’re providing wonderful inspiration! Thanks so much.
jodi
June 14, 2010 at 1:23 pmlooks fantastic!!
may we see it with the lights on, pretty please?
Melissa
June 14, 2010 at 1:29 pmLove it – I like dark bedrooms as seem cozy.
Lauren
June 14, 2010 at 1:32 pmLooks great, I love the colors you chose!
Allison
June 14, 2010 at 1:36 pmPerfection! I LOVE the wall color.
Elaine, clothed much
June 14, 2010 at 1:40 pmIt looks amazing! I love the light and dark contrast as well.
Karrie
June 14, 2010 at 1:41 pmSo pretty! It is dark done right, for sure!
robin
June 14, 2010 at 1:42 pmwow! it’s really lovely… amazing job :o)
Valerie
June 14, 2010 at 1:43 pmYour new bedroom is rich in textures! I love it, especially how all the different patterns come together in your bedding. And I must say, I was a bit sceptical about the chandelier, but boy does it make a statement! Can wait to see your next room, it’s giving me lots of inspiration for our upcoming house (built from scratch!)
cheers!
Anita
June 14, 2010 at 1:44 pmAbsolutely LOVE it, especially the Edison light. It is so unique!
Danielle
June 14, 2010 at 1:48 pmbeautiful!!!
Annie
June 14, 2010 at 1:51 pmOh, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the “after,” and I was not disappointed! Love, love, love it! I think, though, that my favorite thing has to be the bedding. I really like mixing those stripes with the paisley print, and the colors really all came together so nicely!
Frances Bentley
June 14, 2010 at 1:51 pmI love it!!
k8
June 14, 2010 at 1:53 pmi’ve been looking forward to this post for weeks, and it did not disappoint!
Hally
June 14, 2010 at 1:58 pmNicole,
Someone may have already asked this, if so I apologize, but I was wondering if it might be possible for you to post pictures of the room with the new chandelier lighting turned on. Just a thought?
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:21 pmI know. I’m having a hard time getting a good picture though.
Julie
June 14, 2010 at 2:05 pmLove the bedding and the paint color.
brett | design babylon interiors
June 14, 2010 at 2:05 pmYour room looks fantastic! I am a huge fan of dark walls and loooove the grey color you chose. My favorite part though is the red rotary phone — where did you get it!?
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:22 pmPottery Barn, years ago. I think they still carry them, but not in red anymore.
CrystalN
June 14, 2010 at 2:08 pmGreat decor. I love your choice of color for the paint. Awesome!
Joy_UK
June 14, 2010 at 2:19 pmAbsolutely STUNNING! I love love love greys. I was thinking of using a shade of darkish grey in my bedroom walls as well, having maybe just 1 wall red/dark pink as a feature. Do you think it would work?
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:23 pmYou can always find a shade of gray to work with red or pink – It’s such a versatile color. I even think ‘zinc’ could work.
melanirae
June 14, 2010 at 2:22 pmWow! I Love it. And I like that it is a bit of departure from your usual aesthetic while still maintaining your distinct signature. Everything is spot on. Really fantastic.
Averill (Odi et Amo)
June 14, 2010 at 2:23 pmReally beautiful, Nicole. Love the wall color in particular. So soothing!
Katie
June 14, 2010 at 2:25 pmIt looks gorgeous!! I’m officially in love with the wall color, and the bedding, and the light fixture…
Charlene @ Sweetchic
June 14, 2010 at 2:28 pmOh my gosh, I LOVE it! With you perfect use of accessories, it looks so “finished”. My fave is the @ symbol :)
Thanks for inspiring me to finish our bedroom decor. I just can’t find THE perfect wall art to fill up a 10 ft wide expanse of blank wall though… ugh.
Redlilocks
June 14, 2010 at 2:30 pmWow, just spectacular. The colours are perfection and that chandelier is to die for! I figure your status will go a lot further than mine in convincing Pottery Barn to sell in England as well so if you could have a word? ;)
Brilliant job as always, you really have so much talent!
michelle
June 14, 2010 at 2:59 pmlove all of it!!! you do great work, it looks like your style, not corporate as some feared.
amyks
June 14, 2010 at 3:06 pmAAAHHmazing!
Sarah
June 14, 2010 at 3:19 pmGORGEOUS! I LOVE that chandelier. Plus, the wall color, the paisley quilt + striped sheets…omg. Everything is just seamlessly beautiful!
Stephanie Partridge
June 14, 2010 at 3:22 pmIt looks great! We just finished redoing our bedroom too, but I’m thinking of replacing one of our nightstands with a small bookcase. Where did you get your wooden @ bookend? I would love it in our room?!!
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:23 pmThat’s from Crate & Barrel. I figured it was perfect in a blogger’s bedroom. ;)
Jane
June 14, 2010 at 3:46 pmYou’ve outdone yourself! I’ve loved following along! I must say I’m usually a fan of light and bright but I think I could crawl right in to that bad and stay for a while:)
elizabeth
June 14, 2010 at 3:47 pmI am loving the mood in this room… the bedding is so inviting and that lamp is to die for! My favorite thing in the whole room is the phone :) LOVE IT!
Miss B
June 14, 2010 at 3:59 pmI knew it would be beautiful! I love the zinc on zinc very classy ;) And the Edison bulb chandelier makes my heart skip a beat–gorgeous!
iris
June 14, 2010 at 4:00 pm‘Soporific’ was definitely an SAT word for me many years ago…great looking bedroom, by the way :)
Licia
June 14, 2010 at 4:09 pmWow! What a great project from start to finish. Your bedroom looks just amazing. I like the masculine feel of the zinc colored walls with the more feminine feel of the bedding.
lylah ledner
June 14, 2010 at 4:13 pmit’s awesome! and it’s always fun to peek into someones special place of rest….very very soothing….thanks for sharing…
xoxo lylah
Danielle
June 14, 2010 at 4:18 pmI have the same phone but in chrome. I bought the pink princess phone for my daughter’s room. I love retro phones. The room is gorgeous. :)
Emily
June 14, 2010 at 4:19 pmLovely!
Jules
June 14, 2010 at 4:35 pmIt looks great! What a difference.
I really want that Edison chandelier for the dining room, but first I need to do a host of other things first. Namely, refurnish and paint the dining room and living room.
Hilary
June 14, 2010 at 4:36 pmWow! It’s dark- but just right. I really like it, especially with the contrasting green.
Viv
June 14, 2010 at 4:38 pmNicole, it all looks amazing! I’ve been obsessed lately with dark walls and your new room just proves to me that dark walls in a bedroom adds to the luxurious and cozy factor. It is like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
You’ve done a great job. I bet it feels amazing to lie in bed looking at your bulbs.
Felicity Lingle
June 14, 2010 at 4:38 pmThe light is so intriguing, i’d love to see a shot with it turned on.
kate
June 14, 2010 at 4:40 pmLove the zinc wall color and wall sculpture. I’ve seen the light fixture a million times, however, so it feels way too trendy for me and all those bulbs would catch a lot of dust in a bedroom. But, kudos on the overall color combos…
Melissa // Apartment B
June 14, 2010 at 4:43 pmIt looks fantastic! I am so happy to see that the Edison light worked out and looks amazing. Everything works together perfectly, great job!
Krystal
June 14, 2010 at 4:45 pmIts just perfect! Great job!
MissHavoc
June 14, 2010 at 4:50 pmI just showed hubby the “finished look” and he loves it. Giving me the “go ahead” with the green/gray look for our room as well. He even wants those exact sheets from West Elm. Love you style, thank you for helping me move my hubby into re-doing our master bedroom!
katiedid
June 14, 2010 at 5:11 pmLove the wall color, love the chandelier, love the bedding, love it all!!!……Lovely. :)
Jenny
June 14, 2010 at 5:12 pmThat light fixture really is amazing. I love how the room seems sort of industrial, yet comfy. Bravo! My only question: what is the wattage of the bulbs? Is it crazy bright in there with the fixture on?
Jenny
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:25 pmThey’re only 40 watt bulbs, so it’s not too bright. You can stare right at them and be fine (though I don’t know why you’d want to for any length of time!).
Michelle
June 14, 2010 at 5:26 pmI am SO running this by my husband. LOL.
I LOVE IT.
We are very country/vintage- I think adding a little mod to it helps balance things out.
liz @ bon temps beignet
June 14, 2010 at 5:49 pmI can’t believe how fast everything came together. I was worried about the Edison light but it totally works in this room.
Aron @ hitherandthither
June 14, 2010 at 6:26 pmThat looks great!
Alicia (Atypical Type A)
June 14, 2010 at 6:39 pmWe have a dark bedroom too, it’s like a cocoon, I love it.
It looks fabulous as always Nicole, well done!
Wendy
June 14, 2010 at 6:46 pmLooks great! Everything came together so nicely, congratulations!
just a girl
June 14, 2010 at 7:00 pmYour bedroom looks amazing! I especially love how you put all of those colors, prints, textures together just on your bed!
Steph
June 14, 2010 at 7:11 pmYour bedroom looks great.
I was wondering where you got that wooden @ sign?
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:25 pmCrate & Barrel.
meryl rose
June 14, 2010 at 7:21 pmOh my gosh it looks BEAUTIFUL. I absolutely LOVE those dark walls with your great green and yellow bedding. And that “chandelier” is absolutely fantastic!!!
Theresa
June 14, 2010 at 7:22 pmI love it!!! This is making me want to re-do my bedroom!!
Gwendolyn
June 14, 2010 at 7:36 pmLove it!
Amy
June 14, 2010 at 8:05 pmBeautiful!!
Cindy
June 14, 2010 at 8:10 pmWOW! It really turned out great. And thanks for sharing your project. It has inspired me to get moving on some projects I’ve been putting off for too long.
Amanda
June 14, 2010 at 9:07 pmIt looks AMAZING Nicole! Is that an Australian ‘Real Living’ magazine or am I imagining things?
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:25 pmYep. I subscribed after a few kind Australian readers sent me some issues. Great magazine!
Today Hilary
June 14, 2010 at 9:12 pmI looove the bedding!
Amanda
June 14, 2010 at 10:15 pmI love how this came together! It’s so cozy and the colors and pattern compliment each other so perfectly!
Tatyana
June 14, 2010 at 10:19 pmEverything looks so great! I love that you were able to keep your existing bed and nightstands but changed the rest and make it look SO different.
I was wondering if you find your IKEA closet to work with the rest of the bedroom now – I didn’t see any photos of it.
Making it Lovely
June 16, 2010 at 3:26 pmOh, I just didn’t get any interesting photos with it. It’s still in the bedroom, and in fact I’ve painted it white (the doors were light/natural wood).
jbhat
June 14, 2010 at 10:58 pmWhat a lovely finished project. I’d love to see a shot of the Edison from the head on the pillow perspective, so that we can see it how you will see it. Perhaps?
Thanks for taking us on this journey. I love your choices.
jbhat