Our Bedroom The Victorian House

In the Bedroom

I’m attempting to make the bed more often. Is it a New Year’s resolution? Not really, but I’m sure I’ll end up breaking it, so let’s go ahead and think of it as one! Make the bed every day in 2014. Two days down, many more to go.

How many pillows on a bed are acceptable? When does it cross over to being an obnoxious number? I’m testing out the idea of a row of euro pillows with some of the larger throw pillows we already have on hand. They’re 22″ and 24″, versus the euros’ 26″ each, but it’s a good approximation if you imagine that they’re in matching white shams. Yay? Nay? Seven pillows seems excessive, though I suppose they could replace two of the standard pillows in front.

August, Rumpling Up the Bed

I’ve never been very good at making the bed, so I assume euro pillows will magically make it look magazine-shoot-ready at all times. That’s how that works, right? To aid in this quest, I chose white linen/cotton bedding. It’s perfectly rumply, but not disheveled, and the bed looks artfully undone in the mornings instead of messy. It’s an arbitrary (and likely all-in-my-head) distinction, but one that I like nonetheless.

Check the wall color: Sherwin-Williams’ Comfort Gray. So much better against the woodwork than Sea Salt! I shouldn’t have second-guessed it. And I for sure shouldn’t have third-guessed it, having tested an unfortunate greenish color that didn’t even last to the light of day. I hated it and painted over it as soon as it had dried enough. Comfort Gray, FTW. Look how pretty it looks with Brandon’s favorite painting, Dying Flowers.

Sherwin-Williams Comfort Gray Paint in the Bedroom

The bedroom needs more artwork still, and better lighting. I did just thrift a vintage yellow banker’s lamp for one corner of the room, and it’s awfully cute. But did you notice in that first photo how the two bedside lamps we have don’t actually match? Isn’t that a nice touch? I bought the white one for our library ($10 at the time, from IKEA) when we first moved into our old house in 2007. Then when we were expecting Eleanor, I stole it for the nursery and went to buy another to put back in the library, but by then they were only available in silver. They’re fine lights, but a mismatched set of floor lamps is not quite what I had in mind for our bedside lighting. Even if I spray painted them, their bases would still get in the way. I usually like sconces flanking a bed, but the windows and layout of the room aren’t going to accommodate a pair, so I’m on the lookout for table/task lamps instead.

Besides painting the room and changing the linens, I’ve added a jewelry armoire. It is the most ridiculous piece of furniture I’ve ever owned, and also my favorite. Perhaps that deserves its own post.

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  • Lynn Kelly
    January 2, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I notice EVERYTHING in your new house b/c of all the exquisite wood work! I’m not looking at the bed, although it is lovely, I’m seeing the window wood! ha I’m in serious trouble with envy about your house! I don’t make the bed either so I quilted a great piece of fabric and it looks good rumpled too. Any pillows extra are too many. We have pets and if you put them on the floor they get pet hair, if you put them in a chair, that’s too much work. ha

  • Allison
    January 2, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    I think the extra pillows are excessive from a functional standpoint if you have an upholstered headboard. Without an upholstered headboard, I could see them making a comfier backrest for reading in bed. But really, if it makes you happy and they’re not a nuisance to remove at bedtime, then why not?

    • Making it Lovely
      January 2, 2014 at 3:50 pm

      We read in bed all the time, and I’ve been working on my laptop during the day up there sometimes too, when I want to stay warm and cozy in bed. The upholstered headboard is comfy on its own (that’s why we chose it), but the extra pillows have been nice.

  • Liz
    January 2, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Hey Nicole, where did you get that headboard? I love it!

  • Sara
    January 2, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    I second the question on the headboard. I have so been looking for something like that.

  • Katie
    January 2, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    We have a ton of pillows on our bed, and a ton on my daughters as well. They’re easy to throw onto a chair overnight and back onto the bed in the morning. Throughout the day they get moved around each bedroom as my daughter and I play, read and lounge. Without all the pillows we’d probably spend a lot more time on our living room couch, so they offer us some variety. I think the more the merrier (and cozier)!

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      The kids make pillow forts pretty regularly around here, so a few extra would probably be appreciated!

  • Carin
    January 2, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    We have our bed against a wall with two windows flaking the sides of the bed, thus no wall for sconces. We found really pretty antique bronze swing arm lamps that we put next to each other centered over our head board and swing one to each side for night reading…just a thought if you really want some sort of sconce light for bedtime reading. Also, I have 6 decorative pillows on our bed and I love it. Adds a lot of color and interest without overloading the room. I make our bed everyday when I get up and I love walking into our room and seeing it “put together”. Make it a daily chore and soon it will become a habit!

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      That’s what I’m thinking of doing too, brass or bronze swing arm lamps. And day four — bed is made. I’m working on it becoming second-nature.

  • anisa
    January 2, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    love the shade on the wall. I love my pillows and love to pile them all on

  • Megan C.
    January 2, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Great paint color!

    What about something like this for lighting? I’m considering it for my own bedroom that has the same bed/window placement as yours. http://www.lightology.com/index.php?module=prod_detail&prod_id=85073&utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&utm_content=P4440-084&gclid=CLDFx7Wv4LsCFTJp7Aod5TsAZw

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 9:27 pm

      I thought about doing something like that, but I don’t like the proportions of adding a vertical bar in the middle of our bed. Only because of the very specific architecture of our house though. Normally, I think it would be a great solution.

  • Jessica @ SundayLoves.com
    January 2, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    I’m excessive with pillows. Not the decorative ones, but the king sized down ones. I have issues…

    I love your bed. The gray also looks wonderful. As does the wee man in the bed. ;-)

  • Vanessa
    January 2, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Hi,

    What brand is the comfort gray paint?? I have been searching for that colour for months with no success..

    • Karen H.
      January 2, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      It’s a Sherwin Williams color. I used it in my office.

  • Nicole L
    January 2, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    Making the bed? What is that?! Which is why we have one duvet and four pillows – and nothing else! I get throw pillows for a couch, but never understood the desire to cover a (regularly used) bed with all sorts of pillows. Maybe if you lounge a lot in it? Eh, my bed is the one spot in the house I do not want any extra “stuff”.

    But then, our guest bed looks a lot like yours with almost the same assortment of pillows – perfect for lounging with books and the kidlet, which is what it’s used for 95% of the time.

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      That’s what we have now — a duvet and four pillows! We do lounge a lot in bed though, so I’m still leaning toward adding the extra pillows. The throw pillow placeholders have been nice.

  • Rachel Schultz
    January 2, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    Saw the lamp on instagram and loved it there! I might try a DIY version with a white and silver one from Target. The bedroom is looking good. Great choice on the bedding!

  • Sarah
    January 2, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    There is something about making my bed that makes me feel downright accomplished. I rarely make ours, but when I do, I always think “Well, a lot of stuff was left undone today, but at least I made the bed.”

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      I’m finding that it is a nice feeling to come back to a made bed.

  • Bere
    January 2, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    HI Nicole! I also love pillows, i always think they make the bed look more comfortable… well at least the dog enjoys them ;-)

  • Cora Potter
    January 2, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    I guess I’m ahead of the curve because my bedroom has been that color since 2007! http://www.flickr.com/photos/psymonetta/1511172183/in/set-72157601552624056

    I’ve contemplated changing it – but it’s so pretty and calming.

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      Nice! It is a calming color. It’s funny, but I was telling my mom that it’s almost too pretty. Like I need some bold black and white art to break it up a little and add some energy.

  • sarah
    January 2, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    yes on the euros! although they won’t make you magically make the bed… they will make it look fantastic on the rare occasions that you do make it! i am the same way.
    i think a pair of these:
    http://www.westelm.com/products/accordian-sconces-w765/?pkey=csconces&cm_src=sconces||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
    would look smashing in your bedroom. i love the accordion feature.
    love the blog!
    sarah

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 9:32 pm

      I like those. The only problem is that I like sconces placed over the nightstands, and I can’t do that in this bedroom.

  • emily
    January 2, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    i totally did the three euros as the first layer on my king-sized bed and i love it. they provide a good base for whatever else you want to throw on it. and, i love that beautiful gray color…really it a nice contrast to the warm wood.

  • Brandyn | Southern Distinctions
    January 2, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    I had this same pillow debate a few months ago. I wanted the bed to look good, but function as well. Turns out that 7 was the lucky number. It’s just enough to make afternoon lounging or reading comfortable and not a total pain to take on and off.

  • Tena
    January 2, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    My sweet husband had a very strong bed making habit when he came to our marriage. After 23 years it has finally become my habit too. Just makes the room look neater. We have 7 pillows, 4 of which we sleep on, 2 decorative and a full size bolster. I think it looks luxurious and comfy.

  • Jo
    January 2, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    7 pillows is not too much. I have 8! 2 euro’s & 6 standards. They are great for reading in bed.

  • Jessica
    January 2, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    Right now I just have two standard pillows and a plain purple duvet. I don’t make my bed often but when I do just having it all tucked in makes things look a thousand times better. Don’t think I could go past 5 pillows total – 2 shams, 2 standards and a throw pillow.
    Can’t imagine 7 or 8!

  • Nic
    January 3, 2014 at 3:24 am

    This is a very sweet bedroom, I really like it.

  • Alex - Hydrangea Girl
    January 3, 2014 at 4:17 am

    Ah, the art of making the bed. I try to make the bed every day, but if I’m running late in the mornings, it gets neglected. I’m very particular about making the bed. We have a whopping 7 pillows all up in there … It sounds excessive when I write it down. 3 pillows each and a new throw pillow in the centre.

    I’m actually about to start making a simple bench for the end of our bed just to put extra pillows, blankets and cats on at night. Black lacquer. Mmmm.

  • Suzical
    January 3, 2014 at 5:44 am

    I love the idea of having ready rumpled looking bedding!
    Will definitely be looking in to that..

  • Christina
    January 3, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    We only have the two pillows we sleep on and a duvet without a cover. Shameful.

    But I’m curious what everyone does with the extra pillows overnight? I wouldn’t want them on the floor, and we don’t have any other surfaces to put them on. A few extra pillows would be so cozy looking.

  • holly o
    January 3, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    I love that you’re not painting the trim (yet). Through 10 years of owning homes with woodwork, I’ve struggled with finding good paint colors that complement the wood, while using a more modern color palette. It’s exciting to see what you come up with for the walls. Love everything so far! Also, I love excessive pillows. :)

  • mary
    January 3, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    seven pillows seem perfectly acceptable for two people (seeing as how i’ve had as many as five for just me!)

  • Jane
    January 3, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    My secret is linen duvet cover and no top sheets. It makes making the bed a total no-brainer.

  • Meredith
    January 3, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    You could install the scones over the headboard. They make some really really pretty ones with the light on an arm.

    The pillows look fantastic. Super comfy and romantic.

  • kate
    January 4, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    The grey looks terrific – I have been trying to find the right grey to work with the same color trim. If you keep the wood trim in your house unpainted, please offer up a tutorial on best color matches.

    • Making it Lovely
      January 4, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      That’s a good idea. I can do a post on what goes into choosing paint colors to work with wood trim.

  • Jessica
    January 6, 2014 at 6:58 am

    I made the resolution to make my bed every day a few years back and I’m still going strong (which was pretty surprising to me). What I think is really special though, is also folding my pajamas so that I don’t have to faff about while it’s cold. Good luck keeping it up!