Adding sconces over the bed

June 20, 2011

Yes…the master bedroom. The one I started redoing almost a year ago? Remember that one?

I’ve told you before it takes me a while…and this room is no different. I’ve made some changes over the past few months and I’m SO happy with how it’s coming along!

You may remember last fall I was stuck with what to do over the bed. I tried sconces (loved). I tried drapes (didn’t love). I tried leaving the scrolly ironwork up (used to love but was over).

The sconces stayed, because we love them so. But there was still something that didn’t feel quite right.

A few weeks ago, it hit me. They were dark, the bed was dark, the ironwork was dark, the nightstands were dark. I needed to change something up.

So I changed the dark sconces with a bit ‘o spray paint:

I used the brushed nickel paint I used all over the Bub’s room and I LOVE how they turned out! It was just the pop I needed.

I took down the scrolly thingy and tried leaving the space between them empty, but it just felt weird. So I added a fun little sunburst mirror the folks at Wuslu.com sent me last year:

I’m slowly but surely adding a little glam to the space with some metallics here and there. I love the combo of the sconces and the mirror! (And yes, I was going to hide the sconce cords but I hung them on studs – no way to get the cord in the wall. I’m dealing.)

One little change that I think made a big difference was one I got from a reader – she mentioned she had taken the cross bars off the top of her bed and loved it. You can see ours here:

I took them off and feel like it opened it up and updated the look so much!:

I love when little things like that change up a space. It feels so different! I also cut the finials down a bit, so they weren’t so pointy and now they’re not as noticeable. ;)

You can also see in the pics above that I replaced the art that was above the old nightstands with larger mirrors. (Got them last year at HomeGoods.) I love the reflection of the light in the space, and the larger size works so much better with the new nightstands – which are just bookcases. (More on those soon!)

The frames on the mirrors have a silvery gold sheen to them that helps to lighten up the space too:

     calla lillies

Aren’t those calla lilies the most beautiful color you’ve ever seen? And isn’t the vase gorgeous?

I just bought it today. And the cat just broke it.

I can’t have anything nice.

Kidding! Not really.

The only other big change to the space is the chair:

buffalo check drapes

I’ve always had a $15 garage sale chair in there, but it was a bit small for our tushies. And not comfortable at all. (It’s in the guest room now. All of our guests have small tushies.)

The new chair was my debt free present to us both. ;) A few weeks after we paid off our last debt earlier this year, I headed out to HomeGoods searching for the perfect chair for our bedroom:

homegoods comfy chair

It was a bit of a science fair and I think I ended up bringing three chairs home that weekend. I loved this one, but wasn’t sure about it in our bedroom. Hubby LOVED it in there, so it stayed.

My husband doesn’t have strong feelings as far as the decor goes very often, so when he does, I try to go with it. This is his house too you know. ;)

I’m especially in love with the cutie little pillows on there:

placemat pillow

The furry cream one I found at Lowe’s – it was just the cover and I think it was only $7? I know furry doesn’t really scream summer, but oh my…it is SO soft! I love it!!

The other pillow was actually a placemat I found for $4 at Cost Plus World Market. I stuffed it like I did these and then tufted it with a couple of buttons (one on both sides).

I just used a long needle and went back and forth through the pillow about a zillion times. I’m hoping the buttons stay put but we’ll see about that. My sewing skills are not my strong suit. ;)

It’s shaping up nicely…in the past year I’ve changed a LOT in the room (the before):image

There’s still so much I want to do though – I so want to paint our ceiling! The wall above the fireplace is just begging me to cover it with molding. (Do you hear it? I do.) And there’s a dresser we’ve had forever that I still need to paint. Can’t wait to show you that one -- it was a steal from Craig and his List!

Even though it’s taken me eons, we’re loving the changes so far! It’s so warm and comfy and still a bit sophisticated (we think anyway):

target bedding rust

That black ball of fluff on the bed is a cat by the way. Not the pretty vase-breaker cat, another one. One who doesn’t break my stuff. :)

OH, and one more little change that I think made a big difference? I changed out the white fitted sheet that was over the box springs for a chocolate brown one so it blends into the bed – I LOVE it! I was going to make a bed skirt, but I’m so happy with how it looks I’m not going to.

For now. My mind could change. It would take me year to make it anyway. :)’

**The duvet was from Target last year, the bench was from HomeGoods last year as well. I’ve seen some similar to it still though!

For more on the master bedroom redo, click here for all of the posts.

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Comments

  1. Looks like a great place to end your day! So calm and inviting! Thanks for the inspirations!!

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  2. LOVE what you've done! I'm really debating hanging sconces over our bed, but I just haven't taken the plunge yet...your photos have just pushed me closer...everything looks so sophisticated & just...perfect. Love it...

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  3. Where oh where did you get your bedding? Please say you bought it and didn't make it! The room looks fantastic! amynwithers@tmwdesign.com

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  4. Love the update...I have those Cost Plus placemats, too!

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  5. The room looks great!
    And I think you may need this...
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/74969553/i-cant-have-nice-things-i-have-a-cat-a4
    I saw it the other day and when I read your post it immediately made me think of it. Ha!

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  6. I love your bedroom update! Even small changes like these made the room feel more stylish and updated. Love the addition of the wall sconces, the turfed bench, the two rectangle mirrors, the starburst mirror and the curtains. Adore the new bedding, too!

    Gorgeous space!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  7. I love the way your bedroom is turning out. I love the chair you bought at Homegoods and am going to go try and see if ours has one similar tomorrow. Where did you get the bench at the end of your bed? (not the woven storage trunk, but the fabric covered bench? thanks!!!

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  8. WOW!! It look amazing! Great job!! :)

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  9. Wow Sarah your room looks great!! It's taking me forever to get out room done too. It always seems to be the last one done in the house. Just over a month ago I made a gorgeous (if I do say so myself) sunburst mirror for over our bed. LOVE IT!! You should pop by and have a look. Sometimes I look at it and can't believe I made that. What a great feeling! Anyway, can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve with the dresser! ~ Catie
    http://catiescorner2.blogspot.com

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  10. Love what you've done with the room!
    Great job!

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  11. That sunburst mirror is so pretty and I love the sconces in their new color! I;m glad to know I'm not the only one who takes a while to finish a room - not one of mine is "done" yet :)

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  12. Oh! That was a good tip! It does make a big difference! I never would have thought to remove them!

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  13. Love the changes you've made! I'm doing a master makeover at my place too, love checking out master bedrooms right now. :)

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  14. I understand, it takes me a while to finish projects like this too. It's amazing the difference lighting and bedding can make in a bedroom. Looking good, lady!

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  15. Brushed Nickel spray paint?! Seriously, where have I been. Could you please tell me the brand and where you bought it? I have so many pieces of hardware that are brass and I love silver, but would rather not have to buy something new that works perfectly fine. Thanks so much.

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  16. Great example of small changes can have big impact! Nice!

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  17. I love the fact that you covered the boxspring with a fitted sheet!! Never would have thought to do that but GENIUS!! I'll be doing that in our room tomorrow. Thanks! Looks great, btw!

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  18. Hi Sarah,
    I love your bedroom makeover! I have been looking for those exact sconces! Would you mind sharing the who, what, where with me?

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  19. What an inspired transformation of this space. I love it!!!

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  20. your master looks great! just the inspiration i needed as i have been piecing things together for our master.

    have a creative day,

    amy

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  21. It is looking so nice! I like all the changes you have made and how you cut the finials down. They look good.

    Your husband must be so proud of you and your home improvement abilities. :)

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  22. What a lovely space!!

    I have your bed! And I think I am going to remove the cross planks and open it up! That totally transforms the look. I love it!

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  23. Love the changes you've made. Decorating is a process, isn't it? I'm going through decorating angst trying to figure out what changes would look good in several rooms. I wonder how those design shows pull a room(s) together in one week.
    ~Julia

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  24. Love the after... it draws you in and welcomes you into the room. All cozy-like.

    Di

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  25. Your room is fabulous, Sarah. A real retreat--just like a master bedroom should be. Your posts always inspire me, and I've been working to clear the clutter out of our master bedroom (it became a catch-all). Have made two big trips to donate at the Salvation Army...and have more to go.

    Love the sconces!!!

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  26. It looks wonderful! I want to do my master bedroom similar. It's the perfect fit for a married couple. Not too feminine, not too masculine. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Love the bedroom re-do! It looks beautiful!! I really want to know more about the bookcase nighttables!!! I'm stuck in "little round $3 tables on each side of the bed" world and I can't take it anymore. Please post about these soon!! ;o) please!

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  28. what are going to do with the scrolly ironwork? love your ironwork.

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  29. Way to go, Sarah! Your bedroom looks beautiful, and it's so good to see how just a few changes can make a big difference. Your bedroom looks like a wonderful place to snuggle, which is just exactly the way a bedroom should look, I think.

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  30. Yes! I love the new look. It's so much brighter and open feeling.

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  31. Well I think it looks fabulous! And not a PILE in sight! How do you do it?

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  32. I don't usually comment but I had to tell you that your master bedroom transformation looks AMAZING! Even though most of the changes are subtle, it makes a huge impact. Congrats on a job well done! :)

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  33. I also love the fitted sheet idea vs bed skirt. Perfect, clean look. I love your curtains and think the room definitely is sophisticated, warm and not too traditional. Great job!

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  34. The sconces look AMAZING! Would not have guessed they were painted. What an awesome idea . . .

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  35. It looks beautiful! I love everything... especially those drapes. They just make the room!

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  36. It looks lovely! The one thing I love that you mentioned is using a fitted sheet over the box springs. Why didn't I ever think of that?!! So simple and easy. I have needed something over ours forever but didn't really want a bedskirt. I am now in the market for a fitted sheet that will coordinate with our room. Thanks for all the ideas and inspiration.

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  37. Oh, I wish my bedroom could look like this! I have a hodgepodge of crap in there now. Maybe someday! Looks awesome!

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  38. Your room looks AMAZING, well done!! The best part is...it's cozy, inviting, and elegant all at the same time, love it! =) ~Liz

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  39. Have you tried taking off the bars around the top of the bed altogether? I don't know why you wouldn't just have a 4 poster bed look when you aren't draping some airy fabric from the wood slats. And for the record, I loved the space in your before pic too.

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  40. Although I think the before was really lovely, the after is a nice improvement, the room seems comfier, cozier, more inviting. Well done!

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  41. Beautiful house! It could be a dream house for anyone.

    Painting Contractor Atlanta

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  42. Great job! The lighting truly makes the room come to life.

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  43. What a beautiful bedroom retreat! You have done a wonderful job!

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  44. Wow! It looks awesome! I have those curtains in brown and the table runner version of your placemat pillow.

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  45. Where are the curtains from, I love them.

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  46. I LOVE what you have done. All the little changes really added up. Your room was nice before and now it's gorgeous!!! I love your fix to blend the boxspring into the bedframe. I have to try that. I have a white fitting sheet right now and it's better then the boxspring, but a chocolate colored fitted sheet would work even better. We have a dark wood frame like yours. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  47. LOVE the sconce color!! It is a very nice update... it adds a perfect little sparkle it did not have before!

    Tiffany {Living Savvy}
    savvydesingwest {dot} com

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  48. I totally sympathize with you on the cat breaking stuff thing. I have 3 cats, 2 of them (girls) break nothing. Ever. The other one (a boy) has broken more glasses, mugs, vases, etc than you can count!

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  49. I love the drapes. What a difference they made in the room! I adore your blog. adore adore adore. Do you feel the adoration? Thanks for sharing with us!

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  50. Looks sooo great! I am trying to redo our bedroom too but with a 3 year old and 1 year old it is taking forever. I did just get a new Pottery Barn Duvet cover off of ebay and I LOVE it...only problem is, it doesn't hang over the sides very much. I've tried turning it every which way and it hangs a few inches on each side. I have a King bed so I can't even go up a size to help it out. This ALWAYS seems to happen with our duvets. We do have a pillow top mattress so I'm sure that's not helping but I'm getting so annoyed by this!!!! These duvets look soooo great in the pics on the web and catalog but awful once they are on my own. Any suggestions??

    amandanall31(at)gmail(dot)com
    www.craigandamandanall.blogspot.com

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  51. Sarah, your bedroom makeover looks awesome! I have been working on our bedroom forever. I really need to try and finish it up. You have inspired me!

    Susan

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  52. Oh my, I'm really liking that. I was about to sew a new duvet and make some small changes to our bedroom. Love the tip about the crossbars on the bed. Totally stealing :)

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  53. Museum gel. It's saved many of my possession from diabolical cat behavior. I have two Maine Coons. If it can stand up to them, it has a good chance against your kitty!

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  54. Wow! You've made a ton of great changes! I didn't realize you had done so much! I love the buffalo check curtains! They really warm the room up. And that chair looks so comfy. Can I rest my big tushy on it when I come up?
    It really looks beautiful, Sarah! Great job!

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  55. Looks fantastic! I am totally drooling over those striped curtains. Where is the world can I buy those?

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  56. I think it looks great in there! It's almost brighter and lighter! I really like the curtains too. Great changes, Sarah!

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  57. Ahhhhh......(sigh!) What a wonderful place to end your day! Love the mix of colors and textures! Great job and very professional looking! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  58. looks great!! genius on the fitted sheet swap. so simple, but awesome impact!

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  59. What a gorgeous transformation! It is amazing how simply removing the slats from the top of the bed made such a huge difference!! Really beautiful! I LOVE that brushed nickel paint!

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  60. How pretty is that. I'm jealous of your bed haha.

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  61. So inspiring to re-do my bedroom for a "thrifty" price! Thanks for the motivation!
    http://www.takeanotherstepmelissa.blogspot.com/

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  62. I absolutely love your room!! It is both comfortable and sophisticated. The changes you've made are subtle but perfect. LOVE it! Thanks for two new ideas, by the way: I CAN'T wait to hear more about the bookshelf nightstands. (I need new ones so bad!) Also, the World Market pillow fabric is SO great - I'd love to use it on my dining room chairs! I may need to run by there today!

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  63. GORGEOUS! Absolutely sophisticated meets home. You never disappoint. :)

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  64. My favorite things are the curtains, and oh yeah, the kitty. He is staged perfectly on your bed. Good job on the redo!

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  65. Beautiful! Please tell us all where you got your curtains, so we can copy you! I actually would love them in my living room, though!

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  66. What a romantic, comfortable room! Love it!

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  67. Beautiful room! It never occurred to me to put a fitted sheet on the ugly box spring--what genius!

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  68. I love all the changes you made! Removing the crossbars from the bed made a huge difference!

    The placemat pillows are awesome! I have the actual pillows in that print from World Market in our living room and LOVE them! I'd probably cover every surface in my house with that print if I could.

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  69. I have that exact same scrolly thing over my bed and am trying to come up with a replacement. It's okay, but like you, I'm over it. I can't keep anything the same for too long before I get bored. And, I am obsessed with those striped curtains...I've seen some on The Nester's blog, too, and I am bent on having some.

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  70. I'd really like to know where you got your bedding as well! Would you mind telling me?! ( wthlovex@me.com )

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  71. Love yor bedroom, in love with your curtains..your whole house is amazing!!! My email is jesofarrell@gmail.com

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  72. LOVE the changes to this room sooooooo much! Every change was perfect! I am new to your blog and fascinated w/it, happy when I'm looking at it, idolizing everything, learning so much..... & in love with it! 8~)

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  73. Love the layered bed. I've been looking for rust for a long time. Saw that you got the comforter at Target, but I'd love to know where you got the solid rust pieces.

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