Behind the scenes, we have been playing musical beds ’round here. First Greta’s room had a king sized bed and Faye’s had a queen and the guest room (in the basement) had a queen. Then Chris’s brother’s family came to stay with us and with three little kids, it made more sense for them to have a room with two beds, so we bought another queen and moved the king into Faye’s room and Greta’s room had two queens. Besides family staying with us, the girls have a cousin near their age that sleeps over frequently so two beds in one room works for us. To be honest, that’s when this room arrangement really started making sense–of course there should be a bed on either side of the window!

I ordered two of these queen gray Jenny Lind beds and we just dressed them in bedding we already had on hand for now, but the style is timeless and the color is warm. After I ordered them, I immediately second guessed myself and regretted not going with black–but once they arrived I was so glad we got the gray. It’s soft and subtle and peaceful.

We weren’t planning on working on the girls’ bedrooms this year, but the carpet in here is so jarring and unrestful and we hit our head on that light every day–that we thought maybe we could do a little something in here. And then, you know, one thing lead to another and I started talking about wallpaper vs planking the walls in here and started pinning some inspiration images.

So how do I start designing a room? I start by finding inspiration. Sometimes I’ll search “cottage bedroom” on Pinterest. Or “wallpapered attic bedroom”–an idea or feeling I want to implement and start there. When I do pin an inspiration photo, it very rarely if ever means–I want to do this exact thing! Sometimes a photo has a feeling I want to embrace or a note I want to take.

For instance, this bedroom below has a very similar ceiling line to Greta’s room. I love the wallpaper in here! Although this is a little more color than I’m into for my home, I love the mix of patterns. The vintage rug, the heirloom chest, a quilt! I definitely want her room to have some traditional vibes mixed with more modern pieces.

I also pinned the photo below because in Greta’s room, the ceiling comes down on the sides like this one (marked by the same texture). To me, it feels like the walls should go up to the flat part, but it was cool to see a version of it coming down. I’ve also been teetering between planking her walls vs. wallpaper and this photo is a gooorrrggeeous example of paneling done right.

And then sometimes, I pin an image like the one below not for the style or colors or shape of the room, but for an idea. A little dresser, mirror, vanity situation like this would have been my dream growing up and I’d love to give her something similar.

We’re still flushing ideas out, and my next step is making a mood board for this space and nailing down new carpet.  Can’t wait to take you along!