Night & Day
Definitely not symmetrical, but a cozy and calming room, just the same.
Still a couple of things left to do, but finished enough for photos.*
The walls are painted Sherwin Williams Antique White.
~A Brief History~
There are newer visitors to the Back Porch, who might not know the history of our home.
We built this house in 2003, after the family farm was sold. We opted for less ground; there were 110 acres before. Our home is about twice as large as the small home we lived in, in the back pasture of the farm, for 20 years.
There were about 6 windows and three skylights in our former home. We have over 30 windows and/or french doors, in this home, including the bay window in the master bedroom. When we moved here, it was like we were moving out of a cave, into the bright sunlight! That was the year of my 60th birthday and J’s 58th.
J lived on the farm for most of his life, until it was sold. The family raised beef cattle. Corn, Soy Beans and Wheat, were also raised on the farm.
J’s family knew the hardships of farm life and J’s parents knew the loss of a young son.
J tells some pretty good stories about growing up in the old farmhouse. He remembers winters when the snow would blow through cracks in the walls and across the bed, where he and his brothers slept.
Although I didn’t grow up on a farm, I did grow up in a small Missouri town.
I remember carrying firewood, for the stove, where socks were dried on twine, strung across the wall behind. I also remember churning butter, on Saturday mornings and other things that don’t happen much, these days.
We both can tell some good ones. In fact, I just read this post to J and that set him into storytelling mode! We’ve laughed out loud at most of them! I’ve also shed a tear or two while composing this brief history.
We both came from childhood hardships and failed first marriages. Never, in a million years, could anyone have ever convinced either of us, the two of us would someday live in a home as beautiful as this. We truly appreciate our good fortune.
And so, our lives between way back when and now, are like night and day.
The bedroom, before, after a mini makeover, during winter of 2008, just about 2 years ago. The walls were Laura Ashley Gold #3 (Lowes), painted at the time we built our home, in 2003.
At the time of that makeover, we moved the furniture, from this room, to an upstairs guest room and brought the iron bed from that room, to ours. The rug was brought in from the living room and other pieces of furniture were borrowed from other rooms. I changed out a darker comforter and accessories, for the cream and white linens.
That makeover was an attempt to open up the room, somewhat. Neither of us were really happy with the look. We both wanted something less traditional; a more country cottage look. When I hinted, recently, about removing the custom window treatment and replacing it with bamboo shades, J agreed enthusiastically!!
With this latest makeover, we are returning to a look similar to our home, at the farm, only more refined and done in lighter colors.
There is a shadow on the chair that appears to be a stain, but it’s just a trick of the light.
The shades are from Payless Decor.
The dresser, at the end of the bed, is a garage sale find, over the summer. It was painted white with gold accents and used in a child’s room. J painted it Sherwin Williams Front Porch and I painted and “antiqued” the hardware.
The basket is an antique, purchased at a farm auction several years ago. The hydrangeas are the last of the Endless Summer blooms, in our garden. The hat is handmade, found on a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, a few years ago.
The iron bed is Wesley Allen, originally used in a guest room. The bedding is a mix of shams; euro shams from Pottery Barn clearance 2 years ago and Marshall’s (Ralph Lauren embroidered ecru, $7 each), white pillow slips embroidered in white, from a local antique shop, several years ago. The quilt is from JC Penney, duvet cover, folded at the foot of the bed is Pottery Barn (matches euro shams).
I’m going to trade the bed skirt for one at the lake. It’s a sort of white/ecru. The quilt on the lake bed has a white background, so the switch will benefit both places.
Linen bed curtains from Target.
Round table, formerly used on the back porch, was purchased at a resale shop in Osage Beach MO. It’s now painted Sherwin Williams Medici. The lamp is from Target.
Egg prints are from All Posters, the frames from Michaels, 50% off sale.
The mirror, behind the round table, is a garage sale purchase, many years ago.
Bird prints are Cavalinni 2010 bird and nest calendar pages, framed at Michael’s during a 60% off sale. The bird, on the dresser, is one of a pair, purchased at JCP, during a Wednesday Deal sale, the pair was $9.99. The vase is from Evergreen, Osage Beach. The dresser was purchased at Value City Furniture a few years ago and used in a guest room.
*I’m having a look around for something to go above the bird prints, to level that side with the mirror side. I don’t know what it will be, but I’ll know it when I see it.
Edited Saturday
I began composing this post, Wednesday. Friday morning, J and I visited our friends Lori and Greg, at All About Home. I mentioned I was looking for something to finish the bird print wall. Our friends came to my rescue! The appliqué is perfect!
I replaced the basket of hydrangeas, with a lantern and flameless candle.
Double Bonnet Secretary is from Rose Cottage Antiques, Clarksville Missouri.
The chair is from a sidewalk sale several years ago. Some of you will recognize it as the chair I covered with brown zebra print. I redid the chair in cream burlap for the master makeover.
The rug is Dash & Albert. The pattern is Monty Cotton Stripe, woven in cotton.
The bench with barley twist legs and woven seat was brought in from the living room. 
This shot looks across the room, through the door and down the hall to the powder room. The doorway, to the left, leads to the foyer and living room.
The chair is the one I have, at the round table, when I’m using my laptop. It’s apt to be pushed into any position or place, in the room.
The only new furniture purchase for the makeover was this chair and ottoman. It is similar to the hearth room wing chairs. We like them so well and they’ve held up under quite a bit of punishment, so we decided this was the best chair for our room. The pillow was purchased at Marshall’s, recently.
This table was purchased, during the 1980’s. I didn’t get a before shot. Imagine it painted in dark green. If you remember Hunter Green, from the 80’s, that is the color. The top, bun feet, and knobs, were stained, medium brown.
I decided this table would work well with the wing chair and it has drawers for storage of magazines or books, etc. Molly used one corner, on the bottom, in the back, for “teething”. The puppy tooth marks are still there under the Sherwin Williams Antique White paint.
I ordered a plaque from Susie of Bienvenue and used it, along with real bird eggs, a nest, feathers and a pair of white birds, for the well of the table, then covered with the glass that is original to the table.
The armoire, made of Alder, holds the TV. A plant stand peeks out from beside the cabinet. We use that as a prop for a wayward door.
The bedroom makeover was achieved using things we have, with the exception of the chair purchase, shades, a new lamp and inexpensive prints for two of the walls. I can’t say it is a budget makeover, because of the chair purchase and shades, but I can say, it was done with careful thought of expenses.
If you want a new look for a room, consider looking around your home for furniture pieces and accessories. You can have a new look, without spending a dime.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is entered through a double door, from the bedroom. The fixtures are a tub and separate shower, water closet and angled vanity with a huge mirror, that makes photographing this room extremely difficult.
The photo, above, was taken early Saturday Morning. The view is the maple tree, just outside the bathroom window and other trees, beyond.
We are getting new neighbors, on this side of the house. Construction, on their home, began last week.
The window treatment is macramé lace panels (3), from Country Curtains, purchased a couple of years ago.
The paint color is Sherwin Williams Front Porch.
The bathroom rug is hand knotted. I purchased it on Ebay a year or two ago. 
The iron shelf is from Evergreen Mfg. Osage Beach Missouri. I found the monogrammed towel at Tuesday Morning.
These canisters, formerly used in the kitchen, are used for counter storage.
While shopping Target 75% off sales, our daughter found this little hamper. Perfect for beside the tub.
We added trim to the mirror and a small ledge, just the right depth for a few pitchers from my ironstone collection.
The vanity sink areas are angled toward each other, with a sitting area in the center. I used two of my photos, beside each sink. These photos were taken at J’s Aunt Ruth’s, spring ‘09. The subject, Spirea, when it was in full bloom.
Looking across the back porch, from the hearth room door.
Because this post tells the story of a metamorphosis, in more ways than one, I’m adding it to Susan’s Monday Metamorphosis, at Between Naps on the Porch.
A Preview
When we were at All About Home, Greg showed us several doors he has salvaged. I brought this one home. I have a couple of ideas, for this beautiful piece. More to come, in later posts!
