Cheerful Reds, Whites and Blues

Awhile back I mentioned that I was working on redoing our guest bedroom. My inspiration came from a Better Homes and Gardens featured home.

Because today is REDNESDAY – thanks to Sue over at It’s A Very Cherry World Blog – I thought it to be appropriate to share the reds with y’all.

This is a rather long post, so pull up your chair and tuck yourself in and grab a favorite beverage. There is a lot to share with you here. Thanks for the visit, too!

The guest room was done on a shoe string budget and also filled with loving gifts from friends. The sign below was made by my dear friend, Kathy – who is the sister of Tina over at Cherry Hill Cottage Blog. The sign was a Christmas present – isn’t it just sweet?

Decorating doesn’t have to break your budget. The red buffalo check curtains were a thrift store find for 4.00 for the pair. They are vintage raw silk curtains from Japan and are adorned with ruffles and red rick rack. The white curtain rod was 22.00 from Target.

The balloon valance was another thrift store find for 4.00. Not too “shabby” for a Rachell Ashwell shabby chic curtain panel.

I have been collecting little lavender sachet hearts and put them in an ironstone bowl on the dresser. The bowl was a 10.00 find at a flea market and the hearts were 10.00-15.00 a piece. See the little felt scottie dogs? These were a gift from my sweet friend, Emma, who made them and gave them to me for Christmas. Emma has a beautiful scottie dog, Bob. Infact, he and our Duhgall look very much alike!

Handpicked flowers from my yard add a splash of color and smell wonderful with the lavender sachets. A primitive horse pull toy adds a bit of whimsy to the vignette.

My very sweet and talented friend, Jean, made the BEAUTIFUL red and white quilt that hangs on the wall behind the dresser. Not long ago she was showing me some of the quilt tops that she had been working on. When she brought out this one, my heart stopped!! I have been looking for a red and white quilt for some time and this one just spoke to me. Gorgeous red florals with checks....oh my! She would not let me pay her for it, so I traded some vintage goodies in exchange. Jean did all of the quilting herself on a long-arm quilting machine. To make it even more special, she stitched in Jordan’s name into the piece. This, of course, just made me cry…..This VERY special piece is an honor to have as it was made with love and great attention to detail by my very special friend.

The quilt matches my Target lampshade that was 18.00. A vintage clock (5.00) hangs from the lamp with a red and white vintage ribbon.

On the 5.00 enamelware tray is a sweet vintage clock with red flowers. It doesn’t work, but for 3.00 at a garage sale, I don’t really care. It is just cute!

In our house, the saying goes that “mo is better!” This goes along with having tons of pillows on the bed. Who cares that it takes five minutes to clear the bed! The large red checkered pillow sham was 10.00 at Summer Cottage in Petaluma. The Euro pillow form was on sale for 10.00 at Bed Bath and Beyond. Next to the red checkered pillow are two blue floral pillows that I paid 5.00 each for at a garage sale. They are from IKEA. Just in front of them are Cath Kidston pillows that I got on sale for half off. A splurge, but I LOVE her style!

Roses are red and violets are blue, for a mere fifty cents, I bought you!

Linens don’t have to break your bank. The white eyelet sheet was .50 at a garage sale – and in perfect condition. Below that is a Ralph Lauren blue and red checked sheet that was 3.00 at a thrift store.

Finding the right bed skirt was my biggest challenge as the bed is very high. I looked for quite some time and just could not find the perfect one. One lucky day I found this red and white check fabric at the Salvation Army. It is (well, was) a Ralph Lauren duvet cover for a king size bed. You know there was a lot of fabric here for a king size cover!! Check this out: it was only a dollar! Yup, one buck! I bought a full sized bed skirt and used the top piece that fits under the mattress and attached the skirt to that. For 4.00 I have a custom bed skirt.

Next to the bed is a little stool that I paid 4.00 for at a garage sale. The original stool was brown with a boring fabric cover. I painted the wood white and recovered the top with a blue and white ticking stripe. The rag rug was a thrift store find for 2.00.

Our guests have to have good reading material. I got this red wired basket for 5.00 one day when I was thrifting. It is perfect to hold magazines and books. Dollar Tree fake flowers fill an antique enamelware piece that once served as an IV holder for a hospital.

Jean also gifted me with the sweet bluebird lamp base. I told her I was on the search for a lamp with a bird on it and she just happened to have one stored away. Free is always great!

When I saw the Pretty Is As Pretty Does frame at an antique sale, I had to have it. It was reasonably priced at 24.00. Sometimes “cute” is well worth it.

One of my favorite things to collect are old stitched pieces. This little vintage piece has a great message – Cheerfulness brings harmony. So true, so true. And a cheerful price for 5.00 at an estate sale.

A .50 cent hankie, a 4.00 vintage made in Japan covered jar and a 5.00 pitcher pull the vignette together. I love to casually layer things to pull colors together from different pieces.

A vintage shelf that was once in our kitchen now holds old quilts and linens. The granny square afghan was a recent purchase for 1.00. An old 1.00 ruler hangs on the side of the shelf just to add a bit of fun and whimsy. This would be great to do in a child’s room so that they could measure themselves.

Decorating doesn’t just evolve over night – unless you get everything at one shop. What fun is that? To me, decorating is about pulling bits and pieces together - old with the new - to make your home one-of-a-kind. The thrill of the hunt for a one-of-a-kind piece is much more satisfying than buying something that is trendy. Look for those things that speak to your heart and your soul. Add a special family heirloom, photos of your loved ones and use granny's old hankies and crochet. Mix it up and have fun!! Just remember there are rules to decorating - but heck, go and break them!!! Know what I mean? Be true to YOU and surround yourself with things that make your heart go pitter patter and pleases your soul.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit. Thanks to Sue for hosting REDNESDAY!!

Wishing all of you a wonderful July 4th!!