De-Clutter

The first step in my bedroom remodel is to get rid of all the clutter. I got rid of most of it back in March but I still have a ways to go. I wish I were one of those people that decided on the spot if I need something or not. Instead, I’m one of those people who will lay something down and a month later decide that I don’t need it. Arrrrgh. I’ve got to work on that, for real.

I took some “before” shots of my bedroom last night. I will not post them until I can post the “after” shots at the same time. Too embarrassing. My room is comfortable but it really needs to be updated. I have a painting hanging in my bedroom that I bought twenty years ago. The lamps … I bought those seventeen years ago. Geez … I hold on to everything!

Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

So, before I spend the first dollar I’m going to get rid of the clutter. First on the list: empty the nightstands and throw them out. The nightstands are pretty old too. My new nightstand (just one) will (maybe) have one drawer.



Too many drawers encourages holding onto crap that I don’t need to hold onto … like calendars from 2005!

Once the clutter is removed (could take several days) I’m going to start browsing for window treatments. I have one window and a sliding glass door in my bedroom. Currently I have mini-blinds in the window and vertical blinds on the door. White. No color and no curtains. It gives the room a harsh, cold feel. I want to soften it up with some fabric and some color. Maybe something like one of these:



I’m no decorator so hold your judgment and offer advice. Please and thank you.

After the window treatments, I’ll look for wall hangings. I already have a full length mirror and there will be a mirror over the dresser, so no more mirrors. I like the idea of big frames with small pictures:



Or a repeated theme:


I also want to add a chaise that will go in front of the glass door:
I’m getting a little excited about this. Just a little. Obviously, this isn’t really my thing or I wouldn’t have waited so long to do it. In an ideal world, I’d hire a decorator, let them make all the decisions and I’d write a check. When I first bought my house, I had a woman custom make some window treatments for the few odd-shaped windows that I have. Man, she wanted me to go to the fabric store and comment on this and that. What did I know? She was the expert! Make the decision and let me write the check! That was eight years ago. Funny how things change. I really am kind of looking forward to creating this room for myself.

I deserve it.

Not So Subtle Changes

I have never been more aware of my body than I am now. It probably started within the past 18 months or so. That was when I started noticing changes. Now I notice everything. Every inch. Every pound. Every ache. Every sound. I notice everything. The texture of my skin seems to be changing. I had to adjust my moisturizer. My midsection seemed thicker. I had to adjust my diet. More gray hair is sprouting through. I have to touch up my roots. My backside seems rounder. No changes needed. LOL

Getting older is fascinating. As I sip on my green tea I tell myself that I still feel relatively young. Even though I’m in bed before 10:00 pm and I wake up at 5:00 am. I vaguely remember a time when I would come home with the sun. I don’t miss those days. I was a little too reckless back then. It’s amazing I made it through.

Anyway

My lower back is giving me fits. When I got home from work yesterday I was supposed to do my cardio but instead I stayed home and did some yoga. Then I sat on my stability ball and did bicep curls, shoulder press and tricep extensions. Then I laid on the floor with my legs extended upward for about 20 minutes.

I’m feeling pretty good now. But I think the real culprit is my bed. It sucks. I’m getting a new one. In fact, I’m redecorating my entire bedroom. I have never in my adult life had a matching bedroom set. Is that weird? Just pieces thrown together. I updated the kids’ rooms a few years ago but I never did anything to my own. Then last year when my ex moved, he gave me his old bed and dresser. And now I feel some kinda way about sleeping in my ex’s old bed. I feel like objects carry spirits and I don’t need his spirit all up in my bedroom. My sanctuary. So, I’m redecorating!

That may have all sounded like a huge rationalization so I can buy some new stuff … but I don’t care. I’ll be scouring HGTV for ideas, just like I did when I bought the house. This is going to be fun. I’m doing everything, bed, dresser, night stand, lighting, wall hangings, linens, window treatments, chaise … I feel so grown up.

I want it to be feminine and modern. Calm and comfortable. I may get rid of the television. I’m not painting and I’m not changing the flooring, but everything else is getting a complete makeover.

Here are a few things that caught my eye:

I like the pillows and the bench at the foot of the bed.

I like the framed artwork over the bed.

I like the headboard and the lamp.

I just like everything about this room. I think it's the lighting.