House Tour #1: Guest Room

I've been spending the afternoon thinking about how happy I am that we have reached a comfort level with our home. Sure there are little decor items we'd still like to do, but for the most part things are how we intend to have them and the furniture is perfect for our needs for the future. I've spent part of the afternoon rounding up pictures of the house and looking through home magazines and blogs. Our home will never be designed to a T but it's incredibly perfect for us, and still with enough blank spaces to allow us to add artwork that has meaning to us down the road. SO I thought I'd share some photos and details with all of you over the next week :)

"If you want to make a difference on the planet, this is it: Have nothing in your home or life that you do not know to be useful, believe to be beautiful or know that you will strive to keep in your life forever."

--Natalie "Alabama" Chanin

 GUEST ROOM

 Those of you that have followed this blog for years probably recognize most of everything that is in this first photo. The mattresses are slightly smaller as now we have the full that came from the neighbors in exchange for our queen. The duvet is one my mom and I made out of two old sheets and the blankets are some I've had for years. The sheets are organic cotton. The chair used as an end table is now blue and the other is an original from my grandparents-sister-me. The photo on the table is courtesy of my brother and under it is Lady's favorite sleeping spot--right between my old rabbit fur slippers from my family in Argentina! The print above the bed is my favorite painting from the father of a childhood friend. The lamp on the left was from Granny for my first apartment and the lamp on the right is part of a set picked up at a thrift store.

The chest of drawers and shelf in this photo are from my childhood. My parents had them custom made when they were stationed in the Philippines and I recently repainted them dark brown and modernized the hardware. The shelves hold a few token travel items and a part of our varied books, while the drawers have work-out gear and undergarments. The clock on the wall is from my parents house, the rug was a Granny gift for an apartment, and the curtains were a set I bought for our living room here. 

 The closet is probably the messiest part of this room but the husband and I keep separate closets and this is mine. We removed the doors about six months back for easier access. We have the spare TV (from my coworker who moved) in there so any guests can watch a movie. You can see my shoe basket and a couple other boxes I have stored as well. ;) On the wall is my cork board with a few inspirational items and then push pins which hold up necklaces and my hook earrings go into the corkboard on the top. (I got this idea from a magazine a long time ago. You can also use push pins to hang hook earrings on if you need more room.)

And this is from the guest room looking out which hopefully will bring a smile to your face as its an example of decorating compromise. My husband and I have battled over his Kramer poster since we moved in together and I finally can see the humor in having it greet our guests on the way to the spare bedroom. (Where they can be sure to be greeted by interested dogs as well.....) :)