Grandville #1: master bedroom

Growing up I always wanted a four poster bed, so when my husband and I purchased our first bedroom set (which I would now advise against), I finally got my four poster bed. Fast forward almost 10 years and I was completely tired of staring at post #3, directly between my pillow and the TV.

In order to create a more collected-over-time look, the matching bed and nightstands (pictured in the 3rd photo) found a new Craigslist family. Due to the architecture, this bedroom has very little flexibility when it comes to layout, so creating a built in, planked headboard wouldn’t limit our options in the future, nor would it be a large investment. Layered in front of the newly planked wall, a light scale metal bed left the room feeling infinitely lighter and brighter overall. New nightstands flank the bed; natural wood and black as well as the similar height, unify the pair.

Functional nightstand decor is crucial to keeping clutter to a minimum. The vase provides a place to hang a pair of glasses and deposit spare change, the box holds hair ties, a couple pens, a little notepad, remotes, and any jewelry forgotten about before climbing into bed. With cable management in mind, the nightstand on the right was custom made with an inset back panel to allow space for a power strip to rest inside for easy charging.

No bedroom is complete without addressing the bedding. With so many inexpensive options available, changing the look and feel of the entire room can be as easy as purchasing a new quilt, throw, or pillow covers! Thoughtful consideration when mixing patterns and textures can create interest without chaos, perfect for an inviting retreat.

Grandville #1: Nursery

When I found out our second little one was going to be a girl, I panicked at the thought of designing a girly bedroom. For some reason, I thought for sure she would be a boy, and having one boy already, I knew how to do boy things!

Deciding on a not-too-girly color palette was the jumping off point. I also knew I wanted to make a quilt for our new little one and by selecting the quilt fabrics, in various shades of teal and gray, the inspiration was coming together. Knowing that I’m always looking for reasons to redesign spaces, budget-friendly selections were made with the intent to slowly upgrade to more intentional pieces as our little one grew.

A small side table and lamp (with a very dim bulb) alongside the rocker was perfect for a place to set a drink and phone during all the late night feedings, and the dim lamp meant a quick diaper change could take place without turning on the ceiling fixture.

Extra linens could be stored under the crib, books and a few toys are stored in baskets, and clothes and diapers in the dresser and adjacent shelving unit.

Optimizing the design of the space to support the activities that would be on repeat for several months was key to creating a space that we enjoyed.