I’ve taken a break from working on my house over the past few years. After the show (you can read about the show here) I didn’t have it in me to do more. I was tired, overwhelmed, and had a major case of decision fatigue. While there are slivers of goodness sprinkled throughout the house right now, there have been lots of eye sores as well and it’s all been weighing on me. BUT, this year Pat and I have slowly been revving up our engines and will have multiple rooms to share with you starting with the French-inspired guest room with a custom canopy.
The room went from this…
To this!
Custom fabrics and wallpapers
I worked with our long-time partner, Spoonflower, on creating the whole look. Have you been on the Spoonflower website lately? They came out with new branding and layout last year and it’s become so easy to navigate finding great designs for your needs. I was browsing through their “Find your wallpaper style” section and came across their French Country Collection and nearly devoured the whole thing. Shop all of the designs I used on Spoonflower!
French country patterns
They have so many great options! I knew I wanted something floraly while also not taking away from the rest of the space. I was thinking of some sort of French-inspired chintz pattern–something that had a bit of heritage to it that would feel slightly subdued yet interesting. I found it in Spoonflower artist, Mariah Pattie’s Chintz Vine pattern. She offered the pattern in a number of colorways and I definitely spent a number of hours debating the color I would go with. I bet you’re surprised I went with tan?! I am too, to be honest. But, I wanted the chance to bring in other colors without it feeling like a circus. I wanted it to feel calm, stately.
Finding a new purpose for my room
The intended space went through several identities and since the divorce, has landed on the title of guest room. You know, for all those guests I rarely have–ha! It’s a pint-sized room and I don’t want it to feel too unused so the idea is that when it’s not being used as a guest room it can also function as a tv watching room. So, I looked for daybeds on Facebook Marketplace that could also serve as a sofa in a way.
Facebook Marketplace Love
I’ve mentioned many times my love of Facebook Marketplace and this was yet another example of my entanglement. I found this custom daybed that was originally priced at $1000 and then eventually marked down to $100. When I went to pick it up I found that it was at the studio of the craftsman who made it. Something about his studio felt familiar to me and I realized that his work reminded me of my uncle’s furniture that he used to make. Turns out, this guy was trained by him! That’s why I was drawn to it! It was one that he made for his daughter. I love the shape of it and the little details on the arms. Meant to be!
Mixing Patterns
I normally love mixing and matching patterns and I did that here too, but I also didn’t want to go too crazy with it as has been known to happen. For the base layer, I selected the peel and stick Chintz wallpaper that Pat applied and decided to order the same design in fabric to make a custom relaxed roman shade. It came in a slightly different scale than the wallpaper but I kind of liked it to show some variance in depth.
Custom canopy
The undeniable star of the show is the French-inspired canopy. Once again, I chose the same pattern, the chintz, and decided to add some contrast with a coordinating gingham in Prussian Blue on the inside knowing that it would be seen the most. The fabric came in a little more green than I was anticipating, but I loved how it worked with the rest of the design. The canopy is the right proportion for the tiny room and I love the idea that the guest would be wowed when they walk in. It feels both fancy, but in this scene, more casual.
Adding in some comfort!
I also used the gingham for the bedding. Both the sheets as well as four Euro shams that I can set up along the back of the bed when we want to use the space for watching tv. The full sized Euro sham inserts were much too big for the size of the bed so I put in standard pillows inside and love the half sized more. I also ordered a duvet in the gingham but after putting it on, realized that it was way too much all at the same time so I calmed it down with a blanket I already had
Fabric accessories
I picked out a coordinating fabric for the lumbar pillows in a gorgeous blue with a block print feel. It’s by Spoonflower artist, Michelle Parascandolo. It’s perfect! Because the room is so small and there wouldn’t be other seating options for guests, I need the bed to fulfill all the requirements for seating so having lots of lumbar support is essential. I used the same pattern and ordered a throw blanket in the same fabric but in the fleece that feels extra cozy for cold nights.
Lastly, I ordered a yard of this block print by Spoonflower Artist, Tara Neal to make a little box told hold toiletries for the the guest. I covered an old sunglass box with batting then applied the fabric. It’s a cute little box that can serve many functions. And, of course, I always like to coordinate my room with a matching dress so I ordered some fabric in the same block print in the cotton knit to make a nightgown using this Victorian pattern.
The room was made even better by the chance to use some of my great grandmother’s furniture throughout. The little side table is from her collection–I even used it as a teenager when I was in high school, as did the dresser. Then I added in some symmetrically placed artwork on either side of the canopy, which makes the room feel more put together. I added in some other artwork that I already had as well and I love how it feels like it’s been there forever!
Get the look
I wanted to balance out the space with more neutral, for me, items like the wavy-rimmed jute rug, wicker basket, rattan chair, and rattan flush mount, which you can’t see in the photos. It makes it feel grounded and like it can let the rest of the room sing.
Shop all of the designs I used on Spoonflower. They are having a Labor Day sale right now and everything is up to 30% off! Stock up!
I’m in love with my guest room so much that I’m now considering moving in myself.
This post is sponsored by Spoonflower. All opinions are my own.
Comments