This post is bought to you by Sleepmaker
How to Makeover a Coastal Bedroom in Blue and White
As you can see, our bedroom was in dire need of a makeover. Not being one to spend a shed load of money on my makeovers, I decided to change the accessories and art for a low cost, high impact result. Clearly Beach Dwellers, something had to be done. All the furniture remained the same, but for a few hundred dollars, or in this case probably less, because I shopped the house, you can have a bedroom which feels refreshed and inspiring.
First, I always start with a mood board. I lay everything out on the bed to decide what's in and what's out.
For a beachy colour scheme you can't go past blue and white. The colour scheme I was going for was a Ralph Lauren Blue, a silvery pale blue and dark grey. I thought the Summer Days art work would fly, but..........
When I got the art work onto the wall, it was clearly too small for the space and a little down market for the other pieces in the room. In hindsight, I would prefer to see that art in a boys nautical bedroom, or a boat house.
I needed something bigger and at short notice. You know I love to use what I have. This collage was done by a friend some years back, when he wanted to practise his photography. It hasn't had a run since we moved here, nine years ago and I thought it might remind Mr Beach house of the girl he married. It fits the space and will be fine until I see something with wow factor.
When the collage was put together, the idea was meant to be, the 'moods of Carolyn'. Some of the shots are emotionally a little dark, but they are all honest.
Despite that, I think the collage ties in well with the plaster framed mirror, over the bed. Not bad for a road side find, which I brought back to life with some silver paint.
As for the accessories , some time ago I covered an old lamp shade I already had and bought another lampshade the same size to cover.
The lamp stands were some I had from 25 years ago. They are rather beachy and although they have been for sale on my vintage stand several times, they never sold, so I decided to use them. I think they have a classic American feel to them and of course, now I' m happy they have stayed with me.
Of course no coastal makeover is complete without some shells and coral.
Throw in some white roses in an enamel jug and some greenery in a plant holder to add interest. One hard and fast rule of decorating, is that every room should have something 'living' it. Ironically, that includes faux plants, as is the case with the mini birds nest fern, in this scenario.
As for cushions, these are really the essential accessory for a makeover, because they tie the whole look together. The two geometric ones at either end, are actually the same colour, although they don't look it here. Cushions can be used as inspiration and a way to pull all the colours together. The striped ones in the back, were really my inspiration for the colour scheme.
Over all I think the look is very fresh and calming. Perfect for the relaxed feel of a Beach House.
Get the look:
White doona cover and pillow slips: Kmart
Metallic pale blue quilt: Sorry can't remember (It's 15 years old)
Blue and white geometric cushions: Plump Sunshine Coast
Striped cushions: Madras Link
Lamp shade uncovered: Freedom
Lamp Base: Laura Ashley
Fabric to cover lampshades: Burnt Street Fabrics Seaforth
Pot holder: Casa Noosa
Plastic birds nest fern and enamel jug: IKEA
Shell cross: The Pop Up Shop Avalon
Blue and White Ginger Jar: Recollections
Silver Plaster Mirror: Roadside find painted with Rustoleum metallic silver paint
Summer Days and Sail Away Art: Kmart
If you want to select the best mattress for a bedroom, try the Sleepmaker mattress selector
Have you got a bedroom makeover in mind?
If you would like Desire Empire posts to come straight to your inbox every ten days or so, you can sign up here for my Newsletter.
Today I am linked up here
Domesblissity
With Some Grace
Be Inspired
Feathered Nest Friday
Tatertots and Jello
Weekend Rewind
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
DIY By Design
Show and Tell Friday
Flaunt it Friday
Say G'Day Saturday
Live laugh Linky
Coastal Charm
Take a Look Tuesday
Monday Funday
Furniture Feature Friday

Beautiful Carolyn, very fresh and serene. Don't you just love bedknobs? The perfect storage solution for anything that hangs? LOL Those photos of you are beautiful. Cushions do make the room, don't they? Love it!
ReplyDeleteAnne xx
Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteInot a blue and white fan but you have done a gorgeous job here it looks so fresh and beautiful-love dee x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I love that mirror, what a score!
ReplyDeleteLove the transformation Carolyn. Don't you love it when things you were going to get rid of come in handy after all. ? I love those summer days pictures and looked online in kmart but couldn't find them anywhere in the website. Hopefully my store might have some add they're just what I'm after for bubs room. Oh and I love the collage of you too :) Michelle
ReplyDeleteI love this, so beautiful. Some really good ideas here!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this look! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteClever lady! I hope all is well for,you, Kim x
ReplyDeleteIt really looks lovely now. I am sure if your tried to sell the lamps now they would sell instantly!AriadnefromGreece!
ReplyDeleteLove your coastal room makeover. Especially the round mirror! I make anchor pillowcases in my Etsy shop you would love:) Pinning
ReplyDeleteLove love love the makeover, so fresh and welcoming xx
ReplyDeletereally beautiful! love the collections of blue and white. the k mart doona cover looks fantastic too! (:
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bedroom, Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat blue and white in my opinion for beachy dreams. Looks beautiful Hun xx
ReplyDeleteI love the lampshade and the artwork. Just gorgeous. Blue and white (just like your blog) is so simple yet effective.
ReplyDeleteBlue and white is such a restful combination for a bedroom (my bedspread is soft blue and white). It's really nice to find your blog via the #weekendrewind. I love a bit of coastal cool. I nearly moved into Alfresco Emporium when Son put me onto it recently!!! x
ReplyDeleteI love it! Love the material on the lamps, the side tables, the moods frame, the bed design, the decanter. Just lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the coastal look and love the combo of blues. I would love for you to come and link this up to my Winter Blues Wednesday party going on right now. Hope to see you there. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. I love the blues and grays.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful, serene makeover Carolyn with clean and simple instructions to apply to any makeover. I'm featuring this post at tomorrow's Thriving on Thursday. Thanks for always linking up.
ReplyDeleteAnne xx
I love what you've done and I so prefer the blue to the pink. And your lampshades are gorgeous and I can't believe you covered them yourself. What gorgeous fabric. It's amazing how a facelift like this can lift your spirits and it was all achieved with very little outlay. Excellent! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn You've done your bedroom in my favorite colors. I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI love your color scheme and the fabrics you have picked out! Lovely room!
ReplyDeleteMiss Bloomers
Oh, I do love that lamp shade cover and the cushions.
ReplyDeleteGreat collage of you! Love how you've kept it real :)
This is such a beautiful bedroom!
ReplyDeleteSo soothing! I love the blue and white..you did a great job!! Please come join us for Centerpiece Wednesday Linky party and share your post with us. Centerpiece Wednesday is live tonight http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/03/centerpiece-wednesday-spring-ideas.html
ReplyDeleteKarin