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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

My master bedroom revealed!

If you have been following my blog, you know that I recently participated in The One Room Challenge, organized by Linda from My Crafty Home Life. If you are new to my blog and is wondering what The One Room Challenge is all about, you may check out all my previous posts here.


As promised, I will be sharing details, behind-the-scenes and resources of my master bedroom makeover. After moving to Illinois from North Carolina more than two years ago, I had a chance to redesign our master bedroom recently. It all started with this inexpensive pillow from Target.



With a design blog with literally thousands of gorgeous room inspirations, you would think I designed my master bedroom around an inspirational picture or two from my blog. Surprisingly, I drew inspiration from a simple, navy striped pillow instead.

Sometimes, I even surprised myself because blue hasn't been my favorite color but when I saw this navy pillow, it was love at first sight. I thought the color looked very fresh and has a relaxed quality about it. I knew I wanted my bedroom to feel the same way. 

Next, I started to look for bedding. I have had the same striped beige bedding for 7 years and it's time for a change. I have always wanted to have a crisp, white hotel style bedding with gray stripes stitching. 

Fortunately, I found them at Target at a fraction of the price (compared to over $200 at other big box stores). I knew this after spending a few hours doing my research online. The wall color in my master bedroom was inspired by those gray stripes. I decided to go with a very light gray so the bedroom wouldn't look so cave-like considering that I will be keeping all my dark furniture.

In keeping with our small budget, we kept most of our bedroom furniture. To freshen them up, I have added bright and modern accessories to update the look. I wanted our master bedroom to feel relaxing but still look fresh, chic and visually interesting, thus the eclectic touches.

Let's revisit some of my master bedroom pictures that I shared previously.

Evening shots of my bedroom:



I bought these chairs seven years ago for my living room. The color is not ideal for this room and has a lot of visible water stains. I am planning to get them reupholstered in a white fabric or perhaps get two new chairs, depending on what I will be finding along the way.

If you have been a long time reader of this blog, you might remember the same chair and acrylic coffee table that I used in my living room. I am planning to get a new coffee table for my living room soon. Now, I just need to find something I like that is also within my budget.


I actually had bright pink peonies or bluish purple hydrangeas on my mind for this installation but unfortunately, my local Whole Food (that's known for pretty fresh flowers) did not have any gorgeous flowers that day.

After checking out a few other stores for fresh flowers, I found these pretty flowers at Jewel Osco. These flowers were not sold in a bouquet but rather in individual packages. I bought four and thought the colors looked very beautiful together.


Did you notice the ceiling beam? This large space used to be two rooms but one of the previous owners decided to do a little renovation by combining the two rooms, adding an attached bathroom and turning it into a spacious master bedroom suite.


A close-up of the hardwood floor installation that hubby had been working so hard in the past few months. You may read more about the hardwood floor drama here.  


You might remember our wedding canvas from here. I thought the area above our nightstand was a little bare so I added a small vase and some green foliage that I picked from our yard.  


I bought this bedroom set 7 years ago because I really wanted to have a canopy bed. The color is not ideal but for the price, it was well worth it.


I intended to put two king sized pillow shams behind my standard pillows but they were missing during our move. The bed would definitely looked better with those shams, in my opinion.


Since all the furniture in my bedroom is so dark and heavy, I wanted to lighten the space up by using lots of mirrors and glass table lamps.


I do not want my bedroom to look too serious so I added a whale pillow for a little bit of fun and whimsy. I have wanted to get the pillow for a while but I decided to wait for a sale before I made the plunge. 


I bought this clock when I was in NC. It used to live in my living room. I thought it would look wonderful against the light gray wall in my bedroom. Those table lamps were bought during a silent charity auction (that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) during one of our regular Parade of Homes tour.


This miniature hutch was a gift from hubby for my birthday. I saw this adorable piece during one of our window shopping trip and hinted that it be would be a lovely birthday gift. I was so thrilled when my hubby bought it on the spot for me. :) I really like that all the little doors and drawers can be opened and closed. I think this adorable mini hutch would make a perfect display for little trinkets in the future.

Morning shots of my bedroom:


As you can see, my bedroom doesn't receive a lot of natural lighting during the day although there are four windows in the room.


I  wanted to show you my cowhide rug because I really love it. I have been wanting one for years but can't find one that's below $350 until I stumbled upon this one at Ikea. I was so thrilled with this purchase because first of all, Ikea's cowhide rug is the least expensive compared to what's on the market. On top of that, it was on sale and it looked gorgeous! 

While I was at Ikea, I definitely took my time and sorted every cowhide rugs on that rack but none looked as beautiful as this one. The best way to shop for cowhide rugs is to buy it in a store so you can check them out in person. The patterns and details on cowhide rugs are so random and different and you might not like the one that someone else picked for you when you shop online, just my two cents.


I bought those green geometric pillows earlier this year during my birthday trip. A few months later, I stumbled upon this table lamp and brought it home with me. At first, I didn't realize they looked so eerily similar in terms of color and pattern (I put all my purchases in the closet and never took them out) until installation day. 

I was running out of time for the reveal on Wednesday so there is no way I could replace the pillows or the table lamp. It's quite insane if you think about it but I guess we tend to get attracted to the same thing again and again, don't we? I am planning to change out the pillows or the table lamp in the future to avoid the matchy-matchy look. 


I love my canopy curtains. I like that they were crisp white and very well-made but I would prefer if they were a little longer. What do you think? Do you think the length is right?


I forgot to turn on the table lamp on the left but I think this is a nice picture in general. The lighting and colors represented the room well.


The door on the far right leads to our attached master bathroom. It's a tiny bathroom but it works for us.

There are a few things you didn't know about this bedroom. I thought it would be fun to share with you some of those things!

Behind-the-scenes secrets:

1. I haven't show you one wall in our master bedroom and that's the closet wall. It's not pretty because it's a wall of mirrors. I am planning to use either screens, curtains or Overlays to hide them some day.

2. Trying to spend as little as I can, I didn't get a duvet insert. I figured I could just put my old comforter inside my duvet cover and guess what, it worked!

3. My husband already hung double curtain rods in our bedroom because I was planning to get some sheers for the windows. We haven't had a chance to get the sheers so I took the rods (for the sheers) down.

4. Many of the picture frames were empty. We didn't have a chance to select pictures and have them developed. I am planning to do that soon.

5. Hubby unknowingly missed a row of wood floor installation near the closet area. I don't blame him, it wasn't obvious. He will get that done when he gets a chance.

6. I changed the lamp shade of my mint green table lamp (the one from the sitting area) from a darker linen shade to a white shade (from another table lamp).

7. I bought 2 packs of faux lemons to accessorize the area above my dresser. Unfortunately, the fruit bowl is too deep and I didn't have enough lemons. I didn't have the time to run to the store again to get more so I stuffed some bubble wrap at the bottom of the bowl so the faux lemons are still visible from afar. Necessity is definitely the mother of invention! :)

This room is not completed yet but I am "done" for now. New pieces will be added and old pieces will be replaced in the future for sure. As with all rooms in my home, our bedroom will continue to evolve according to my taste and budget. 


The resources:

Wall paint: 780E- 3 Sterling from Behr

Curtains: $19.99 each, on sale from PB Teen

Acrylic coffee table: $249 from CB2


Nesting tables: $199, (discontinued) from West Elm

Chair: $350 each, from Bombay Company (now closed)

Mint green table lamp: $20, on clearance from HomeGoods

Green geometric pillows: $20 each, on sale from CB2

Cowhide rug: $200, on sale from Ikea

White vase: $9.99 from Ikea

Fresh flowers: $4.99 each bundle from Jewel-Osco

Picture frame: $3.25, on clearance (discontinued) from Target

Faux coral: $16.99 from Homegoods

Small yellow lacquer box: $8.99 from The Container Store

Medium yellow lacquer box: $12.99 from The Container Store

Tray: Free (I used my design dollars) from West Elm

Sphere: Free (I used my design dollars), (discontinued) on clearance from West Elm 

Gold ashtray: Gifted (giveaway win), (discontinued) from H & M Home


House tealight holder: $2.39, on clearance from Meijer

Round mirrors: $29.90 each, on sale (discontinued) from Crate & Barrel

Chevron rug (8' x 10'): almost $500, on sale from West Elm

Square mirrors: $39.90 each from HomeGoods

Table glass lamps: $59.90 each, from HomeGoods

Alarm clock: (I used my design dollars), (discontinued) from West Elm

Small cream vase: $3.99 from Michael's

Canvas: Free (In exchange for a review) from Reflections On Canvas

Bedroom furniture set (King size four poster bed, dresser, mirror (not used in this room), a pair of nightstands): $2,000, (discontinued) from Rooms To Go

King size sheet set: $49.99, (discontinued) from Target

King size duvet set: $89.99, (discontinued) from Target

Blue navy pillows: $19.90 each, got another one on clearance for $5 (discontinued) from Target

Whale pillow: $22/ $24 (discontinued) from West Elm

Canopy curtains: $29.90 each from Amazon

Ikat picture frame: $3.25, on clearance from Target

Silver picture frame: Free (I used my TJX rewards) from Marshalls

Small bowl: Free (I used my design dollars), (discontinued) from West Elm

Clock: $199, from Bombay Company (now closed)

Rectangular glass table lamps: $80/ $90 each, from a silent charity auction during one of the Parade of Homes in North Carolina

Miniature hutch: Free (birthday present from hubby), from George Lowell

Medium white picture frame: $4.99, from Ikea

Large white picture frame: $6.99 each, from Ikea

Fruit bowl: Free (I used my TJX rewards), from Marshalls

Faux lemons: $12.99 each pack, from Michael's

Gold tone apple and pear set: $9, from Home Accents

I hope you enjoy my master bedroom tour. Thanks for all your wonderful comments last Wednesday! I really appreciate it.

If you need help decorating your home, please click here for further information regarding my design services. 

Monday, August 6, 2012

A product review and a giveaway- Artful Vision photographic art!

I received a beautiful photographic art from Artful Vision for a review recently. Have you heard of Artful Vision?


Artful Vision offers an array of creative American made gifts and plays a vital part in an innovative fundraising effort that supports worthy causes across the USA. With an amazing selection of handcrafted jewelry and accessories, photography and paintings, pottery and home decor, garden art and accents, music and books, prints, note cards and more created by 129 artists, I am sure you will find something you love! For each purchase, artists, musicians and authors from Artful Vision will donate 20% of every sale to a participating non-profit organization of your choice! What better way to shop than for a worthy choice?

The photographic art I received came from artist, Maxine Gardner. Much to my surprise, along with the photographic art, she sent me a set of lovely note cards as well! Thank you so much Maxine, you are so kind.

Below are a few examples of her work:




Maxine Gardner's background:


In 1994, Maxine Gardner's husband died at 41 of an aneurysm and her two sons, then 9 and 12, became her total focus. In 2000, she discovered mosaics and became an accomplished artist. Working in mosaics has changed the way Maxine approached photography. Mosaic making helped her to focus on the details of the surroundings and not the big picture. As she records the moments that speaks to her, photography continues to be an emotional journey. With her camera lens, she captures what she sees but it is her vision and today's technology that enables her to transform raw images into gorgeous Photographic Art!




Isn't it gorgeous? The image above was taken from Artful Vision website whereas the images below were taken by me.


Printed in a glossy finish, the colors are gorgeous and sharp. It also comes with high quality matting as well.


A close-up.


A brief description of the artwork at the back of the photographic art.

I am very thrilled with my new photographic art! It looks realistic in an artistic way and reminds me of a watercolor painting but in a more vibrant, glossier setting. Beautifully printed at a professional lab, the overall quality of my  photographic art is top notch.

*I received this product to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Now, here is your chance to win one of your own! Artful Vision graciously offers one photographic art to one of Mix And Chic readers! One lucky reader will receive a large 11 x 14 (comes with matting) photographic art (worth $60) from the six wonderful selection below:







The selection are fantastic, aren't they? By simply hanging a big artwork on a blank wall, it is easy to spruce up a space and create visual interest in any rooms.

To enter:

Must be a resident of the United States.

1. Be a follower of Mix And Chic blog via Google Friend Connect and let me know your favorite item here. (one basic entry)

For additional entries (an extra entry for each of the following):

2. 'Like' Mix And Chic on Facebook and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

3. 'Like' Artful Vision on Facebook and leave a separate comment.

4. 'Follow' Mix And Chic on Twitter and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

5. 'Follow' Artful Vision on Twitter and leave a separate comment. 

6.'Follow' Mix And Chic on Pinterest and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)  

7. 'Follow' Artful Vision on Pinterest and leave a separate comment.

8. Create a category under "My Favorite Things" and 'pin' 3 images from here. Let me know your Pinterest link and leave a separate comment.

9. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook status (include a link back to this post) and leave a separate comment. 

10. Tweet about this giveaway (include a link back to this post) and leave a separate comment.

11. Bonus question: If you win, let me know which one of the above photographic art will you pick and why? 

The last day for entries is August 15, 2012. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Thursday, August 16, 2012. Good luck!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

And the winner of the giveaway is ..........

Announcing the winner of the recent giveaway brought to you by BuildASign.


I used random.org to draw a winner and here it is. The lucky winner of 100 pieces of customized business cards is


Jessica from Stay at Home-ista


Congratulations, Jessica. I will email you shortly. Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway. There will be more wonderful giveaways lining up, so don't forget to check back regularly! Have a great day, everyone!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The One Room Challenge- Week 6:The Big Reveal (Updated Version)!



Today is week 6 of the One Room Challenge. This is the moment we have all been waiting for, The Big Reveal. If you have missed previous posts, please click here

Before we proceed, I would like to say a big thank you to Linda from My Crafty Home Life for coming up with this fabulous challenge and invited me to participate. It has been great getting to know other participants and support each other to finish up our rooms. 

I know I have bored you with my hardwood floor installation for five whole weeks so I am going to show you the pictures of my master bedroom instead. I hope it's worth the wait! :)

I will let the pictures do the talking..........

(Please note: The old photos were removed. These new photos were taken by my husband when he came home today.)

Evening shots:












Morning shots:







What do you think of my master bedroom? I am planning to discuss the details of this makeover and include the resources for all the items in my bedroom next Wednesday. So, check back next week, if you like. (Update: You can check out the list of resources here.)

Both my husband and I have been working around the clock to get this room finished. If it was not for the challenge, we would probably take another month or two to complete it. I really wanted to have the reveal today so I stayed up all night. Yup, didn't sleep at all, can you believe that?

Anyway, hope you enjoy the makeover. My eyes can barely stay open now. Alright, got to go take a nap now. 

Please visit the other participants from The One Room Challenge to see their finished rooms! 

Lauren - The Cottage Mix
Lindsay - Everything LEB
Barbara - Hodge:Podge
Tiffany - Living Savvy
Jessie - Mix And Chic
Danylle - Nana Moon
Jennifer - The Pink Pagoda
Bethany - Powell Brower Home
Emily - Rue de Emily
Lindsay - Sadie + Stella