Our bedroom hasn’t felt right since we moved in.

Because I needed to photograph it for the book I got it in good enough shape, but it didn’t feel like me and I was too busy to take the time to figure out why.

 I liked each individual piece, what was the problem?

This is the photo from the book and it’s fine. But it didn’t feel like me.

So, this summer I decided it was time to figure it out. I went back to step one in the 5 Steps of Decorating and I quieted the room. 

I moved the sofa over to the side of the room, then I moved it into the hall to see the room with fresh eyes. The sofa is the bossiest piece and, historically, I’ve learned that I’m not happy with large scale patterns in my house. But I still liked the sofa, and I bought it for a steal from the previous owners. It’s so well made, with a beautiful, timeless shape–but I was starting to think it was causing all of my problems.  

Well, Chad and I both hated the way the bed felt without the sofa. We’ve become accustomed to having the back of the sofa act as a little cozy wall for the end of the bed that it felt weird without it in this huge room. I also noticed without the brown of the sofa, the black and white bed, lamps, dresser and pillow felt stark and uninviting. I wanted more warmth, not less.

I moved the sofa back and decided the problem wasn’t that I didn’t like the pattern, the problem was that I wasn’t done decorating.

I created a few mockups in keynote and realized that a pair of shorter, brown lamps felt much better in the room, and the sofa was actually really good–I needed MORE brown, a little more pattern. 

The problem was I hadn’t finished my original vision. I stopped short and didn’t completely work through the 5 Steps in the right order.

I still want to get a rug that has some brown in it, and I’m keeping my eyes open for the right art over the dressers, but I’m in no rush. I now feel confident I’m moving in the right direction and that makes all the difference!

to be continued!

1. drapes in ivory white
2. ceiling light: here  and here
3. paint color: sherwin wiliams comfort grey 
4. blanket 
5. lamps
6. retro mini fan
7. duvet
8. white dresser
9. coffee table (similar ) here and here
10. pillow covers
11. swoop arm wingback bed in black velvet

Not numbered but here’s a link to our carpet, we love it!