Bonus Room/Retreat Room

Continuing the re-do of the bonus room.  I ended up moving the sconces up so I could put some vacation prints above each bed.  The photos are from Scotland.  A few years ago I traveled there to visit my son and his family.  We went to Skye and visited several castles, the beautiful Eilean Donan being one of them.

I added the little wall desk this past weekend.  I built one that looked more like a floating shelf but it was pretty heavy as the frame was made from 2x4s.  I was afraid it was too heavy for the two studs that held it.  So I bought this pine wood shelf and used some 1x2s I had, to build supports that would screw into the sheetrock studs.  It is a lot lighter and I think looks fine for the space.  The little metal chair is perfect and light for the desk. I found it at Hobby Lobby.

This room is so big, there is still space across from the recliner.  I have a loveseat ordered to go in that spot....maybe even room for a small coffee table.  It is surely going to be a great retreat room. I've had such fun fixing it up!
  

Before and After

 I'm still working on the room.  Printed some photos from a vacation in Scotland to hang, and really am thinking of raising the sconces and hanging them above the beds.  Still need to find a floor lamp, a small end table, and a few other minor things but am thrilled with the look.....even though it is a very, very similar look to the twin bedroom.  That is ok with me, because that is my favorite room in the house.  :)  Here are a few before pics.....

Before my son and family moved in, I used the room to collect some old furniture that we didn't use in the new house - our old queen bed, an antique full from my son's college days, the table we used in the kitchen in the old house and some mismatched lamps.  The rug was new, but didn't go with all my quilts, so even though I loved it, I needed something more neutral. Since Elijah would be needing furniture I saved everything for his family.

They didn't leave a lot when they moved....which was great!

Using full size beds and putting them on each side of the window opened up the room so it now has a bigger sitting/reading area.

Retreat Room Update

 Just a few days after the kids moved out, we had more guests in the upstairs bedroom.  I only had mattresses and no beds, but they didn't mind.  They were in town for a funeral.  While they were here one of the beds came and my brother-in-law and sister helped me put it together.  They left this morning and I've been playing decorator.  I love it so far.  Have another bed coming tomorrow. Still need some artwork, a small lamp for beside the recliner, and a few other things, but I am getting there.

I played with several quilts, pillows, and two different rugs before I settled on these.  Honestly, the pictures don't do the room justice.  It is becoming very beautiful and calming.

I found a recliner cover, to change the look of the recliner.  I'm happy with that too.

Bonus Room progress

 I'm calling it several names....bonus room, Airbnb room, my retreat.....but I am loving finally getting to decorate it like I've been dreaming of since we moved in.  Our builder is bringing a couple over at the end of the month to see our home.  They are interested in building one similar to ours.  That was the deadline I needed to go ahead and make the decisions on what I wanted to do in the room and get the furnishings purchased.  I love the cheap and easy faux shiplap I did in the twins bedroom so I did that on the window wall. I have one of the sconces installed.

Found this little glass top table at Hobby Lobby.  Awaiting a recliner cover for the chair.

I purchases the antique chest a year or so ago, with the bonus room plans in mind. Flowers and vase from Hobby Lobby.

Ordered the loveseat for the sitting area of the room.

I've been trying to figure out some more quilt storage.  Once the bonus room closet was cleaned out I realized these shelves are perfect to store my quilts.

Of course I have to decorate with some of them.  These are on the stair landing.  I plan to have the curtains up, the beds here and made up with white coverlets and quilts, a rug, the loveseat, and possibly a floating desk by the time our builder brings his clients.

The kids moved out but we had a couple of visits this week.  Gotta ride in the wagon while Papaw mows!

And of course do the 'spider' swing in the backyard.

Both kids spent the night Friday night.  We made chocolate pies!  Emma loves to cook.

Board and Batten

 I had forgotten to post my final pics of the board and batten project I did in our back hallway.  It isn't perfect but I do love it so much. So much even that I'd like to do a wall in our great room by the front door.

I used furring strips which were pretty rough.

I've decided if I do it again, I may use some other board that are only 1/4".

I do love the look.  :)

We are empty nesters again

 After nine months my son and his family have moved to their own place.  It is bittersweet.  We will miss the littles so very much, and I know my DIL is so ready to be the woman of her own space and to be honest I am ready to have my house back. Living with family can be hard and we've had our moments, but when they look back I hope they know how much we love them and have done our best to be helpful to them on their journey of life. I hope the grandchildren realize the joy they have brought to our lives these nine months.  I couldn't have asked for a better grandpa than my husband. These are not his biological grandchildren but he loves them as if they were his flesh and blood.  He is the best! Always taking time to play with them and thinking of things they would like to do.  The house sure is a lot quieter.  Thankfully they are only about five minutes away.  Not like across the ocean like they've been the last six years.  

A couple of weeks before their move they got their first pets - two precious kitties.

I am in love with the little white one.  His name is Apollo and he is the most laid back, gentle little soul.  My grandson, Haddon, can carry him around like a baby (on his back) and sing him to sleep.  It is something to see.....

Artemis is the grey tabby, and a feisty one is she!  Like my granddaughter.  

My Emma found her first four leaf clover the other day. What excitement in that little toothless grin - she also had just lost her second top tooth.

There was a little accident on their moving day.  Poor Jesse, our 13 year old cat, accidentally got his tail slammed in the door.  Off to the emergency vet we went.  They bandaged it up but said most likely it was broken and that part needed to be amputated.  Little Haddon did it and when he realized Jesse was bleeding and hurt he was hysterical, "Oh Mamaw, I'm so sorry!  I made Jesse bleed. It was an accident. Oh Mamaw, I'm so sorry."  It was the most pitiful thing I've ever seen.  This little four year old boy, who has a heart of gold was absolutely heartbroken he had hurt the cat.  That broke my heart so bad.  He was shaking uncontrollably. I had to get down in his face and tell him "You are more important than Jesse. It was an accident. I know you didn't mean to do it...."  Jesse really didn't even act like it bothered him today.  His bandage had fallen off and he went about as usual. He will be fine I'm sure.  They amputated it today and we pick him up tomorrow.

So, after they got almost all their stuff moved, I've spent the last couple of days washing bedding, quilts, rearranging and even doing some purging.  It has felt so good. I absolutely love dressing up the twins (the twin beds) in quilts. These were the ones I settled on today, a couple of my pandemic scrap quilts from 2020.

And the empty room upstairs where my son and his wife have lived the last nine months. All cleaned up and bare.  But -- I do have some plans for this room and can't wait to decorate it.

These pics will serve as my "before" shots.  :)

I feel like this blog post is a catch up from the last few months.......good for you if you've read to the end!