A Matched Set or An Eclectic Mix: What’s Your Take?
I’m not the girl I used to be. Actually, I was that girl, then I wasn’t, & now I am again. I know: I’ve lost you. But, stay with me. I’m not talking about plastic surgery or personality disorders. I’m talking home furnishings.Way back when my Handsome Assistant & I got married, we furnished our little apartment with whatever cast-offs our family was willing to give us & a few other odd finds here & there. So, our little home was a conglomeration of all kinds of mis-matched furniture. As time went on, we replaced most of the odd pieces & operated on what I call the “Rooms-To-Go” mentality, where you can choose an entire room full of matching pieces & have an instant room delivered in a day or two. Many people still go with this method & they love it, so I’m not saying it’s bad. But, as time has gone on & my tastes have changed, and also since I moved into a house with much more space than my previous home & not enough budget to order whatever I want from a catalog, I’ve adopted my old mentality again. And I know it’s popular with many of you as well. Only now we don’t call it “Hand-Me-Down Decorating”. Today we call it “Eclectic Design”. So, with all that being said, you will understand why I recently replaced my perfectly fine queen guest bed with a re-made $10 headboard from Goodwill. And I love it!Here’s what the headboard looked like when I found it:And here are a couple of examples of beds I had stored in my mental design file from here & there along the way:Love this one from Ethan Allen:And this one’s gorgeous from Bernhardt’s Martha Stewart collection:
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
September 2, 2010 @ 2:42 am
i am all for the eclectic mix. i like the tables as they are, but i think they would look great painted white or even red.
Emily
September 2, 2010 @ 2:48 am
Looks amazing!!! Eclectic indeed! I have nightstands in my garage ready to paint to change up our bedroom even more. I agree with Cassie, I think they would look great white!
kathie
September 2, 2010 @ 2:50 am
What a great goodwill find! It is pieces like this one that keep me popping in at every goodwill I pass 🙂 The paint job looks great, and I love your idea about filling in the dated motif with wood filler.
Sharon @ WRHhome
September 2, 2010 @ 2:52 am
Def the "eclectic mix". It turned out Great!
Stephanie
September 2, 2010 @ 2:55 am
Eclectic is good. It is designer good. You never see any room in a magazine done by a designer that everything matches. Mixing old with new, textures, patterns and color gives a room depth. You are going in the right direction. I love the headboard and LOVE the bedding. I would keep the nightstands, maybe paint them or sand them down to a natural look (that is really in now, think restoration hardware) and change out the knobs. They are a great height for your bed.
Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top
September 2, 2010 @ 2:57 am
I used to be all for matchy matchy. And now I am definitely more of an eclectic design person. I don't like things to be too matchy matchy but I don't like it to look hodge podged together. I love the headboard! It's fab! And I like your bedding too.
Mandi
September 2, 2010 @ 3:04 am
matchy matchy is too restrictive. If you move(like you) and want to get anonther piece you cant. I think that most people are forced into "eclection" but you can tell those of us that truly love it. Its just fun.
Erin
September 2, 2010 @ 3:19 am
eclectic…but I agree painting the tables white would really make a pop…I would add some green knobs to match the bed…can't wait to see what you decide
Melissa
September 2, 2010 @ 3:22 am
Oh it is definitely a gazillion times better now.
Melinda
September 2, 2010 @ 3:23 am
I think you should paint the side tables a metallic silver and add a glaze on top. So awesome! 🙂
p.s. I like eclectic too. 🙂
Johnna
September 2, 2010 @ 4:00 am
I love it and you can't beat lime and black together, Gorgeous! I think I'm with you in the I was, then I wasn't, now I am again….eclectic decorator that is:)
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door
September 2, 2010 @ 4:54 am
Looks like the eclectic's have it! Count me in too! The headboard looks awesome! Great job!
Deb
September 2, 2010 @ 5:58 am
I am definitely an ecclectic decorator, too. Your project turned out BEAUTIFULLY! The black looks fantastic with your wall color, your lamp, and even your accent pillow!
As for the side tables, I'd say go bold and match that green in the duvet cover. Or turqoise, even.
Really, really impressed.
Cathy @ The Far Fifty
September 2, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
Fantastic job on that headboard, what a great find! Love the bedding too, gorgeous.
Sourkraut
September 2, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
Before I saw your final pic I might have said "matchy" but I really like the way your whole room looks now with the bedding included. I'm so jealous of your headboard find and you did a fantastic job making it your own. Although now you've got me wanting that Ethan Allen bed something bad. Wish I could find a deal as good as yours to distract me from the tantalizing idea of paying that much for it.
Kindra-At Home With K
September 2, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
I'm all for eclectic! I love your new bed!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
September 2, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
I really don't like the matchy. I love your new headboard. I always like a room with various wood finishes and styles. Great bed. Hugs, Marty
the momma (aka Shannon)
September 2, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
that is stunning! i can completely understand why you bought that bed! it looks beautiful in black. and covering the shell motif–genius! i was just looking at an awesome hutch yesterday at the thrift shop, but it had a similar shell thing on top and i couldn't think of what to do about it–duh!!!
i love your bedding too–can't wait to see what you do with the nightstands. i'm all for mixing–can't stand a whole bedroom "suite"
okay, enough of my gushing, i'm such a dork! :o)
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
September 2, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
Love your "new" headboard, Julie! I like to mix and match. In fact, I am on the look out for a Queen headboard for my own master bedroom. I'd like to find something inexpensive and paint it up.
Anonymous
September 2, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
Maybe paint the body of the night stands the same black color, then leave the tops the natural color of the wood.
And also, you probably should have primed over the wood filler…that always seems to help. 🙂
Kristi
September 2, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
Your headboard looks GREAT and what a gratifying accomplishment! I can totally relate to the "rooms to go" all in one day thing. I did that once and it was about 5 or 6 years ago, I don't have ANYTHING left in that room from that day, lol! I think it's safe to say that method wasn't for me 🙂
Kristi
Marcie
September 2, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
I love your new bed. And I definitely love it way more than the matchy-matchy set. You did an amazing job. I can't say that I have ever been a "buy the whole room" kinda girl, I just like what I like. (That usually means most other people don't get it.)
Sjn
September 2, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
I am all eclectic! Love the black bed with your bedding. You could add black hardware to the night tables to tie them in.
*jj
September 2, 2010 @ 3:43 pm
Love it! I just recently started to branch out with mixing patterns with fabric and it's so much fun! You can check it out if you want to 🙂 http://thelovelylittlethings.blogspot.com/2010/07/bedding.html
abby @ tales and trials
September 2, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
I am more of an eclectic decorater. Love your new headboard! You could always silver leaf your side tables if you wanted to add some glam for little $$.
Diane
September 2, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Your bed is gorgeous! I prefer my furniture to not match. Can't wait to see what you do with the side tables.
Linda @ Painted Whyte
September 2, 2010 @ 10:52 pm
That bed is awesome! Did you say it is in your guest bedroom? Well i'm sure your going to have a line up of guest wanting to sleep in that bed!! Great job!
thedomesticfringe
September 3, 2010 @ 2:15 am
I doubt I have anything that actually matches in my house. I love eclectic. Your headboard came out great. It looks wonderful and I really like your bedding. Great job!
-FringeGirl
allison @ itstoilegood.blogspot.com
September 3, 2010 @ 2:15 am
I would have never thought to fill in the engraved part of the bed! I LOVE the way it turned out! Great idea!
Kimberlee
September 3, 2010 @ 2:16 am
I love it! Great fabric for the comforter. Hand me downs is all I have to work with, so I can totally appreciate this post. I am still trying to figure out what to do about the brass headboard I have "inherited" that my husband loves, and I want to cover, LOL!
~Kimberlee
http://www.TheSpunkyDiva.blogspot.com
Christina
September 3, 2010 @ 2:21 am
I'm visiting from "Frugal Fridays"…and this is beautiful 🙂 I'm still in the stage of life where we're newly married with cast-off furniture…and now that I've discovered this blogging decorating world I'm having a blast with our old stuff 🙂
Julie
September 3, 2010 @ 3:09 am
I love that Ethan Allen bed too, but yours is fabulous. I also like the boldness of your green and white bedding with the black. My style. Love it all.
NanaDiana
September 3, 2010 @ 3:14 am
You did a great job on the bed! Love the black against the wall and what a savings…Ethan Allen or Fix-it-up Chic! Wow! Diana
Walking by Faith
September 3, 2010 @ 5:36 am
Oh I LOVE this! WAY better than what you had before, in my opinion;) Daniel & I were SO one of those 'Rooms to Go' shoppers when we first got married, but it's interesting how your tastes change, cuz we've gotten rid of all that & Thrift store treasures have replaced it all! I'm definately an Eclectic Designer myself. Thanks for the great post!=)
Kara @ Launching Our Life Together
September 3, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
As a poor college student, I have to go with the eclectic mix. However, I love your redone headboard so much that I'll probably stick with this style after school.
(PS I found you through Edie. Way cool)
the cape on the corner
September 3, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
your headboard looks great! stopping over from fun to craft.
Kari
September 3, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
This looks wonderful! I you did a great job! 🙂
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row
September 3, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
That is fantastic – I love it black.
I'm eclectic for sure!
Jennifer @ Serendipity
September 3, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
LOVE IT!!! I definitely think it looks better than the "Rooms To Go" look 🙂 Also, I LOVE the bedding…..
I am in the process of changing to eclectic decorating too :))))
Becolorful
September 3, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
I really don't usually go for matched sets but in this situation I really see the tables black. I think they would set off the bedding so much nicer. Just my take but I know you will make this look fly not matter what you decide. You've got that flair. 🙂
Pam
FrouFrouBritches
September 3, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
Oh my gosh! That's gorgeous! I absolutely love it!!! That bedskirt is fabulous too. I've been looking for a headboard like that for our room. I haven't been so lucky. Great job!
Debbie
September 4, 2010 @ 1:52 am
Nope, no matchy matchy for me…too predictable. LOVE what you did to that headboard it is gorgeous. Did you see I have a thrift party every Friday and I would love for you to join in. Have a great weekend. Debbie
Julie
September 4, 2010 @ 2:09 am
I really love that headboard!! And the bedding is so beautiful. They really complement the other. I think the side tables need to be painted but not sure what color. Great redo! Over from Feature Yourself Friday.
Laura Ingalls Gunn
September 4, 2010 @ 2:27 am
What a perfect makeover! You are truly clever and creative. Well done.
Leah
September 4, 2010 @ 2:38 am
I love the head board, but I LOVE the bed set.
Preppy Pink Crocodile
September 4, 2010 @ 5:17 am
Love it! Looks fantastic.
Rhonda
September 4, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
LOVE the headboard! And the green bedding really comes alive next to it. Fantastic job!!
Meg
September 5, 2010 @ 1:30 am
I'm a big fan of eclectic! Great job on the headboard. I need a spray-painter-thingy! Thanks for linking up to my Friday link party! Have a wonderful long weekend!
Kimmy
September 5, 2010 @ 2:41 am
I'm definitely one that needs things matching. I think it's apart of my OCD hahah 🙂 I loooove the headboard you re-did it looks amazing!
Rebecca
September 5, 2010 @ 4:35 am
I love how your headboard turned out!!! I've been dying to do our bed too!!!
Katie @ Left Hand Reviews
September 5, 2010 @ 4:59 am
Hopped on over via Tatertots and Jello… this looks amazing! Great job! 🙂
Tausha
September 5, 2010 @ 5:31 am
oooh-fabulous! I love the black with your bedding! It really pops!! I found an old headboard and footboard just like this one under the house when we moved in. It's still there waiting for me to get it out and do something with it! You have inspired me!! Thanks so much!!
Holly @ posypocket.blogspot
September 6, 2010 @ 6:10 am
wow, love it!
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com
September 6, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
That is awesome. I prefer eclectic. My husband can't do eclectic so everything matches around our place…
Melanie {The Tiny Tudor}
September 20, 2010 @ 2:08 am
We fell into the "bed in a bag" plus matching curtain, rug and lampshade trap in our master bedroom. It ended up looking really catalog generic. I'm in the process of mixing things up and making it more eclectic. I love your headboard find! It looks great against the bold pattern on the bedspread. Much more unique!
Lynn
October 10, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
Black headboard is beautiful
You mentioned a new sprayer ,
would like to know what kind
and you opinion on how well it works
Julie
October 10, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
@Lynn
I use a Campbell Hausfeld Gravity Fed Paint sprayer similar to this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-DH780000AV-Gravity-Feed-Pneumatic/dp/B00080QJ7K
I bought this one because I already had a this brand of compressor. I've only been able to try it a few times so far, but it's done a good job so far!
Julie
February 2, 2011 @ 4:29 am
Hi Julie,
I found your blog a little while ago (an hour or so) and I think I may have read almost to the beginning. You have a beautiful home, and I love your craft ideas. Not sure if you have finished your guest room or not, but I think the night stands are begging to be painted the green of your comforter. I'd love to see how you finish this space.