Valerie Hill
- Oct 24, 2019
- 4 min read

One Room Challenge | Week 4 | Master Bedroom

Updated: Nov 25, 2019

Welcome to week four of the One Room Challenge. Our master bedroom reinvention is well underway, but we are still two weeks from the finish line!

This week we are looking at the furniture that we selected for the redo and what our reasoning was behind each choice.

If you've missed any of my previous posts, here are the links: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3

MASTER BEDROOM - THE BIG IDEA

A quick look back at the overall plan and vibe of the room we are aiming for. As you can see, it is a blend of antiques and a nod to the classics combine with clean lines and a mid-century modern aesthetic.

It is our intent to focus on reusing furniture we already own or purchase new-to-us, but previously used furniture. Of course, we will purchase new items as well, but those will be more the accent pieces and decor.

KEEPING THE BED FRAME

Here is the main piece of furniture that we are keeping - the bed! It is a Craftsman Style oak bed frame that is solid wood and in great shape. We've had this bed for 20+ years and we are choosing to continue loving it.

ARMOIRE

The armoire is new to us, although it is said to be English Walnut, imported from England, and dates back to the late 1880s. We discovered it at an antiques mall just north of Seattle. This is one of the pieces that has a substantial history and brings some unique charm to our home.

We think this piece may be made in the Eastlake style, which is said to be an early representation of what would later become the modernism movement, according to Marvin D. Schwartz, an English Architect and lecturer, as noted in The Spruce.

The namesake of the style, Charles Lock Eastlake, apparently had an aversion to the heavy ornamentation of the Victorian period so he designed and wrote about furniture according to his point of view.

As I write this, I realize how much fun it can be to discover the history of furniture styles. If only I could learn something about the past owners this lovely piece, who they were, how they lived.

DRESSER

We were really excited to find this vintage dresser. It was made in the 1960s by American manufacturer Henredon. This dresser is considered campaign style and has inset brass drawer pulls.

It is actually a high-end piece of furniture that we found at a vintage shop for about $300! We didn't know what we had stumbled upon until we looked in a drawer and found the Henredon branding inside.

Originally I had been looking for a vintage dresser that I could paint, but once I realized what I had, there was no way I was going to paint it. Polish it, yes, but I will not ever paint this gorgeous piece!

PAINTING BEDSIDE TABLES

Instead of buying new bedside tables we decided to paint the ones we already own. This pair we have had for 20+ year is originally from my parents' old bedroom set from the 1970s.

I just finished telling you how I was not going to paint the vintage dresser, but these side tables are a little different. These were part of an affordable furniture line from JCPenney from the 1970s. Besides having a little sentimental value because they belonged to my parents, there really is no monetary value.

The tables are made of pine and have a single drawer and are completely functional but will be even better once they are spruced up with sanding, priming and a new coat of paint.

I am saving about $600 by not buying new ones. I am using paint that I already have in the garage from my first One Room Challenge power room vanity. With the savings from upcycling or reusing the bedside tables, I was able to put that money towards some new chairs for the space and I am really happy with how they turned out!

ADDING WALLPAPER TO INTERIOR OF BEDSIDE TABLES?

One thing I am contemplating is whether or not to add a bit of wallpaper to the back plane of the lower compartment of the bedside table. It could make it fun or it could look silly. Haven't decided yet...stay tuned!

MASTER BEDROOM - BEFORE AND NOW WEEK FOUR

On the left is where we started and on the right is where we are today, in week four. The bedroom started out very purple and now it is feeling lighter and brighter. Before lightening it up, the oak bedframe got kind of lost in the dark tones. Now with the lighter walls, the bed holds its own in contrast.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

continue gathering/shopping for accessories
table lamp for dresser
styling the accessories and decor
pick up canvas art when ready
hang art
bedding and pillows

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK

Keep watch for next week's post and on Instagram for progress @hillandvalley.design and email any questions or comments to valerie@hillandvalleydesign.com. I always love hearing from you!