So today is my birthday. I’m not one for big fanfare — I prefer a quiet day. It isn’t about being embarrassed or upset about getting older; in fact, being well over forty has been wonderful in many ways. With age comes perspective and a clearer sense of what matters most. I do enjoy treating myself for birthdays and holidays — any excuse to buy something useful or beautiful works for me.
For the past few years I’ve wanted to update our bedroom. I’ve already made some important changes: new hardwood floors, fresh paint, curtains and bamboo blinds (goodbye, old towels at the windows!), and a few decorative pieces like a new mirror and bird pillows I found at HomeGoods. These updates gave me a solid foundation to build on.
Now I want to continue refining the space, personalizing it and adding the finishing layers and details that make a bedroom feel complete. That will be my birthday present to myself: a series of small updates that turn the room into a cozy, meaningful sanctuary.
You can see the progress in the bedroom makeover update post. Remember when the room was a swine color with smelly carpet? I’m glad to be past that phase!
This next phase is exciting because I get to focus on the details that make the room truly inviting — the kind of space where you can retreat from the world. I love planning those finishing touches.
I’ve had the same matelassé coverlet on my bed for about fifteen years. It’s traveled with me through four bedrooms and still looks classic and tasteful — a purchase I’ve been glad I made. Over time it has shrunk a little and now only covers part of the mattress, so I’ll repurpose it on a guest bed where it will fit perfectly.
This week I’ll be out with my daughters doing a little birthday shopping for inspiration — new bedding and hopefully a rug. I’ll keep the traditional sleigh bed for now (it actually belongs to my mom, so until she wants it back I’m hanging on to it). I enjoy mixing old and new pieces; working with what I have and adding fresh elements can create a renewed look without starting from scratch.
With new bedding and a few carefully chosen accessories, I can pull the room together around the foundation of the new flooring, paint, and a few updated items. I’ll likely post more about bedroom decorating inspiration as I figure out the exact direction — sometimes it takes finding the right “thing” to set the tone.
Last week a thoughtful blogging friend, Tara Lowry, sent me a custom wooden LOVE sign from her shop. It’s large, beautifully made, and the verse she chose means a lot to me. I’m thrilled to have it hanging in our bedroom.
My husband and I have been married a long time, and that verse is a meaningful reminder of what true love looks like — for us and for our family. It feels like a perfect addition for Valentine’s Day or any day when you want your bedroom to reflect the heart of your home.
Tara creates lovely signs that help personalize a home, whether you want to display family values, commemorate places you’ve lived, or feature a cherished verse. Her pieces add warmth and meaning to a room and are a beautiful way to make your space feel more personal.
I’ll be taking photos as I visit shops later this week in search of bedroom décor inspiration, and I have another decorating post planned for tomorrow.
Have you updated a bedroom lately? I’ll host a bedroom makeover link-up this weekend if you’d like to share your room and inspire others with your ideas!