Bedroom Makeover + Soul Benefits of Caring For Our Space

In the spirit of new beginnings, I embarked on a bedroom makeover that turned into a slow transformation over several days, as dark walls brightened with the soft, soothing mix of Valspar paint that caught my eye.

Heavy curtains gave way to the light, airy sheers I snagged in a small hoard of IKEA deals, and fresh white bedding replaced the faded, well worn comforter.

Unfortunately, I didn’t think quick enough to do “before” photos, until after the paint shades were already blending on the walls, but I do have a snapshot of what it looked like.

A little dated?

Probably. In an old, moody library kind of way. So just a fair warning as you continue to scroll.  🙂

Ready?

Okay, here it is.

So there you have it. Dark tones have been a personal favorite for years, but I found myself drawn toward something new and refreshing for a change in my space – and in my spirit.

I wanted something calm. And peaceful.

Thinking back, it’s funny to realize the process itself was anything but calm, yet after the dust and chaos cleared, the end result was worth it. An unexpected, eclectic mix of the past and present brought together a new look, and also a new feel.

The changes were more than visual, and that’s what got me thinking. Because not only did I see the difference, I also felt the difference.

You know?

In this fast moving world of ours, we often find ourselves swept from one activity to another, and from one responsibility to the next, without always realizing the mood of ordinary, everyday places can affect the way we live, breathe, and belong.

Maybe it’s an extreme thought, but another small case in point is this. A couple years ago, I worked on the second floor of a five story building, where frequent plumbing problems often sent us in search of restrooms in better working order. Rumor had it the third floor was the best choice, and comments among coworkers circulated to that effect.

“It’s so nice up there.”

“The third floor bathroom is so pretty and clean.”

I even fell among those who slipped quietly up the elevator into a less populated work area, and a more inviting atmosphere.

Each room had been remodeled to exact standards the year before, so one day I decided to take inventory to figure out the difference in the nearly identical spaces only one floor apart. Both had tall wall mirrors, shiny hand dryers, and a monochromatic color scheme.

So what was it about the third floor that created such buzz, exuded a sense of calm, and lured us  upstairs in the middle of a hectic day?

Other than the silence, and the lack of water spots along the countertop, I noticed only two things.

A pretty, well styled floral arrangement gracing one corner of the counter, and a trendy metal basket with subtle wicker designs holding neat, folded stacks of paper towels on the other side.

That was it. The simplicity surprised me, but I think it goes to show there are subconscious benefits that come with adding just a little extra love to the space where we find ourselves on a regular basis.

So in circling back to where we started, here it is.

The “after” photo, that I guess could be more appropriately noted as a humble work in progress, rather than the perfect end result.

Maybe you can relate?

I think we would agree this journey of revolving seasons isn’t always about how we feel, but isn’t it nice to know a change of pace can happen in the same place where we’ve been all along?

Honestly, I think the soul benefits of a well curated space run deep, because at the core, they begin with appreciation.

Normal routines of every day aren’t always bright and shiny, and this mix and match of color, texture and patterns will come and go, but I believe investing in the place where life unfolds is where true beauty begins.

And who knows?

Maybe it starts with a quiet, peaceful nook, the soft elegance of beautiful wildflowers, and subtle wicker designs on a trendy metal basket.