My bed was looking a bit tired. To be honest I really didn’t like the iron bedframe any more. I got it for a bargain price, but the black was too harsh for the look I wanted. I needed a fix for a dated bed.
I am going to be honest. I have been working on this room for some time now. I just couldn’t get it the way I wanted it. I wanted something soft and romantic. It just wasn’t there. I moved some things out of the room, changed up the bedding and it still wasn’t right.
Then I had to face two unpleasant facts.
1. I love, love the painting. My friend Linsey of Farmhouse Porch painted it, but finally had to accept that it wasn’t working in this room. I took it down.
2. The black bed had to go. It’s pretty, but the color was too harsh for the look I wanted. I thought of replacing the bedframe, but that wasn’t in my budget. I looked at the bed again. And then it hit me… paint the bed!
Duh, why didn’t I think of that before?
Painting an iron bed can be done simply and quickly. And here is how it looks now. I am so, so in love with it.
I used two coats of chawk paint in the color Stanley. I did not prime. I would go over the details of how I painted it, but honestly it was super easy. I just used 2 coats of chawk paint.
The paint was provided by SOUTHERN HONEY. I use this color a lot!! I do recommend using a coat of wax, but I admit I was in a hurry and will have to do that later.
It’s a very soft and delightful gray.
What else did I do here? Well I moved the ladder over by the bed, and draped grain sacks over it. Wow, I love that look. I changed the bright striped bed skirt out for a white one. That crocheted throw on the bench is a (wait for it) vintage tablecloth! I’ve seen similar new throws for hundreds of dollars, and I had this one just sitting in a closet. The bench came from the vanity in my bedroom.
I put a chair at the vanity, so I am not missing the bench.
Do you like the duvet cover at the foot of the bed?
I’ll tell you a secret. It’s a vintage tablecloth. “No way,” you say?
WAY!
I wanted to replicate the look of the antique French coverlet on my bed without spending anything. Mission accomplished. This tablecloth was also in my closet. My bed with the antique French coverlet at the foot of the bed is below.
Obviously the tablecloth doesn’t have the feel of the antique coverlet shown here, but still I think it is perfect for the guest room.
Well, I hope you like it. I love the new look. I have much more to show you in this room. The best part is that I sold several pieces of furniture that paid for the new pieces I bought.
You can see more of the BEFORE room, HERE.
This is all part of our monthly DIY TIPS AND TRICKS.
Here are the other posts from my fabulous friends!!
I love how you changed things up! And that grey is the perfect choice for the bed! The vintage tablecloth sets it off nicely. Wonderfully romantic!
It’s so pretty and welcoming…you have accomplished what you set out to do. The gray bed is perfection!
Just love how you re-purposed the tablecloths in a very beautiful way….the bed looks fabulous in it’s new color and must say that I love that fringed coverlet!!….You have definitely have used your wonderful creativity to transform this room so elegantly!
Love the new look, very pretty and romantic.
Pat
Anita,
I love the new color. And the bed is amazing….but those sconces? Seriously? Where did you find them?
Thanks for the inspiration!
karianne
Anita,
Love the new renovation!
Ann P.
Beautifully done! Did you keep that gorgeous light over the bed?
You moved the bed at an angle! I am going to try that with my spare bedroom – which needs updating.
I really liked the tips I using items from around the house to test colors and patterns (like the gray napkin draped over the pillow) and taking a picture of your room so you “see” what you didn’t “see” before. Thank you!
Love the new look! You have given me a great idea. I have a beautiful table cloth that my grandmother cross stitched and a white iron bed. Did you make an envelope closure for the duvet?
Lanell
Lanell, I just wrapped it around the duvet. It’s just for use at the foot of the bed. If you want to use it as a duvet, then yes sewing is required.
Like a breath of fresh air, Anita!
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
Anita,
Persistence paid off royally, dear friend!!!
Stanley is gorgeous on your bed frame!!!
I love the subtle color palette and the changes made within the room!
Thank you for reminding us that with time,
if we are patient, the look we’re trying to achieve will evolve.
Fondly,
Pat
The room looks great and I love how you used things for a different use! It’s such fun to do that!
Great job, and I love the diagonal placement of the bed, too!
Love the new look. I have a verdigris green metal headboard from the 90’s that was given to me with roses & leaves. I have been thinking about painting it with chalk paint but haven’t because I was not sure how it would turn out. I am going to paint it this week now.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for posting this!!! I have this same bed and have wanted to paint it since day one, but I was too much of a chicken to do it. Now I can show my husband these pictures and “maybe” he will be on board with painting it. I love the way it turned out.
Awesome Jennifer! I would love to see your bed when you finish.
BEAUTIFUL!! Don’t need to say anything else 🙂
Judi in the UK
LOVE the new paint on the bed. I got a beautiful iron bed from a friend (free) but my mom keeps telling me NOT to paint it. Like you though, it’s in a bronze color so I would prefer to lighten it as well.
This inspires me to definitely paint it.
Thank you
Bravo Laura!
My great-grandmother’s linens! For decades I’ve preserved them. Now, they’re coming out!!!
Beautiful room, great inspirations!
So feminine and soft, and that amazing gray color is just perfect. I never would have thought about that color, guess that’s why you’re the fine decorater.
I am so very excited about using vintage tablecloths as duvets. I have so many beautiful pieces picked up at estate sales just waiting for a new life. Thanks for the inspiration. I can hardly wait to get started.
Love the new look! Now I’m thinking I need to go through the old linens I inherited from my mom/grandma!
I agree about the painting…hope it is somewhere though…it’s great. Love all the changes.
Iron beds are so pretty in many different colors. I think changing the color totally gave your room a different feel…definitely more romantic that the black. By the way, the wood floors look terrific as well.
what a beautiful soft room! Perfect color for the bed frame. Too bad that painting didn’t work anymore. It’s beautiful.
I really like the changes that you made; your bedroom is really pretty. I love the vintage tablecloth at the end of the bed and I do think that the painted bed has a softer look to I t.
I really like the changes that you made; your bedroom is really pretty. I love the vintage tablecloth at the end of the bed and I do think that the painted bed has a softer look to it.