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updated COUNTRY FRENCH

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Surefire Fix for a Dated Bed

By Anita 33 Comments

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.

country-French-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.

gray-bed

 

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. 

 

detail-on-painted-iron-bed

 

It’s a very soft and delightful gray.

christmas-in-white-bedroom

 

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.

vanity-with-louis-felipe

 

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!

tablecloth-duvet-cover

 

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.

bedroom with bench

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.

french linens

 

lace-edge

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.

 

 

 DIY TIPS AND TRICKS-BEDS, BEDDING, AND BEDROOMS-FEB. 2015

 

Here are the other posts from my fabulous friends!!

 

Thistlewood Farms

how to style a bed

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

painting-an-iron-headboard-cedar-hill-farmhouse

On Sutton Place

how to style a bed on sutton place

StoneGable

DIY TIPS AND TRICKS- BEDS, BEDDING AND BEDROOMS-STONEGABLEBLOG.COM

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CEDAR HILL FARMHOUSE - updated country French style
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Filed Under: accessorizing, chawk paint, DIY TIPS AND TRICKS, guest quarters, paint, Paint Project, Project

Comments

  1. Heidi Colton says

    January 8, 2015 at 07:46

    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!

    Reply
  2. Ann says

    January 8, 2015 at 07:50

    It’s so pretty and welcoming…you have accomplished what you set out to do. The gray bed is perfection!

    Reply
  3. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 8, 2015 at 07:58

    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!

    Reply
  4. Pat says

    January 8, 2015 at 08:41

    Love the new look, very pretty and romantic.
    Pat

    Reply
  5. Thistle says

    January 8, 2015 at 08:48

    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

    Reply
  6. Ann P. says

    January 8, 2015 at 11:59

    Anita,
    Love the new renovation!
    Ann P.

    Reply
  7. Ellie says

    January 8, 2015 at 12:13

    Beautifully done! Did you keep that gorgeous light over the bed?

    Reply
  8. Julia says

    January 8, 2015 at 13:49

    You moved the bed at an angle! I am going to try that with my spare bedroom – which needs updating.

    Reply
  9. Lora says

    January 8, 2015 at 14:25

    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!

    Reply
  10. Lanell Boyett says

    January 8, 2015 at 16:35

    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

    Reply
    • Anita says

      January 8, 2015 at 19:23

      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.

      Reply
  11. Linda at Beautiful Ideas says

    January 8, 2015 at 19:54

    Like a breath of fresh air, Anita!
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

    Reply
  12. Pat says

    January 9, 2015 at 06:21

    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

    Reply
  13. Jayne says

    January 9, 2015 at 16:46

    The room looks great and I love how you used things for a different use! It’s such fun to do that!

    Reply
  14. Gwen says

    January 9, 2015 at 19:38

    Great job, and I love the diagonal placement of the bed, too!

    Reply
  15. Linda Janney says

    January 9, 2015 at 23:37

    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.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer says

    January 10, 2015 at 07:50

    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.

    Reply
    • Anita says

      January 11, 2015 at 14:44

      Awesome Jennifer! I would love to see your bed when you finish.

      Reply
  17. JudeB says

    January 11, 2015 at 14:45

    BEAUTIFUL!! Don’t need to say anything else 🙂

    Judi in the UK

    Reply
  18. Laura says

    January 11, 2015 at 22:56

    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

    Reply
    • Anita says

      January 12, 2015 at 12:36

      Bravo Laura!

      Reply
  19. Connie says

    December 10, 2016 at 07:46

    My great-grandmother’s linens! For decades I’ve preserved them. Now, they’re coming out!!!

    Beautiful room, great inspirations!

    Reply
  20. Marsha says

    December 10, 2016 at 10:08

    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.

    Reply
  21. Beth Wilson says

    December 10, 2016 at 11:27

    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.

    Reply
  22. Nancy Walden says

    December 10, 2016 at 12:35

    Love the new look! Now I’m thinking I need to go through the old linens I inherited from my mom/grandma!

    Reply
  23. Ellen Rae says

    December 10, 2016 at 14:24

    I agree about the painting…hope it is somewhere though…it’s great. Love all the changes.

    Reply
  24. Rosalie says

    December 10, 2016 at 17:28

    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.

    Reply
  25. Tammy says

    December 10, 2016 at 19:30

    what a beautiful soft room! Perfect color for the bed frame. Too bad that painting didn’t work anymore. It’s beautiful.

    Reply
  26. Bonnie says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:18

    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.

    Reply
  27. Bonnie says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:18

    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.

    Reply

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