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A sneak peek of Norah’s room

July 2, 2014

IMG_4431 IMG_4432 IMG_4433 IMG_4434 IMG_4435 IMG_4439
When Hannah moved up to her new room last year we promised Norah a little room make-over.
She has been so patient as she has been sleeping up with her sister and living out of baskets over the months. As her room sits at the top of our stairs, I always had the door closed to hide how much work was to be done.
It feels so good almost a year later to have finally made some major progress.

When we first bought our house our budget only allowed us to put in new hardwood floors in the downstairs only. We put a cheap sisel rug down in the upstairs with the intent of one day putting hardwood in. Finally this spring Chris started that process and put floors down in Norah’s room and out into part of the hallway.
It made such a difference! I can’t wait to do the rest this fall!

A few weeks back I painted the walls this color and I cannot tell you how much I love it. It is so calming and peaceful and looks great against the wood pieces in her room.

Norah’s little Jenny bed was my mother’s when she was a girl and her bureau was her great, great, great grandmother Gladys’s.

We hung white dotted Swiss curtains which brightened things up a bit along with a white cotton quilt for her bed. My mom gave her a beautiful antique hooked rug and I found a little side table on craigs list which I want to eventually paint grey.

There are still shelves to be hung along with some artwork. And Chris is working on making an extension to the radiator cover for a makeshift desk.
We are also working on renovating her closet with both shelving and hanging.

I now find myself going upstairs for no reason at all but to just reach the top of the stairs with a door wide open and a happy little girl inside.

Make your Bed

March 12, 2014

bed 1

bed

I remember making my bed as a child. I would find pleasure in pulling my quilt up and tucking it neatly under the bottom of my pillow, then placing my stuffed animals and dolls on top just so.
I also remember sitting for hours pouring over my Eloise Wilkin books, many of which involved domestic work. One of my favorites being We Help Mommy . I still have the book and now Norah likes me to read it to her. I loved the drawings of the daily chores and especially remember the making the bed page.

Funny enough, the love of making my bed sort of vanished when I moved out and on my own.
I admit that just in the last year did I start to consistently make my bed.
Maybe with tight morning schedules, small kids and just rushing out the door it never became high on my priority list.
And why would I want to take the time to make a bed when before I knew it I would be pulling it apart to sleep in?

Well I am here to tell you that I have turned a new leaf!
I now look forward to making my bed each morning and sometimes I kick Chris out earlier than he would like because I truly am excited to make our bed.

I don’t know what the turning point was but I have found that the daily routine of it brings me joy.
Also, my bedroom feels neat, orderly, clean and clutter-free when my bed is made. Even if there may be a pile of dirty clothes on the floor.

Not to mention, at the end of a day when I am tired and done, there is nothing like slipping in to a crisply made bed.

You would be surprised on how many tutorials there are out there on how to make a bed. But don’t get overwhelmed. No need to make a bed you can bounce a quarter off of. The simple act of pulling up your covers and smoothing out a few wrinkles is all you need.

A few bed making tips

::Try to make your bed as soon as you get up (or after everyone is out of it). It starts the day off on the right foot and feels good to check something off your to-do list right away. Believe it or not, leaving the house knowing my bed is made has helped me to be more productive with the rest of my day.
::Just because you didn’t get to make your bed in the morning doesn’t mean you can’t make it in the afternoon. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be glad you took the time to do it when you are crawling in that night.
::Treat yourself to a new set of sheets, pretty ones that you love and maybe a few new throw pillows to brighten things up. They will make your bed-making experience that much more enjoyable.
::While making your bed, think of a few intentions for your day ahead. Making your bed can be a meditative experience that you will soon look forward to.
::Think of your bedroom as a place to retreat to. Walking in to a comfy, neat space mid day for a nap, to read a book or at the end of a long day can aid in relaxation and sleep.
::Lavender is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime. Sprinkle a few drops of the essential oil in your hands and rub on your pillow. Sweet dreams!

So make your bed. I promise, you’ll thank me in the morning (and at night!)

Second Floor Spruce Up

January 24, 2014

bathroom 2

bedroom 1

bedroom 2

tv 1

tv 2

tv 3
It was time for a little sprucing up on the second floor.
Sometimes the upstairs gets a little neglected. I’m not sure why. But the truth of the matter is as a family we use every single room in our home to it’s fullest almost every single day. It’s easy to do in a not-so-big house. So I decided to enhance our second floor space with a few simple additions.

I buy flowers weekly during the winter months. They really cheer things up a bit.
But I realized that fresh flowers rarely make their way upstairs.
Why have I never had a bouquet of my favorites in my bedroom?
Silly i tell you! So I bought several bunches of tulips (on sale for $1.99 a bunch!) and scattered them about. I can’t tell you how happy they make me. My upstairs feels all fancy now.

Our bedroom got a little makeover with a new grey and white gingham quilt and some euro shams. My bed has been looking a little hodge-podge and floppy lately. I wanted a little more of a grown up and formal feel. I also bought 2 new white pottery lamps from Target. They have a great new household line called Threshhold that is both pretty and affordable . As much as I love to thrift, sometimes a few “new” things can make a space feel crisp and fresh.

I am in love with my new woven bench (believe it or not, also by Target!). It helps to define the little hallway space.

And the bathroom got some fresh new towels.

I am still on the look out for a nice floor lamp and maybe a tall plant for our TV room. But other than that things are feeling really nice up here.

May 6, 2012


well that was a nice long break now wasn’t it?
life has been full these days.
and on top of it i decided to take a little break from the computer which has enabled me to get lots accomplished here at home.
i painted my bedroom and i love it. it used to be a deep blue and now it is my favorite benjamin moore ‘revere pewter’.
now i want to spend all of my time in bed!
it is amazing how paint can completely change the feel of a room.
my grandfather crafted my bed and built in closets. i only have one little dresser in my room and the rest is completely built in.
chris has some pretty little knobs ready to go for the drawers along the bottom of the bed.
i made another hanging planter for in between the windows. this time from a basket.
i want to make one of these for the opposite wall and then i think the room will feel complete.
ok off to take a nap.

https://secondandedgemont.com/2012/05/06/2073/

Welcome Welcome Amy Johnson is a writer, photographer, gardener, teacher, mother and wife living on the corner of Second and Edgemont. She creates space for beauty and simplicity in all that she does.
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