Thursday 22 October 2015

Creating Calm...

 
 
 
Hello there, I'm sorry I've not popped back earlier. I'm busy at the moment, calming things down in our bedroom, and before anyone gets the wrong idea...I mean the decor!
 
 
Like a lot of people, sleep doesn't always come easily to me, despite being exhausted most of the time. I've tried lots of things, but never medication, and if I can help it, I want to avoid this. From a psychological perspective, I believe a calm environment, enables a calmer mind, so that has been my starting point. I've removed as much pattern and colour as I can bare, and you know how I feel about colour!
 
 
Last week it was painting the dark, gloomy chest of drawers, a calming grey, so we could start using it and remove the dressing table...and all the clutter! I sorted out all ten drawers we had in our room! Ten drawers, three suitcases and two large wardrobes...not to mention the ten mini drawers we have in our bedside filing cabinets. We now have seven drawers and one suitcase, much better.
 
 
Those bedside cabinets, are actually little IKEA filing cabinets, and have been by our bed for at least sixteen years, I love them, even though office equipment isn't something you would normally associate with bedrooms. They are staying. Brilliant for storing magazines, and knickers!
 
 
This week I've concentrated on painting out the vintage wallpaper on the chimney breast wall. I know, I know...sacrilege! I do love the paper, but it's in the wrong place. So it's gone. It feels better. Calmer. I've got the large beautiful, vintage mirror from my dressing table to go up there, eventually.
 
 
The good thing about being in the bloggy world is you come across the most talented people, with the loveliest of fabrics. The top picture shows a bag I have purchased from Ellie, you can find her here. I've also ordered a few more lovely cushions from my Bloggy friends, I will show you when they arrive. I love supporting the talented crafty community we have here.
 
 
So that's what's been keeping me busy this week, next I'm hoping to paint the wall behind our bed the same grey as the chest of drawers, Farrow and Ball Pavilion Grey. Oh, and clear the junk from under the bed...now there's a post all on its own! Oh, and sort out my wardrobe, store away my summer clothes and get out the jumpers.
 
 
And you know something, the last two nights I've slept!
 
 
 
Have a great weekend everyone, almost Friday!
 
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

20 comments:

  1. That soft grey is so lovely, really soothing. I struggle to sleep as well, and I find exercise helps the most. You're making a beautiful job of the bedroom, I hope it helps. CJ xx

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    1. I'd love to be able to properly excersice again, one day hopefully! ;) xxx

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  2. Goodbye lovely wallpaper, but you're right, a calm relaxing atmosphere is important. I often find sleep eludes me and I have to find ways to self soothe myself to sleep xx

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  3. When I have trouble dropping off I get up and set the ironing board up. Within 10 minutes I am yawning and almost asleep on my feet.

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    1. He! He! Must try that one Pam, brilliant!!! ;) xxx

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  4. That looks quite lovely and here's to ha calm and peaceful nights sleep xxx

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    1. Thank you my dear, I think I'd sleep a whole lot better though if I had your bedroom floorboards! ;) xxx

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    2. what a wonderful makeover. You must be so pleased and tired, I say that as I have had the builders in . a complete new bathroom suite Its a small space and when I was emptying it I could not believe the amount of stuff in the cupboard. goodness me I am a hoarder , it was exhausting.
      So glad you are having better nights

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    3. Gosh, that's my dream...an ensuite bathroom, not more queuing for the shower or loo! ;) xxx

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  5. I too love colour but our home is all painted white and does feel so calm and bright. I'm glad you have been sleeping better after making the changes. It must have been so hard painting over the wallpaper! Sarah x

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    1. Bit of white, little bit of vintage...perfect! It was Sarah, but needed to be done ;) xxx

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  6. Your room looks beautifully calm, I'm so glad you are sleeping better, I hope it continues. x

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  7. Your soft bedroom colours are beautiful and would certainly induce a feeling of calm and I hope they will help you relax and sleep. I also love your iron bed frame, it is lovely. I have trouble sleeping sometimes myself, especially when I am trying to write a poem, too many thoughts running through my head...I calm myself by slowing my breathing and soon I drift off to sleep.
    Lovely photo of sweet Minnie!
    Have a great weekend dear Amanda!
    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. Sometimes I can't sleep because of all the creative thoughts spinning around in my head...mindfulness is very good for inducing sleep, it's the key really :) xxx

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  8. I should think that you are exhausted after all that! I agree though that a bedroom needs to be a calm and relaxing place doesn't it, it certainly helps, and a good level of darkness too! Hope that it works for you, it certainly looks very pretty! xx

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    1. Feeling a little bit like I've done too much so might not ge everything done this week that I hoped...but loving the changes though! :) xxx

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  9. Sounds like you've made a great start on creating your calming space Amanda! I do love turquoise and hope it is still in fashion when I someday-in-the-future take over my daughter's bedroom for a sewing room (which is painted in turquoise). Love the colours on that blanket. Good to hear that you've had a few good nights' rest ... hopefully it's not just exhaustion from all these projects you've been hard at work on ;)
    Wendy

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    1. Thanks Wendy...so far sleep has been good! I don't think it matters at all if a colour is fashionable, if you love it, live with it! ;) xxx

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