Getting it all together. . . . . . .

Change is in the air.

The furniture store called yesterday afternoon with good news . . . . .  

. . . . . our purchase had arrived after its long road trip across the USA!

The sad part is that not too long ago, almost all American furniture was

 manufactured right here in North Carolina. Just an hour or so down the

 highway were all the factories turning out beautiful wood case goods and 

upholstery, employing thousands of quality employees. Furniture 

manufacturing was the lifeblood of this southeastern state. 

Like most manufacturing companies they have gone. . . . . . and yes,

 I know, my furniture probably took a long sea voyage prior to being loaded

 onto a truck in California to bring it to North Carolina!

The circle of life is not always what we would like it to be.

Anyway I'm happy it's on the way and will be ready when

 the delivery truck shows up this afternoon.

The bedside rug is a new purchase. Then I 'shopped the cottage' to see what

 other items I could find and might be considered in bringing the bedroom

 together - my favorite part.

Textures - I love to mix them, and I feel with neutral colors especially

 they are most important.

These pillows came with the Drexel living room sofa bought 18 months ago. 

For some reason the lovely saleslady threw them in with our purchase - I was

 shocked later when I unzipped the covers and discovered $95 price tags on each!

They are good quality with feather/down fillers (Ralph Lauren Home) but I didn't

 use them as I had other larger, more comfortable ones. They might be fine on 

 this loveseat. The throw is a find from years back, made in Scotland, soft, cozy

 chenille. The colors are good with the rug, especially the cute tassels. 

Next view of this room will, hopefully, look a lot better - fingers are crossed, 

making knitting somewhat difficult but keeping me busy until I see the truck

pull up!

Tweedy texture with Hobby Lobby yarn - my favorite to knit with.

A beautiful sunny, but very chilly, day here.

Lots to do indoors so I won't be venturing further than the potting shed!

More later. . . . . . . .

Sweet dreams returning later. . . . . .

. . . . . . it's said we should make the bedroom feel like a comfy retreat or an

 oasis from our often hectic modern day lives. I totally agree.

I love this glimpse into a bedroom of an obviously much-loved older house.  

It's in England and found in one of the several UK magazines I buy. 

I have many folders of clippings from these decorating publications, with

  the beautiful UK Country Living being my favorite. 

Being English, growing up on the Devon coast, and with the countryside

 "just up the road" from my childhood home, I'm comfortable in rural settings.

 Villages and hamlets full of thatched cottages were all around, so living in a

 smaller cottage-style home here in the USA, I find all I could ever really want in

 those magazines when it comes to decorating ideas . . . . . 

 . . . and I always look through them first when planning a makeover around the house.

My dresser - part of the bedroom set purchased many years ago when I was

 really into country cottage and Shabby Chic - thank you Rachel Ashwell. 

The entire set has gone to the bedroom of our neighbor's teenage daughter. 

I hope she will love it as much as I did. She'll definitely have plenty of storage

 for all those colorful, trendy teenage fashions!

Moving out the furniture required assistance.

My painter was grateful to have a perfectly empty room

to work in. . . . . . and carpet where any paint drips wouldn't 

matter as it is to be removed!

Meanwhile the two of us are squished together in the guest room, the

 third bedroom being our office, living out of boxes piled high, . . . . eagerly

 awaiting the completed master bedroom project.

Lovely colors similar to which I embraced for the project. 

The 'granite' shade is close to the Chelsea Gray now on the bedroom walls. 

The 'slate' blue grey in a paler hue - Stonington Gray - is in the walk-in closet. 

The dark, rich 'charcoal' - Kendall Charcoal - is in the entry hallway off the 

bedroom. All Benjamin Moore colors.

The bedding, curtains etc. are all a creamy white or natural linen and will
 remain for the time being. The new furniture color is 'hazelnut'.
There is also the loveseat which fits into the window bay and is slip-covered
in creamy white matelassé.  

I will try to find an accessory in the muted terra-cotta shade - perhaps a pillow

 for the loveseat, a bedside rug, or a beautiful painting to hang - maybe even 
all of those!

As I said - nights with sweet dreams will return. . . . .and soon I hope.