One Room Challenge Master Bedroom: Week 5 Progress, DIY Decor & Styling Secrets for a Dream Space

The adrenaline is truly kicking in! With just one week left on the clock for the Master Bedroom One Room Challenge, the race to the finish line is more intense than ever. It feels like just yesterday I embarked on this ambitious six-week journey, and now the grand reveal is just around the corner. After a refreshing (but time-consuming!) weekend getaway to the coast, I’m back with renewed vigor, ready to tackle the remaining tasks and ensure our master bedroom is transformed into the cozy, stylish sanctuary we’ve envisioned. This final stretch calls for serious focus, especially with one major project still looming: the duvet. Rather than searching endlessly and spending a fortune, I’ve decided to embrace the ultimate budget-friendly and customized approach – crafting the duvet myself from fabric remnants I already have. This decision is not only a fantastic way to keep costs at zero, which is always a bonus in any home renovation project, but it also guarantees a perfect match for the room’s evolving aesthetic. Finding a ready-made duvet that perfectly complements all the other carefully chosen elements has proven to be an elusive quest, so my trusty sewing machine and I will be spending quality time together this weekend, bringing this vision to life.

Revitalizing Thrift Store Lamps: A Journey of Transformation

Amidst the flurry of last-minute preparations, I’m thrilled to report that several crucial items have been checked off my extensive to-do list this past week. One significant accomplishment involved giving our beloved thrift store lamps yet another makeover. It’s often said that good design is iterative, and these lamps are certainly a testament to that philosophy! My initial attempt to achieve a mercury glass effect with silver paint, while promising in theory, simply didn’t deliver the desired look. Unlike the flawless finish on my DIY mercury glass pumpkin, the lamps just never quite captured that ethereal sheen. Moreover, as the room’s palette began to solidify, the silver started to feel a bit out of place, clashing subtly with the warmer tones I was introducing. My heart was set on incorporating a touch of vibrant coral, so I embarked on a determined search for coral spray paint. Despite scouring numerous stores and endlessly browsing online, success eluded me. I’d seen beautiful coral-painted lamps featured on other blogs, yet frustratingly, none of them revealed their paint source! Faced with this ongoing challenge, I opted for a reliable, classic solution: my go-to Heirloom White (Rustoleum) spray paint. While it may not be the bold coral I initially envisioned, this soft, creamy white provides a clean, elegant foundation that works beautifully for now. The hunt for the perfect coral spray paint, however, remains an ongoing quest for a future update!

Adding Texture and Charm: Burlap Ribbon on Lamp Shades

To further enhance the lamps and tie them into the overall cottage-style aesthetic, I decided to add a touch of texture to their otherwise plain shades. Burlap ribbon proved to be the ideal choice, offering a rustic yet refined accent. With the help of a hot glue gun, I meticulously attached the ribbon to both the top and bottom edges of the shades, instantly elevating their appearance. Of course, working with burlap often means dealing with stray fibers. As I finished, I noticed a flurry of tiny threads clinging to the shades. However, a quick pass with a lint roller proved to be a magical solution, effortlessly picking up every single fiber and leaving the shades impeccably clean. This experience reminded me of a fantastic little trick I’ve discovered: using a lint roller on lampshades is far more effective than traditional dusters. Dusters tend to merely push dust bunnies around, often redistributing them rather than removing them entirely. A lint roller, on the other hand, cleans shades perfectly, lifting dust and debris with ease. It’s a simple hack that makes a world of difference in maintaining a fresh and tidy bedroom!

DIY Decorative Pillows: Injecting Color and Comfort

No bedroom makeover is complete without a curated collection of decorative pillows to add layers of comfort, texture, and color. This week, I channeled my creativity into crafting two new pillows for the bed, each designed to complement the evolving coral and white theme. First, I created a charming lumbar pillow, destined to become a focal point against the bed’s headboard. For this, I selected a beautiful Premier Gotcha fabric, ordered from Fabric.com, featuring a striking coral and white graphic pattern. The beauty of this fabric lies in its true coral hue – a deep, rich shade that, I must admit, is notoriously difficult to capture accurately in photographs. What might appear as a reddish-orange on screen is, in reality, a sophisticated dark coral in person, perfectly aligning with my vision for the room. The pillow itself was an incredibly quick and satisfying project: a super simple envelope style that I whipped up in about 20 minutes. Its ease of creation and immediate impact made it a truly rewarding addition to the bedding ensemble.

Crafting a Burlap Bolster: Thrift Store Savvy and Style

Complementing the graphic lumbar pillow, I also created a rustic burlap bolster. This project was even quicker, taking a mere 10 minutes from start to finish. The process was straightforward: I cut a rectangle of burlap to the desired size, sewed one straight seam to create a tube, inserted a bolster pillow form, and then simply tied off the ends with coordinating ribbon. This DIY approach not only saved money but also allowed for complete customization. A fantastic tip for budget-conscious decorators: always keep an eye out for thrifted bolster inserts! They’re incredibly common finds at second-hand stores, often hidden beneath outdated covers. Since they’re so easy to recover and give a new lease on life, I never see the need to purchase a brand-new insert. While the burlap bolster perfectly echoes the texture I added to the lamp shades, creating a cohesive design element, I’m still deliberating on its pairing with the graphic coral fabric. It’s an ongoing design experiment, and sometimes you just have to try things out to see how they truly feel in the space. We’ll monitor it as the room comes together fully.

Thoughtful Styling: Creating Meaningful Vignettes

Moving beyond the bed, I also turned my attention to styling the cabinet, breathing new life into a previously neglected corner. This particular cabinet had long been home to a rather tired and worn-out dried floral bouquet from the backyard – a sight that definitely needed an upgrade! My goal was to replace it with a vignette that felt fresh, curated, and deeply personal. I noticed several dark brown-black elements strategically placed around the room, and I wanted to create a cohesive link. A beautiful thrifted lantern, with its warm glow and antique charm, proved to be the perfect piece to tie these darker accents together on this wall. When arranging items, I’ve found that utilizing trays is a game-changer for maintaining an organized and aesthetically pleasing look. Grouping smaller items on a tray instantly reduces visual clutter, making the space feel more intentional and less haphazard. As this is our master bedroom, it’s paramount that the decor reflects our personalities and holds sentimental value. Therefore, this newly composed vignette is a collection of cherished memories: a vibrant colored pencil drawing from my talented daughter, alongside her incredible handmade clay flowers, which I absolutely adore. Also included is a special box from one of my sisters and a lovely candle holder gifted by my sister-in-law. This blend of artistry, family connection, and thoughtful finds made the cabinet top styling come together effortlessly, and I genuinely love the warmth and character it adds to the room.

Addressing Design Dilemmas: Dressers, Plate Walls, and Window Treatments

While the cabinet styling brought immediate joy, other areas of the bedroom are proving to be more stubborn design challenges. My dresser top, for instance, remains a persistent source of visual clutter, resisting my attempts to streamline it. This area definitely needs more attention, and I’m continuously pinning fresh styling ideas to my Cottage Style board for inspiration. Similarly, I’m currently rethinking my plate wall. While I adore the concept and the individual plates, I’m finding it to be a bit too “busy” for the serene atmosphere I’m trying to cultivate in the bedroom. My plan is to carefully edit the arrangement, removing a few pieces, to create a more harmonious flow that better complements the adjacent art wall. This iterative process of tweaking and refining is crucial in achieving a truly personalized and comfortable space. Another significant hurdle has emerged with our windows. I was disheartened to discover that they are not standard-sized, meaning any new blinds would require custom ordering – a costly endeavor that simply isn’t in the budget right now. So, for the foreseeable future, I’ll be sticking with our existing window treatments, likely forgoing new bamboo blinds until a later date. This setback is a common reality in home renovation, forcing creativity within constraints.

The Final Countdown: Progress and Remaining Tasks

As we hurtle towards the grand reveal, it’s incredibly satisfying to look back at the progress made. Many items from my ambitious to-do list have been happily checked off, showcasing the transformation already underway:

• **The Plate Wall:** Initially envisioned as a fun plate wall over the bed in shades of white, green, and coral, this concept was successfully installed, adding a unique focal point.
• **Lamp Bases:** The repainting of the lamp bases was completed, evolving through various color considerations before settling on the current elegant finish. My search for coral spray paint, while unsuccessful this round, led to a beautiful interim solution.
• **Lamp Shade Texture:** Interesting texture was successfully added to the lamp shades through the application of burlap ribbon, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.
• **Decorative Pillows:** A beautiful decorative pillow featuring a graphic coral fabric was crafted for the bed, injecting a vibrant pop of color.
• **Art Wall:** An art wall showcasing our collected original art from thrift stores was created, celebrating unique finds and personal history. (Remember Brian’s funny video about his thrifted ‘bad art’ collection? It’s all part of the charm!)
• **Nightstand Basket:** A perfectly sized basket was found to fit neatly under the antique sewing machine, now serving as our charming nightstand, adding both storage and style.
• **Coral Chair Pillow:** A vibrant coral pillow was added to the accent chair, providing a cohesive splash of color.
• **Corner Lamp Removal:** The lamp in the corner, which was rarely used, has been successfully painted or removed, streamlining the space.
• **Mirror Rehanging:** The mirror on our door was rehung, ensuring it’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• **Dried Flowers Replaced:** The dusty, years-old dried flowers from the backyard were finally replaced, bringing a fresh and revitalized look to the cabinet.

However, the journey isn’t over yet! The crucial remaining tasks for this final week include:

• **Duvet Creation:** The absolute priority is to make or buy a new duvet. As mentioned, I’m currently in the process of piecing a new duvet together from my fabric stash, which is a significant undertaking for the upcoming weekend.
• **Dresser Edit:** The dresser still needs a thorough edit to reduce clutter and establish a more refined, functional display. This involves careful curation and organization.
• **Window Treatment Decision:** While new bamboo blinds are off the table for now, I need to make a final decision regarding our existing roman shades – whether to attempt a deep clean or simply live with them as is.
• **Art Wall Refinement:** An important addition from 10/17: I’m considering replacing the thrifted art wall with family photos, or at least integrating them into the existing art to make the space even more personal. This might involve a subtle re-arrangement to blend the two styles harmoniously.

The anticipation for the ‘big’ reveal next week is palpable! It’s not just about completing a list; it’s about seeing a vision come to life, transforming a functional space into a personal retreat. And honestly, perhaps checking off these challenging projects is indeed the most rewarding part of this entire experience! Be sure to visit the One Room Challenge Linky to explore the incredible progress and creative endeavors of all the other talented participants in this exciting challenge. You’ll find a wealth of inspiration and diverse design solutions!