Thursday, May 30, 2013

Nightstand Decor


I think it was the arrival of Spring that inspired this fun project. I decided I wanted to liven up my nightstand, make it cute but keep it practical, and I wanted to use only items I had around the house (which, minus the lampshade, I did successfully). I really love my nightstand but I hadn't quite figured out how to make it look pretty. It's also a rather large surface, and keeping it too simple just makes it look bare. Here's the before.


Simple and basic--a plain lamp, books, lotion. I've put a lot of thought into a lot of areas of our house, but somewhere along the way my poor nightstand got neglected. Within just a few hours, it was transformed into this.




A big improvement, if I do say so myself! Other than primarily using items I knew I already had lying around, it was also important to me that my nightstand not look overly "styled," if you know what I mean. I try to take this approach in all of my decorating--I want my home to look natural and lived in, and I think that certain decorative touches can sometimes make a home look too "done up." For this project I mixed practical items with decorative items, and I think (I hope!) I achieved a look that's natural and simple but still pretty.

So here's what I did. I decided to use this square mirror as a tray (something I saw recently on a blog) and put just a few items on it--a clear bottle with flowers I gathered from the neighborhood, hand lotion, and a little dish for small items like bobby pins and lip balm. The print behind the tray is one of three New York City prints that my husband and I bought a few years ago. I haven't found a place in our home for all three to hang together, but I thought this would be a perfect place to display one of them. The photograph is of the Brooklyn Bridge in the wintertime.


A nightstand is never complete without some books, and I thought these would look sweet resting under my lamp. I swapped out the basic lamp for this antique lamp from my grandmother that wasn't currently being used. The cut glass reminds me of Hollywood glamour (I'm not sure why) and the one item I did buy was this modern, white linen lampshade to go with it. Tucked in the corner is a bottle of homemade lavender linen spray (livened up with a homemade label) which I spray on our freshly cleaned sheets and pillows. 




And that's it! I love the way it turned out and it's amazing how much more beautiful our bedroom feels as a result. It's a healthy mix of useful (hand cream, lavender spray, bowl for small loose items, books) and decorative (flowers, NYC print, mirror tray). Furthermore, I spent very little money, used items that were not in use elsewhere, and had fun doing it!




19 comments:

  1. Katie @ Loverly SheMay 30, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    I love the mirrored tray! This looks so pretty. It's so true that all the little touches around a house make such a difference :)

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  2. I love how it turned out!!! Amazing what the extra pieces from around the house did for your nightstand. It looks beautiful and right out of a magazine!!!

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  3. Thanks Katie! I love the mirror as a tray too--now that I know about that tip I think I may start using it in other areas too!

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  4. Thanks Maggie! I know, it really did come together. I was quite proud that I was able to simply gather everything I used from around the house :)

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  5. Haha! Great minds think alike! I just took some pics of my nightstand today :-). Love the transformation. And do you have a recipe for your homemade linen water? I always buy lavender scent, but I'd love to make my own!

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  6. So funny! Do we get to see those soon?

    The lavender linen spray is so easy. I just put 8-10 drops of lavender essential oil into a cup of water in a spray bottle. You could use distilled water if you want but regular is just fine. I LOVE it :) It's so calming, and it helps me fall asleep when I spray it on my pillow at night. Enjoy!

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  7. Beautiful! Simple and stunning! I love it. And what a fabulous idea for a tray. Now I need to get home to fix up my nightstand as well!

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  8. Okay, I'm officially inspired. This looks straight out of a magazine, and I love the idea of stacking books beneath the lamp! It'd be a good way for me to corral all the ones I have scattered around our room...

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  9. Oh yes! I hope you do! Glad you like this :)

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  10. Thanks Stephanie! How I love to hear that someone was inspired by something I posted :) That's the best!


    I spent a good while reading your blog this morning--I love it, and I think you have such a beautiful, fearless way of writing. Looking forward to more!

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  11. I love the simplicity of this look! I'm definitely a less (and pretty) is more gal! Also, I love your dresser!

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  12. What a change!!!! Love it! It's so perfect!

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  13. that's so lovely! I'm with you - I don't want my home to be overly-styled - but you've created such a sweet space that feels totally natural :)

    by the way, have you ever seen LA Confidential? It's one of my favorite movies and I thought of it when you mentioned Hollywood glamour. Kim Basinger's character has two bedrooms in her house and it's SO interesting to note the differences between the "public" one and the personal one.

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  14. Well, thanks! Less IS so often more.

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  15. I haven't seen that, it sounds awesome!! I'll put it on my list, thanks for the recommendation. I can tell you enjoy spaces that are more natural-feeling too. You've done a great job with your apartment so far!

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  16. haha well watch the trailer first - I'm not sure it's your thing! but it's got an incredible cast. http://youtu.be/5nnFof4KpKY it's about cops and gangsters and movie stars in 1950s LA :)


    (thank you!)

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  17. I really love your nightstand look! It definitely doesn't look overly styled and has a very relaxed yet romantic look to it. Does that make sense? Anyway, I really like how you spruced up this small space. :)

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  18. Oh I'm glad, relaxed and romantic was just the thing I was going for! It's actually quite hard to strike that balance, to make a space look natural and pretty and effortless.

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