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deborahjarman

Guest room not very guest friendly. Please help!

11 years ago
Smallish guest room is 12'6" x 11'3", but has high ceilings, making the room look spacious. Problem is the wall spaces are rather short, not allowing room for night stands and reading lamps. Also could use some suggestions for bed linens. I'd like to keep the queen size Ethan Allen Swedish Home bed and dresser, as they are good quality in good shape. Need a queen size bed for tall couples that frequently visit. Color scheme suggestions also very welcome! Thanks. The room just seems very "blah"!

Comments (635)

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks Gypsy. I think it would work. It is in the UK and on Ebay with Buy it Now or Best Offer. Just submitted an offer. Will see...

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    The tri-fold mirror is a definite MUST have! It will reflect the light from the nude lamp and look glorious while at same time allowing a guest to snatch a bit of reflection of her/himself when needed. Tri-fold for sure!

    Deborah Jarman thanked Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    But I've now read that you've bid on the mahogany mirror. Let us know what happens. I personally think that the mahogany lamp is too staunchly conservative, uptight, straight laced, while the mirror has a more feminine flair that is quite enchanting. Let Bill have the mahogany piece if you have already bought it.

  • 11 years ago

    Hi Carolyn! I love the tri-fold, but thought that metal mirror and metal lamp would be too much. I remembered your comments over and over again about too much leather in the living room. I do love the tri-fold, as it is so unique. Just called the seller and it is still available. Picking it up tomorrow and my offer on the mahogany was rejected, as I low balled it since I wasn't sure...

  • 11 years ago

    Truth be told, the price and wait time also had some bearing on my decision... The tri-fold I can pick up tomorrow, leaving 70 bucks under a ceramic frog by the front door. The mahogany is in the United Kingdom, is $350 plus another $65 shipping and would not get it until mid-May. Done deal!

  • 11 years ago
    how about leaving it alone. you don't want your guest to over welcome their stay ;)

    I agree with rotating the bed.
  • 11 years ago

    Any guests that are invited are welcome to stay as long as they wish. Love my friends and family. Plus, I'm using the guest room as my own right now while I'm housebreaking our new puppy.

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    When Deborah has them out weeding flower beds for 7 hours, they'll know it's time to leave!

  • 11 years ago

    The only labor I require of my guests is pulling a wine cork or helping prep for dinners, which we all enjoy with a glass of wine and nibbles!

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Removing the wine corks was my designated job on the sailboat my friends had in Panama. I still practice this skill regularly.

  • 11 years ago

    I'm quite accomplished as well, but when I'm chopping and mincing and the wine bottle goes dry, guests are happy to assist!

  • 11 years ago

    Got it!


  • 11 years ago

    Love it!

    Deborah Jarman thanked gypsyrose17
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Thanks Gypsy. I was afraid it would be too feminine, but due to the scale, it has a real presence. I especially like that the center section tilts to accommodate tall and shorter guests.

  • 11 years ago

    Love the mirror and the story with it....leaving the money that way. WOW! That is great!

    Deborah Jarman thanked abbyjean
  • 11 years ago

    As you know, I love unique pieces; especially when they have an interesting story. Leaving $ under the "guard frog" by the front door qualifies!

  • 11 years ago

    Sooooooo is the room done now? Is your art back? Would love to just take a look around the whole room!

    Deborah Jarman thanked abbyjean
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Lovely mirror, and wonderful lamp. Please give this a try before the mirror and the lamp settle into life atop the dresser. Place the mirror, centered on the top. Place the lamp in front of the mirror, about a third of the way in from the right. The lamp's cord will have to fit in the hinge area of the mirror. I'd like the mirror to reflect the light from the lamp.

    Deborah Jarman thanked Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
  • 11 years ago

    Almost Abby Jean. I still have to paint the walls where the sconces and intercom were removed. Primer is on but I got distracted with a new puppy. Tomorrow, I promise I will give a photo tour of the completed project!

  • 11 years ago

    The puppy! Of course! Need pics there, too!!!!

  • 11 years ago

    I'm on it Carolyn! Just give me a minute to get dinner in the oven.

  • 11 years ago

    OK. Here it is with the mirror centered and the lamp set in one thirdish. The reflection is very nice. I also tilted the mirror down a bit so it captures Pinocchio.


  • 11 years ago

    Perfect with mirrored center and offset lamp. Looks great and what another good find. What a team you have Deborah!

    Deborah Jarman thanked Darzy
  • 11 years ago

    What a team indeed! Appreciate all of you so much.

  • 11 years ago

    Here's one for you Abby Jean... Wait till you see how great he looks on the ivory coverlet!


  • 11 years ago

    Best friends! Posing for a pic together! So many adjustments, but so worth it. Hope the housebreaking happens fast...for all of you.

    The mirror with the lamp that way? PERFECT!

    Deborah Jarman thanked abbyjean
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Thanks Abby Jean! He's doing really well. First night he woke up at midnight, 2:30 and 5am to let me know he needed to go out. Second night he slept through until 5:30 and the last couple of nights, not until 6:30. I put the leash on and he runs for the door. He's really smart! Going to start bell training soon with sleigh bells hanging by the front door. I did this with Buddy and Cody and worked so well to have them nudge the bells when they needed to go out rather than wait silently by the door and give up when I don't notice they need to go.

  • 11 years ago

    Bell training....what a great idea. And it makes me smile when you mention how smart he is....that makes such a difference.

    Deborah Jarman thanked abbyjean
  • 11 years ago
    The light fixture over the bed looks out of scale and awkward. I would take it out and replace with two small wall lamps on either side of the bed. Hang some pictures too.
    Deborah Jarman thanked ladypat
  • 11 years ago

    Thanks ladypat for your input, but I love it and it is staying. I don't think that wall lamps would work either, since there are already new table lamps on the bedside tables.

  • 11 years ago

    Lil Sherman looks like he doesn't understand why he's behind the fence :)

  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Thanks for humoring me by moving the mirror and lamp. I love it that way!
    Deborah Jarman thanked Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Not humoring you at all. You are so good at seeing details and how to make it "just right"! I'm pretty good at finding things that work well together once I have a direction, just not at staging them. Thank you for the suggestion.

  • 11 years ago

    Gypsy, That was the first time he was out there. They were playing together until I appeared with my camera. They are both little shadows, just wanting to hang out with "mom".

  • 11 years ago

    Yeah...my little ones stick to me like glue when I am home...the other day I had sorted some laundry onto the bed for a quick load of wash and decided to just lay down and rest my leg a bit first, woke up to find the pup had covered me with the laundry and he was snuggled up asleep on one side of me and the cat on the other :)

  • 11 years ago

    How sweet. Sherman is sleeping in a puppy pen until he figures out that he needs to do his "business" outside only. When he wakes me with whining to go out in the wee hours of the morning, he gets fed and then we go back to bed with him snuggled up by my pillow and Cody at the foot of the bed for about an hour. Best time of day!

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I have a blog post that may help you out.

    http://timothyriversinteriors.com/2015/04/28/the-secret-to-creating-a-killer-master-bedroom/

    If you have specific questions feel free to contact me timothyriversinteriors@gmail.com

    Happy Designing!

  • 11 years ago

    All done! My brother and his wife were just here for two weeks and absolutely loved the room. Thank you again to everyone for your help in making my guest room more guest friendly. They live in Hawaii and were a little chilly, so pulled a striped quilt out of the closet. Really brightens up the bed and I used the aqua throw that Carolyn found as a cover for the orange cushion on the bench. Can't wait to do our room!

  • 11 years ago

    If you click on the pictures, they enlarge to show a larger view...

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Ah, those photos bring back fun memories of all of us helping you put that delightful room together! I've been thinking about you and picturing you and Bill down at the U.S. Open golf tournament.

    Deborah Jarman thanked Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
  • 11 years ago

    Did you already go to Italy? I thought you said May???

  • 11 years ago

    And no to the US Open. We have been golfing though, as most courses other than Chamber's Bay are not very busy with all of the avid golfers attending the Open!

  • 11 years ago

    Hi Deborah! Room looks great and more importantly worked well for your guests! How the puppy?

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks Kcooz! Sherman is growing like a weed! He likes the guest room too.

    Nap time before lunch. Didn't realize what a dirty boy he was until he jumped up on the ivory coverlet. Bath time!

  • 11 years ago

    Oh wow, he is so cute and obviously loves his new home!

    Deborah Jarman thanked kcooz07
  • 11 years ago

    Truly a wonderful guest room and you know it functions well, too, since it was just used by your family. Nice to have it ready for them. And Sherman? Part of your heart already! Thanks for the updates!

    Deborah Jarman thanked abbyjean
  • 11 years ago

    Thanks Abbyjean! He's a little love bug. Well, not so little anymore...

  • 11 years ago

    Absolutely love the final product! I really think Sherman is the finishing touch :)

    Deborah Jarman thanked gypsyrose17
  • 11 years ago

    Hi Gypsy. Hope all is well with you. Sherman is a total doll, although a big one with muddy paws.

    Got a wading pool for him and Cody and they are having a blast splashing and playing in their new "cool pool".