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Monday 15 October 2012

Our Gorgeous Girls' Bedroom Furniture

I had a really wonderful day on Saturday. meeting up with some of my best friends from school, at a super-special wedding. You know the kind of friends I mean: you don't see each other for a year or maybe even two, and then you're together again, and everything is as relaxing and as uplifting as it ever was, and you somehow realise that it'll be the same for the rest of your lives. Yes, Lisa, Jane, Vicky, Susannah, Amanda, Julia, Jen and Jess, I'm talking to YOU! 

And, now, a drum roll, if you please, 
while I reveal the result of our paint vs no-paint quandary. 
We went for...


WARM WAXED WOOD...WOW!!

We were tossed this way and that on the ocean of decision-making 
but the no-paint pathway emerged triumphantly in the end.


Our reasons are thus:
{thus? What an awesome word!}


In my experience, painted furniture doesn't always withstand years of rumbustious playtime. If I choose to paint, I don't want to be redoing it every six months; whereas wood hides a multitude of sins! The knocks and bumps that children's rooms inevitably receive blend far better in wooden furniture.


With its girly Farrow and Ball Middleton Pink Walls, as well as the beautiful Cabbages and Roses Hatley curtains and The White Company bedding, plus other bits and pieces that I'll be sharing shortly, this room has its fill of gorgeous, light-enhancing touches. The warmth that comes from the wooden furniture and the Cotswold stone wall provides the perfect balance.


And the last, and perhaps most important reason that we pumped for the unpainted look, is that this is the furniture that I had when I was a little girl, so I couldn't bear to defile it! I can't tell you how much it fills my heart with joy to see my own daughters fill the drawers with little bits of treasured paper and beaded trinkets, just like I used to!!




42 comments:

  1. Glad you had a great weekend. I know what you mean - I have a friend like that too!
    The warm colour of the wood and the sweet bedspread look wonderful together! Very nice indeed :)

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  2. Yes, I'm with you on the not having to re-paint every six months scenario. In our old house, the previous occupants had stripped the paint of the doors and the bannisters and skirting boards & waxed the wood. Marvellous. In our present house, our skirting boards and bannisters are sporting chips galore at the moment. Such a bore to paint. xx

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  3. Great choice. And reusing rather than buying new? Perfect!

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  4. Beautiful - totally the right decision, especially if the furniture holds special memories! x

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  5. You are such a sensible Mum, mind you you have lots of experience of little ones jumping about. How lovely that the furniture was yours when you were young. We have my children's cot in the attic, it might get used one day for a little grandchild or two.

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  6. Hi Sarah,
    Your girls' bedroom looks wonderful.
    I think you are right about not painting the furniture. I'm sure before long the beds will be used as fairy castles, or stables, or shops, or secret dens, or......
    Anyway, waxed wood is fab.
    it sounds like your weekend wedding was great fun. I know what you mean about friends that you dont see all the time, but you just carry on the conversation where you left off. Happy days,
    Hope you have a lovely week,
    Lizx

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  7. What a beautiful choice...everything looks so warm and lovely. I would have loved that room growing up!

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  8. Hi, loving your gorgeous blog!
    As a mum of two girls, Its so much fun designing their rooms. It looks like you've put alot of thought into it too.

    xxx
    earthtomum.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. Hi Sarah time with special people is so precious...I love the bedroom and I agree, natural wood can withstand so much more than white painted furniture. Love the history behind the bed...such memories are made when we pass things down from generation to generation. Have a great week! Sharon x

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  10. Hi Sarah time with special people is so precious...I love the bedroom and I agree, natural wood can withstand so much more than white painted furniture. Love the history behind the bed...such memories are made when we pass things down from generation to generation. Have a great week! Sharon x

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  11. It looks lovely and cozy Sarah. I love the stone wall!

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  12. Sarah,your friends wedding reunion sounded wonderful. I still meet up with school friends that I was at school with in the 1960s - how old is that!
    And - to the point, I so clearly remember Sarah's lovely wooden furniture when it was new, and here it is a generation later and looking even lovelier....that patina on old pine, or indeed any wood, is unmatchable for real beauty. And it is such a joy to see Sarah's delightful daughters enjoying the same pieces of furniture in their bedroom, just as she used to. Best wishes Sarah, to you and your family. Angela

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  13. I have a school friend I have kept in touch with for 50 years. I tend to look forward but she is a wonderful reminder of thins in the past I've forgotten - she remembers things I did at school (mostly naughty!)

    Glad you chose wood. It looks lovely and will stand the test of time far better xx

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  14. It is so lovely that your girls are growing up with the same pieces you grew up with. Since our family moved around the world so much, I really don't have many things from my childhood. (lots of good memories though).

    And a lovely weekend with friends is perfect.

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  15. Great point about painted furniture not standing up well to rough and tumble! The sentimental angle of not messing up treasured wood is also very understandable.

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  16. It's all so beautiful. I think you made a great choice and I can't wait to see the full reveal (that pink Hatley fabric is my very favorite from Cabbages and Roses).

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  17. Looks soo very lovely and I think you made up a word - rambustiousness -!!! I know rambunctious, but not your word!! love it! ;-)

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  18. Cannot argue with sentimental value. :)

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  19. Sarah,
    I love your choice of furnishes along with every other item and detail you've put into the "girly~girl" room. I, too, have used that phrase..."paint covers a multitude of sins"! Too funny!!! More than just the decor...when I view your daughters room...I SEE L O V E abounding!!! Priceless!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  20. Sarah,

    I love this room and I love the fact that your beautiful daughters are using your furniture. How waonderful.

    Have a great week, Elizabeth

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  21. Very cool bedroom. I agree, the furniture looks great in it's natural state. And it's a bonus that it was your furniture from your youth.

    How fun to meet up with friends from the past. I love reunions.

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  22. It looks beautiful! I LOVE decorating girls bedrooms - the themes last for years. With my sons' bedroom, he's beginning to tire of the sailing and Tin Tin retro chic look that he's had since he was born. It's so hard to see the little train sets and vintage toys becoming increasingly out of step with his 'pre-teen' tastes, soon it will be all hair gel, Lynx "babe magnet" deodorant and Cheryl Cole posters I expect...sigh!
    Paula xxx

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  23. Very nice, so good to see a little more of your girls pretty room.
    I love the bedding, the checks and the lovely draperies.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  24. This has been such an interesting debate, Sarah! I often have lengthy discussions with myself on whether to paint, stain or simply wax the vintage pieces I score. My latest score - a vintage bleached-pine toy chest for baby - is so gorgeous as it is that I'll just wax it.

    I loved ALL the images you chose for both sides of the debate, and love your final decision for your girls' bedroom - so beautifully modern country!

    Meera xx

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  25. dear sarah!
    just back from holidays i found your comment on my blog - thank you so much for the compliment♥
    yes, its a little blanket for the table to put some dishes or candles or a plate with cookies on it. i knittet 2 single parts and then croched them together.
    believe me, if i had enough time, i would do something like that the hole day (&night :) and would sell them...that was a good idea from you, but unfortunately not to realize...so i work such little things for my own and for presents.
    i love your pics with the child*rooms, they are really gorgeos!
    hope to see more from your wonderful home...
    have a peaceful day and...take care :) till next time,
    lovely greetings from sleeping*beauty dornrös*chen!

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  26. The unpainted wood looks wonderful!

    The bed is almost identical to the wooden bed I had for my little boy (who is now 28 years old!!). We lived in a basement suite at the time so the walls were painted white and there were large windows to let in as much light as possible. The wooden bed and bookcase (filled with wonderful books of course!!) made it look so warm and inviting. A plaid duvet in forest green and burgundy with matching curtains added that extra little boy look. He loved it (and so did I).

    Your little girls will love having such a lovely bedroom for years to come!

    Thanks for sharing
    Cath

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  27. That desk (?) with the drawer looks like the kind of furniture I like.

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  28. I completely agree that painted furniture is so pretty yet such a hassle, especially on a piece that will get lots of use. I keep going back and forth and to and fro trying to decide what to do with our staircase. Paint, stain, ugh...I love the idea of stripping and waxing except I don't want to do the work ;) Happy day!

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  29. Their bedding is so pretty! I love the light pink and white with the natural wood. You are right, much more functional for little ones. :)

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  30. The look is sweet,
    warm and full of heart,
    just like you, Sarah!
    Lovely.

    xo Suzanne

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  31. Thanks so much for the mention, Sarah! I'm so happy to feature on your blog. You've done so well with the blog - I think I can say on behalf of everyone that we're all really proud of all you've achieved.
    Jane xx

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  32. Wooden furniture will never wears out its charm on me. Whether it’s glossy or a rough wooden surface, it’s still treasure to my eyes. I think it’s because of the vintage and rustic appeal that’s engraved on it. =)

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