Deep blue walls, vintage nautical art, antique cottage furniture, and, yes, a headless sailor lamp: a bedroom fit for a captain… or a lucky guest!
The Captain’s Bedroom
The “Captain’s Bedroom” is the smallest, and perhaps coziest, bedroom in the house.
In fact, it was originally nicknamed the “Head Banger Bedroom” because it is tucked into a dormer and has a deeply slanted ceiling on one side.
A charming old fashioned detail, as long as you don’t hit your head on it…
As the decor in the room came together, though, and it took on a decidedly nautical feel, I felt “Captain’s Bedroom” was more appropriate. And, well, less dangerous.
Today I am sharing all the details and layers I used to create these snug quarters — deep blue walls, vintage nautical art, antique cottage furniture, and even a headless sailor’s lamp.
Fit for a captain… or a lucky guest!
Deep Blue Walls
The builder needed me to decide all the paint colors in the house before I moved in a lick of furniture.
Fortunately I had a vision in my mind for most of the rooms.
I love a small room painted a deep color. It creates such a cozy feel!
So, for the tiny “Head banger” bedroom, I chose a dark navy blue, aptly named Old Navy, by Benjamin Moore.
As the painter got to work, he told me he wasn’t sure about the color.
But I was confident in my choice.
And, I have to say, “Old Navy” turned out to be the perfect shade for this snug little nautical-style room.
Lessons learned: Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to go with a bold or deep color that you love!
After all, if it doesn’t work out, it is just paint.
But, I bet it will look fantastic!
Antique Furniture
When it was finally time to furnish this little navy blue room, I had a few pieces at the ready.
A favorite antique English cottage dresser that had been in my parent’s house before they downsized. I love the curvy lines, little shelf across the back, large wooden drawer knobs, and of course the faux wood grain painted finish.
And a wonderful inlaid antique asian-style side table, also from my parents. It is just happened to be a perfect fit in the tight space next to the bed to serve as a bedside table. I like that it is more formal than the other furniture in the room. Maybe it was a special piece brought back by the Captain from a journey to the Far East!
Then over time I added and swapped out other furniture pieces in the room.
During the pandemic, I realized that my kids could use a desk in each room for remote work. So, I carried one up from storage in the basement. I was happy to give this sweet auction find a proper home! It’s curves and painted finish are a great match for the dresser.
The bed is a Victorian cottage twin-size footboard I had fashioned into a queen headboard. It has the loveliest painted grain finish, flourishes, and coastal scene. Truly a special piece!
Read all about my love for Victorian painted cottage furniture in my blog post The Charm and Whimsy of Victorian Painted Cottage Furniture.
Lastly, when I brought my beautiful antique European marriage cabinet home last November, it displaced a painted wooden dough bin from the living room. Not to worry! It now happily resides in the Captain’s Bedroom, reunited with the dresser –these pieces shared a room in my parents home too!
Remember there is no need to furnish a room all at once! It is better to go with special pieces collected over time. And you can often pick up well-made antique or vintage pieces with more character and lower prices than new furniture.
I shared the story of the marriage cabinet in my blog post My Antique European Painted Cabinet | Meant to be Mine
Lamps
Lamps are a great way to add personality to a room.
Especially when you find a unique vintage one or add a fun shade to one from a big box store.
I actually wrote an entire blog post about lamp shades A Guide | Shedding the Light on Lampshades.
Everyone’s favorite lamp resides in the Captain’s Bedroom. A vintage cast iron headless sailor that I snapped up at an antiques show shortly after I moved here. I have no idea why he has no head, but I have never seen another like it!
I added a simple blue-striped drum shade from Maine local small business, Alice Kate by Design.
Sometimes I call him the “Party Sailor” lamp, since it looks like he is wearing a lampshade on his head.
On the bedside table I have a beautiful vintage Blanc de Chine urn lamp. I love how perfectly it goes with the asian-style table it sits on.
It was a steal at just $5 from a local rummage sale. Or maybe the Captain brought it home with him from that same Far East journey???
Remember that design is a process — I bided my time for years with a HomeGoods lamp until this old beauty appeared in my life.
However it came to be…
Rug and Window Treatments
I chose a classic cottage-style blue and white plaid flat weave cotton rug for the floor. The bold pattern grounds the room, but also acts as a neutral in the space. I can’t find my Dash and Albert rug online, but I have linked other options below.
Crisp nautical blue and white striped curtains with fun pompom details grace the windows.
I got them years ago from Anthropologie. They don’t seem to carry them anymore, but I have linked some other blue and white striped curtains below.
Earlier this year for additional privacy and light control, I hung blue natural woven shades from Two Pages Curtains. This time of year they are also another wonderful cozy layer in the room.
I have linked my exact shades below, but I encourage you to browse the Two Pages website to see their wide selection of affordable custom curtains and shades!
SHOP CURTAINS AND RUGS:
Vintage Nautical Artwork
While the navy walls, cottage furniture, striped curtains, and vintage lamps all combine for a fresh nautical feel in the room, the art work really takes it to the next level.
A collection of coastal watercolors hang on either side of the mirror above the dresser. I found these at estate sales when I lived in Maryland.
A vintage Norman Rockwell print “Looking Out to Sea” and handmade vintage knot board make a pair next to the window.
The biggest statement in the room, though, is the gallery wall hanging over the bed.
It all started with four vintage/antique sailing ship prints. Then I added the large oval ship captain.
The Captain of the Captain’s Bedroom had arrived!
Over the last couple years, I have expanded the gallery as I found new additions.
It spilled over onto the adjacent wall with a wonderful find from the Brimfield Flea Market — a large old ship lithograph in a frame with reverse-glass painted details. The fact that the paper is stained actually makes me appreciate it even more!
And then recently I added a new section to the left of the door.
Oh-so-many holes are hidden beneath the hanging prints, but I love a gallery wall that grows and expands over time.
I have found these prints in many different places — antiques stores, flea markets, tag and charity sales. I favor older ones in chippy frames. The mix of wood, gilt, and black just adds interest to the arrangement.
Read more about art and gallery walls in my blog post Creative Wall Decor, Part 1: Art and Gallery Walls!
This Week Into Next
Weather
Well, it is a good thing I took pictures and posted about my fall pots last week.
Over the weekend we had gusty winds which blew over multiple pots on the front steps, breaking two of them, and snapping the stems on my tall daisies.
And then several days later, we had our first frost. Most of my plantings survived with no problems, but a few ended up with a bit of frost damage.
Oh well, I guess it is time…
The buoy “swags” and pumpkins are unscathed, fortunately!
Though the week was chilly, the morning sunshine illuminating the house was warm and cozy.
Ina’s new book
I am a bit late to the cooking party, because Ina Garten’s memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens, has been all over IG and the blogosphere recently.
Ina is warm, down-to-earth, and surprisingly relatable. And her story is inspiring. Always following her heart, time and again Ina took risks and worked hard to become the icon she is today.
As always, with memoirs, I encourage you to listen to the audio book, because Ina herself is the narrator.
I have immensely enjoyed the time Ina and I have spent together in the car!
SHOP THE BOOK:
In Zoe’s Kitchen
From Ina’s kitchen to Zoë’s!
Saturday in her newsletter, Zoë will be sharing recipes for Creamy Chickpea Pasta With Spinach and Rosemary and Roasted Squash with Spicy Greens and Yogurt.
Fall food season is definitely here!
This past week I made the Molly Yeh Apple and Honey Pizza that Zoë shared recently. It might sound weird, but trust me, it is delicious. And, with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and arugula, it is savory, not sweet. So many yummy flavors mixing together in your mouth!
Fall clothes and a closet clean out
As I have mentioned before, I have always loved clothes.
Almost as much as home decor.
I have had a hard time since moving to Maine, though, dressing for my new retired and more casual life. I definitely fell hard into the flannel and fleece way of dressing.
Don’t get me wrong, I love both flannel and fleece. But not all the time.
So I have been trying to be more intentional as I purchase new clothes. Looking at trends and saving pictures of outfits that speak to me.
Then making my purchases carefully.
I have also undertaken a major closet clean out. Even though I got rid of a lot of clothes when I moved here, I still had a lot of things from my “previous life” that I just don’t wear. So the other day I took two huge bulging black trash bags to Goodwill. There are definitely some treasures to go out on Goodwill floor!
It feels good though — both the clean out, and being more intentional about what I bring in.
Speaking of clothes, I will be busy this weekend sewing Jamie’s and Poppy’s Halloween costumes!
What are you up to?!
I hope it involves some fun!
