Today I am sharing a spring bed nook refresh in the guest cottage: a new-to-me bed with fresh paint and mix-and-match bedding, including home-sewn ruffled shams that just about did me in…
The Guest Cottage
I have written before that during the winter I tend to forget about the guest cottage.
It sits up the driveway, empty, lonely, and rather forlorn.
About this time of year, though, when I start planning for summer visitors, I remember it is there.
And when I give it a visit, I always wonder why I don’t spend more time there.
Check it out for yourself when you read my blog post Summer Read in the Guest Cottage and come for a virtual overnight “stay”!
While I update and change the decor seasonally in the house, I really don’t do much to the guest cottage.
This year, though, in preparation for spring, and summer beyond, I made a few changes.
A Facebook Marketplace purchase prompted me to get some new linens, and to sew my own shams.
More on that almost-fiasco later…
But first the bed that inspired it all!
A New-to-Me Bed
I am always amazed by the Facebook Marketplace treasures and deals people share on Instagram.
No such luck for me.
I did get an antique chair once. The house I picked it up from was really creepy. And the chair is just meh.
It is sitting in the basement now.
Maybe I should try selling it on FBMP…
But I wanted a new bed for the guest cottage. And I didn’t want to spend a lot on it.
For the past 7 years I have been using just an inexpensive upholstered headboard. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t anything special either. And it wasn’t even actually attached to the bed frame. It was just propped up against the wall.
So I started poking around on FBMP.
What I really wanted was an antique bed, but they don’t come in a queen size.
Then one day I noticed a simple painted wood bed — headboard and footboard — with classic cottage style.
For just $20. Sold!
I made the trip to Belfast to pick it up from an old coastal inn that was being redone.
Then I got to work painting it. Blue, of course!
It is sturdy with pretty curved lines and big ball finials.
I kind of wish the headboard was taller, but it has sweet cottage charm. Perfect for the little bed nook in the guest cottage!
So, the old headboard will now join the FBMP chair in the basement.
Or maybe I should list it… 😉
Mix and Match Bedding
I have summer and winter bedding for the guest cottage, but nothing really for the transitional seasons, spring and fall.
Keeping with the coastal cottage theme, I went for a classic patchwork quilt from The Company Store. It was on sale for 50%, so it is now sold out. Sorry I can’t link it!
Funny thing — my friend Melissa from The Inspired Room, who also lives in a cottage on the coast — the other one — has the same quilt.
She also just wrote a blog post about how she found her dream bed on Facebook Marketplace. Her bed is absolutely gorgeous. Why is FBMP so good everywhere but Maine?!
If you don’t know Melissa, you should definitely give her a visit on her blog and on Instagram @theinspiredroom. Melissa has also written several books on home life!
Back to my bedding…
At the foot of the bed I folded a duvet with a white ruffle-edged cover. Simple and sweet. And white is always a nice contrast to all the color and pattern I love.
Shopping link:
Note: It came with ruffled shams that were too large for a standard size pillow.
A bold blockprint throw pillow cover from Etsy contrasts with the smaller prints in the rest of the bedding.
Shopping link:
For sheets, I used a blue and white floral set I have had for years.
Home-Sewn Pillow Shams
And now the story of the pillow shams….
I hope you took the time to admire them closely. Because they certainly ended up being a labor of love.
It all started when I opted not to get shams that matched the quilt.
Instead, I found a fun floral fabric that coordinated with the quilt and throw pillow.
It would be a snap to sew a pair of shams with an easy envelope back!
That was until, inspired by a favorite designer, I decided to add a small ruffle…
One might even say I became obsessed with the small ruffle.
A favorite designer
Have you heard of Massachusetss designer Katie Rosenfeld? I follow her on Instagram, @katierosenfeld. She has a fabulous cottage style, full of color and pattern, with beautiful tailored details.
Like small ruffles on pillows.
Katie has a website, where she shares some of her design projects.
You can also see a tour of Katie’s own home on Homeworthy.
I knew that it would be a major job to gather all the fabric needed for two 26×21 bed pillow shams.
But I also knew that I would no longer be happy with ruffle-less shams. Once I had the vision in my head, I couldn’t get it out.
So I got to work.
And it was a lot of work.
For those who sew, I used an “easy” method I read about here. Instead of sewing two rows of basting and then pulling the threads, I ran a ziz-zag stitch over string the full length of the ruffle. Avoiding catching the string with the needle was a little tricky, but it was definitely easier to pull than the thread. And I didn’t need to worry about the string breaking. Let me know if you have any questions!
I must say, I love the way the shams came out! The ruffle detail takes the design to the next level.
It was worth the extra effort!
And I have to thank all of you for providing me the impetus to tackle this project that I kept putting off!
Now I just need to put the Christmas tree away and the cottage will be guest-ready!
This Week Into Next
Boy, this week sure got away from me.
I was away in D.C. from Wednesday last week through the weekend, then flew home on Monday.
Tuesday and Wednesday were full with getting settled back in, my usual volunteer work, a couple meetings, and a routine veterinary visit for my kitty Tuck.
Before I knew it, it was Thursday and there I was late at night pulling gathers for the ruffle on my pillow shams.
That fun continued into Friday morning, followed by a trip in the driving rain up the driveway to the guest cottage to take pictures for this post.
You can get an idea of what kind of weather I was dealing with from the photos above.
Ah, the exciting life of a blogger!
The truth is, though, I am blessed to be doing this, and to call this currently wet, blustery, gray place home.
And I had the best trip to D.C. So it was all worth it!
The Eclipse
Did you see the eclipse?
I rushed home from the airport on Monday to catch it at the house.
Some areas in Maine were in the zone of totality, but here on the coast we were at about 97%.
It was still so interesting to see the landscape turn muted and shadowy and to feel the temperature drop. And it got really dark in the house, despite the fact that it was a beautiful day.
In Zoe’s Kitchen
I had fun cooking with Zoë last weekend!
The lemon poppy seed loaf cakes came out great and Poppy’s 1st birthday party was a big success. She looked so cute in the birthday crown I made her. She actually kept it on for the entire party!
I shared step-by-step direction for how to make a fabric birthday crown in last week’s blog post.
This week in her newsletter, Zoë is featuring two recipes we made last weekend:
* The NYT Cooking Chickpea Salad Sandwiches that I wrote about here on the blog two weeks ago. We enjoyed these with sliced tomato and cheddar cheese as “melts” for lunch on Sunday. Zoë messaged me later in the week to tell me that she “couldn’t get enough” of this vegetarian tuna salad dupe. She was wrapping it in a small tortilla with cheddar slices, lettuce, and tomato for a snack.
* Molly Baz’s Orzo al Limone: An easy one-pot dish that is both comforting and fresh.
I am hoping to complete some small projects in the primary bath this weekend that I will share with you next week.
The plan is to NOT leave all the work for next Thursday and Friday!
Until then, I’ll be here dreaming of sunny skies and warmer temps, and wishing the same for you!
I’m so impressed you made your own shams with ruffles!!! They look fabulous with your quilt and other bedding.
Hi Jane! Thank you! Gathering all that fabric, pinning, and sewing it to the body of the pillow was a major pain, ha! But I am glad I persevered!
The labor of love for those ruffles was worth it, they look so great! So impressed with all of the sewing projects you’ve been taking on, you’re becoming a pro!
Thanks, Zo! Hardly a pro — I still fudge my way through all of them, ha!
Molly, I absolutely love your blog and home! I look forward to reading and seeing it every Saturday morning! You keep me inspired! May I ask what color and type or brand of paint you used on the bed? I have an Ethan Allen poster bed that I’d like to paint. Have beautiful blessed day in Maine!
Hi Dee! I am so happy you enjoy my blog! Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment! The paint color is In The Midnight Hour from Benjamin Moore. I chose it because it is the darkest shade of the wall color.
I have.used dental.floss for.the.string when gathering fabric. never breaks. I’m like you once I get an idea in my head. I get a bit obsessed with it. the room looks so cozy
Hi Natalie! Yes, now that you mention it some people suggested dental floss. That might have been easier — the string was a little bulky. The string was definitely easier to pull than the thread, though!
Ahhh your bed is so charming, Molly! I love the color you chose and the bedding mix too.
Look at us like twins on opposite coasts with our cute FBMP beds and quilts! Love it! Thank you for the kind mention, too. I’m so excited to get my bed moved upstairs. It’s still sitting in the living room hahah. We’re slow.
I can’t believe you found the bed for $20! I feel the same way about what I usually find on this coast—not much to shout about but when I do it’s a lot more than $20 so I think you hit the jackpot with this one. I’d love to stay in your cottage, what lucky guests!
Hi Melissa! Yes, aren’t we coastal twins, ha!. Your bed is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t believe you found the exact bed you had dreamed of getting! You did have to drive to Canada for it, though. I have never thought of looking on FBMP for Canada. 😉 You are way more patient than me — I once got a bed frame wedged in a small stairwell in my enthusiasm to get it up to the attic bedroom as soon as it was delivered. I ended up having to saw one of the legs off… Oops! If you ever make it to this coast, let me know. The guest cottage is yours!
wow the new bed nook is fabulous! love the head and footboard! but the bedding is the highlight! the fabric you picked is so cute and the ruffle makes it! i hope that your weather gets better – at least not stormy!
amy
ps so fun to read your blog and zoes and the interplay between the 2!
Thanks, Amy! I love the way it all turned out. The guest cottage needed a little update! It is fun coordinating with Zoë each Saturday morning! No rain today, thank goodness!
Well done! I love the shams and admire your perseverance in making the shams. Mine would have ended up in the scrap pile, I am sure! The new bed looks amazing! Maine is not alone in lacking a great FBMP. Georgia is also lacking.
Hi Vicki! Isn’t it frustrating to see all the great things other people find on FBMP? I have to say I was pleased with the bed, though! I had committed to sharing the bed nook refresh on the blog, so there was no throwing them in the trash, ha! And I do feel such a sense of accomplishment now that they are done. It is nice to be able to get just what you want! Have a great week!
Molly, I love your new bedding, but the bed is to die for. So glad you found it for a steal. Love your blog!
Thank you! I am very happy with the bed. It has the perfect cottage feel. It was a dull brick red color when I picked it up. Blue paint makes everything look better, ha!
Love your sweet cottage. It looks so cozy. My Aunt had a bed like that in her guest bedroom, it was maple. Your bed evokes fun childhood memories of my Aunt’s cottage. Cisco has the most precious face, love his soulful eyes. Have a great week. Like other readers I can’t wait for Saturday to read your blog. 💙
Hi Suzie! That old fashioned classic cottage vibe is exactly what I was going for. Glad I succeeded in your mind! The bed was already painted when I picked it up, so I don’t know what the original wood was. I can definitely see it being maple. It is super heavy and sturdy and came with steel side rails that weigh a ton. It is definitely well-made!
Loved this blog post; wish my bedroom looked like your guest cottage! I am a former Connecticut resident who now lives in Arizona but my decorating style is definitely cottage style! I love your home and all your projects!
Thanks, Judy! I think cottage style works anywhere!
Hi Molly, I love the bed. It’s similar to one we have in Maine, too, which needs painting. I think you inspired me to paint it this summer. Happy Sunday!
Hi Ann! Paint can really transform a piece! This was a dull brick red when I picked it up. Of course it looks much better blue, ha!
Molly! It seems like everyone is killing it with FBMP and I’m over here wondering what I’m doing wrong. That’s a darling bed … what a find, what a price. And that shade of blue is so pretty. Your shams are the icing on the cake. I remember the challenges of ruffles from my sewing days. Your guest house is going to be bustling all summer.! I’m sorry it’s still so cold, windy, etc. We had a really warm week, but today we’re back to mid-winter. Cold, windy, rainy … and I’m under a blanket with the fireplace on watching The Masters. Love Zoe’s newsletter. xo
Thanks Juliet! I just happened to find what I was looking for this time on FBMP. Haven’t had any luck before! Yes, ruffles are a major pain… I may have uttered a few oaths when I was working on this project… I am so glad you are enjoying Zoë’s newsletter! It is fun that we both post on Saturday morning! Stay cozy!
Wow Molly I cannot believe what a good find that bed was. It’s got the prettiest shape and the blue paint really makes it gorgeous and perfect for your guest cottage! I really like your mix of prints on the bed with your quilt. The shams came out so pretty! You have been a busy woman..
I was wondering if you saw the eclipse.
I have to pop over to Zoë’s and read more about the food. The chickpea one sounds so good!
Have a great week and I hope it’s sunny. xo
Thanks, Kim! Yes, the bed was a good deal! It was painted a dull brick red color, but the new blue perked it right up! You definitely need give the chickpea salad a try! So great to have on hand for weekday lunches and snacks!
I’ve long loved that style of bed and the color is perfect. The whole look is perfect and your pillows turned out beautifully. The other block print pillow and textiles look SO good. You have a definite flair for pattern mixing. I’m getting ready to make a throw pillow with a pleated ruffle edge, have mercy. My goal in life is to reduce my fabric stash before I die 🤣 and it’s killing me. I did think I’d seen that quilt before and it was on The Inspired Room. Such a pretty, comforting quilt, keeping it on my radar. I also love Katie Rosenfeld and followed her home’s redo on You Tube a couple years ago. Thanks for bringing her to my attention again. Always such a pleasure to visit you in your home.
Hi Pamela — Yes, it is such a classic cottage style! And I particularly love it painted — it allows the pretty curves to shine. Mixing patterns is my jam. It brings me such joy! I love Katie’s updated but classic cottage style. She definitely loves color and pattern too!
So cute! And I love the color you painted the bed.
Blue makes everything look better, ha!