vintage sewing tables

vintage sewing tables

Romancing the Bedroomâ¦

A vision and some easy steps to creating your haven

Your bedroom is, in my opinion, one of the most important spaces in your home. Your bedroom is the first place you see in the morning, it's where you spend time getting ready for the day, it's where romance happens, and it's the last place you see at night. It is a very important space!

I think of my bedroom as my own private retreat. A place that is beautiful to me, peaceful, inspiring, and nurturing to my being. When I open my eyes each morning the soft yellow walls make me feel as though the sun is shining even when it's not. The pale blue ceiling gives me a sense of tranquility and the patterns and colors of the fabrics cheer me and make me smile. I appreciate the graceful curves of my French inspired dressers and the beauty of the unique triple mirror found at a thrift shop.

I have an old fashioned vanity table with a big mirror, a vintage French inspired chair and a pretty chandelier hanging from above. I sit at that vanity every day to "get myself together". It's "my special place"....a place where I can enjoy the ritual of preparing myself to face the day ahead. As I take the time there to prepare I am able to reflect on what the day may hold. It is a pleasant process (unless I've overslept and am running late) that I appreciate each day. I believe everyone should have such a space.

I have incorporated little details into my retreat that make it special to me and my husband. Details such as candles with the scent of the roses on the Cliff walk in Newport RI, our romantic getaway place, pictures of the two of us scattered about, colors and flowers that I love, fabrics in textures that feel good to the touch and patterns that I find beautiful, a CD player for soft classical music at night and motivational/inspirational CD's in the morning. Furniture that has the curvy French look that I adore and artwork we've selected together. Is it perfect? No! Is it exactly the way I want it? Not yet! However, it does reflect my personality and style and it nurtures me each and every day! It is my romantic retreat!

You can begin the journey of creating your own romantic bedroom retreat by starting with these simple steps.

First, dream a little...that's right...dream! After all it is a bedroom! If you could create any look at all for your own personal retreat what would it be? (If you need a little inspiration check out the magazines and books that feature bedrooms) What colors make you feel calm, inspired, relaxed? What are some of the details that you imagine in your room that would make you smile? That would make you feel pampered? Special? Relaxed? What elements need to be there to help you prepare for your day? To help you unwind for the evening? What kind of lighting do you need? What scents do you smell? What do you hear? What does the furniture look like? Where is it placed?

Second, create a file with pictures of your dream retreat. Get some paint swatches that represent the colors you want to incorporate on the walls, ceiling and in the fabrics. Do you see a lively colorful palette or a tranquil monochromatic palette? Start shopping around and looking at fabrics, bedding, artwork. Whatever will help you to truly envision your new romantic retreat.

Third, determine what your budget is. No matter what your personal budget may be, you can create some version of your dream retreat. If you have a small budget right now...get creative! Can you paint? Paint the walls, paint your furniture. Create your own art work with photos or frame pages from high quality old art books. Check out flea markets, consignment and discount shops. Do you sew? Do you know someone who sews? There is always a way to create beauty in our homes. We are limited only by our imagination!

Lastly, make a plan and start the journey to creating your romantic retreat. Like a dream...let it unfold over time and before you know it your dream retreat will be a reality.

For more romantic and elegant lifestyle ideas I'd like to invite you to sign up for my free bi-weekly newsletter at www.kathleenellis.blogspot.com. Twice a month you'll receive easy, elegant and romantic ideas for decorating, entertaining and living the romantic life.

About the Author

Kathleen Ellis, interior decorator, speaker, writer and TV personality, specializes in romantic casual elegance. As a successful interior decorator for over 14 years, Kathleen believes your home should be your haven and knows how to create a "soft place to land" for her clients; A place that not only reflects your unique lifestyle, but a soft place that embraces you while nurturing and renewing your body and soul. She is an expert at interpreting your dreams and creating the retreat you long for; The home of your dreams that combines romance and elegance in a comfortable and unforgettable way.

For 5 years, she has been the featured lifestyle expert on CBS affiliate WHP-TV in Harrisburg, PA. She has been featured in several publications including Romantic Homes, Chesapeake Home, Central PA and Harrisburg magazines. Kathleen enjoys sharing her passion for creating romance, beauty and elegance in every area of life. Kathleen presents workshops on Easy & Elegant Entertaining as well as other lifestyle topics. Kathleen inspires and motivates her audience to dream and to step out of the box to make those dreams come true.

VINTAGE VIP SCREEN PRINTBLUE PATTERN " CARD TABLE CLOTH " / Approx. 36 X 36

$14.95

MCCALLS VINTAGE TABLE LINEN SEWING PATTERN 6622 FROM 1979

$6.88

Is everything that was old new again?

I heard two different women say that in Hancock's Fabric Store this afternoon while I was shopping for sewing patterns. I later looked at fabrics and some some prints that reminded me of the 50's and 60's....French textile prints that were popular back then, western prints, muted stripes and prints, and a good selection of other fabrics. There are also "retro" and "vintage" patterns in every pattern book. I am wondering if 50's style appliances and tables will make a return or if the older eras are being promoted by popular movies and tv shows?

It's not just fashion. Look for 1950s retro in kitchen appliances & furniture too.

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/2010s-top-trends-for-your-home-1148767/

"Retro Revival is looming large this season because in tough times people long for the comforts of the past. You can take part in this trend economically because retailers are creating all kinds of small home accessories in retro designs that are affordable. Think retro for any space in need of a cheerful pick me up. The kitchen is a great place to start, with retro mugs, glasses, stools, clocks and coffee makers, nostalgia never looked so new. "

With electrical costs rising, I hope that hand operated machinery returns. I'd like a cheap coffee grinder. I had wanted it for camping but then our city began experiencing power outages during peak usage. I was hammering my coffee beans in a sack and boiled in a pot on the gas oven.
It's nice to have back up appliances for when the power goes out.

18th Century Trestle Table Plan Pattern

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SF502 - 18th Century Trestle Table Plan Pattern. Trestle table, 2 benches and pegs all fold up into easy carrying handled case. Measured drawings, material list, and complete instructions included....

Totally Me! Child Size Singer Sewing Machine w Accessories - Zig Zag & Straig

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Miniature Vintage Look Sewing Machine with Moving Needle

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Miniature Vintage Look Sewing Machine with Moving Needle. Measures: 3 1/4 in wide x 4 in tall x 1 3/4 deep. Measures 2 3/4 in from the floor to the top of the tableThe sewing wheel on the right moves back and forth and the needle moves up and down. My grandmother had a singer that looked a lot like this one!!! Very realistic and high quality piece. Designed for the 1:12 scale dollhouse miniature s...

Sewing Machine Phone

Nostalgic telephone looks just like Grandma?s sewing machine, right down to the ornate floral trim and playful spool of thread. This charming reminder of yesteryear is delightful to behold! Polyresin. Telephone cord included. 11 inches x 6 3/4 inches x 8 1/4 inches high. UL Recognized...

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

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More than just a collection of projects for handmade items, this book offers the tools to create a life,and home,full of beauty, integrity, and joy. With thirty-three projects made by reusing and repurposing materials, all of the ideas offer a practical use in the home. From picnic blankets made out of repurposed bed sheets to curtains made out of vintage handkerchiefs, these projects express the ...

Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects

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Celebrated designer Amy Butler brings her fresh modern style to the timeless craft of sewing. In this lavishly collection of patterns she presents more than 25 charming projects ranging from cushy floor cushions to smart aprons to stylish handbags. [Spiral-bound] Hachette Book Group...

Handmade Modern: Mid-Century Inspired Projects for Your Home

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Seventy–two step–by–step projects for modern do–it–yourself home and office design, by world–renowned designer Todd Oldham. Love the look of mid–century, modern, retro design, but don't feel like dropping two weeks' pay on an Eames chair? Todd Oldham shares his passion for mid–century modern homes with over 72 do–it–yourself projects for ...