After scouring every store in person and online I could find from Target to Overstock.com, I landed on the perfect blend I was looking for at Pottery Barn. It's called Sausalito and is really more aqua than it looks in the photo. It was a bonus that I found a pattern I liked in their organic line.
I've been working on adding more of a coastal, crisp feel into our home, a beach cottage if that's not too much of a stretch. G is from the Caribbean so this cottage style appeals to both of us. I love decorating with beach inspired colors and textures but I'm trying to avoid an all out beach theme. I hate cliche and have to leave room for my own quirkiness in the mix too. I find that the blue and tan combination is so restful and I know I can use this for years to come. The pattern and feel reminds me of a men's dress shirt, one that I don't have to iron.
Of course I wanted a big fluffy look like they have in the store so I searched for a down alternative comforter to replicate that look. I finally decided to get the organic Pottery Barn one but when I went to buy it, I found out that the organic one online is not the same one they sell in the stores. Bummer, because I had my heart set on that one, but am not willing to pay so much for shipping. Even though the one in the store was good; if I was buying a non-organic one, I was going to pay a non-organic price.
All was not lost though because on that trip I learned a valuable Pottery Barn insider secret. They have TWO comforters in their duvets on the display beds. So my original plan wasn't going to work after all because there was no way I was going to spend almost $400 on two down comforters. With Plan B in mind, I searched again online for down alternative comforters with good reviews. A nudge from a friend (hi Amber!) prompted me to just order two from Wal-mart. They have great reviews, free shipping to the store and two of them was half the price of one at Pottery Barn. Of course anyone who really knows me knows that I will return them tout de suite if I don't like them!
To complete the look of the bed, we decided that the matching Euro shams were the way to go. Since we still have my home-made headboard while we wait for the perfect, or shall I say, perfectly priced bed, they do not disappoint. We got the pillows at Pottery Barn to go with the shams and I love their squishy, poofy down feel as much as I love how they give the bed a facelift.
If you study in the store how they make a bed that looks luxurious and interesting, you will always see layers of color and texture. I plan to add more layers to my bed to do just that. With just a couple of regular pillow cases like the ones below, I can add interest and depth to the room. The good news is that they will definitely be on sale as summer goes by and I can get a discount.
All of our sheets are white and I don't want to change that but adding a tan blanket to an under layer or at the foot of the bed is a possibility for the colder months. We'd have to be crazy to add another layer in the Houston summer though so that will give me time to find one that complements the look by fall.
What do you think? Do you put a lot of effort into wardrobing your bed? Does matching matter? Do you think the bed is the face of the room? Do you like beach cottage decorating but like me think it can get too much too fast? I have a confession that sometimes I don't even make my bed but I'm going to resolve to get better about that!
Photos from here.
3 comments:
First of all, I love the duvet you chose. It's very serene and the aqua color is so pretty. I think a beach inspiration is perfect. The best one I've ever seen is Diane Keaton's home in Something's Gotta Give. I loved the light tans, white and blue colors and the general airy feel of the home, but it never went over the top in my opinion. And you are right you can supplement your bed with layers in the winter months inexpensively with solids since you have the pattern in your duvet.
I switched to a cross between open, airy, white with blue accents and vintagey French decor. Sounds strange but it works, so you can go in the beach direction and still have it work with your other things to tone it down.
Love the post (and the shout out)! Let me know how the Wal-Mart bargains work out! I have been meaning to add a textured throw blanket to the end of our bed and you have spurred me on in my search! Hope to see you soon!
Although I REALLY don't like the seashell look on one of the bedspreads above, I certainly appreciate the colors you chose.
I would LOVE to fancy up my room but am not ready to drop the dough into it yet.
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