Friday, June 26, 2009

~IS THERE A DECORATOR IN THE HOUSE?...A Glimpse Into The Past~

OUR FIRST BEDROOM - 1978

I've been working non-stop of late in the refurbishing of my thoroughly romantic bedroom and little by little my little boudoir is coming together. It been an exciting transformation and hopefully by summer's end it will be completely finished. The room is not very large but it never ceases to amaze me just how long some projects take...I honestly thought I'd be done by now! I'm soooo impatient! Betcha didn't know that about me, huh?

Anyway...this evening while I was searching for some pictures for a future blog and I came across a few photos taken of my bedroom over the years. When I pulled out the picture of my green and yellow room (taken right after my Mr. AGPMan and I tied the knot) it had me on the floor in hysterics. I really thought I'd arrived. I was soooo proud of this room and how I coordinated the decorative pillows with the bedspread. Nice lamp! :( Truly shameful....

Can you say HYSTERICAL?

Five Years Later - Bedroom 1983

With the addition of the four poster bed (which I'm still currently using today), our bedroom started to look less like a motel room and more like a place one might have in a real live home...

However...

What is up with all that fabric and the dark navy blue color? This was a P.Kaufman print and it had tiny pinkishy-peach flowers on it...it too me hours and hours to make all that stuff! ACK! Back in 1983 the little flowers were all the PINK I dared add to the room...boy have things CHANGED! (Note the ONE picture on the wall! It was hung too high by the way but it is of our tiny little son, Brandon, who was only 6 months old)

Can you say (and loudly) WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?


SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT - Bedroom 1985-87

All that dark, dark blue must have really frightened me because the next time I redecorated I went with off white. I do believe I was making a fairly honorable attempt here to change for the better. Notice the TINY toss pillows on the bed and the refurbished lamp (it is the same one shown in the photo above). Didn't work in either setting I'm afraid...

Can you say YOU ARE STILL MISSING THE MARK?

Getting Better - Bedroom 1992

This little ensemble was purchased at J.C. Penny in 1992 and I actually used it for several years. The print had a cream ground with loads of pink roses and ribbons and only a teeny tiny touch of pale blue. When we moved into the home live into today I continued to use this pretty bedding until the threads became thin and worn. I routinely see entire sets of it offered up in thrift stores around town...it's dated, but when I see it I can't help but smile. Would never choose it today but for the early 90's it was charming!

Can you say THINGS ARE LOOKIN' UP (but that Bear and tacky Hat gotta go????)

My Girl's Room - 2006
(Shown in Romantic Bed & Bath 2008)

Now...since I don't have MY room finished yet I thought I would show you a snapshot of the bedroom that belonged to my daughter, Adrienne. This room was included in the Romantic Homes photo shoot of our home which was done back in 2006. The same room was also feature last summer in RH's Bedrooms & Baths Magazine (Summer 2008).

I hope for those of you who are just starting out with your decor and are afraid of MESSING UP that you will be INSPIRED by the pictures above! They SHOULD PROVE to you that YOU CAN DO IT, TOO! I hope they all put a smile on your face and HOPE in your heart!

Blessings to you as you discover your own decorative talents in and outside of your home...Rebecca

22 comments:

Eclectic Chic Style said...

LOL, oh Rebecca, all still gorgeous for their time period!! My first kitchen (shudder) was RED with teddy bears!!! lots of wicker (shudder) and brass!! LOL!! Now you really have me thinking about the rest of my first little apartment decor. LOL!
Have a super day!
Hugs ♥ Teresa

Anonymous said...

When I think of the browns & oranges that were used to decorate in the 70' that is where I groan!! Now I love the soft pinks & white with a touch of french blue... (much easier on the eyes.) LOL!!
Hey, we grow with the years in more ways than one....
If you haven't been to my blog come on over as I am having a quickie 3 day give-away!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

Faye said...

Rebecca,Your rooms are beautiful!I hope you have a great weekend! Blessings, Faye

Anonymous said...

Oh, Rebecca, isn't it funny to look back?! ☺

You know, I absolutely can't imagine having the same bedroom since 1978! How nice it must be... The longest I've ever lived anywhere is 5 years!

I'd love to hear more about how you ended up being featured in the magazines...

Guess what? I think you gave me your Summer cold- or whatever it is! I'm as weak as a kitten! Boo-hoo! Those are real tears. I always get teary eyed (and babel) when I'm sick! ♥

Anonymous said...

Oh, Rebecca! I din't know your were famous! Woo Hoo, how wonderful your home and your daughter's room was showcased in magazines. I probably saw it, but didn't know who you were! It is amazing how our styles and decor change! I love the way you decorate today, Dear One.
be a sweetie,
Shelia :0

Connie said...

I can honestly say my early "decorating" was similar to yours, sugar! It makes me wince to think of our early decor, or LACK of any decor I should say. Thinking about it sends chills up my spine and I'll have to hunt for old photos to share like you just did. It was be tough trying to keep my stomach from upchucking though while looking at them. I suppose we all need to find our "voice" when it comes to decorating though. I'm still not sure I've found mine but it's coming along. Hubs tell me I'd better find it quick or HE'LL be speechless and poor if I DON'T!! Hah, he loves me too much to make me stop! He talks but we know who is gonna win this one, right, sweetpea?!?! Looks good, sweet chick!
xoxo,
Connie

Tanza said...

Ooohhh ~r~,
Hahahaha.. Isn't this soo funny to look back !! How we evolve... The top room looks kinda like a Motel room.. hahaha.. The room in the blues..Omgosh, I soo had the same room.. All dark oak furniture.. and than a bedspread almost like that,I paid "big bucks" for it, at a store in Palm Springs called "Covers for Lovers".. Can you believe it !! I was soo proud of my room.. Boy, how things change.. and our taste.. Thank God!! LoVe your creamy white, dreamy room shown.. Just lovely !! Girlie get busy on wrapping your room up, you know how I hate waiting for this.. It's truly killing mee.. You've teased it a few times, now I'm just dying to see it all put together !! BEAUTIFUL !! Thanks for going down memory lane with us.. What a journey girlie.. A FUN journey !! Have a happy day ~r~..Hope you get lots done...
huggers to you
~tea~xo

blushing rose said...

As Mother said all the time, 'you continue to evolve Mary Donelda, for the better each time you decorate'.
Your phases are not that different than the 'steps' I went thru ... & am now at the romantic elegant white/soft gentle pink rose doused master chambre ... not quite as elegant as yours, tho. I am so grateful my DH is either oblivious or not concerned with my choices of roses that he rests his head on. Beautiful evolving Rebecca ...
TTFN ~ Marydon

June said...

Hi Rebecca,
You have me on the floor with this one. But why am I laughing at you when I could have pictures like these lurking out there somewhere. Do you ever wonder what we will be decorating like in 10 more years. I can't imagine loving anything more than I do my decor now. One thing I do know is that I will never have bright orange shag carpet again. Your daughter's bedroom is beautiful. Know I'm going to dig out all my 2006 RH and find you in there. Now I really do worship the ground you walk on. But for more reasons than just decorating.
Big hug,
June

Andrea said...

I have made so many decorating blunders over the years! When we moved into our current home, I finally settled a bit and just pieced things together.

Many years ago, my homes were just made up with whatever I could afford and find. I had no idea what I was doing and still probably don't. :)

You have such beautiful taste and flair! I would love to see the Romantice Homes issue where your home was featured.

I so love your daughter's bedroom! It's absolutely beautiful! Very romantic with all the white and the lovely basket of flowers by the bed!

Thank you for your inspiration! Rebecca, your are always so kind, and I appreciate the way you share your special gift and expertise.

Love,

Andrea

Anonymous said...

DEAR REBECCA,
IT MAKES ME SMILE TO SEE THOSE PHOTOS, IT IS LIKE I GOT A FLASH BACK INTO MY PAST AS WELL, THE COLORS, TONES AND STYLES THAT HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS. NO MATTER WHAT THE STYLE YOU HAD AT THE TIME, ATLEAST IT WAS WELL PLACED AND COORDINATED!! IT REMINDS ME OF THE BED SETS I BOUGHT AT A YARD SALE AT NINE YEARS OLD (1989) THEY WERE WEDDING RING QUILTS WITH MATCHING SHEETS. I BOUGHT FOUR SETS FOR $10. WENT HOME AND SAT IN MY ROOM AND HAND SEWED CURTAINS, BEDSKIRTS AND SMALL THROW PILLOWS SO THAT MY SISSY AND I COULD HAVE MATCHING BEDROOM SETS LIKE ALL OF OUR FRIENDS. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE THINGS EVERYONE ELSE DID, LIKE THE WHITE DAY BED WITH THE BEDSET THAT HAD THE PRIMARY COLORED HEARTS ETC. BUT AT NINE YEARS OLD, I THINK I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN OF MY GROUP OF FRIENDS WHO READ BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS MAGAZINE, AND VICTORIA MAGAZINE... I STILL GIGGLE AT MYSELF CLEANING MY ROOM AND PURPOSELY "FANNING" THE MAGAZINES ON THE EDGE OF MY BED.... SINCE WHEN DID MAGAZINES BECOME DECOR LOL. ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND- HEATHER

Celestina Marie said...

Hey Rebecca, Seeing your pics is a walk down memory lane. Yes, What were we thinking, but that was the look and looked so chic at the time. I know I have the same pics in albums high on a shelf. LOL!! I went through these color styles too. Oh and the mushrooms, ducks, pigs and cows. Not in the bedroom but they lurked somewhere. LOL!! I think I traded the ducks for the roosters now.
I love your girls room. Everythng is so perfect. Can't wait to see your new look in your room. I bet you are having lots of fun. I know it will be gorgeous and make us all want to start over. I have chic black pieces, but the other night I was getting ready to sleep and had a thought suddenly to paint everything raw cotton. OH my Hubby will have kittens.LOL

Blessings, Celestina Marie

Anonymous said...

Rebecca,
Beautiful..bedrooms... You did a wonderful job... it's so inviting,warm,elegant, romance looks...I'm still working on my guest bedroom...I know what you mean..thought I would be through by now. Thanks for stopping by...and about the tomatoes...It cannot eat it by itself either...Have you ever ate it with mayonaise with bread...That the only way I'll eat it. When eating salad with tomatoes...I make sure the ranch dressing is on it before I take a bite...lol..There is nothing wrong with us...:D Maybe just a little picky...lol You have a wonderful weekends..Katherinellen

Tara said...

Thanks for the walk down memory lane! it's so funny how you can identify a decade in decorating simply by the color scheme. I think my Grandma had that same JCPenny's comforter set in her guest bedroom in the early 1990's. She had the matching curtains too and white wallpaper with little pink rosebuds on it. She was a decorator in the making too!

Cindy said...

I loved seeing the photos of your bedroom styles over the years! And they were very nice styles for the era! Regardless of the eclectic style I surround myself with, it is sort of a living thing and changes at least yearly. I guess that's why I enjoy the vintage junking stuff I do as it's all elbow grease and very little capital.
I'm the Nebraska Cindy...we're by Omaha which is eastern Nebraska. Gothenburg is central Nebraska. In fact, I used to be a camp counselor in the 70's and we had lots of campers from Gothenburg (Lutheran camp)
I looked online for antique stores and it appears Cozad may have one and Lexington may have 3 or 4 is that helps!

Sandra said...

Beautiful! I love seeing the different pictures, Rebecca. I know my taste has changed thru the years. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Laura said...

Everything is a sight for the eyes , the heart, and the senses as usual.

Is your bedroom all in white as well? Your daughter's bedroom is just amazing.

Enjoyed visiting,
Laura

A Southern Rose said...

Rebecca,
These pictures brought back a lot of memories. Back then I didn't take a lot of pictures of just rooms, only if I was taking a photo of someone in there. I will have to dig through my old pictures and see what I can find.
Once I had a beautiful bedroom all done in peach and light blue. My curtains were peach and ivory lace balloon curtains. I loved them! That was back in the 80's. Then in the early 90's, I changed it all to an 'Oriental' decor. Everything black lacquer and mother of pearl accents. Mt comforter set was black with huge 'pink' flowers! At least I was showing my 'pink' side! lol
My sofa and loveseat were polished cotton...pink with asian flowers. LoL
Its so funny thinking back on all of that.
Oh and my kitchen was country blue and pink with plenty of geese everywhere! LOL

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Barb said...

Hey Miss Cutie Pie, the way we decorated in the past is what has brought us to this day.....it all works out.

Twenty years from now....we will be smiling at our present decorating. Yikes!!!!!

XOXO
Barb

Secondhandrose said...

I think I am your decorating twin separated at birth cause I have had the same rooms. The orange calico bedspread trimmed in brown....that was mine and so was the blue and red country kitchen with cow everything. I'm still not where I want to be but thanks for the inspiration to keep going.

karen

Anonymous said...

I felt like I was looking back at my past through your pics. What was wrong with us back then, ewwwwww. Thank God we have evolved. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. White, Pink, and Roses forever!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine anything better.

Blessings My
Friend!
Marie

Mary said...

Do you realize you just proved the theory of evolution?? LOL But just look at the progress you have made. From greens and gold (sooo chic in the 70's) to the real chic of today. The Lord only knows what will be next. Not just for you and me, but for the world in general. The pendulum of design (and everything else) swings from one extreme to another. I hope I am not around for the next extreme. I rather like today toooo much. Happy pink cottage chic Monday to you. Hugs
Mary

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