Bedrooms are sometimes the hardest to decorate because we so often get stuck in a rut with them. In and out of bed we go, over and over again. Day in and day out. Even though they truly should be the most relaxing spaces of the home for us to cozy up with and into at the end of a long day's work, they often become the place where simply put: bed is. All the attention goes to the living room because well, we live there. At least this is what I have heard from other people and I can completely relate as Dave and I still have a bedroom filled with artless walls and well, a bed. We have the furniture and we have a couple of pieces that we are attached to (like our antique blanket chest) and while the walls certainly bear a peaceful shade of minty blue that we adore + chose together, there is nothing else in there that really ties the space together. It is waiting for it and I know that one day when we are ready to tackle it, it will become the oasis that we need it to be. For now, here's to serving up some bedroom inspiration straight from Apartment Therapy with some Old New House sourcing! 

1. Large vintage rug with unique and neutral color tones. This rug in the photo, while it may not be vintage itself, immediately reminded of me of the vintage Josan Sarouk in our shop because the colors are so serene and lovely and rather unique. I feel like you wouldn't expect to see a rug of this color or size in a bedroom but wow, how inviting and spacious it makes the room feel. I just love it!  

2. Unique lamp! Even if you have recessed lighting like we do, a unique lamp is a must in any kind of space if you ask me. It is like an art piece that has function. My pick is more feminine than what they have but to each their own! 

3. Subdued, minimalistic, and small wall art. My pick is this amazing 1930s etching by the acclaimed artist Morris Henry Hobbs -- I just adore how tiny the work of art is and could so see it at the edge of a room leading into another space like in this room. 

4. Seating in corner for getting ready, decorating on, or putting clothes on top of. My ONH pick is of course our out of this world amazing antique leather pouf. I have never seen one quite like this and it would be a perfect piece next to the dresser or side table. 

5. Hanging botanical chart. Theirs is small which I quite like but if you have the space for a larger one like ours, I say go for it! Nothing like a large wall art piece that is minimalistic but bold at the same time. 

6. Color pop on a white bedspread. Whether you go with a lightweight blanket or a quilt like I've picked out, a little pop of color slung over the white bedspread can really stand out as a lovely visual piece of bedroom styling. 

1. Light colored botanical art. Okay, okay, you got me -- botanical art is a big favorite around here these days and I keep referencing it but I can't help myself! It can be such a natural and lovely piece of wall decor that blends serenity and curiosity and it is just so nice to bring the outside in. 

2. Wall art with birds. In the pictured home, the print or drawing is very small and I love that but no matter the size, wall art with birds compliments botanical wonderfully and can once again, nicely bring the outdoors inside. 

3. Colorful floral wall art. Flowers, more flowers please! Flowers are so vastly featured in art (rugs, wall, etc.) because they are beautiful in shape and color. Want to bring red, blue, and yellow into a subtly-colored room? Find an art-work with flowers in it! 

4. Unique landscape wall art. The one featured immediately reminded me of our industrial man + machine drawing with the lower third being land and the upper third being sky. The light minimal use of colors is also very similar and I feel like a one-of-a-kind wall art piece blended with the more commonly seen botanical is a really nice combination in a gallery wall like this one. 

5. Visual vintage dress hanging on wall. This is something you would not quickly think to do but boy, does it look neat. The gold dress shown hear becomes a part of the gallery wall and adds a streak of color to the blue backdrop without having to be permanent. You can switch out the dress every week, month or year and the idea is well, genius. As I have really become obsessed with vintage clothing and we have added a bunch to the shop, this seemed very fitting! I could totally see our 60s crochet dress hanging well next to all of the botanical art because it has a floral look to its design as well. 

That's all for today!

xoxo,

Melissa

There's nothing quite like having a piece of real history on your wall.  Antique pull down maps are one of those wall art pieces that are stand alone + amazing. 

Maybe it's the golden patina, perhaps its the crackling texture, maybe it's the subject matter - Europe, North America, or an antique pulldown World map...  At the end of the day, we think it's a combination of all these things + the story:

Often used as educational guides in schools, libraries and public institutions. These maps and charts were pulled on, rolled (at times slapped up too quickly) - sometimes several times a day.  What an amazing thrill it was to have a break from the squeaky chalk board and have one of these maps rolled out in front of a classroom.  Perhaps these are the very maps of yesterday that inspired the likes of future politicians, dignitaries, architects, teachers and more.  Perhaps geography wasn't everyone's strength in school, but I think we all had a secret thrill from seeing something different during the school day - especially the ever-so-welcome colorful outlines of these relics.  It's amazing to see these in the condition they are - some of the antique pull down maps we offer are 50, 75, 100 years old.  A few are even pre-Civil War! 

As a testament to this beautiful and mysterious world and the education process where today's learning aides and classroom tools seem to be ever so easily replaced with digital, we hope you too can find inspiration from these maps and charts.

M+D

Old New House