Saturday, August 21, 2010

Spare Room Update

Just to warn you, this is going to be a long one!  You may wonder what all of this has to do with the spare room, but bear with me.  I've recently been praying about using my home more as a ministry.  I love having people for dinner, but wanted to use it even more.

I also needed to get a bed for my spare room but couldn't figure out what I wanted to do.  It's a small room and would have liked to have put in a queen bed for couples visiting, but it just wouldn't have fit. I thought about a day bed or futon as well.  On Saturday of last week, I went to furniture store and ordered a full size bed for the room.  It was time.

On Sunday, Susan Walker talked to me about the possibility of hosting a medical student that was going to do a two-week rotation in Creston.  How cool is that!!!  I had just prayed that God would give me more opportunities and I had ordered a bed the day before!  I love it when God does stuff like this.  She will be coming Aug. 29 and wanted to get the room all ready for her arrival.

The bed was delivered on Tuesday.  Here it is!


I know...ugly mattress, huh?  The mattress is also a bit firm, so I bought a topper for it.

Now when you come to visit me you can sleep comfortably. Ahhh.


I found the bedding at Wal-Mart and just loved how it looked with the gray walls.  I knew the decorations I wanted to put up would also work well.  For those that have visited my apartment at camp, these were my bathroom decorations.

Now, to put it all together, I needed some assistance.  So I called my friend, Susan Walker.  She's an artist and would have a good eye.

We started trying different variations and came up with what I think looks amazing!  The pictures are of vintages dresses, gloves, shoes and bags just in case you can't tell.

Side note...I love putting vintage/antique things with contemporary.  If you've ever been in my home, you'll see that is a theme throughout.

Back to the room now....


Here's what we decided on for the larger wall to the side of the bed.


This is to the left of the bed. In case you can't tell what the black thing is, it's a hat that I bought at an antique store many years ago.


Full view to the left of the bed.  I love the hat boxes stacked on the floor.


This picture turned out a bit dark, but gives you a fuller view.

Now, for the best part....Seriously, you are going to want to hire us to decorate your house.  Are you ready for this?  Drum roll, please!


Yep, we put an old suitcase on the wall and that is my grandpa's old hat beside it.  When we were deciding what to do, I told Susan I had a old suitcase that might work in here.  We were originally thinking of just putting it somewhere like the hat boxes. Then I said why don't we try putting it on the wall!  Oh, man.  We had so much fun!!!  I'm very pleased with how it turned out.  I want to get a couple neck ties to put over the back of the chair as well.  I think I may want to have my spare room as my room now. If it were bigger, I'd really be tempted.

When I asked Susan to come help me, I also asked her to stay for lunch and invited Cheryl to join us.  Cheryl  is my neighbor, goes to my church, we walk together three mornings a week and I was the maid of honor in her son/daughter-in-law's wedding.  (Whew....that was a lot to get out.)

Anyway, here they are.  Cheryl is on the left and Susan is on the right.  Thanks, ladies!!!  So glad God brought you along as friends.


Yep, I sent them home some yummies.  We had Spicy Garlic Chicken Pizza. Always a favorite of mine.  You can get the recipe here.

8 comments:

Michele said...

LOVE it Erin!!! I love how you are using your home to minister to others too. Thanks for sharing. And you really should link to your blog from facebook more often! :D
Love, Michele (Odle)

Amanda said...

Dear Erin,
Now I have to come visit you again so I can sleep in your amazing guest room. :)

Anonymous said...

Cannot wait until mid-Sept. when we get to sleep there. It is BEAUTIFUL - I love it! God is awesome in the way that everything works together. --Dad & Mom

Anonymous said...

Great job on the room!!! Why don't you give the money you're saving to come visit me to Susan, I need her to help with my house :)

Mary Ann said...

I love, love, love it! You have done a great job. You have always had a good eye, Erin. I think maybe I just may have to schedule a visit in that lovely room :-)

Sabrina Amanda said...

Looks AMAZING, Erin! You did so much with what you consider a small space. It's so neat how God is using you in other people's lives. :D

ExploreColorado said...

You're so talented!!! Wish I could decorate like that :D

Carrie said...

Wow, it looks awesome- I love the bedding!!! :) Thanks for sharing - glad you're getting all settled in! :)