Grand *Guest Room*

I found the perfect place to put the turquoise Tonka truck

 that I bought at the Kane County Flea Market!

The guest room in our house was the original inspiration for the aqua color scheme 

in our remodeled hall bath room 

which then became the color scheme for our little cottage by the lake.

(Shameless self promotion alert!)

It looks so cute up in the guest room that I thought I would show it to you.

The guest room was added on a few years ago when we needed a room for the computers 

and an upstairs (not in the basement) laundry room.  

Mr. Grand calls that addition "the three story closet", 

because basically all we do is store mountains of stuff in the new basement, 

in the first floor closets and in the guest room closets.  

I have no idea where we used to store these things, 

or where all this extra stuff came from.

Really.

Anyway, here's the window seat

 between the two, stuffed-to-the-gills closets we have in the guest room.  

Hey, this just became a before and after post! 

Here is the before picture of the window seat:

And after the addition of the Tonka truck!

Here's a picture of the room I took while standing in one of the aforementioned closets.

As usual, it took me a few tries to get the right paint color.  

Have you ever seen the movie "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House"? 

 Let's just say Mrs. Blandings and I both have strong feelings about the correct color.

I wanted aqua, not turquoise. I wanted it to be soft and soothing and spa like.

 It had to be pale, not minty, not too gray, not too green.

The third time was the charm.

We have some wonderful art work on the walls. 

The following three prints are from the Chicago World's Fair in 1893- The Columbian Exposition.

This was a fascinating event in the history of Chicago 

and I like to have some hometown things for our out of town guests to ponder.

This was "the Mining Building".

This is a view of the South End Wooded Island from the "Transportation Terrace".

The West Terrace from the "Court of the Obelisk".

Aren't these Grand?
They were truly architectural marvels at the time,
made from temporary materials like plaster and jute.

They hang over the piano, which we happen to "store" in the guest room
because it's on loan from friends until they can reclaim it.
Darling daughter practices her piano lessons up here...

The window treatments were made by my talented friend Patti,
out of matelasse bedspreads.
They already had the scallopy edges
and you know how much I like things to be scallopy!
(Also click here for more scallopy things.)
(And more shameless self promotion...)

This needlepoint pillow is a treasured heirloom,
stitched entirely by hand, by my sweet mother in law, Dottie.

I have always admired it and I was so honored when she offered it to me.

This little rocker also belonged to Miss Dottie when she was a child.

I recently had the rush seat restored, for another generation.

The painting on the wall hung in Mr. Grand's family home for many years.

It's very ethereal and mysterious and I love the colors.
Miss Dottie and I both love the aquas and greens and blues.


I tried the Tonka truck up on the dresser but it didn't really work
with the Wallace Nutting print, or the walnut dresser, both family heirlooms.

The dresser belonged to my Mom, and I love the color and the design.
Especially the smaller drawers and that little door to a cubby hole.
 Details like that remind me that I am not the first person to obsess about design.
Me and Steve Jobs. And probably you, too, since you read blogs!
I am in good company!

I fell for this bed at first sight.

It's from Ethan Allen, back in the days before they went modern.
 Here's a close up of the headboard cutout detail:

And the finials on the four poster bed:

I do love antiques, but I think beds and mattresses ought to be on the newer side!

This bed works so well with the family pieces
we have been blessed to receive.


Thanks for coming on the Grand Guest Room tour!
 

Linking to
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm
Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays at Michele Raven Designs
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Home Sweet Home Party at The Charm of Home
Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home