A couple of weeks ago I was in Pottery Barn with a client. We were looking for new bedding for a guest bedroom. We found what we were looking for in the way of a quilt I have been eyeballing for over a year. It is a log cabin quilt and I do love it. I just couldn’t bring myself to pop for it because, I have absolutely no need for new bedding. I love my room and love my black and white quilt. So we bought the log cabin quilt for my clients guest bedroom, and off it went to make some new magic in her home.

I bet you know where this is going. I rounded the corner and just gasped. There was a bed with the Nola duvet cover and a gorgeous dusty rose quilt. The duvet cover is floral with birds in the most delicious colors in an old world sort of look. I walked away with determination and trying to convince myself I did not need new bedding. Besides I don’t do pink!

But here’s the question “Do you ever just get hungry for pattern?” I just love fabric, pattern, color, just all of it. After working with solids for sooo long in my own home, I am ready for a bit of pattern in my life again. Two weeks, it took me two weeks to convince myself I couldn’t live without it. I decided I had to try it and if it didn’t work, I would just take it back.

Then I started thinking about what I had that could possibly work with this duvet cover. I remembered I had a sampler that my sister had hand embroidered for my mom. My sister didn’t want it back so I brought it home. I have always loved it but it is not in my colors. I knew if I was ever going to use it I was going to have to design a room for it.

I pulled it out & and it was perfect. But how can I use it? I need a pair of pictures on either side of the window so the only place that made sense was over the bed. Well, it’s not going to work with the black plates! What do I have that can boost this piece to fill this wall. Hmm!

Showing up on my doorstep yesterday I laid the duvet over the bed and thought maybe. All these things are running through my mind. Of course my black plates over the bed will have to go. Is there a world where my dust ruffle can work? What about the window treatment. You see I want this room to be flexible. I have 3 quilts I absolutely love and I want them all to work and not have to change everything out. Simple modifications.

I have a small collection of Royal Doulton Series Ware The Gipsies. Yes it is spelled that way. These plates originated around 1910-1930 and they depict farm “Gleaners” harvesting. I have always loved the colors in these plates. Frankly I have loved these plates everywhere I have put them, and they always amaze me that they go with so many different looks. I brought one up, and yes they were going to be perfect. The only problem? I don’t have enough. So, this will be a work in progress. Just what I need more dishes!!!

Ok, so what else do I have. There is the mohair lap throw that I picked up at our thrift shop. Yup that will do. I have an ecru quilt that could work. I don’t want to do matching shams so I thought about the linen shams I use with my Christmas quilt. Yup that will work for now. But what about the pink, you may ask.

I am going to order some samples of linen. I can’t afford to do the wonderful PB quilt it’s just too $$$. Besides that quilt is too heavy, as much as I love the look. So I will have fun introducing the pink in other ways.

Oh, and I have a bid in on another plate. We’ll see if I get it. I had a productive day of making a big mess. The mess is going to have to live with me for a while. The poor husband. He hates it when things are out of sorts. But, after 50 years of marriage he knows I get it together eventually.

So what do you think? Would you have stuck with the black and white? It’s not going anywhere by the way. It will be back but I was ready for another option. Stay tuned as I tweak this room.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley