By Cindy Clay Srader
Spring is almost here and I predict Blue Skies! I loved the room I chose this week and it will make you feel cool when we have those hot summer days! This room has two things I really like. One is the use of twin beds side by side. Together they make a King sized bed or can be pulled apart to make two twin beds. This is a great idea for any guest room! Another favorite of mine is a stool or bench at the end of a bed. Most rooms do not have enough space for a chair to sit in and put your shoes on or to sit a suitcase for ease of unpacking. I actually just live out of my suitcase for a weekend away! Blues are usually very hard to match, so unless you are an expert with color just decide to not try to match a color exactly. When you go to a paint store unless you have an actual piece of fabric you are trying to match, trying to decide on a blue from a wide range of colors from hints of purple to green will drive you crazy. This room uses many different blues. The printed dark blue fabric on the pillow shams and the bedskirt and the almost aqua pillows work well together. The striped rug with both blues in it makes it work. Note that the walls and the lamp shades are a similar color to the accent pillow and it all works together. Those blue lamp shades bring the room up a notch. The eclectic use of so many different styles in this room is what actually makes it feel comfortable for your guests. The pop of black on the headboard is the stabelizing factor in this room. Anytime you decorate a room, it is a good idea to use a bit of black somewhere. It always makes the room have more character.

I know that many of you love a true bargain. This project is not as simple as some I have had in the past. This project starts with garage sales, junque shops or even roadside finds. I can see these on each side of a picnic table, the type built without the benches in or as extra seating both inside or out. Matching is not the key here so that is something not to worry about. To get the board seat you can go to Seaside or Parker Lumber to get the length of board you need. This can be made with two chairs also and looks just as cute. The first thing is to dissassemble the chair. Once that is done paint the chair backs and legs. Use the backs after taking it off of the seat and lay it on the board and mark where you will drill. Drill a hole or as in the center chair shown, cut a slot in the top. Do the same to the bottom legs. Make sure the seat board is thick enough because you do not want to drill all of the way through the board. Using Elmers wood glue attach the legs by turning the board upside down. Wait at least 24 hours before you move the seat to stand on the legs. Next put the backs into the hole or slots you made using the same glue. It is very important to drill your holes at the correct angle so the backs and legs will sit correctly. Look at the seat you took the back and legs from to make sure you have the correct angle. You will be so proud to have something that no one else has. Remember…send me pictures of all the projects you have completed from the How To section!

(This article was first published on March 20, 2012)

Live for the warmth of the sun on your face, the sand in between your toes and the taste of saltwater on your lips.

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