A Guest Room--Before and After

The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it.
~Author Unknown

A few months ago my Dad and his wife, Leilani, moved into a two-bedroom home in a 'retirement village'. Leilani had ordered new furniture for the guest room/office and it finally arrived after weeks of waiting. She had requested my Christmas present to her be to decorate their guest room/office. I had informed her I would do it on our next visit. When we motored down to see them after Christmas, she was all ready for me!

I had already moved a couple of tables and had Steve hang the mirror and shelf when I wised up and thought to take 'before' and 'after' pics for my blog!! ;-)

This is their new sleeper sofa. Although the rest of their home Leilani decorated in a beautiful 'Tuscan' style, she also loves the cottage look and had several things of her mom's as well as things Dad had brought into their marriage that would incorporate beautifully into this style.

The cabinet holds the computer. Leilani has plans for a window treatment made out of a quilted duvet with all the soft pastel colors in it. I moved the round table from the side of the couch to front of the window and layered it with a matlisse coverlet and lace topper.

Before I got there, Leilani had unpacked all her heirlooms and treasures and splayed them out on a table and bed in their bedroom...I just went back and forth 'shopping' for what I needed to use to display.

And here's the 'After'. The lamp on the round table as well as the tea set belonged to Leilani's mom....

also the lamp on the table Leilani had bought for her mom years ago, and recently acquired back after her mother's death. The depression glass bowl that holds the lilac colored glove both had belonged to her mother..

Here is the 'after' view of the top of the cabinet. Remember, you can click on any of these pictures for a close-up....

A more close up view. When I placed the tiered plate rack up I then found Leilani didn't have any extra dishes, so I doubled up paper plates, covered them over with doilies to hold her tea set collection! It was a temporary solution till she can get to a thrift to pick up a few plates!

Another view....the old pictures are of Leilani's grandparents...

A few more 'heirloom's on display on the shelf. I suggested she paint the cord of the lamp the same color as the wall to 'hide' it.

And on this wall--the painting was done and given to my dad by his son, Ric, years and years ago. My mom had made a collage of my dad's mom, along with her jewelry, picture, sheet music because she played the piano. I always smile when I see that collage because I remember when she made it years ago, before collage art or altered art was 'in'! My mom always seemed to be ahead of the times artistically!!

I was happy with the results and I think Dad and Leilani were happy that their whole house is now all 'pulled together' and DONE!