FINDING JOY IN AN EMPTY SPACE

Some of you may have already experienced this,

and for some you it may be in the near or distance future,

and for others, you may experience this in a whole different way.

What I’m referring to is . . .

THE EXPERIENCE OF BECOMING AN EMPTY NESTER.

For me, it came in baby steps, first when my oldest (daughter) moved away for college. She still came home for weekend visits and the summers so her room was still “her” room.

Then she got married and left our home for her own.

But, I still had my son at home, so all was good.

Then he left for college, but would still come home for holidays and summer, so his room stayed 

“his” room.

Well, this past year he took a bigger, more grown-up step and rented a home in Oregon and that you see, also meant taking along all “his” possessions.

For me,  after the u-haul drove down the street, was when I realized I was an empty nester.

And I did what any mother would do, I sat in the middle of “his” empty room and allowed myself time to reminisce. 

To think . . . to remember . . . and soak in all the wonderful memories this room had brought to me.

It first began as a nursery full of bright primary colors,

then it took on a little boys room, full of cars, and trucks and loads of balls in every size and color,

then it became “his” teenage room full of just him and all the things he treasured.

After I had shed a few tears and soaked in all those memories, I took the next step and did what any mom would do . . .

Ok, I did what Trina does and I headed to my local Home Depo . . .

So I could begin a new chapter . . .

and bring more joy into this room.

The before pictures, (now I decided at the last minute to quickly snap some shots as Riley was packing but you can still get a little glimpse of how it looked).

 I first began by repainting the entire room.  I choose a two-tone with off white on the top and a light taupe on the bottom.

Then I took the pine sleigh bed out of storage and painted it a high gloss black.

Bought a new white comforter and made some fun accent pillows.

(yes, I actually did this and it was so inexpensive. Bought some fabric and then went my local Goodwill and bought old pillows for $1 a piece, threw them in the washer and then covered with new fabric.  I think all 5 pillows ended up costing a total of $15)

Then purchased a new plain black desk and decided to accent with chartreuse, I was overjoyed when I spotted this lonely chartreuse chair. This desk has become one of my favorite little places to read, and think, to blog and to create. I just love the unclutterness and the view out the window.

Then a new dresser.

I wanted this room to be used as a guest room but also as quiet and cheerful work space for myself. 

Therefore, I covered the walls with sayings and pictures that bring joy to me everytime I walk in.

Like this JOY window pane. I found this old window pane and seriously didn’t even sand it, I just loved the character of it right off.  I made the J O Y out of old music sheets.

The other wall, I created these cute little sayings and then had them printed off at costco’sand put into frames from Crate and Barrel.

I added a few other momento’s, like this oversized pot which right now olds my oversized umbrella, and the bin underneath the desk to hold all my magazines.

Then I added the little touches, like the ceiling lamp, desk lamp, desk accessories, and most importantly momento’s of Riley, because that’s where it all began.

I have learned that each stage in life can bring much joy, it’s just being able to get yourself up from  the center of an empty room and begin anew.

 

*I’m curious to hear how some of you have experienced this stage of life, or would love to see how you have transformed a room of your own.

As always my friends, thanks for dropping by.  Have a most wonderful weekend.