Welcome to Armstrong Inn, part four
So. Do you guys want to see the final reveal of the guest room, or should I ramble like an idiot for a few paragraphs first? You want the idiot part? Aren't there like 6,000 pages of that on this website already? No, 6,000 is not an exaggeration, I AM LONG-WINDED.
Seriously, this website has killed so many trees.
I don't want to color your reaction to the room in any way, but I know there are going to be some questions about why we did this or that and can I tell you where I got something and can I please not ever do that again. IT'S LIKE I'M INSIDE YOUR BRAIN. I plan on answering all your questions in a final post that will include pictures and long-winded reasoning behind everything (so, if you do have questions, fire away in the comments, although if you are mean I'll make fun of your hair). But for now, I just want to share the final product with you. Because I am a sharer. Except when it comes to French fries and if you even think about reaching over here I will smack your hand right off.
(Thank you Anna Beth [y'all need to sign up for her design camp] for all your hard work. I mean, ah know, right? Thank you, Jon, for the gorgeous cinematography and music. And many thanks to Tyrant for all the details you don't see but were critical in bringing all this together. YOU WILL GROW TO LOVE THOSE LAMPS, HON.)
........
This post is brought to you by IKEA and THIS IS THE OFFICIAL DISCLOSURE, WHAT UP, FTC!
You must have a dooce® Community account to leave a comment.
If you've already registered, login.
If this is your first time posting here, snag a free account.



slappyintheface said:
still waiting on that invite ... I'm just sayin' ;)
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:10 AM / 1luckyme23 said:
Love it! Please tell me there is a mirror hiding in the closet, because nothing is worse than having to go to the bathroom to see if you look like a hot mess in the morning.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:48 AM / 2Angeerah said:
Neato. I love the Asian lamps and drapery. There are such a variety of textures that it is surpising how well they go together. I "found" Annabeth through your blog, so thanks, and I just adore her style.
Dear Annabeth, if you are reading, please do a thing up in the Rust Belt region because we are in need of some SERIOUS help in the decorating department. Like, serious. Like 1980's wallpapering and big puffy couches. All I can say is, yikes, every time I got to an open house!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:52 AM / 3Mama Kat said:
LOVE! It turned out really good!
Now can you send your team of designers around the country on a Extreme Ikea Room Makeover mission? We have an extra room that is just SCREAMING for a gay man in a bathrobe.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:53 AM / 4Daffodil Campbell said:
I think it looks great. Great solution for the off center windows (which would have made me and my OCD twitch trying to work with). The thing about IKEA is, it's a great launchpad. If you buy every damn thing there, then the room looks IKEA'd. But if you just choose some foundation pieces and then bring in your own elements - from antiques to art to bedding - then the IKEA pieces (which are many times very neutral) will just blend in.
All this is to say I LOVE THOSE LAMPS TYRANT.
Anyway, the room is fabulous. AB is awesome. And her camp sounds great :)
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:54 AM / 5cinrose22 said:
Okay, I just need to know if you take reservations, cuz I'm gonna come and relax at your place my next vacation. It looks so beautiful and cozy. Total spa vibe. Love it!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:55 AM / 6napangel said:
I'm sorry, but I can't find the reservations button. Could you fix that?
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 11:57 AM / 7Interrobanged said:
You guys did a fabulous job--this room is inviting, warm, and cozy. My favorite parts are the touches of whimsy, like the lamps. You are absolutely right in your comment about the lamps being memorable. Well done!
I have only one question to ask: is there a reason you don't have color on the walls in your living room and guest room? Do you simply prefer a white/cream wall? Prefer to add color with textiles/accessories instead of painting? I ask because I LOVE the instant and inexpensive POW that painting gives to a room, not because I think your guest room or living room are lacking--they are super awesome. I do admit that I was hoping you'd use a bold wall color, just to see what you and Anna Beth would do with it, and because you ladies have great taste.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:04 PM / 8Yolanda said:
Lovely space. Love the blend of floral and linear elements. Would love some detail on the closet in the future post. Would also like to hear thoughts about designing the room to be a cohesive part of the house, or a distinct destination unto itself (or somewhere in between). And is there any plan for the wall above the dresser, or prefer to leave that calm and understated?
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:27 PM / 9Schnauzie_Mom said:
So should I forward you my flight itinerary now? I'm assuming Tyrant is available with the decal'ed PT for airport pick-ups...
Looks great:)
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:29 PM / 10DoubleDs said:
Beautiful. Love it!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:31 PM / 11Pandora Has A Box said:
It looks like you hit all your marks. Tell The Tyrant he's wrong about the lamps. They are perfect for a guest room, and they are a funky, whimsical design detail that makes the room feel a little more personal.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:40 PM / 12Schmutzie said:
Beautiful!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:41 PM / 13MsKathleen said:
Your room really came together beautifully - I love the colors, textures... I also like the Armstrong Inn name... My mom is an Armstrong so I'm very proud of my ancestry.
Have a wonderful day :)
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:47 PM / 14RoseTattoo said:
It's beautiful! Who gets to christen it?
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 12:58 PM / 15SharonP said:
Yummy! The room looks both spacious and cozy.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:00 PM / 16kmpinkel said:
What room? All I can see is the freakin' crocs from hell on Tyrants feet! Please tell me they do not come with! Love that Argyle-ish blanket!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:08 PM / 17Lily Hydrangea said:
I love how the room is warm & cozy yet without clutter. Everything seems to have a purpose without looking bare and there is plenty of room for your guest to put his/her things.
Nice job!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:14 PM / 18inthesky said:
This room is amazeballs! @luckyme23, yes, there is a mirror--check out when Tyrant is trying on the bathrobe.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:28 PM / 19reneewvu said:
The room looks great. A guest room is the most overlooked room in the house and this has inspired me to appreciate ours a bit more... and give it some character. That bed brings me back bad memories though... I had it for three years or so and never could escape the feeling that I was sleeping on the floor.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:41 PM / 20tallnoe said:
Awesome. Lovely colors, lovely highlights.
Just great.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:43 PM / 21Jan said:
Lamps fabulous, Tyrant! It's all fantastic. Only thing that threw me off was the color and pattern on the curtains -- seemed to clash with everything else, but one of the last views in the video shows both the curtains and the painting to the right, which has blue in it.... and I started to see how they worked.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:47 PM / 22SPM said:
Very Pretty and inviting! You've created a space that has yin and yang aspects to it.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:50 PM / 23Steph at UM said:
Very nice! I especially like the dandelion print on the curtains :)
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:50 PM / 24Tricia said:
It looks wonderful!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:51 PM / 25verbalicon said:
OMG. So, so gorgeous!!! Since our house is still largely empty (but with color on the walls), I immediately checked Annabel's seminars, only to find out that, Indiana? No way she's coming there, huh?
Sad panda here. :-(
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 01:53 PM / 26Starshine said:
Heather! I LOVE it! I think my favorite part is the bold painting/artwork hanging alone on that wall. Just one bold thing is all that wall needed! Great job to all involved!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 02:03 PM / 27deminimis said:
A comment full of love.
Love the bed, love the textures, love the colors, definitely love that combination pitcher and glass... Just love the room, and I really love the lamps!
Great video!
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 02:24 PM / 28EliBailey said:
Beautiful! And I LOVE those funky vintage lamps! I am always afraid of putting too many colors in one room, so I love it when you do something like this because I learn a lot from it. My husband and I are in the process of buying a house - I wish I could hire you and Anna Beth to help decorate it.
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 02:38 PM / 29Daisee said:
Gorgeous! I love love love this room! Where did you find the cow hide rug?
- Login to post comments
03.06.12 - 02:42 PM / 30