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Room Inspiration – Inspired By Charm

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Kev and I follow a nice fella named Michael on Twitter and I wanted to blog about some of his crafty projects here today. He writes a blog called Inspired by Charm, and he owns a bed and breakfast in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania.

Inside the front door of his (1917) B&B, there’s a little gift shoppe, and while the goodies he’s got for sale are definitely delightful, I was also totally inspired by the zig-zag wall treatment he recently painted on the back wall of an old closet in the space…

Here’s what Michael had to say about his pretty paint project, “I wanted something light and clean, something modern, but still warm and a bit rustic. I’ve been a little obsessed with chevron lately, so I thought I’d give that a shot. I started with a fresh coat of white paint. To give the chevron a softer look, I decided to have the colored portion of the zig-zags resemble burlap or linen.”

After I did some intensive math (it really wasn’t that hard) and taped everything off, I started painting. To keep the cost down, I used two colors I already had from previous projects- Antique White and Perfect Greige, by Sherwin Williams.

Using some cheap brushes, I painted several layers of paint on the wall. I managed to achieve the textured burlap/linen look I wanted, and to be honest, I was quite surprised that it turned out how I had envisioned it!”

Click here to read Michael’s step-by-step instructions: Chevron Wall Tutorial

Michael had fun working on a room he calls ‘The Garden Suite’ at his B&B, too.

He didn’t have any plans when he first decided to redo the room, he just let things come together organically.

He found the heavy-weight, red & white floral fabric he made the “dummy panel” curtains out of at Walmart while they were having a 50% off sale. I think they’re so pretty, and I love the unconventional ‘curtain rod’ he made to hold them up. Here’s what Michael had to say about that project, “I attached two 2x4s to the wall above the window trim. I filled in the gaps with putty and painted them white to match the rest of the molding. I found some forged nails online and pounded them into the wood evenly across the top. I attached pieces of chain link to the curtain panels and hung them on the forged nails.”

For more about how he made it, click here: Curtain Reveal Post

And speaking of fun fabrics, I also love the sunny, yellow shamrock-patterned bedskirt he made for the bed in The Garden Suite…

He purchased the fabric at the same 50% off sale at Walmart, and I think it’s so fun and unexpected!

Another one of my favorite elements in the room is the giant sign he hand-painted…

Here’s what he had to say about the project, “I typically prefer to use vintage/recycled wood, but in this case, I couldn’t find the size I needed. I wanted the finished sign to be 8ft by 2ft, so I purchased two, twelve-foot 1″x 8″s from the lumberyard. I distressed the wood by banging it up with a hammer, a saw and a length of chain. After that, I applied a treatment of vinegar and steel wool, which really helped age the wood. I kept the colors and design simple, and used painters tape as my guide. I printed out the lettering from my computer and transferred it onto the wood using a pencil, which made the process really simple. The total cost for my sign was under $40.”

Isn’t it fabulous? To read more about Michael’s sunny sign, click here: The Making Of A Sign, and if you’d like to say hi to the talented Mr. M, you can find him here: Blog, Bed & Breakfast, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest.

Before I sign off, here are the names of the giveaway winners that were randomly-selected earlier in the week:

Valentines Day Pennant Banners–

LoveFeast Table HeartGram–

Congratulations ladies, and thanks for playing along with us!

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Comments

  1. Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamily

    I would want to stay in the garden suite if I stayed there! He did an excellent job decorating and a fabulous job on the sign. I would have never guess that was new lumber that had been distressed. I like how open and light the room feels vs. some of the more traditional bed and breakfast styles.

  2. mommy's sippy cup

    Your rooms look fantastic!!! Love them. And I especially in love with that sign. What do you mean you transferred with a pencil. I’ve been wanting to make something like this. Great job!

    • Layla

      Hey there! You’ll have to hop on over to Michael’s tutorial on his blog to read about his step-by-step’s! He’s got each and every one of them listed there! 🙂

    • Layla

      Hey Gigi! Just wanted to make sure you read that this is a nice fella named Michael’s bed & breakfast up in Saint Marys, PA! 😀

  5. Linda @nothingbutblueskyes

    I am jonesin’ for those drapes!

    Suddenly, I am craving to do my bedroom over with red and white bedding. Just yesterday, I pinned the Chaps bed set in those colors. I may just run over to the local Walmart and pray they have these on clearance!!!

    Gorgeous rooms and design ideas.

  6. Megan

    I follow both of your blogs! What a big feature for Inspired by Charm! He is fabulously talented. It is the little details that give charm. He seems to think of them all, as do you.

  8. Karen

    The chevron paint treatment is amazing! Thanks for the links to Micheal’s great site.. Now the juices are flowing!! ~K

  10. Michele Dunn

    Don’t you just love Michael! He never ceases to amaze and inspire me! Thank you so much for this great feature!

  11. Maria

    Layla & Kev,
    I first have to let you both know that you inspire me everyday! I have been following you both for a litle over 6-8 mths and have never left you a note unil today. Thank you for being the catalyst to my creativity and for allowing us to get a glimpse of who you are and what you love to do. Its just a wonderful thing!!! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site!

    Regarding, Inspired by Charm, love that post! One of my all time dreams is to have a B&B/cabin/retreat some day..

    Have a wonderful day!

  12. Lori H

    I am a happy follower of Michael’s blog. He’s so creative and inspiring. Glad to see him featured here on another of my favorite blogs 🙂 That chevron wall is fantastic. I want to visit his gift shop so badly!

  14. Cathy

    Most people don’t know where St Mary’s, PA is, but my Grandparents lived there, my Dad grew up there. How cool to read about it on your blog. I love the rooms he did. If I ever go back, I’ll stop by.

  16. Funky Junk Interiors

    It’s sooooo awesome seeing Michael featured here! He deserves this and more! His baking posts are every bit as phenomenal. Look out Martha Stewart, you have some tough competition! 🙂

    Donna

  19. Sherry Ann

    OK, WOW ! Love this guy! You have some creative, fun, sweet, BLOG-friends! I am making that sign he ever so kindly shared the DIY for that’s in the Garden Room. I am so excited I just can’t stand it. It’s Friday, my Mr. is off work today and we have a project to complete! I can’t wait to hang the finished product in my daughter’s room at our Lake House. Yay! Thank you for sharing.

  22. Barb Rajchel

    Yes, Michael is a truly amazing young man. Im very proud and most days in awe of the things he accomplishes. Michael’s Mom

  23. Jessica

    Thanks for the fun referral, I’m headed there right now! I’ve been noodling on bedskirt designs myself, so great timing! 🙂

  30. Mrs.B

    I’m so glad you shared this, I’m definitely going to check out his blog! Isn’t he just so talented the way he brought such unexpected thigs together and made them work so well together?! So fun and creative!

  33. Susan

    I love his fabric choices. And to think he found them at Wal-mart. I have to admit that I never look at Wal-mart for fabric since they downsized the fabric departments in our area stores. Shame on me! I should know from reading all the fabulous blogs that interesting things can be found everyone if I would take the time to look. Good job, Michael!

  37. Katy

    OMG – – how cool is that sign, I love it
    Love that dust ruffle too!
    Can you come to my house next?
    Love you guys!

  38. Elizabeth

    Wow! What a wonderful looking chevron wall. I clicked over to Michael’s site and am instantly hooked. Your inn and the projects that I read about look gorgeous. Also, I am already in love with your cats. Enjoyed seeing them helping you quilt! Will be stopping by for more visits.

  39. Michael - Innkeeper

    Thank you to everyone for your beautiful and kind words. You have made my day … my week actually. Your kind words and thoughtful comments warm my heart. It feels so wonderful to be a part of this amazing community. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    Beautiful post Layla! Thank you! You somehow made my projects and photos look even more beautiful!!

  40. Deb Kennedy

    Michael is one of the contributing style writers for FOLK magazine, a new lifestyle print publication. That’s where I ‘met’ him, and am constantly ‘charmed’ and inspired by his creativity and design sense! I’m one of his avid Pinterest followers, too ;0) This was a great feature!

  44. Ter'e Crow Lindsay

    This room is simply precious! How FRESH! I love red, blue and yellow. The artwork is perfect for the room. That sign………..is……………is………..well I have a word that I better not use. But it is “beyond the moon”. I could have a serious crush on Michael!!!!Cannot wait to check out his blog.

  48. Susan

    Love his ideas! Love yours, too BTW-
    but it’s always so much fun to find a cool new blog out there in cyberland 🙂

  49. amanda

    Love the curtain idea! And that shamrock fabric makes the room fun! (am saving this post, I may have to use a little of this and that in my teenager daughter’s room)

  50. Rhonda

    How charming and happy, you just couldn’t be sad in such a happy room.. Thank you for the inspiration. 🙂