“Imagination, Ingenuity, and Precision” – How a Bedroom Remodel Mimicks Our Approach to Event Planning

Nowadays, the news is constantly running stories about the importance of sleep and our wellbeing. I mean, they’re not wrong. According to the University of Michigan School of Public Health, sleep is essential to every process in the body. It affects our physical and mental functioning, our ability to fight disease and develop immunity, and our metabolism and chronic disease risk. 

And as a busy entrepreneur, I can attest to this. A productive day can easily be dictated by the amount, and quality, of sleep I get each night. If I wake up refreshed, I feel more inclined to work out, eat healthily, and care for myself. Blog posts (like this one) are more informative, witty, and creative. Heck, I can even muster up enough energy to work through even the most draining projects (typically ones involving numbers – bleh!)

So after 5 years of living in our dated fixer-upper, it was time to tackle the bedroom. I was ready to end the eye-rolling, heavy sighing, and downright bitching that came out of my mouth as I entered the room (and I know Scott was glad, too!). Plus, if I wanted to get ahead in my business, I needed to strengthen myself from the inside… starting with a more calming environment to promote better sleep!

In our 1960-something home, the most beautiful feature has to be the wood ceilings. When we bought the house, the son of the original homeowner would tell us stories about how his dad, and his uncle, handpicked each piece of wood used throughout the house. They carefully assembled the planks on the ceiling and a few chosen walls, giving the home warmth and uniqueness. 

However, besides that, the bedroom lacked anything interesting. From the crappy closet doors to the carpet (that absorbed every piece of dog hair) to the off-white walls (barf!) – nothing screamed: “Relax, get cozy and release the stress of the day.” In fact, I could argue that it added to it!

So it was time for a change, and I decided to focus on the wall behind our bed. It needed a statement. And something other than just color on the wall or throwing up wallpaper (which I would probably get tired of).

After many hours of research, I landed on creating a geometric wall. To me, using wood to create a unique pattern while keeping the wall a solid color would be the best way to make the room more exciting yet timeless. 

After sketching the design and clearing the furniture, I painted the whole wall navy blue, the chosen accent color. Then, using painter’s tape, I measured and laid out the pattern mimicking the design on paper. 

Starting with the pattern’s longest strip (and closest to the middle of the design), I measured and cut a 1×2″ piece of wood to lay on top of the tape outline. It didn’t matter that the painter’s tape would remain underneath the wood because it wouldn’t be seen. Plus, I didn’t want to rely on my re-measuring skills after pulling the tape. 

Savvy Tip: if some of the painter’s tape is exposed after you tack the wood to the wall, take an Exacto knife and gently cut and peel the excess. 

I set up a work area in the room using a jigsaw and two sawhorses. Doing this may have kicked up more dust than I had hoped, but I saved time running back and forth to my husband’s shop (especially if the angle was slightly off and I needed to recut).

Savvy Tip: Use a contour gauge to help cut the angles correctly. I didn’t have one for this project, but now that I do, it will save time on my next one!

One by one, I cut and nailed the strips into the final wall pattern. Once I was satisfied with the layout, I caulked the sides of the boards to the wall, along with any nail holes and miscuts. This made the pattern look more seamless and finished.

The final touch was painting everything the same color as the wall behind it to balance the textured ceiling and wood floors.

Savvy Tip: If you want to make more of a statement, try painting the wood boards differently. You can choose a lighter or darker color in the same family or a complimentary color. 

With the wall complete and some new linens, my bedroom was transformed from outdated and dingy to cozy and calming. Now, I have a room that I look forward to retreating to each night to recharge my body.

Amazing right?

I’m sure you’re thinking, “What on earth does this have to do with event planning?!”

Call me crazy, but a lot!

My bedroom makeover presents characteristics within myself that translate into the work I help create for our Local Revival clients. Let me explain:

• Better sleep encourages a more productive and focused work day, which allows me to make clear-headed decisions for my clients. 
• Designing and executing a custom wall feature highlights my problem-solving skills. Not all walls are the same: different heights, textures, or features (such as windows or doors). So I had to pick the most creative solution that fit my space. At Local Revival, every event presents similar challenges. Whether it’s figuring out how to fit as many wishlist items into a client’s budget, creating an inviting seating arrangement in an awkward venue space, or coming up with an inclement weather alternative, this noggin works tirelessly to design the best plan for each event. 
• Picking the best tool to cut angles that fit together precisely demonstrates the level of detail we treat each project. For a 10-person baby shower or a 200-person wedding, we treat every project with the same amount of detail and professionalism. 

Knowing that I used skillsets in my toolbox to produce a room that will make me less stressed and excited to tackle each day gave me an immense sense of pride. Which is the same feeling I get when I activate those same skills to produce flawless and unforgettable events for our clients. Hearing them say they could actually enjoy their event because we handled all the details is truly the highlight of what I do.

So, if you’re looking to hire a planner for your next event and are curious why you should choose us, think about my bedroom’s transformation. Not only can we customize a beautiful event, but we use all the tools at our disposal to smooth over any kinks and connect all the pieces. Leaving you calm and clear-headed to enjoy your important day to the fullest. 

So, what do you think of the finished bedroom? Did you think I was going to be able to bridge the gap between redesigning my bedroom and event planning? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Comment below or on Facebook, or Instagram!

We hope all of your parties are flawless and fabulous!

Your savvy “biz” friend,
Summer

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