Interior Design Mad Libs

I'll admit, I've watched home redecorating shows from time to time. That's not why I'm redecorating my room. It has absolutely nothing to do with it. Really. I haven't been influenced in the least by all the room makeover programs I just happened to catch in bits and pieces while I my mom was watching. Not even when I sat down to finish watching the episode and find out what the homeowners think about their new bedroom redesigned as a crypt.

So, maybe they've influenced me just a little. But my bedroom was still in need of an overhaul in order to rid it of its extreme boringness. The space is (I suppose I should say was) stuffed full of junk I've collected over the years, and while some of the stuff looks really cool on its own, it gets lost in the eclectic mishmash of crap hanging on the walls, covering the shelves and stuffed in the corners. There is such a thing as an “eclectic style,” but, in my opinion, the eclectic style is the design world's attempt to make disorganized packrats feel a little better about their habits. I'm in need of a clean sweep. The walls—which haven't been painted since the previous homeowners remodeled the basement—are in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint, there are dust bunnies hiding under my bed, and I have no more room on my bookshelves.

I'm trading in my white walls and powder blue ceiling (boy was that ever a mistake) for a pale yellow ceiling, two vivid, red-orange walls and two tan walls. My new bedspread is red and I have a throw and some pillows made out of Indian saris. Many of my design elements are Indian, but I suppose it would be more accurate to say theme is Asian theme. I'm going for a rich, earthy feel contrasted against the bright colors and intricate patterns of the Indian fabric.

While you know I'm really excited to see how it turns out, I'm even more excited to get all the objects that were in my room out of the family room and back where they belong. I know that process will take a lot of thought and effort because not everything can come back in, and everything needs organization. In other words, I'm enjoying the painting stage because it's fun to see the walls change color, but I know I'm going to have my work cut out for me when it comes to putting everything back together, so I'm eager to get that part started. The sooner I get started, the sooner I'll be done.

More than anything though, I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again. I feel like I'm a guest in my own home. I can't wait until it's done!