hey all,

i'm moving back in a couple months, and think i'd like to decorate my bedroom in a more cohesive style than the last time i lived there. it's fairly large, walk in closet, with three large windows, and a ledge all the way around a few feet from the ceiling (think converted dining room - the ledge was used for displaying dishes).

the walls are white, and i can't paint them. the carpet is a hideous blue-green, and i can't do anything about that either.

i have: a cool celtic tapestry that i could hang on a wall or cover a table with; some small artwork i bought in dublin, lots of candles, and a paper table lamp.

i'm looking for: ideas that for stuff that i can start now (while i have a car and free time) so i can be all ready to go end of september. i'd also rather not spend too much money, but i'd be willing to beg my parents for a new celtic bedspread for my birthday if anyone has seen a good source.

(gawd, this is turning into a long post - i appreciate your glittery indulgence) i have a cool set of celtic stamps that i was thinking of using to etch a pattern on a mirror, and burn out some velvet for window valances. i like the romantic style from the mysts of avalon, but not so high-maintenence. and i'd like to not resort to my college irish decor, which was a 3' by 5' flag of ireland hanging on the wall.

whew, i think that's it! thanks muchly!
athos

you could turn a tapestry or wall hanging thing into a duvet cover (if you wanted it to be a bit more "visible")

MJDesigns and like craft shops have celtic stamps that you could do something with...

Look at party stores for st. pats stuff?

my brain isn't functioning so hot right now, but i'll see what i can think of....

-Shannon

Hi Athos,
Here are some ideas - take or leave at will:
When you are talking Irish I am assuming more celtic than cheesy diddley-diddley so this is what I have so far:
The curtain idea was really cool - I'd think about uniting the space with colour - the more Irish tones of heathers, plums, blues, greys, browns - gentle and autumnal
Think organic - wrought iron candlesticks are really popular in Ireland as is handpainted pottery (go to your local color-me-mine or whatever and paint your own coffee mugs) - or a series of plates which can then be displayed around that ledge you were talking about - you could do a great mirror frame using plywood painted a washed grey or blue and then do some celtic designs in antique gold (I think Dover publications has a celtic design book which is copyright free)
Go to the thrift store and look for tweeds and fairisle/aran sweaters and make cushion covers - texture is really the key.
If you were in Dublin you might have visited Kilkenny Design which had really good handmade glassware, carvings, pottery etc and I think that might be the look you can go for on a budget - not too cluttered. Wrought iron, wood, etc.
Lots of big white church candles look really effective when displayed together.
As you seem to have a really nice space you should aim for the old pile of bricks on the country estate look - not too polished, more antique and lived in but with great bones.
Can't really think about the celtic bedspread, but you could make your own duvet cover using sheets and fabric paints - again going for what I could only say are the colours used on Enya's CDs - really subtle and natural with a bit of gold thrown in for effect.

Ok, that is it - I think I'm out of ideas, but if I think of anything else I will post again.

Best of luck in the decorating hunt.

mel

thanks for the input! i'll check out mjdesigns with more of an open mind... seems like whenever i venture into craft stores i always go with a purpose to avoid being overwhelmed.

i love love love the idea of a series of plates. there is a ceramic studio near where i live that i've been to a couple times with my mother. using a dish ledge for the intended purpose. that's brilliant, mel, i can't believe i didn't think of that.

soft and heather blues would be nice, and not 'fight' too much with the hideous carpet. antique gold or copper too. stamping gold designs on a weathered blue frame would also come out great, as the etching on the mirror itself will have to be really simple for me to be able to do it well.

thanks muchly!