I am a believer in making room in our home for serendipitous discoveries. If you keep your eyes and heart open, you never know when you’ll unexpectedly find something more wonderful than you could have planned.
A home should tell our stories. And what better way to add character to a home than to furnish it with serendipitous discoveries?
Today I will share my thoughts on furnishing our home and the tale of unexpectedly discovering my dream bed on Facebook marketplace just a few days ago!
You might recall that I had recently posted about a little spring refresh of our bedroom. In that post I said I was still looking for a new light fixture but other than that I didn’t really have any other immediate plans for updating our room.
Well, things have taken an unexpected but exciting turn. Not only did a find a new light fixture but thanks to a mood board I made and a serendipitous discovery on Facebook Marketplace, I brought a new to me coastal dream bed to our home and now I can’t wait to have it in our little bedroom overlooking the Salish Sea. It was meant to be.
Our Plan for Furniture
In my post about our spring mantel and our thrift store pheasants, I mentioned that I was now open to the possibility of being on the hunt for “new to me” furniture. In downsizing to move here we gave away a lot of furniture! This is a smaller home so not everything we had fit and I didn’t want to feel overwhelmed trying to make decisions right away.
There is no rush. We are happy with our home and I’m always content to use what we have. And I’m still working through trying to pare down and get rid of things we don’t need here! It’s been a process. We bought a few accent chairs here and there to fill out spaces but I decided that if anything we truly love comes along (and on our budget), we’ll happily swap anything else out. That slow process will help us continue to enjoy making this home our own without any pressure or timeline.
But now that our renovation is over, I feel a little more “ready” to begin looking around more and even scrolling FB Marketplace now and then, just in case. It actually seemed like fun to just look so I began looking at FB Marketplace and found a new little console table with a marble top and a darling chair. Those finds ignited my creativity and renewed my excitement over the thrill of the hunt! I will share those pieces in a future post.
So I guess my plan for furnishing our living room was simply to be open to serendipitous discoveries! I have taught my HomeBody Gathering Place decorating community about the value in developing their sense of serendipity as well as how to bring a collected style together to it feels cohesive.
It really is fun to have a home that tells a story! The stories of how our home came together is what helps create a sense of sanctuary. I did originally think that if I bought anything it would be for the living room! Well, that’s what I get for trying to plan! :) Being open to whatever you find can make the stories of your home even more interesting! You don’t know what you’ll find or when. And when you discover something you really love, it feels like it was meant to be so I’ll happily adjust any plans.
How Creating A Mood Board Led to My Dream Bed
In HomeBody Gathering Place last week we taught how (and why!) to make a mood board. There are SO many reasons I think a mood board can be very useful in home decorating and renovations, but one reason is that they can help you to better visualize and define your own style. That really is important to creating a home you will love.
Over the weekend I was inspired to make a mood board for our bedroom. Now mind you, I wasn’t intending to buy furniture for the bedroom, I just wanted to visualize my style as whole. I wanted to visualize all of the rooms to create our style.
A mood board doesn’t have to turn into a shopping list (although that is another useful reason to make one), it can be just for inspiration!
One decorating principle I teach in the HGP is to start by making a dream board first, and then a reality board can come next. I find creating a dream board to be quite inspiring as it can encourage you to get out of a design rut or save you from always playing it safe instead of listening to your heart is telling you.
Once you can visualize your dream style, you can still incorporate what you already have but also elements of your dream into your reality.
So that’s what I did. I let myself dream a little! The first thing I put on my board besides a couple of pieces I had was an image of a bed I’ve loved for years. It’s classic, but also feels so whimsical, which I think truly is my style at heart.
I looked at all the colors the bed came in and loved them all, but I landed on robin’s egg blue. This bed has always reminded me of waves at sea and what better color for it than my favorite shade of blue?
The bed was only a dream for me, but it represented something significant about my style. An unexpected bit of whimsy is something I always crave in a home. Even if it’s just in one element, the lightheartedness and unpretentiousness of a whimsical style makes it feel like home to me.
The Serendipitous Discovery – In Another Country!
While there seemed to be no chance of me getting that bed, I reminded myself that if you are really going to be open to serendipitous discoveries, you cannot close off the possibilities before you even start. Don’t pre-determine what you’ll find or decide in advance what is or is not possible. If something speaks to your heart, listen!
So even though it seemed to me to be the most unlikely thing to find on Facebook Marketplace (especially when you don’t live in a big city) I thought I might as well look. Why not? I wasn’t in a hurry or expecting to find this bed. But even if I never found it, maybe I’d find something else that would be of a similar style or mood. There was no hurry or expectations.
This is what I love about creating a home over time. Any pressure of immediate gratification is off when the thrill of the hunt is ON! You never know when the discovery will be made.
Minutes after placing the robin’s egg blue bed on my dream board, I opened FMP and typed in the name of the bed. As I said I really didn’t expect to find it. But I immediately did a double take. Much to my surprise, there it was. My dream bed! Some people call that a “God sighting” — it really did feel like a gift was sitting right there waiting for me.
But that’s also when I went into panic mode. The price was a fraction of the cost of a new bed and no sales taxes, no shipping, so it was a no brainer…but …. there were other roadblocks. We don’t own a truck. And also, this bed was across the border in Canada. It was late Saturday night. We didn’t have any Canadian cash and no banks were open. So many questions but I decided to at least message her.
I didn’t hear back.
I couldn’t sleep a wink all night. That’s when I knew. If this bed made my heart flutter this much, there was no doubt it was meant to be. I didn’t want to accidentally miss a return message so I checked my phone really early in the morning. At 5:30 AM, she asked when we could come get it.
By 10AM we had rented a Uhaul utility truck and were on our way to the border. It turned into a much longer story — involving finding no cash machines open on Sundays, not having the right tool to take the bed apart, our phones did not work while we were in Canada and many other challenges — but we didn’t give up!
By 6PM Sunday night, my dream bed was in our home.
Dare to dream friends! You never know what might happen. :) I had to use the funds I had set aside for something in the living room, but I can’t imagine a piece of living room furniture I’d love more than my new bed. Right before we found the bed and the day after my last update post on the bedroom, I bought the new light fixture so I guess I’ll be working on the bedroom now :). That’s how you create a collected home over time, it just might turn into an unexpected adventure!
Of course, I also really loved the bed I had (this cane bed) but GOOD NEWS all around my daughter Courtney and her husband wanted a new bed, and now I just happen to have a lovely one to pass along to them. Win win!
Way to go!!
Ha thanks, such a surprise but I’m so glad we went for it! 🎉
Love stories like this and love the bed as well! Those adventures add to the stories and memories in our home.
Thank you, Londen! I agree. It’s not always as convenient as adding everything to a checkout cart, but certainly a more meaningful experience!!
Congrats! I don’t look on fb Marketplace because I’m afraid I’d find stuff like your bed. I love that you knew the name of the bed and found it. And lucky Courtney! I agree totally that you need to be able to continue your story as long as you have a breath. And love that it’s not new but gently pre-loved. Can’t wait to see your room.
Oh I hear you on not looking! 😂 I haven’t looked hardly at all for many years, we just didn’t need more and definitely didn’t want the distraction! Now that I got this bed I probably will need to not look again for awhile just to be safe 😂.
And thank you, yes we sure should keep on dreaming, creating and adding layers to our story and home! 🥰
What an absolutely perfect find.But how did you finally take the bed apart and was taking it across the border difficult?
Thank you! Great questions, I’ll add a part two to this tale when I set up the bed! It was a wild day!
Wasn’t that an Ethan Allan bed ? I’ve always liked that bed – it’s a beauty ! Congratulations!
Yes!! Me too, I’ve admired it for years!
I love the bed!!
Thank you, so excited about it!
Wonderful! I love FB Marketplace. Last year I also spent money I had been saving for other furniture on an amazing armoire. I had been stalking it watching the price slowly drop. One day, I actually had the day off and opened Marketplace to see that it was half what they wanted and they now were including delivery! I immediately paid and set up delivery. When they arrived to the house we realized that when they said “heavy” they meant 500lbs. As we were trying to figure out what to do, four huge men showed up (firefighter friends of one of the neighbors) and just grabbed it and set it in my living room. Every day I am so happy with this piece of furniture. Congratulations on your bed! What an adventure.
That’s such a great story! Thanks for sharing it. Nothing feels quite as good in a room as having a piece of furniture you love so much, it’s so worth stalking and waiting for it!
What a great find of a bed you’ve eyed for so long!! It’s so charming for your bedroom!!
When you love what you bring into your home it makes the whole experience of a room so much more special! And finding a deal on it makes it even better. Thank you!
I love how things work out like that. It is a beautiful bed!
Me too, it isn’t always the easiest or most predictable adventure but worth the effort! Finding a piece you love and bringing it home makes a room feel so special!
The bed is GORGEOUS! Serendipitous finds are my favorites! I wrote a blog post recently about my serendipitous find last fall — an antique painted marriage cabinet. 💙💙
I’m just thrilled to be off to a good start with my adventure of furnishing this home with things I love. So wonderful about the cabinet, I would love shopping in your neck of the woods! We just don’t see as many of those incredible vintage finds here.
Hi Melissa: I had to smile because I immediately recognized your bed. Working for Ethan Allen for years, it too was my favorite ever bed. I never purchased the bed because I have a cherished bed that my dad and I built years ago, that I still absolutely love. Oh I wish I had a room I could put that bed in. I would love to hear the rest of the story. I bet it’s a good one if a bit frustrating. I think you would enjoy my site as well. I would love for you to check it out https://fortheloveofold.com.
It sure was an adventure! I was a bit nervous about it all but it sure was worth it. I’m happy as a clam and will be thrilled with it for years to come!
Some things are just meant to be! What a great story to always tell when you think about your favorite bed. It looks to be in perfect condition and will provide many years of sweet dreams!
Aw so true! I love it. I’m sure I’ll feel like I’m staying in a charming bed and breakfast inn when I climb in every night!!
I have always loved this Ethan Allen bed. So happy for you! It’s beautiful!
Thank you Vicki! It paid off to dream a little 🥰
I have always loved your cane bed but this one is really gorgeous, too! I can feel your excitement!
Thanks Becky! Me too, I was actually quite torn for a bit because I do love the style of the cane bed. It was also a dream bed for me and fit so well in our previous room! I think my desire for a bit of whimsy in this coastal facing room is what sold me on a new vibe. And knowing my daughter will get the other made me feel like I’ve made the right choice for all of us. I am excited to see my new bed in the room!
What a great story to go with your amazing (new to you) bed!
I can’t wait to hear the rest of the story…
Thank you Jo!! Can’t wait to share more. 🥰
That Quincy bed is so lovely, and the color goes with your decor perfectly. Nora Murphy from Country House has that bed in black with amber glaze, so about 6 years ago, we purchased it because I really liked it. It is made so well too:)
Oh my goodness you’re right! I had forgotten about that, probably the reason I got obsessed with this bed in the first place! I wanted black for the longest time. It’s a beauty! And it sure is sturdy, carrying the headboard down the stairs at the home we bought it from almost did us in 😂.
What a beautiful bed, Melissa! I love the color. I completely believe this was a God gift for you! There’s a verse in Isaiah that says before we even think or ask, He has already answered. Even the color! Enjoy, my friend!
Thank you Linda! I was overcome with happiness and gratitude the minute I saw it, it couldn’t have been more perfect or timed any better so I know it was not a coincidence! Truly a gift just for me. 🙏🏻
What type of appliances in your kitchen do you use? I’m considering new stove and refrigerator. I need to ice maker in refrigerator too. Thank you.
We have an Ilve stove (there are similar styles through Hallman here in the US). Our fridge is a Fisher and Paykel and the dishwasher is also Fisher and Paykel! So far so good on all of them!
I love the style and the color. It reminds me of a bed Ethan Allen had in the past. Sweet dreams!
Yes that’s what it is, an Ethan Allen bed! They still sell it!
You have my bed!!!! I’m in Parksville on Vancouver Island and have been watching the ad for the Quincy bed on Craigslist for sometime now. I emailed the seller but did not hear back. I did say I lived in Parksville but I was interested. I thought if they didn’t sell it they might contact me to make some arrangement but alas you found your dream bed.
The only reason I/we didn’t head over to Surrey, B.C. to buy it was my partner was recovering from surgery and it wasn’t my dream color (white) but it would have worked for me. The price was right and I was well aware of what it would cost to buy new.
I’m like you I find something I would love to own and hope to pick up second hand some day. I’m glad you got it though Melissa and maybe, just maybe it will “inspire” me to take the bull by the horns and order a white version. Hard for me to loosen the purse strings even when I can.
Hi Bev! What a small world! I found the ad on Facebook Marketplace, she probably forgot she had posted on Craigslist. I would’ve been happy with white or black too…. I think they are all beautiful so you can’t go wrong (although I do think this color is really lovely in my home, so I’m thrilled it worked out this way!). And I’m sure a second hand bed could be painted whatever color suits your space the most. If you don’t see another one second hand soon, ordering the one you want might be the way to go. Even though it’s more expensive to buy direct at least it’s delivered right to you and maybe they set it up too!! The headboard is really heavy so delivery would be a nice perk.