The Impatient Gardener: What would your white room look like?

04 January 2012

What would your white room look like?

My godmother is one of those amazingly good women who doesn't deserve what is happening to her, like so many others in this world. She is suffering from pancreatic cancer and it's going to take her life. She's been in a rehabilitation facility for the past several weeks but right before the new year she moved into a hospice facility. You wouldn't think that would be cause for celebration, but for her, it was.

She moved into a room that is empty. Save for a bed, wheelchair and some of the medical necessities she'll need, the room is empty room with white walls. She gets to bring the rest. That may sound depressing, but for a women who lived and cared for her parents until they passed away and then took over a house that was, at least to her, untouchable because it bore the stamp of her parents, it is an opportunity.

"Can you imagine being able to do anything you want in a room, starting from scratch?" she said. And it got me thinking: What would I put in that room?

Of course in this situation, you're probably more interested in WHO is in the room, rather than what is in the room, and certainly I'd want to pack it with a steady stream of good friends, beloved family and of course, my favorite four-leggeds. But beyond that, what would the room look like?

I think I'd start with paint. I'm not actually sure if they allow you to paint, but I think there is no better time to ask forgiveness rather than permission. I would be hard pressed to pick one color and stick with it so I'd probably want to repaint about once a week, but I think I'd stick with bright colors.

 

Certainly the wonderful Wythe Blue would be among my chosen colors.

Source: houzz.com via Erin on Pinterest

 

 

I'd enjoy this fresh green with a fair amount of yellow in it for awhile.

Source: houzz.com via Erin on Pinterest

 

 

I'd want to take a turn with orange but I don't know if I could stand it on an entire wall. Maybe a big, wide stripe of orange (except with gray instead of tan) would work.

Source: houzz.com via Erin on Pinterest

 

I'd do yellow for awhile too, but I can't stand overly sunny yellows. I like this one with lots of green in it.

Source: houzz.com via Erin on Pinterest

 

 

I'd also have huge prints of favorite photos of family and friends made, maybe to be made into wallpaper on one or more of the walls, similar to what the Novogratzes did in a couple rooms. That way my friends and family would always be close even when they weren't with me.

I loved this photo blown up as wallpaper in a room for triplets that the Novogratzes did on an episode last fall.

Source: blog.hgtv.com via Erin on Pinterest

 

I'd get a good-sized television because you can bet I'd watch whatever the heck I felt like watching. I'd also spring for a couple of great chairs and a comfortable sofa. Why not? And yeah, I'd charge it.

I'd bring in a nice bookcase and surround myself with every book I could possibly think about wanting to read. I'd have a mini fridge stocked with all my favorite drinks and the favorites of my friends, because we'd be having some good parties in there.

 

 

 

I'd also call up a good florist and tell them to sent a new floral arrangement every five days. I'd get a few orchids, some Christmas cacti, a Moss Rock or two and my grandmother's ficus tree. I'd have basil growing in the window and I'd eat it on everything all the time.

 

 

 

 

I've not seen my godmother's room yet, but apparently she's thrilled with it. My dad and brother helped move some of the stuff from her house up there over the weekend. I can't wait to see what she's done with it.

So, what would your white room look like?

6 Comments:

Blogger Tanja @ Postmodern Hostess said...

Erin -- I'm so sorry that you and your godmother are going through this. I hope she doesn't suffer too much, and I'm beyond impressed that she's able to keep such a positive view on things!

I know it's boring, but I tend to find warmer whites very calming. Our bedroom in our condo in LA was all shades of white and cream, but with lots of texture, and that's probably my favorite space I've ever lived in. (Viewable here.) So I guess I'd focus on texture more than color, and -- like you said -- with lots of plants, flowers, herbs. And furry friends, too, of course!

January 4, 2012 at 8:55 AM  
Blogger LINDA from Each Little World said...

Can't imagine at such a difficult time that you get a white room. Think that would do it for me! Color and flowers sound about right. I'm guessing you can help her with that. And not those flowers they send when you're sick, but really cool bouquets.

January 4, 2012 at 3:11 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

I love a deep taupe with white. I am sorry about your godmother! I would also want cut flowers and houseplants.

Your new blog design looks great!!

January 4, 2012 at 9:14 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

January 4, 2012 at 9:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh no Erin I'm so very sorry! You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. My husband's grandma passed away from pancreatic cancer last February. It was not found until very late and my in-laws took turns spending every day and night with her with a nurse coming to care for her medically multiple times a day.

I would be kind of boring and keep a nice bright neutral palette with warm ivory walls layered with lots of tan, taupe, gold, and coral accents. Then add beautiful wood pieces and other natural elements.

January 4, 2012 at 10:35 PM  
Blogger Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

Thank you all for your nice comments. Cancer is such a hideous disease that affects, well, everyone I think. So many people have a personal story about their own struggle or that of a friend or family member.

It's really interesting to me that so many of you would like a neutral space. Certainly that would be calming and serene. I love hearing about each one of your "white room" spaces. Thank you for sharing.

January 5, 2012 at 12:38 PM  

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