Today I’m sharing the best score of my Facebook Marketplace career. A vintage Jenny Lind bed, full size, that was FREE! You read that correctly, free.
It’s week four of the One Room Challenge, and we’re halfway through! If you’re new here, welcome and thank you for following along on my budget friendly bedroom refresh for my middle daughter, Gracie.
WEEK ONE. WEEK TWO. WEEK THREE. WEEK FOUR. WEEK FIVE. WEEK SIX. WEEK SEVEN. WEEK EIGHT
What’s a Jenny Lind bed?
Jenny Lind, also known as the Swedish Nightingale, was a popular Swedish singer (does Greatest Showman come to mind?) who made her American debut in 1851. Supposedly while on tour she preferred to stay in the colonial-style spool beds with square corners, and the preference stuck. This style of bed is often called either spooled or Jenny Lind and they have become increasingly popular. Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and many other manufactures have created their own version but they are expensive! And lets not even chat about the shipping delays.
Turn to Facebook marketplace, thrift and antique stores when Sourcing on a budget.
I have lusted after a Jenny Lind bed for years but could never justify the expense and instead found good knock-off versions. My favorite crib, and twin bed are great budget friendly options. Another great option is turning to Facebook marketplace, thrift and antique stores when sourcing on a budget. Be specific in your search and do it consistently. You’ll be amazed at what you can find!
The bed is in great condition with the only damage being some deep gauges on the head board. Nothing some sand paper and paint can’t fix! The plan was a white painted bed but the longer I thought about it I couldn’t help but want to add more purple for my girl. Off to the hardware store for two samples, Sherwin Williams Expressive Plum and Benjamin Moore Kalamata.
I was lucky, both samples worked! My gut said Expressive Plum. It was warm and deep and would be the perfect contrast against crisp white linen. Kalamata, while gorgeous, has a pink undertone and it was highlighting the blush from her rug. I was not loving that but my girl Gracie loved Kalamata.
We were tied. At a stand still. I was caught between trying to honor her choice and letting go of mine. Colors read so differently outside so I brought both samples out, picked up the bed rails and painted two swatches. Kalamata, left, and Expressive Plum, right, looked so different! Expressive Plum was the clear winner. And I promise, Gracie agreed.
It’s a chameleon of a color and I’m in love. It’s deep, saturated and moody. The sophistication of the color plays really well with the whimsy neutral stenciled wall. I’m loving how her space is coming together and that I could add a little more purple plum to her space.
Be sure to head over to the One Room Challenge Blog to check out all of the spaces that the designers and guest participants will be making over. My favorite part besides tackling a space is following along and encouraging participants along the way.
