As we prepare to enter our last month of normality in our home here, I thought I should share another set of before and after photos. This post focuses on our bedroom, which in Khmer is pronounced "bahn-tohpe kaing(h)," literally sleeping room. In my previous before & after (http://sipofbrandi.blogspot.com/2015/08/before-after-bathroom-boentup-duk.html), I discussed how much Bradley and I enjoy up-cycling things to create a peaceful and beautiful space for ourselves, as well as friends and family. After our bathroom, the bedroom was the next room we tackled.
My goal was for this room to be our retreat away from the stress, schedules, and discomforts of life in Cambodia. At first we bought a foam mattress, thinking cheaper was better since it was only for 2 years. However, after 3 months of feeling physically and mentally drained due to the lack of rest, we began to reconsider our decision. There were nights where I would wake up because every single limb, yes, both of my entire arms and legs were asleep, and, no, I do not mean they were resting. I would attempt to get the blood flowing to my extremities, but it was quite a task since sitting up was about the only support I could give myself with spaghetti noodles for legs. Yes, I realize how comical this is to imagine... and probably to see. However, when it becomes a normal part of your sleeping routine to wake up different parts of your body so you can then try to go back to sleep, it begins to lose its humor, especially when you are one that already struggles with turning off your brain for bedtime. For some relief, we placed our sleeping pads (for camping) underneath our mattress to add some much needed support. This did help a little, but not enough...
After discussing how we both felt like we had aged roughly 40 years in the several months we had been "sleeping" on our cheap foam mattress, we made the decision to go mattress hunting. Bradley and I have slept on a full-size mattress since we were first married, and this size is apparently a rare request in the mattress shops here. Since the shops had plenty of king-size beds ready and available, my guess is that here, most people who can afford a "fancy" mattress want to go big. So, our full-size bed had to be special ordered, thankfully at no extra cost. Unfortunately, it meant another 1-2 months of sleeping on our foam nightmare, but the simple fact of knowing that a good night's rest was on it's way, was quite a comfort. Within the first week of our real mattress arriving, we both felt the difference. I was sleeping through the night, and Bradley was feeling much less pain in the mornings. Most importantly, we were both feeling rested, and could therefore be of better use to the Lord and the work in Cambodia.
Before we had made this glorious choice, I continued to busy myself with setting up our sleeping quarters. We purchased a wooden bed frame at a height that would allow us to store our luggage underneath. This would allow us to keep these unused, but necessary items out of the way, as well as use them for extra storage. In planning for our move here, I had brought certain toiletries, oils, and then was blessed by friends and family sending us some items we could not locate here. The suitcase under my side houses all of these unused items until they are needed, and Bradley's suitcase on his side holds all of our travel and camping gear for trips to the province. The 2 other suitcases hold our carry-on luggage and some other random items. It has been such a mental blessing to have all of our luggage out of sight, allowing us to feel more settled and at home, and less like we are just waiting to move again.
BEFORE
Not bad, but not what I would consider a warm,
peaceful and cozy space...yet.
AFTER
Faded peach is now a calming aqua mint; the wall
fan has been moved, replaced with a gorgeous hunk
of wood that Vanny rescued for us from a cobra
mound - crazy boys!; and Bradley has made
us a headboard with built-in side tables.
This banner is one of my favorite additions. I think
the sentiment is fitting for our relationship and life.
I hand-painted the words, and then burned the outer
edges of each card to create a worn effect. I cut the
flowers from card stock and strung them on jute rope.
At night our built-in headboard lamps are so warm and cozy!
{thank you hubby!}
BEFORE
Nothing wrong, but nothing inspiring either.
AFTER
We purchased a banana leaf shelf to hold our folded
clothes, oils, and some other little tidbits. The iron
grates Cambodia places on every window has come
in handy for us with "S" hooks. The wall fan has
replaced what was once a sconce, and the clothing
rod is angled in the corner, to allow a sense of space.
As a huge fan of The Mary Tyler Moore show, like
Mary's "M," this "B" symbolizes that I am home.
My homemade jewelry rack - I raided Bradley's
"junk I have already collected in a new country" stash.
Then I stamped "jewelry" on it... you know, in
case I happen to forget what this is for... ;o)
BEFORE
This is the hallway light, but it is how all of our lights
looked... before we had our way with them.
AFTER
A large bird cage, several wires, a little more aqua mint
paint, and quite a few cheese cloths yielded our new
bedroom chandelier. I love the starburst affect!
Funny story on this bird cage. The Khmer Rouge discouraged art and creativity on any level, since it was seen as a form of self, and therefore rebellion to the cause. Because of this, we have come to realize that a lot of our Khmer neighbors and friends have not been taught or encouraged to think outside of the box. When Thida popped over to visit with us while we painted, she noticed the bird cage on the ground, and inquired about our purchase. I explained that I was going to turn it into a light, but she did not understand. She continued explaining to me that "in Cambodia, when you buy this, people will think you are going to buy a bird," and "but in Cambodia this is for a bird." I finally gave up, and agreed that yes, a bird cage is indeed for a bird. It was fun to see her face light up once she saw it in its place. I am not sure if she fully approved, but she admitted to being slightly impressed. Oh, Thida! ;o)
BEFORE
Again, not bad, but not for us...
AFTER
Bradley built this GORGEOUS vanity!!! I love
everything about this little space, from the mirror
to the hamper. It's organized, functional, and pretty.
Another great story... When we first moved into our flat, in our "alleyway" leading to our staircase, Bradley spotted a discarded pallet. He asked our landlord if they had any plans to use the wood. She said they had no plans and giggled. Bradley then asked if he could use it himself. Both Srey Muht and her former husband, Mac seemed confused by this request, but were happy to oblige their new tenant with their trash. After Bradley finished his build, we invited them up to see what we had done with their space, and they were very impressed. Although originally, Srey Muht had asked that we not make any holes in the walls, after seeing this, she declared that we could do whatever we wanted with the flat. This was a proud-happy moment for us. Never again has our landlord laughed at our dragging "trash" up the stairs, but instead, she asks with excitement, "what are you making now?"
My 2 favorite items:
1) The little metal tray next to the sink that holds three
glasses filled with cotton pads, q-tips, and cotton balls. I snuck
it in my luggage during the moving process, before Bradley
could see. I knew it would make us happy once we arrived.
2) My Volcano candle from Anthropologie. *sigh*
At the end of every day, our bedroom gently eases us into our nighttime routine. It provides a comfortable place to rest after a fulfilling day, and has been a refuge - a place where we can shut the world out- on those days when it seems too much to bear. Although I am looking forward to resting our heads in a new home soon, this room will always hold a special place in my memory. It is such a blessing to be able to create a place that enables us greater joy and rest. Here's to joyful resting, wherever you rest your weary head. Cheers!
