From Teenage Bedroom to Sitting Room

Pauline Manor officially became an “empty” nest this year. Our youngest, Midge, spread her wings and moved out, which left me with a bittersweet mix of emotions. On one hand, I miss having her here every day. On the other hand, I suddenly had a whole extra room to play with… and you know I wasn’t about to let it sit empty for long.

The centerpiece of the room is a late 1800s fainting couch, the kind of piece that makes you feel like you should be wearing a corset and fanning yourself dramatically while sighing about “the vapors.” Its curved back and deep seat make it surprisingly comfortable, though, and it gives the room an old-world charm that feels perfectly at home in Pauline Manor.

On the other side of the room, tucked neatly in the corner, is the vintage turntable I found on Marketplace. It felt like fate since Midge had covered the walls with her record collection, and I loved the idea of keeping her touch in the room. The turntable looks like it’s straight out of mid-century living rooms, and now her records aren’t just decoration — they’re the soundtrack to this little sitting room.

Between the fainting couch and the turntable, the room became a mix of eras: a little Victorian, a little retro, and a whole lot of cozy.

I’ll admit, the transition felt strange at first. Her bedroom door no longer opens to a messy pile of clothes or the sound of her favorite playlist, but instead to a quiet little retreat. Now it’s where I go when I need to disconnect — just down the hall and around the corner from my office. It’s become my own little escape, while still holding a piece of her in it.

Empty nest? Maybe. But I like to think of it as a nest that’s finally big enough for everyone to come back and visit… and in the meantime, I get a really cool sitting room out of the deal.