Monthly Archives: December 2016
Bedroom Design: 5 Stylish New Orleans Bedrooms
Post by Tracy Kaler.
New Orleans is a town with its own style and energy –– one that dances to its own pace and claims the French Quarter as its most vibrant neighborhood. Since NOLA is brimming with architectural gems, it’s no surprise that the interiors would be well designed both functionally and aesthetically. These five stylish New Orleans bedrooms are but a few examples of how the city shines from the inside out.
This Victorian bedroom goes bright with colors, and mixes traditional furniture with modern art. Details like rich hardwood floors, high baseboards, and picture mold stand out while celebrating the home’s history.
A tall headboard and color-block draperies allow this spacious guest room in the Chateau Bourbon Hotel to take on a contemporary feel. Yellow adds life to the black, gray, and white color scheme. All paint colors in this space are by Benjamin Moore.
Located in the Garden District, this condo bedroom by Susan Currie Design honors traditional interiors with architectural elements like built-in bookshelves, a window seat, and crown molding. Every detail is in place, but this uncluttered design is both practical and attractive.
This transitional bedroom by Jennifer DiCerbo Interiors remains neutral throughout. The bold sunburst mirror above the bed draws the eye, adding interest to the space.
In the Warehouse District of New Orleans, this apartment bedroom has been completely renovated. The vintage French Quarter doors were pulled inside to complete the look.
Bedroom Design: Making the Most of a Small Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Not all bedrooms are created equal, but remember, size and style have little in common. Sometimes, even the most compact spaces can feel chic and be brimming with personality. If you’ve been dreaming of a larger space but don’t have the square footage to work with, celebrate what you’ve got and make the most of your small bedroom.
This shabby chic bedroom might break the rules a bit (the bed is placed in front of the window), but everything about the room is sweet and seems comfortable. The full bed just fits, and the space is accessorized well considering the size (it doesn’t feel cluttered).
A bare bones London bedroom keeps to minimal furnishings, but has all that an occasional guest room needs. The credenza at the foot of the bed works for storage and adds a horizontal surface.
This adorable cottage bedroom sports a neutral color scheme. I want to crawl inside, read a chapter or two, fall sound asleep, and wake up to a croissant and cappuccino. That’s a great room.
Furnishings go modern in this farmhouse bedroom, but the original brick wall remains a backdrop for the beds. A graphic area rug gives the room an industrial edge.
A Scandinavian bedroom keeps things modern and practical with built-in bed storage and a white color palette.
Small space, big style rings true in this New York bedroom that resembles a walk-in closet more than a room. Notice the carefully merchandised shelves and antique chandelier.
Bedtime Stories: The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Post by Mark T. Locker.
Bedtime Stories: The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
For most, the story of the Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition. Dress up fancy and go to the performing arts center or school to watch the popular ballet, whose music from Tchaikovsky is pretty much synonymous with the holidays. For many, hearing the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy will evoke images of Christmasy scenes.
But did you know that it was first a short story by 19thcentury author E.T.A. Hoffmann? Written in 1816, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” is the littleknown origin of the Nutcracker ballet. Hoffmann was a fan of the traditional German fairy tales, and their influence is obvious in the story.
On Christmas Eve, Marie and her brother are playing with their new nutcracker toy which becomes accidentally broken. She attempts to fix it and stays up late keeping it company. Suddenly, an army of mice appear. All the wooden toys then come to life and battle the mice. The next day Marie tells her godfather, Drosselmeyer, about the event and he tells her the story of the nutcracker and how he came to be. There are lots of unusual fairy tale goings-on, such as the need to have a princess eat a nut which must be cracked and handed to her by a man who had never been shaved nor worn boots since birth, and who must, without opening his eyes hand her the kernel and take seven steps backwards without stumbling.
In the Hoffmann story, none of this is a dream. The little girl sees it all with her own eyes and even though most adults don’t believe her, it’s a true story. My favorite version of this story is illustrated by Maurice Sendak, known best for his book Where the Wild Things Are. Richly illustrated, the story is both beautiful to look at and to read.
Bedroom Design: Get Inspired by Color-Filled Bedrooms
Post by Tracy Kaler.
When it comes to decor, sticking with neutrals might seem like the safest choice, but we’ve all seen those beige rooms that are completely lifeless. In other words, it’s possible to ruin the interior design even if you opt for white or tan. Sure, painting a wall red or cobalt blue requires a fair amount of gumption (and trial and error), but you’ll rarely label a bright room bland or boring. Let’s get inspired to decorate with color as we admire these five color-filled bedrooms.
This New York farmhouse bedroom appears to get great light, so this bold wall color stays clear and doesn’t turn muddy. It might be the perfect shade of Chinese red.
Owner Jeanie Engelbach certainly doesn’t fear color! This New York City bedroom has a youthful, whimsical feel. She goes out on a limb introducing neon, combining it with classic bold tones and a muted robin’s egg blue on the bed wall. Somehow, it all fits.
No, that’s not paint on the walls. That lush finish is silk wall covering. Although this bedroom isn’t bold, the color palette of varying blues isn’t easy to pull off. From glancing at this vignette, we can tell that this room is luxurious.
Photo by Adam Butler Photography
If you love spring, you’ll love the bedroom pictured below. Spring green, lemon yellow, and bold orange come together to create one of the happiest bedrooms I’ve ever laid eyes on.
This little girl’s room pulls out all the stops for sweetness. Different shades of lavender and fun artwork set the stage. Notice the lime green desk chair. It’s unexpected, but becomes the ideal accessory.
This Philly bedroom feels beachy, but it’s several hours from the coast. The throw on the bed picks up the black and white striped flooring perfectly.
How to Make a Bedroom Look and Feel Luxurious
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Is your bedroom feeling a bit too basic? Believe it or not, you won’t need to commit to a major overhaul to transform your bedroom into a luxurious sanctuary. With a few additions and edits, your bedroom can look and feel luxurious. Here’s what to do.
Layer your bed.
If you love how a hotel room exudes luxury and you want your bedroom to feel similar, you can do it by layering. Try adding a down topper to your mattress, then a down comforter inside a duvet cover. If you’re allergic to down, opt for a coverlet over a soft blanket. Several bed pillows, overstuffed decorative pillows, and a throw at the foot of the bed will complete the look. You’ll be anxious to crawl into your comfy cocoon every night.
Rethink your nightstand.
Nightstands without drawers don’t work for a lot of people. The truth is – even one drawer can help keep clutter at bay. An uncluttered bedroom is more likely to feel luxurious that one with tchotchkes strewn about. If you have a bedside table, considering switching it out for a nightstand with drawers and keep your belongings inside.
Use warm white light bulbs.
It’s no surprise that lighting creates ambiance, and in a bedroom, we need more mood than we do in other rooms. Switching bulbs to warm white can make all the difference in the overall feel of your bedroom, and even make you and your mate or guests look more attractive.
Aim for less.
Less furniture doesn’t need to make a room look sparse or empty. Place a few quality, key pieces –– a bed, dresser, nightstands, and perhaps a chair or chaise lounge, and let each item shine.
