Yearly Archives: 2016
Bedroom Design: ‘Tis the Season to Decorate Your Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and December is here. That means one thing: it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Sure, the days grow shorter and the nights last longer, but holiday stockings, twinkle lights, and sugar plums abound. Shopping, baking, entertaining and traveling take center stage, and most of us look forward to decking the halls in our spare time. Decorating doesn’t need to be kept to the living room or exterior of your home, either. You can introduce holiday cheer to any space, be it your kitchen, bath, office, or bedroom. Get inspired by these five bedrooms, each of which is geared up for the holiday season.
This transitional Phoenix bedroom feels joyful with the winter greenery and pine cones. Lime green lamp shades provide contrast to the black furniture and black and white area rug.
Red accents on the bed, an evergreen wreath, white lights, and various other holiday tchotchkes allow this bedroom to feel a lot like Christmas.
A gender-neutral kids’ room in Australia has fun with fireplace décor. Children of all ages adore Nutcrackers (and even some adults). You can easily add one or several to any bedroom.
This Denver home takes on the feeling of a ski lodge. Red and green combined with the snow-capped mountains in the distance lend a Christmas theme.
What’s not to love about this sweet, youthful bedroom? Swap out the accessories, and you’ll have a woman’s guest room rather than a child’s bedroom. Subtle mini-wreaths make the space feel festive.
We hope you’ll decorate your bedroom this holiday season!
Bedtime Stories: How This Book Was Made
Post by Mark T. Locker.
Bedtime Stories: How This Book Was Made by Mac Barnett and Adam Rex.
So you think you know how a picture book comes into being? You may think you know, but you don’t. I don’t think you took into account the pirates, or the arm-wrestling tigers. Or the roaring fires of discarded drafts. No, you don’t know how this book was made at all.
From the mind and hands of Adam Rex and Mac Barnett comes another clever and hilarious picture book. Mac Barnett writes with a number of talented illustrators but his work with Adam Rex is my favorite. I see this book as a companion piece to Barnett/Rex’s 2012 picture book Chloe and the Lion which is another behind-the-scenes peek at the making of a picture book. Where Chloe looked at the collaboration between author and illustrator, How This Book Was Made looks at the process from inception to publication. In some ways, it really does explain how this book was probably made, though of course embellished and changed to make it interesting for children.
When Mac Barnett tells you his editor sent him back the first 20 drafts of the story, you can’t help but believe that this was indeed the case. But whether or not he burned the other drafts to scare away the tiger bent on revenge cannot be confirmed or denied.
To take Mac’s word on it, the process of getting the book from his original idea to becoming the copy in your hands is an incredible process! Adam Rex makes a valuable contribution, turning simple statements like “I found a quiet place to write” and placing the author at the top of a ladder on the top of a desolate mountain. Although Mac insists “it took the illustrator took a VERY long time to draw all the pictures” it was definitely worth waiting for his fantastic illustrations.
Bedroom Design: How to Create a Relaxing Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Once again the holiday season is upon us, and we all have too many things to accomplish in a limited amount of time. As the most stressful month of the year approaches, now more than ever, we need a place to relax and recoup. That place is often our bedroom.
Last week, we looked at what makes a great bedroom, and one of the components was a space to relax. Heed these tips to create a relaxing bedroom, ideal for unwinding during the holiday season or at any time of the year.
Choose the right size bed.
A comfy bed is a given, but what about size? Many couples prefer a king bed, so they have plenty of space to sprawl. A queen-size should be the bare minimum for two people. Twin beds are suitable for singles, but depending on the person’s size, a double bed might be comfier. Taller folks should opt for extra-long beds.
Treat the windows.
Window treatments soften a space and help with light control. They can also enhance the mood of a room, so every bedroom should have shades, blinds, and or curtains, which also can keep a room soundproof and block out the world outside.
Control temperature.
Make sure that your bedroom isn’t too warm or too cool. Adjust the thermostat, don’t block heat or an air conditioning source, install a ceiling fan if possible, and if not, add a table fan for air circulation.
Organize.
No one wants clutter, and if you want to chill out in your bedroom, you won’t want it either. Stay organized and purge anything you don’t need. You’ll thank yourself later.
Use aromatherapy.
If you haven’t experimented with scents in the bedroom, now is a good time to start. Use lavender and sage essential oils and candles to encourage relaxation and promote sleep.
Maintain.
Keeping a bedroom tidy might not seem like an important step in creating a relaxing bedroom, but cleanliness is essential. If you want your bedroom to be your sanctuary, treat it as such. Clean once per week, and be sure that HVAC, lamps and any electronics are in working order.
Bedroom Design: What Makes a Great Bedroom?
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Interior Design is often based on personal preferences, but great design is universal. Each successful space has specific elements that make the room function well and feel good at the same time, no matter the style. Let’s take a look at what makes a great bedroom.
A comfortable bed.
First and foremost, every bedroom needs a good mattress. Sure, a room can be attractive, if not alluring, but if the bed isn’t comfortable enough to provide restful sleep, then the space doesn’t function well. And comfort to one person isn’t necessarily the same for another person. Some people prefer a firm mattress, while others want a cushy pillow-top. And that’s okay. Find what works for you.
Quality bedding
You don’t have to spend a fortune on sheets, bed coverings, and pillows, but spend as much as your budget allows. Just remember that higher thread count isn’t always better, and 300-thread count sheets can do the job.
Good lighting.
Overall light is essential for basic tasks like waking up and getting dressed, but it’s also necessary for reading in bed. Natural light should be available, and if not, ceiling lights, floor, and table lamps can correct the amount of light in a room. Any way you introduce light, it’s crucial to a well-balanced interior, can enhance mood, and start the day off right.
Flow.
Clearances and traffic flow aren’t something we think about in any room, but if we don’t have enough space to open a drawer or walk out of a room without bumping into a piece of furniture, then we know that the layout isn’t working well. Too many items can crowd a space, and an inefficient floor plan will affect traffic flow. No one wants to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or get a glass of water, only to run into a side chair or bench.
A relaxing atmosphere.
Bedrooms are primarily for sleeping, so serene colors like pale blues and warm grays work well to create a tranquil, relaxing space. But even rooms with bolder colors can still be restful and become a sanctuary. You be the judge. What relaxes you? Just know that a place where you can get some much-needed downtime and catch good sleep should be the ultimate goal when designing any bedroom.
Bedroom Design: 6 Ways to Think Outside the Box
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Most of us sleep in a bedroom with four walls, one that’s large enough for an occasional chair, dresser, and if we’re lucky a walk-in closet. But not every bedroom in every home is conventional or expected. Here’s a look at six ways to think outside the box when designing a bedroom.
Mix materials.
A Denver loft-style bedroom mixes materials to create an eclectic design. Metal cabinets, brick, a rustic bed wall, modern wood furniture, and a shag rug manage to work together in this industrial bedroom by James Maynard.
Get creative with storage.
A shoe closet on a bed wall is not the norm, but it’s innovative and a crafty way to introduce storage into this London bedroom. This bespoke “shoe wardrobe” finished in turquoise does the job and looks good at the same time.
Go with an unconventional floor plan.
A master bedroom with a bed floating in the center of the space isn’t seen too often, but in this instance, that layout works. Notice the closet and French doors leading to another room. This floor plan might have been the most practical option given the room’s layout.
Let the architecture be the star.
This Los Angeles Arts District loft bedroom had no doors and uses curtains for privacy. Ductwork and pipes are left exposed and become the highlight of the design scheme. Furniture, lighting, and accessories are contemporary.
Work with what you’ve got.
This bed in Italy resembles a built-in bench but works well for a small person. Notice the unique tile pattern on the floor as well.
Make the most of a small space.
This secluded nook is a perfect escape for a child or teen. The tiny space is quirky, but it’s a clever way to craft an extra bedroom when needed.
