Tag Archives: Decor
5 Important Questions to Ask Before You Add a Master Suite
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Is sleeping in a tiny bedroom getting you down? I understand. I’ve lived in small bedrooms (in a studio apartment, no less) and large bedrooms where I had more than enough space for a queen bed and a sofa, and I must say that I prefer the latter. I like to relax in my bedroom and use it, not just sleep there, so a generous space works for me. If you’ve dreamt about that sprawling bedroom and decided to pull the trigger and add a master suite, here are five important questions to answer before you pull the trigger.
Is there a viable place to add a master suite?
Decide where and if you have a viable place for an addition in your home. Can you use an attic or basement space? Do you have the potential to go up with a second floor? Or perhaps you can bump out the back or side of your home, depending on lot size and setbacks. Figure out if and where a master suite would be possible.
How much do I have to spend?
Once you’re serious about adding a master bedroom suite, figure out your budget. Create an itemized list per room (bedroom, bathroom, etc). You might need a design/build firm to help you with planning, and then you should have a better idea what the project will cost and what you can afford. You might not be able to do the entire project at once, in which case, you could do it in stages.
Do I need a sitting area?
If you imagine relaxing evenings by the fire while reading the next bestseller, then you might like a sitting area, and with a fireplace too. That needs to be part of the plan early on, as well as a line item in the budget. If you only use your bedroom for sleeping, then you can disregard this point.
Will I reuse furnishings or buy new?
Reworking your furniture will save you time (shopping) and money. If your heart is set on some fabulous new pieces, start thinking about the overall look or theme and add another line item to that budget. Remember, of all the furnishings in the bedroom, a comfy bed that works for you is most important.
Do I want an outdoor space?
Depending on where your master suite is located, you might be able to have a patio or deck attached to it. Outdoor spaces have become more the norm for master bedrooms, and if that’s a priority, include the outdoor space in your overall plans from the get-go. Itemize it as a room because you’ll need to select finishes, and furnish it just like the interior.
Bedroom Design: A Quick Lesson on Cut Pile Carpeting for the Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
If you a prefer soft, cushy floor covering for your bedroom (yes, your toes will thank you), then this blog post is for you. While there’s a host of different types of carpeting, some synthetic and some made from natural fibers, here’s a quick overview of cut pile carpeting (sometimes just called “plush”), a good choice and some of the comfiest flooring for a bedroom.
What is cut pile? Commonly used in bedrooms, cut pile has no loops and tends to feel softer than loop pile carpets, making it a more practical choice for the bedroom. Since yarns are cut, the carpet feels denser. Looking for soft carpet for your bedroom? Consider these types of cut pile carpeting.
Plush (velvet)
This carpet has a smooth almost sleek, formal look to it. You’ll see those footprints and vacuum marks, but you might not mind so much because this carpeting feels luxurious.
Textured plush
This type of carpet is versatile and can work with most design styles. If your bedroom is going to be used for more than sleeping, textured plush is a good choice because it’s a little tougher than these other options. You won’t see footprints or vacuum marks either.
Frieze
A good choice for an informal bedroom that gets regular activity, frieze will be more casual than plush or textured plush and footprints and marks won’t be so noticeable.
Saxony
The finish is smooth on saxony carpet, but because the fibers are longer (and twisted), furniture dents are common. Saxony is one of the most popular carpets types.
Cable
Besides plush, cable is probably the most comfortable carpeting on this list. The fibers are long and thick and can crush easily, so it’s best for low-traffic areas like the master bedroom.
Shopping for carpet? You’ll discover many other types such as sisal, linen, silk, and the famed Wilton, a high-end woven carpet. Select your bedroom carpet based on lifestyle, price, and taste. Not looking for wall-to-wall carpeting? Go with an area rug, instead.
Bedroom Design: 10 Photos That Will Inspire You to Redecorate to Your Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Redecorating might sound like a chore, but rest assured, if you’re up to the task, you’ll probably be thrilled once the project is complete. Yes, you’ll have to do your homework, make a host of decisions, write a lot of checks, live in disarray for some time, and perhaps even hire an interior designer to get the results you want. But in the end, you’ll have a functional and comfortable space to come home to every evening, and a bedroom you love to wake up in every morning. Still not sold on a bedroom redo? Peek at these ten photos that will inspire you to redecorate your bedroom.
A transitional Nashville bedroom oozes sophistication and style.
This San Diego beach bedroom boasts the right amount of color and pattern.
A Cleveland penthouse remains neutral and almost monochromatic but is far from monotonous.
A Moscow bedroom – with its lilac walls and contemporary furniture – makes a design statement.
Not a hair is out of place in this tailored blue and white bedroom in Southwest Florida.
This classic high-rise city bedroom is simple, spacious, and comes with a terrace.
An industrial Denver loft bedroom can inspire the modernist in all of us.
Beige never looked so good as it does in this Melbourne bedroom.
You would never know it, but this Nantucket bedroom is in Los Angeles.
Even if the color palette isn’t your taste, you can’t deny the loveliness of this bedroom designed by Gray Walker Interiors.
Are you inspired to redecorate your bedroom yet?
Bedroom Design: 5 Ways to Tell Your Story in the Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
The most interesting rooms are well thought-out and tell a story. Bedrooms, more so than other rooms, are the most personal spaces and can communicate a lot about us as individuals. Adore the arts? Is cooking your favorite pastime? Allow the interior design on your bedroom to tell more about who you are and what you love. These are five ways in which you can do just that.
The color scheme…
Incorporating your favorite color or colors in the decor of your room remains an excellent way to show your personality. If you’re a fan of bold colors, why go with a neutral scheme? Be careful in choosing colors that allow your character and passions to shine through.
A portrait gallery…
Art is essential in any space, but a portrait gallery in a bedroom can be incredibly successful. Not only will you have the chance to appreciate your fondest memories, but you’ll be surrounded (in pictures) by family and friends daily.
Your travels…
Displaying items that you’ve picked up along the way while traveling will tell the story of where you’ve been as well as your once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If you’re an avid traveler, hanging a world map of the destinations you’ve visited can be a nice touch, as can installing map wall covering.
The books you’ve read….
If you’re literary buff, celebrate the books you’ve read by lining a wall or section of the room with bookshelves. Display your favorites on a desk or side table. Rotate the most recent reads and feature those books in a special spot.
A memory wall…
Select one wall, and through photos, letters, and other memorabilia, you can display the most prominent moments of your life. Use this wall as a reminder of all that you’ve accomplished and the challenges conquered along the way.
Bedroom Design: Window Treatment Inspiration for the Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Windows should never be ignored, as they are fundamental in the design scheme of any room. They provide pattern, allow light, enlarge a space, and once treated, can greatly affect both the aesthetic and mood of an interior. From single treatments to layers, these six window treatments inspire us to appreciate and embrace window coverings, particularly in our own bedrooms.
A hotel-inspired Los Angeles bedroom boasts woven shades and billowy drapes. These window treatments soften the neutral yet elegant space.
Photo by Talianko Design Group, LLC
A custom-pleated window valance in a traditional floral pattern layers well over the Roman shade, creating a soft backdrop for the bed in what appears to be an attic bedroom.
Photo by Kingsley Belcher Knauss, ASID
Plantation shutters, tiebacks, and a balloon shade set the stage for this darling little girl’s room in San Francisco.
These outside mount Roman shades contribute to the sophisticated yet rustic elegance of this room. The delicate curve celebrates these tall, slender windows.
Photo by DeLeers Construction, Inc.
The designer selected simple side panels to frame windows in this log-cabin-lined ranch home. This creamy beige color is the perfect companion to the muted brown walls in the Wyoming bedroom.
Sheers allow wonderful light to seep into this Tel Aviv bedroom while still providing much-needed privacy.
