Tag Archives: Design
Bedroom Design: How to Winterize Your Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
The long, warm days of summer have vanished, and winter’s temperatures have begun to take hold. Now that December has arrived, there’s no better time to cozy up at home and prep for the months ahead. Here are five easy tips to ready your bedroom for winter and create a respite from the cold.
Switch to flannel sheets
Crawling into a warm bed can make all the difference in relaxing and drifting off to sleep sooner. If your bedroom is chilly and you don’t overheat when you sleep, flannel sheets could be just what you need. Not a fan of plaid flannels? No worries, now you can find myriad patterns in flannel.
Add a wool throw
A toasty wool throw at the foot of the bed can bring your bed into the winter season, keeping your feet toasty too.
Warm up with accent lighting
Shorter days mean less light than other times of the year. Try adding an extra table lamp or two to brighten an otherwise dark room, making the days feel longer. No additional surface space? Try a floor lamp instead.
Try a wintry scent
Bayberry, cinnamon, and pumpkin are all terrific scents for the winter months. A candle or room spray can introduce the right amount of fragrance to your bedroom.
Reverse the ceiling fan
A quick, simple adjustment can make all the difference in your room’s temperature. In summer, your fan should rotate counter-clockwise to create cool air. In the wintertime, reverse the blades to move clockwise to draw cold air out, and warm a chilly room.
Bedroom Design: Bedrooms in Country Houses
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Most city folks dream of owning a country house. Having a place beyond the hustle and bustle of a big city can help create balance and harmony. In fact, a second home might be the key to living in any urban area over the long haul, as well as maintaining a healthier and more productive life. Read on for a look at five incredibly comfy bedrooms in country houses.
This shabby chic-style bedroom keeps clean in white. Simple with an undecorated look, the space feels inviting. Think this room has French overtones? You’re correct. This lovely bedroom is in a home in Versailles, France.
An Upstate New York bedroom leans toward a more traditional design, but still offers modern conveniences. A perfect weekend escape, this space boasts a rustic ambiance, yet no hair is out of place.
A modern log-cabin home outside Minneapolis provides warmth and comfort. The chandelier helps set the mood in this well-thought-out sanctuary with an en suite bath.
This Burlington, Vermont lake house uses a clever platform with custom storage for the twin beds. An ideal kids’ room or guest quarters, the space’s furnishings and bed coverings are modest and utilitarian, yet appealing.
A sleeping nook doesn’t have much space, but this one sure looks cozy. Located in a Worcestershire, UK home, the tiny room proves that bigger isn’t always better. The monochromatic scheme of beiges and white works well while texture adds interest to the room.
Bed Nuts & Bolts: How to Choose a Mattress
Post by Tracy Kaler.
A mattress is a major purchase, and not just for financial reasons, but also because you’ll sleep on the bed you purchase for years to come. For this reason alone, it’s crucial to have your ducks in a row before you go mattress shopping. Heed these tips to make the decision an easier one.
Know your budget from the start.
Like other home furnishings, mattress prices run the gamut. Know your budget before you begin, and stick to it to avoid buyer’s remorse later on.
Research mattresses before you shop.
Learn as much as you can about mattresses before you hit the stores. Pillow top? Firm? Soft? Know what you need in advance, and you’re less likely to stress when buying.
Shop the right retailers.
Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. Chat with friends and family and ask about their mattresses. Do they like what they sleep on? Would they purchase again? Selecting the right stores could help you make your decision faster.
Ask the salesperson questions.
Make a list of questions before you get to the store. Get as much information as possible about the mattress including warranty and reviews. Ask what other people are saying about a mattress you’re considering, or take the time and Google the model before you make a purchase. You can always return to the store the next day and finalize the purchase then if needed.
If your salesperson isn’t knowledgeable, ask for another, or move on to the next retailer.
Test any mattress you’re considering.
Narrow down the candidates to three or four, and spend at least 15 minutes on each mattress. Try different positions and see how you feel. Trust your gut when you buy.
Get details on the return policy.
Before you pull out your credit card, ask about the return policy. You might get the mattress home and sleep on it for a few nights, only to discover that it’s not the right model. You’ll want to return it and get a refund, or at least a full merchandise credit for another mattress.
Have a you purchased a mattress lately? How did you make your decision?
Bedroom Design: Easy Pillow Sham Ideas
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Let’s talk pillows. We’ve already done an overview of shams, but what about some serious sham inspiration? Whether you realize it or not, shams can quickly transform the look of your bed. No matter if you prefer standard or Euro, knife-edge or trimmed, a pair of custom pillow covers could be all the décor your bedroom is asking for. Peruse the photos below for easy sham ideas to apply to your own sleep space.
Imagine this room without the shams; it would be a tad dull wouldn’t it? It’s amazing how those two lovely boxed pillows enhance a very traditional space. The trims introduce the right amount of detail too.
Traditional Bedroom by Chagrin Falls Design-Build Firms W Design Interiors
We’ve discussed how monograms can add personality to a space. A layer of throw pillows acts as a backdrop for the crisp white shams in this girly bedroom.
Eclectic Bedroom by Philadelphia Interior Designers & Decorators Caitlin Wilson
These shams throw a dash of pattern into this Chicago home. The floral picks up the blue wall color and connects every element in the room.
Transitional Bedroom by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Tom Stringer Design Partners
This teen bedroom doesn’t lack color or pattern but gets a dose of city skyline on its shams. This space beats a dorm room any day.
Eclectic Kids by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators DM Designs
Elegant and neutral, this calming Denver bedroom successfully boasts toile, seersucker, florals, and stripes. The button and ruffle introduce interesting details to the otherwise plain shams.
Farmhouse Bedroom by Golden Architects & Building Designers Todd Remington Architect
This twin bed uses a simple green and white pattern on a single sham with a smaller throw pillow in front. Every item is perfectly proportioned to the rest of the space in this Salt Lake City Bedroom.
Traditional Bedroom by Salt Lake City Interior Designers & Decorators Caitlin Creer Interior Design
This mostly white room is modeled after a luxury hotel. Euro shams with embroidered edges complete the look. Remember, shams like these can be laundered with your sheets and duvet cover – an advantage over others, which usually require dry cleaning.
Contemporary Bedroom by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Su Casa Designs
Bedroom Design: Polka-Dotted Decor in a Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
When we talk about décor, polka dots usually sound juvenile. But in all honesty, they can be as mature and sophisticated as you need them to be. Polka dots work well on walls, as a fabric print, and even in area rugs. As a fan of dots myself, I’m fond of the following bedrooms, each of which has been graced with polka dots.
This polka-dotted ceiling looks like wall covering, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. The renter of this California apartment placed gold polka dot removable decals on three sides of the ceiling. That’s a more practical option than a permanent wallpaper.
This otherwise plain bedroom gets a punch of pattern with polka dots on pillows. If you’ll notice, a small piece of dotted art hangs above the nightstand as well.
This colorful bedroom uses dots on Roman shades, a large bolster pillow, and the vibrant area rug. The space should be overkill but the varying sizes of polka dots –– small on the windows, medium on the pillow, and large on the floor –– work nicely.
This space screams sophistication. Large black dots decorate the walls of the London bedroom, which feels like a luxury hotel suite. Modern photography and the right amount of texture complete the upscale design.
This handsome Austin bedroom comes with a small dose of polka dots on the accent throw at the foot of the bed. The color palette, use of pattern, and furniture selections give the bedroom a retro look.
Would you consider using polka dots in your bedroom?
