Tag Archives: Design
Bedroom Design: Roman Shades in a Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Roman shades are one of the most elegant window treatment options for any space, but I adore Romans in the bedroom because they can provide privacy, temperature control, and still allow some light to filter in. If you’re fond of complete darkness when you’re falling to sleep and waking up, you can add a layer of blackout lining, so these shades are versatile as well.
Most often, Roman shades fold up accordion style and get raised and lowered by a cord on one side. They can be inside mount (hung within the window frame and allowing more light to seep into the space), or outside mount (installed over the window casing), providing more light blockage and privacy.
If you prefer bold patterns, you’ll want to go with a classic –– also called a flat Roman –– to showcase the fabric. This style is simple and chic.
If you have a solid fabric, you might like the hobbled Roman, which gracefully cascades in folds and makes more of a statement in your room.
The European style shade is my personal favorite because it’s softer, a bit less structured than the classic style, and it curves in the center as it’s raised.
Romans can take embellishments such as trims, banding, and tape, dressing up even the plainest designs.
Roman shades can act as a base layer, and look terrific with draperies on top too, framing and softening your windows.
Whether your bedroom is casual, formal, or any style in between, Roman shades can be a practical yet fashionable choice to cover your windows and dress up your sleep space.
Bedroom Design: Going Midcentury Modern in a Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
If you’ve observed design, furnishings, and graphics from the years 1933 to 1965, you’ve most likely seen the midcentury style. Characterized by the works of Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll, Charles and Ray Eames, and other tastemakers from the period, the style and pieces are still prevalent today and often essential components in classically modern spaces. Open most any shelter magazine and you’ll usually come across elements and details that originated during this time in history.
Typically mingled with other styles, mid-century modern can also be successful as the lone architectural style in a room, and avid fans of the aesthetic would agree. Sit back with a juicy season of Mad Men and flash back through these five fab rooms exhibiting mid-century design and flavor.
This open-air Los Angeles bedroom is a wonderful example of mid-century modern design. Without a doubt, the architecture is the star, and the rich wood creates warmth throughout the space.
Houston is the home of this gorgeous bedroom boasting mid-century furniture pieces and modern art. Notice how every item is precisely placed.
Orange paint on the door makes a splash in this California bedroom with mid-century accents. Sage green fabrics bring the outside into the room.
This bedroom is minimalist in design but showcases mid-century pieces. The modern wing chair creates a focal point, in an otherwise understated room.
Another Los Angeles bedroom features the best of mid-century architectural design. This bachelor pad doesn’t feel too masculine because the shag rug and splashes of yellow soften the space, giving it a slightly feminine touch.
Bedroom Design: Tile Floors in a Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Tile might not be the most obvious choice for flooring material in a bedroom, but there are those rare interiors when it’s the ideal choice. Tile can be ceramic, porcelain, stone, or terra cotta, and is most suitable in warm-weather climates, keeping your feet cool as you wake each morning.
In the US, you’ll find tile floors mostly in Florida, the Southwest, and coastal communities. Homes in the Mediterranean also gravitate toward tile floors, adding texture and pattern to structures with history and charm.
Get inspired by these five beauteous bedrooms with tile flooring.
This Amsterdam bedroom boasts whitewashed walls and Provence-style terra cotta floors. The design is simple, earthy, and attractive.
Original to the house, the ceiling beams in this Rasteau, France bedroom are 800 years old. The large, square tile keeps the palette neutral in the renovated guest quarters.
Sleek and modern, this Chicago bedroom with a marble floor pulls out all the stops. It’s elegant, classic and has a view of the water! What more could you want in a master bedroom?
A Scottsdale home uses tile throughout the bed space and the sitting room. In this case, tile as a flooring material is an excellent choice, considering the desert-like conditions in Arizona.
For whatever reason, the designer of this London bedroom opted to extend the tile from the bathroom. If I’m honest, I would’ve rather seen hardwood floors or a flat-weave carpet here to designate the change of space. The beige color is a good choice –– it blends well and doesn’t detract from the rest of the décor.
Bedroom Design: 5 Ways to Modernize an Outdated Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
When was the last time you decorated your bedroom? If it’s been a decade or more, your space probably looks a little outdated. Even if you have a classic brass bed that remains timeless, things like patterns and accessories can start to look tired and lifeless after a while.
Updating your sleep space might not require as much time and energy as you think, however. Take a look at these five tips to help you modernize your bedroom, so it’s feeling fresh and stylish in a flash.
1. Play with fabrics
It’s easy to see how the above bedroom could look dull and dated without the prints on the curtains and pillows, which add a splash to the interior. Don’t be afraid to try a new pattern, even if it’s on the trendy side.
2. Create an interesting bed wall.
Cabinetry and an over-the-bed shelf add interest and dimension to this white room’s bed wall in an Amsterdam home.
3. Purchase a sleek platform bed.
A platform bed can facelift even the most dated bedroom. Transform your space by adding a modern bed or headboard.
4. Accessorize
A chandelier, clean no-fuss art above the bed, accent pillows and a throw at the foot of the bed, breathe life into this Minneapolis bedroom.
5. Add a classic modern piece or a conversation-starter.
A Scandanavian chair dresses up the corner of this contemporary bedroom. A sculptural piece of furniture or an objet d’art can add flavor to an otherwise bland interior.
Bedroom Design: Sleeping Lofts
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Designers often create loft bedrooms as space-savers in tiny apartments or homes. Ceiling heights tend to be high –– think 12 or 15 feet, and sometimes higher –– allowing enough room for a lofted bed space above the primary living quarters. The downfall of these spaces is that they often require a ladder to enter and exit. Some, however, have enough floor space to create stairs, making them more practical for everyday living arrangements.
Let’s take a peek at five sleeping lofts ––whether they use a ladder or stairs –– that appear to be comfortable and work well within each interior.
Complete with a house cat, this open floor plan of a converted garage comes with a tiny kitchenette and a loft for sleeping. This space boasts an industrial feel, and was featured in the New York Times. The beautiful photo was taken by Ira Lippke.
This colorful, contemporary family room in Phoenix was carefully planned. The sleeping loft sits above the bath, so as to not take any space away from the main room. Orange barn doors and an over-scaled pattern on the area rug warm up the cool, concrete floors.
This home demonstrates the beauty, simplicity, and elegance of white. Stairs lead to lofty twin bedrooms, each with privacy curtains. Located in Tybee Island, just outside Savannah, this cottage is a dream beach house, in my opinion.
Climb a few wooden stairs and you can escape to this bedroom hideaway. Uncluttered with a modern aesthetic, the space is more than sufficient for guests.
A rustic treehouse with a log cabin feel, the San Francisco guesthouse boasts mismatched textiles, actual tree trunks, and a knotty wood finish on the loft, all of which add to its charm.
