Tag Archives: Design
Bedroom Design: How to Avoid a Cookie Cutter Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
It’s easy to order every piece of furniture, lamp, and accessory from a one-stop shop, but that wouldn’t be much fun, now would it? Days of bedroom suits are long gone, and the most impressive and well-designed rooms show a selection of pieces, often borrowed from different periods of history and created by designers and furniture makers from around the globe. If you feel as if you’re in a decorating rut, then this post is for you. Read on for tips how to avoid a cookie cutter bedroom. Spoiler: It’s easier than you think.
Don’t buy matching furniture.
Selecting two different bedside tables or nightstands is completely acceptable if not preferred in some instances. Choose a drawered nightstand for one side of the bed and a small table or side chair for the other.
Shop flea markets.
Browse local yard sales, antique markets, and gently used furniture stores for affordable finds and one-of-kind items. You’ll be amazed at the cool furnishings that someone else doesn’t want or need.
Mix vintage with modern.
Combining styles isn’t everyone’s forte, but start with a design magazine or two for ideas. Pairing an antique bed with modern artwork provides a nice contrast, as does placing that one Scandinavian chair with great lines in the corner. Take chances and play with your room. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t after a little trial and error.
Layer fabrics.
A solid bed covering works well with a textured throw and patterned pillows. Window treatments can be a bold floral or a soft, neutral sheer.
Mix woods.
Your furniture doesn’t need to be the same wood color as your floors. Don’t be afraid to pair a blond wood with a rich dark tone.
Find unique art.
Shop Etsy for unusual pieces by local artists. Hang posters and postcards. And if framed art isn’t in your budget? Try making your own. Pick up a pen or a paintbrush – take to paper and get creative!
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.
Bedroom Design: Celebrating Scandinavian Style
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Originating in 1950s Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, the Scandinavian design movement is characterized by simple, modern furnishings and accessories, often using form-pressed wood, steel, and plastic. Rooms tend to be minimalist, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
Today, you’ll find contemporary and transitional interiors that use Scandinavian elements, as well as complete spaces that pay tribute to the movement. These four bedrooms celebrate the beauty of Scandinavian Design.
A coastal bedroom in London uses more pattern than we typically see in a Scandinavian space. The blue and white scheme is a good fit for a beach house. This room is a fine example of balance, texture, and harmony.
The designer of this Amsterdam bedroom kept things white and minimal. The only visible pattern is the bed’s backdrop, and the hand-written art adds whimsy that this room needs.
A smart room divider splits the space and creates a seating group in this Scandinavian-style studio apartment. Organization is key in the small flat, and as you’ll notice, there’s not a hair out of place.
As minimalist as this well-planned Scandinavian guest room is, there’s still plenty to take in. From the area rug to the throw pillows and books, each item is carefully placed and seems like it’s part of the bigger picture.
Flowers for All: Decorating with Floral in a Unisex Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Not all florals are meant to be feminine. In fact, there are a plethora of floral patterns that work well in bedrooms for women, men, and couples. We’re thinking outside the box today and admiring these unisex bedrooms that feature floral prints.
It’s all about the details in this lovely Vancouver bedroom. Kerrisdale Design chose a muted tropical floral for the accent pillows, adding just the right dose of pattern. Notice the birds with flowers in the artwork above the bedside table. Although this room doesn’t scream masculine, it could very well belong to a couple.
This contemporary bedroom feels more masculine than feminine, and although subtle, the floral in the green accent pillows can’t be ignored. The space’s colors were drawn from the art above the bed.
A Boston bedroom boasts a clean, uncluttered design with solid teal and white, but introduces a bold floral in the throw pillows. This room could easily be a bachelor’s, as it doesn’t feel the least bit feminine.
A traditional farmhouse bedroom in Massachusetts uses a botanical toile fabric as well as decorative lamps and art with flowers. Even with so much floral in the room, this historical restoration takes on a masculine feel.
A transitional guest room by Suzanne Kasler Interiors uses a silver floral pattern throughout. This elegant sleep space proves that flowers not need be feminine, and can work wonderfully in a unisex bedroom.
