Tag Archives: Design
Five Essential Yet Easy Sleep Resolutions for the New Year
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Another year has come and gone, so now’s your chance to start on the right foot and make 2017 the best year yet. Since sleep plays a significant role in well-being, beginning the new year with health and wellness goals is an excellent idea. Read on for five essential yet easy sleep resolutions you can make and keep in the new year.
Stick to a sleep schedule.
Going to bed at the same time every evening is one way to encourage a better night’s sleep. Your body might be craving more of a routine, and sticking to a schedule is one way of giving your body what it needs.
Leave tech out of the bedroom.
Leave television watching, cell phones, and iPads to your living room, family room, den, or kitchen. Keep the bedroom for rest. Need some distraction to fall asleep? Try reading a book, magazine, or anything in print.
Exercise more.
Exercising in the morning or early evening will tucker you out and prompt restful sleep. Besides better sleep habits, you might lose a few pounds in the process.
Make the bed every morning.
Making your bed is a surefire way to have a productive day, whether you’re working at the office or enjoying a day off. Get used to straightening the bed and bedroom daily.
Cut back on caffeine.
Caffeine after 12 pm has been proven to cause enough stimulation to interrupt sleep. Save the coffee drinking for the morning hours and opt for decaffeinated beverages after lunch and before bed.
Cheers to sweet dreams in 2017!
Bedroom Design: 5 Stylish New Orleans Bedrooms
Post by Tracy Kaler.
New Orleans is a town with its own style and energy –– one that dances to its own pace and claims the French Quarter as its most vibrant neighborhood. Since NOLA is brimming with architectural gems, it’s no surprise that the interiors would be well designed both functionally and aesthetically. These five stylish New Orleans bedrooms are but a few examples of how the city shines from the inside out.
This Victorian bedroom goes bright with colors, and mixes traditional furniture with modern art. Details like rich hardwood floors, high baseboards, and picture mold stand out while celebrating the home’s history.
A tall headboard and color-block draperies allow this spacious guest room in the Chateau Bourbon Hotel to take on a contemporary feel. Yellow adds life to the black, gray, and white color scheme. All paint colors in this space are by Benjamin Moore.
Located in the Garden District, this condo bedroom by Susan Currie Design honors traditional interiors with architectural elements like built-in bookshelves, a window seat, and crown molding. Every detail is in place, but this uncluttered design is both practical and attractive.
This transitional bedroom by Jennifer DiCerbo Interiors remains neutral throughout. The bold sunburst mirror above the bed draws the eye, adding interest to the space.
In the Warehouse District of New Orleans, this apartment bedroom has been completely renovated. The vintage French Quarter doors were pulled inside to complete the look.
Bedroom Design: Making the Most of a Small Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Not all bedrooms are created equal, but remember, size and style have little in common. Sometimes, even the most compact spaces can feel chic and be brimming with personality. If you’ve been dreaming of a larger space but don’t have the square footage to work with, celebrate what you’ve got and make the most of your small bedroom.
This shabby chic bedroom might break the rules a bit (the bed is placed in front of the window), but everything about the room is sweet and seems comfortable. The full bed just fits, and the space is accessorized well considering the size (it doesn’t feel cluttered).
A bare bones London bedroom keeps to minimal furnishings, but has all that an occasional guest room needs. The credenza at the foot of the bed works for storage and adds a horizontal surface.
This adorable cottage bedroom sports a neutral color scheme. I want to crawl inside, read a chapter or two, fall sound asleep, and wake up to a croissant and cappuccino. That’s a great room.
Furnishings go modern in this farmhouse bedroom, but the original brick wall remains a backdrop for the beds. A graphic area rug gives the room an industrial edge.
A Scandinavian bedroom keeps things modern and practical with built-in bed storage and a white color palette.
Small space, big style rings true in this New York bedroom that resembles a walk-in closet more than a room. Notice the carefully merchandised shelves and antique chandelier.
Bedroom Design: Get Inspired by Color-Filled Bedrooms
Post by Tracy Kaler.
When it comes to decor, sticking with neutrals might seem like the safest choice, but we’ve all seen those beige rooms that are completely lifeless. In other words, it’s possible to ruin the interior design even if you opt for white or tan. Sure, painting a wall red or cobalt blue requires a fair amount of gumption (and trial and error), but you’ll rarely label a bright room bland or boring. Let’s get inspired to decorate with color as we admire these five color-filled bedrooms.
This New York farmhouse bedroom appears to get great light, so this bold wall color stays clear and doesn’t turn muddy. It might be the perfect shade of Chinese red.
Owner Jeanie Engelbach certainly doesn’t fear color! This New York City bedroom has a youthful, whimsical feel. She goes out on a limb introducing neon, combining it with classic bold tones and a muted robin’s egg blue on the bed wall. Somehow, it all fits.
No, that’s not paint on the walls. That lush finish is silk wall covering. Although this bedroom isn’t bold, the color palette of varying blues isn’t easy to pull off. From glancing at this vignette, we can tell that this room is luxurious.
Photo by Adam Butler Photography
If you love spring, you’ll love the bedroom pictured below. Spring green, lemon yellow, and bold orange come together to create one of the happiest bedrooms I’ve ever laid eyes on.
This little girl’s room pulls out all the stops for sweetness. Different shades of lavender and fun artwork set the stage. Notice the lime green desk chair. It’s unexpected, but becomes the ideal accessory.
This Philly bedroom feels beachy, but it’s several hours from the coast. The throw on the bed picks up the black and white striped flooring perfectly.
How to Make a Bedroom Look and Feel Luxurious
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Is your bedroom feeling a bit too basic? Believe it or not, you won’t need to commit to a major overhaul to transform your bedroom into a luxurious sanctuary. With a few additions and edits, your bedroom can look and feel luxurious. Here’s what to do.
Layer your bed.
If you love how a hotel room exudes luxury and you want your bedroom to feel similar, you can do it by layering. Try adding a down topper to your mattress, then a down comforter inside a duvet cover. If you’re allergic to down, opt for a coverlet over a soft blanket. Several bed pillows, overstuffed decorative pillows, and a throw at the foot of the bed will complete the look. You’ll be anxious to crawl into your comfy cocoon every night.
Rethink your nightstand.
Nightstands without drawers don’t work for a lot of people. The truth is – even one drawer can help keep clutter at bay. An uncluttered bedroom is more likely to feel luxurious that one with tchotchkes strewn about. If you have a bedside table, considering switching it out for a nightstand with drawers and keep your belongings inside.
Use warm white light bulbs.
It’s no surprise that lighting creates ambiance, and in a bedroom, we need more mood than we do in other rooms. Switching bulbs to warm white can make all the difference in the overall feel of your bedroom, and even make you and your mate or guests look more attractive.
Aim for less.
Less furniture doesn’t need to make a room look sparse or empty. Place a few quality, key pieces –– a bed, dresser, nightstands, and perhaps a chair or chaise lounge, and let each item shine.
