A Bedroom Lets Go to Gain Elegance and Serenity
Jane L. has
noticed an alarming trend: When it comes to decorating, her clients are
paying the least attention to their bedrooms, even though they spend a
good portion of their time at home in them. "At the end of a long day,
it's easy to close your eyes and leave the mess and chaos to be sorted
on another day," she says. For this project, Lockhart helped her client
purge excess furniture, including inherited pieces, and a hodgepodge of
styles. Although the designer stayed well within budget, one major
splurge set the tone for a cool, calm and elegant sanctuary: a new
custom bed.
Who sleeps here: An empty nester who's also a working professional
Location: Ontario, Canada
Size: 176 square feet
Design challenge: Helping the client downsize her furniture and decor
Who sleeps here: An empty nester who's also a working professional
Location: Ontario, Canada
Size: 176 square feet
Design challenge: Helping the client downsize her furniture and decor
|
As with any bedroom, the most
important piece of furniture in this client's room is the bed. Lockhart
replaced the springy 10-year-old mattress with a firm pillow-top model
with hypoallergenic and ergonomic features.
Lockhart made a custom platform bed frame and reupholstered the headboard in charcoal gray faux suede fabric by Robert Allen Design; the custom touches add a sophisticated and tailored touch to the bedroom. The gray hue sets the cool and neutral color palette for the space. Tip: Lockhart highly recommends adding molding to interiors. Molding is a simple architectural detail but adds so much style and elegance to a room. Here, Canamould's lightweight foam molding made for a simple cut-and-caulk installation. Wall paint: Pure White, Martha Stewart Living; molding paint: Winter Snow, Benjamin Moore; window shades: Hunter Douglas; draperies: Drapes & More; lamps: Ikea Related: How to shop for a greener mattress |
BEFORE: This photo shows some pieces the client sold or donated.
"We kept pieces that had lots of sentimental value and design purpose," Lockhart says. "Eventually we got to a place that was empty enough for me to begin sourcing new pieces and to integrate existing favorite antiques and personal stuff."
"We kept pieces that had lots of sentimental value and design purpose," Lockhart says. "Eventually we got to a place that was empty enough for me to begin sourcing new pieces and to integrate existing favorite antiques and personal stuff."
AFTER: This bedside corner
image showcases the room's new palette of warm white, soft gray and
touches of pink. Lockhart warmed up the room, which faces Lake Ontario,
with luxurious fabrics, soft throws and satin pima cotton sheets and
bedding.
Tip: Small cabinets and antique or vintage occasional tables make pretty and practical night tables. Lockhart spruced up this antique find with a new drawer pull and a darker stain.
Tip: Small cabinets and antique or vintage occasional tables make pretty and practical night tables. Lockhart spruced up this antique find with a new drawer pull and a darker stain.
Large windows allow plenty of
natural light into the room — as well as the soothing sound of waves
crashing at night. Here, sexy silk drapes layered on top of
light-diffusing blinds and a wool rug are warm and touchable in a room
that endures long Canadian winters.
Tip: The designer layered the lighting in the room by mixing natural light with LED bulbs in floor and table lamps. "I used a few bulbs on dimmers, which adds a romantic glow to the space," she says.
Chair: Jane by Jane Lockhart in Robert Allen Design fabric; framed prints: Windergarden
Tip: The designer layered the lighting in the room by mixing natural light with LED bulbs in floor and table lamps. "I used a few bulbs on dimmers, which adds a romantic glow to the space," she says.
Chair: Jane by Jane Lockhart in Robert Allen Design fabric; framed prints: Windergarden
A dresser from HomeSense made of
reclaimed pine with antique brass hardware offers storage space. It's
also flexible enough to be changed out to the living room or dining
area.
Tip: "Mirrors are generally inexpensive and come in all sorts of different styles," says Lockhart. "You can use them beyond their practical purpose as ever-changing works of art — and they'll reflect light and all the gorgeous things you've added to your room."
Clock radio: Tivoli
Tip: "Mirrors are generally inexpensive and come in all sorts of different styles," says Lockhart. "You can use them beyond their practical purpose as ever-changing works of art — and they'll reflect light and all the gorgeous things you've added to your room."
Clock radio: Tivoli
Lockhart's client personalized
this vanity tray by lining its removable Plexiglas bottom with scrap
fabric left over from the custom cushions.
Tray: FHE Group
Tray: FHE Group
Tip: Keep trays handy to encourage breakfast in bed and never underestimate the design power of cushions and throw pillows.