Calming Master Bedroom Overview
For this blog post I thought it would be fun and helpful to share a mini overview of one of my own recent design projects. Today’s post features a master bedroom transformation for one of my favorite clients. This project was completed in summer 2022 and is an excellent example of a dreamy, transitional and subtly luxurious master bedroom. Read on for an overview of the process!
Vision and First Steps
This master bedroom was a personal favorite because I was able to do the entire room from start to finish. The clients originally had sparse, dark furniture with white walls and were ready for a fresh start. As a corporate couple in their forties with demanding jobs and schedules, they wanted their bedroom space to feel restful, soft and gender neutral with a transitional style.
To me, this vision called for a neutral and soft color palette, luxurious textures and minimal accessories that blended seamlessly with the room’s elements. It turned out that blue was the color of choice for these clients as it was a personal favorite for each. We went with a soft, pale smoky blue for the walls and pale cream for the trim. These colors contrast well against the deep espresso color wood floor. Because this bedroom was so large, I wanted the wall coloring to be interesting and mimic a grasscloth texture. My faux finisher, Lucy Bernsteen, did an excellent job custom painting the walls with a subtle airy texture . She also painted a soft cloud-like design on the room ceiling to create a spa-like ambience. The wall colors were luxurious and relaxing and popped well against the deep wood floor.
My next task was to really play up the bed and make it the centerpiece of the room. We went with a king sized bed frame and had the frame and headboard custom upholstered in a cream crypton fabric. The bed turned out beautifully and made accessorizing and furnishing the rest of the room much simpler. My client’s main requests for the room were that there be a ceiling fan and blackout shades on the windows. So we installed custom black-out shades paired with denim blue fabric curtains on silver curtain rods.
With the bed, walls and curtains complete and cohesively in shades of pale blue and cream, we had the room’s theme established.
Creating Flow and Accessorizing
Once the foundations are laid, it’s time for the fun part! Keeping with the client’s desire for a soft and restful bedroom, I wanted the rest of the room’s accessories to match with the subtle blue and cream color palette and soft transitional elegance. We went with weathered shades of taupe for the rugs and wooden furniture pieces and kept with my client’s preference for silver accents.
We found rugs that also carried this soft, weathered taupe color and really blended nicely with the bed and walls. This allowed us to find dressers and nightstands that were similarly colored yet unique in their own geometric-like texture. I decided to use a mirrored bachelor’s chest for the one side to mix it up from the other pieces yet still fit within my client’s taste for transitional and graphic accents.
You will also note that the chairs and ottoman at the foot of the bed are also custom made in varying shades of cream and grey, denim blue. The patterned accents on the pillows and chair mattresses really give a luxe and interesting touch without deviating from the room’s overall softness.
Aside from the ceiling fan and blackout shades, my clients only requested for a small workspace that could blend in the room. I had an idea to go with a lucite glass console and drink table that would provide some practical use without standing out too much from the soft and monochromatic theme of the room. My clients loved the way the glass gave some sophistication to the room and found it to be the perfect size for what they wanted.
Plants, accessories and simple, abstract artwork were the final touches to this room that really sewed all the elements together. The mirror and vase also fit that transitional theme while still possessing some character to add. The silver accents and soft blue, cream and taupe color palette really completed this master bedroom’s mission to be a calming and luxurious sanctuary.
What Do You Think?
Now that I’ve walked you through this master bedroom transformation, I would love to know your thoughts. Do these color palettes and soft textures resonate with you? If this post inspires you to give your own bedroom a refresh, feel free to reach out to me for a consultation and I would love to chat with you!
Design Style Philosophy
As a designer, one of the most common questions I receive is related to my personal design style. So often people will ask about the trends and styles I most often use or what specific furniture types or color palettes are preferable. The answer? It depends!
Not only do clients vary in personal design preference or home style, but their personalities and lifestyle needs also play a large factor in those choices. Instead of narrowing in on a specific niche or style category, I primarily focus on the feeling and lifestyle needs of the homeowner.
So, if you are a homeowner considering changing up your space, I would encourage you to start with this simple question: what is the feeling or mood you are trying to create in this room?
For instance, do you want your room to feel calming, inspiring, energizing or exciting? Do you want it to help you relax or give you feelings of comfort and nostalgia? I like to find out the general emotion my clients are seeking to feel in their living space before getting into more specific patterns, textures, colors or lighting settings.
The reason this is so powerful is that our homes have such an influence on our mood, and are the place where we and our families come home to at the end of each day and make countless memories. Different spaces have different functions and design holds the power to maximize that potential.
The moral of the story here? Challenge yourself to think about the mood and feeling they most to create in their homes. Reflect on your lifestyle and role of your home in light of that. Do you entertain a lot? Do you have young children or are you an empty nester? Do you want your home to reflect different cultures or prefer it to be more streamlined and soft? These are great first steps towards creating your home design journey as it will truly focus each decision moving forward.
Spring 2023 Design Trends
Spring is a great time to hit the REFRESH button on all areas of life. Did you know that your home environment has a direct impact on the quality of your mental and emotional health? A clean, well-lit and well-curated space can create a powerful sense of wellbeing and productivity.
The biggest trend for Spring 2023 is incorporating restorative elements in your space to calm, comfort and nourish within the walls of your home. If you are looking for some simple ways to freshen up your living space for spring, here are some ideas to try based on upcoming design trends for spring 2023.
1.) Luxe Materials
Luxurious materials that are pleasing to the senses are very much in demand. Soft pillows, throw blankets, plush carpets and upholstered headboards are a great way to achieve this look.
2.) Natural Elements
Another great way to make your home more restorative is to incorporate natural elements in your design. Plants are always a great way to do this, along with materials like wicker, leather, rattan, cane and woven lighting.
3.) Ambient Lighting
If you want to know the number one magic trick designers use it is this: the power of ambient lighting. Ambient lighting can instantly enhance the warmth and depth of your space and create a very cozy and relaxing vibe.
What Are Your Thoughts?
I am personally a huge fan of these trends. The shifts towards natural elements, luxe textures and ambient lighting are simple and classic ways to elevate any space. The great news about these spring decor trends is that they are relatively simple to incorporate into any existing space. Of the trends I listed above, which ones catch your eye the most? I would love to know!