Mini Series: Chapter II - A New Master Bedroom

Our MASTER BEDROOM has been a loving work-in-progress for four, long years...

Initially, I decorated the room with the decor and furnishings from our previous home.  I did need to purchase new window treatments, however, and custom draperies were not an option.

In 2007, neutrals and solids were the current trend, so I was delighted when I found these deep purple and gold, ready-made panels.  The beautiful damask and striped pattern coordinated perfectly with my existing accent cushions and chair fabric. 

I soon discovered that some great finds are 'too good to be true'. I hadn't taken into consideration the northern exposure of the room, and the heavy window treatments created a dark and uninviting atmosphere.

I added long mirrors to reflect more light, and after rearranging some artwork and accessories, the room felt warmer and more welcoming.

This 'temporary' solution remained in place for over three years...

This past spring, I decided to redesign the room, and finally create a space that reflected my vision of a soft and elegant sanctuary.

My ill-considered draperies were donated to a good cause, and replaced with lovely, silk and suede striped panels I found on sale.

The room instantly became light and serene, and this inspired me to change out the gold decor as well.  Since purple is my husband's favorite colour, the dark plum accents needed to remain a significant element in the design scheme.

I spray painted the lamps, shades, chandelier, picture frames, accessories, and furniture hardware, and repainted the walls and ceiling.

I then sanded, painted and reupholstered the accent chair. A second chair and a few accessories were brought in from other rooms in the house.

Before

After

Using foam core and a discontinued shower curtain, I designed an upholstered headboard that echoed the shape of the lamp shades.

I created new artwork using frames I had in storage, and made accent cushions from the left over chair and headboard fabric.

The black silk, embroidered throw cushions were purchased on a gift card I'd received for my birthday.

With some hard work, a little creativity, and less than three hundred dollars, our MASTER BEDROOM transformation is now complete.  Imbued with soft light and cozy texture, this tailored, traditional space has become our favorite retreat.

I hope this second chapter in my Mini Series inspires you to transform a space in your home.

This design story has been entered in Debbiedoos Newbie Party:

http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2011/07/newbie-party.html 

Thanks, Debbie!

And, Home Savvy A to Z's Blog Party:

http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/2011/08/07/blog-party-2/
Thanks, Erin! 

Delicate and Dreamy Bedrooms

Light and ethereal, these bedrooms are my vision of a heavenly oasis...
 All breathtakingly beautiful, splendidly serene, and deliciously decadent. 

 Hushed tones of white and cream whisper enticing promises of blissful solace.  

Majestic ceilings and an awe-inspiring bed portray a palace-like sensibility. 

A lady's fainting couch and a luxurious canopy bed are intriguingly romantic.

A vision of elegance, golden tones glow softly in a wash of shimmering light. 

Lavish layers of pristine white bed linens are a masterpiece of opulent perfection.

Soothing and serene, a beguiling shade of idyllic blue is sweetly alluring.

A peaceful repose is sublime when surrounded by sensual linens and lyrical splendor.

Sweet Dreams...

A Mini Series: Chapter I - One Space, Two Styles

Our home was a blank canvas when we moved in four years ago.  I chose a shade of soft suede for the walls, and a warm white for the trimwork.  Rich, mahogany stained floors were installed throughout the main level.

This is a picture of our great room sitting area a few weeks prior to moving in (complete with lovely builder dust).

My challenge was to decorate this new space using furniture and accessories from our previous home.   I needed to fit our twelve foot, curved sectional sofa into a new, decidedly smaller footprint.

After endless hours of playing with a scaled diagram, I created a furniture layout that would realize my vision for a cozy sitting area, and reflect my tailored and traditional design style.

Over the last four years, my vision for this room has slowly evolved.  I wanted the space to remain classic and elegant, but have a more modern sensibility.

Colour was the key in this mini transformation.  Adding darker elements changed the mood of the space, and provided the sophisticated update that I was looking for.

I painted the feature wall a dramatic shade of gray, and surrounded my husband's new flat screen television with a cherry blossom decal to create dimension and interest.

The pale area rug was replaced with a chic cowhide, and two white leather side chairs were added for light and contrast.  Cushions and mirrored accessories were imported from other rooms in the house.

The room now represents my current 'Classic Chic' style - a mix of traditional and modern design, with a touch of glam.

A dramatic change doesn't have to involve selling your furniture and starting from scratch.  Sometimes, a bit of paint and some thoughtful accessorizing is all that's needed to create the look and feel of a completely new space. 

This new mini series is dedicated to changing the style and mood of a room through colour and accessories.  I hope this first chapter has provided you with some inspiration on how to recreate a space in your home.

This design story has been entered in Debbiedoos July 24, 2011 'Newbie Party':

http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2011/07/newbie-party.html

Decorating with Dark Grey Walls

A deep, earthy grey is chic and sophisticated.  It's a daring colour for walls, but the effect is impressively dramatic.

Black and white photography looks amazing against a charcoal background.  The sharp contrast responds beautifully to direct sunlight.

Rich, grey cabinets soften the stark elements of a classic white kitchen.  Cararra marble adeptly unifies the strong colour palette.

When a space is layered in shades of grey, lighter wood tones and gold accents help create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Dark grey adds a masculine feeling to a library.  Shimmering window treatments and a light and luxurious area rug successfully balance the space.

A traditional dining room becomes edgy and elegant when deep, sultry grey is mixed with creamy neutrals.  Glistening glassware and an over sized mirror naturally reflect light throughout the space.

Sparkling accents and glossy white finishes create instant glam when paired with a wallpaper inspired by men's suiting fabric.

Painting walls in such an intense colour isn't a choice I'd typically consider.  But, for those who love a space with undeniable presence and style, dark grey makes a powerful statement.  It's an enticing option...

Are you tempted to go bold in your home?

Appreciating Art from the Inside Out

Great ART speaks your language, echoes your emotions, touches your soul...

ARTWORK is an expression of personal creativity.  My paintings are displayed throughout our home, this particular canvas being a family favorite.

An incredible piece of ART deserves a place of honour in a room.  The furniture and accessories should enhance it's beauty, without competing for attention.

Well chosen ARTWORK breathes life into a space;  a discernible energy, molded by magnificent waves of colour and light.

A canvas painted with fluid layers and contrasting depth infuses a space with movement and light.

 

A truly extraordinary piece of ART appears multidimensional, evoking a sense of oneness with the painting.

A single, over sized canvas is powerful and provocative, and when properly showcased, becomes the personality in the room.

ARTWORK creates drama, stirs deep emotions and memories, and captures the essence of the artist's intent.

ART draws the eye through a space, stimulating a curiosity for deeper exploration of what lies beyond.

With its amazing ability to tell a story,  ARTWORK fuels the imagination with fantasies of seductive tales, secretly hidden within its depths.

Do you own a special piece of ART that speaks to your soul and touches your heart? 

Sensational Sunrooms

In my dreams, I have a sunroom...
A haven of light and energy, where I quietly retreat
to relax my body, refresh my mind, 
and renew my soul...

A SUNROOM is all about indulging the senses - a place to appreciate nature's incredible beauty from the luxurious comfort of an indoor space.

Rich cream and gold furnishings enhance the glow of natural light in this sunroom.  Tailored window treatments provide essential light control without obstructing the lovely garden view.

A limestone fireplace and a layering of sumptuous, textural elements ensure that this sunroom will remain warm and inviting, regardless of the change in seasons.

Comfortable seating and chic accessories create a relaxed elegance in this new sunroom addition.  It's sophisticated design style ensures a seamless transition with the rest of the home, while the nature inspired colour palette provides a visual connection to the outdoors.
              

In this sunroom, organic elements draw the eye through the space to the incredible view beyond.  The neutral furnishings appear weightless, quietly receding into the background.

These cleverly designed indoor swings are the ultimate sunroom addition.  They evoke a feeling of gentle motion and airiness, capturing the true essence of relaxed summer living.
 

In my dreams I have a sunroom...

Do you have a dream of a sensational space?