Bedrooms to Dream About

The most intimate space of the home

where we retreat after a long day of work and busy lives
then later wake to the possibilities of a new day

Such an important room but it's often the last space in the home that is decorated

after the kitchen is done, the living room furnished and the kids' rooms taken care of,

we may then, finally submit to giving ourselves a space of our own to enjoy

I believe a bedroom should be one's sanctuary

a place of calm and respite

a beautiful space with luxurious textures -
great sheets,  fluffy pillows & duvet,  a soft rug at the edge of the bed
that pampers tired feet

But it doesn't have to be boring

and when it comes to furniture there is no reason to stick to the old-school

matching bedroom set!!!

Like most rooms, a good layout is important. 

Lighting requirements are very different and based on personal preference
to wake with the sun or with the alarm clock in darkness.

Since the bed is the focal point of any bedroom

it will often determine the style for the space.  

The headboard and frame can be made of wood, metal, upholstered 

or for the adventurous spirits, a re-purposed door, a vintage window or a screen 

pretty much any interesting object can be used to ground the space

 and define it as the main feature in the room.

Go big or go home with this headboard below. 

The scale works in this space because the ceilings are very tall - it helps to make the space 

more cozy.    Clearly this bold space exudes confidence
to also have padded fabric walls AND plaid wallpaper above .... just WOW!

Gorgeous wallpaper as accent wall is not new - but this one is stunning!
A mural can make a huge impact and now you can even create your own.

via Bloom Papers

This rustic bedroom loft gets a cool street-wise vibe
with the addition of mural behind the bed that depicts
torn advertisements.

Second Wind Interior Design

Blue and red is not a colour combination for the faint of heart - especially in a bedroom.

It really works here because the wall colour continues in a lighter shade on the ceiling, enveloping the space to make it cozy.  The red accents make the space feel regal - clearly the vibe this room is going for with that classic French antique carved headboard.

  

The charm of the wood beams and exposed brick walls sets the tone for this bedroom.
The lovely water colour painting softens
the harsher elements and gives this room an ethereal quality.
No room for side tables or lamps?  Wall sconces work perfectly in bedrooms placed just above shoulder height when sitting in bed to read.

I love bringing in vintage elements to a space to give it personality
and character.  These beautiful windows add charm while keeping the space light
and farmhouse chic.   All the other elements in the room take their cue from the
feeling and inspiration of the headboard.

If you lucky enough to have a large bedroom, then creating a cozy
reading nook is a great way to escape

If there's a fireplace...well!  you may never want to leave.
The trick is to treat it as another room and decorate with necessary elements to make it work - a great chair, lighting, side table, soft pillows and artwork.

For smaller spaces - create a cozy nook with drapery fabric
or frame out a window seat with a seat cushion and lots of pillows.
It's really about pulling together soft textures and soothing hues to create warmth and serenity.






If you're dreaming about a cozy bedroom sanctuary
that you would love to retreat to, there's even more
inspiration on HERE

or just call me...

All image sources via Bedrooms 

Magazine Feature - Our Homes

I love what I do mostly because I love to transform people's homes into beautiful and more functional spaces.  There's nothing better than having a client shed a tear of joy or squeal with delight at the final product, and being told "I couldn't have done anything like this without you".

But the absolute cherry on top for any Designer is to be recognized by being published.  

Today I have accomplished a goal I set out to achieve when I started my business,

thanks to Our Homes Magazine.

Our Homes Magazine, Hamilton & Area 

This is my client's backyard on the cover.

Although I can't take credit for this gorgeous stone fireplace, I take full credit for the s'mores tray!

You can enjoy the entire Fall issue of the magazine here, for free.  

There are many editions from all around Ontario that feature local businesses, services and artisans - 

what a great way to support your community!

Thank you to Laurie, Melissa, Kelly and Lisa for making this a great experience.

French Modern Bedroom

I"m working on a master bedroom project with a French modern feel.  The inspiration was a beautiful raw silk Bergere chair that the client was already using in another room and wanted to bring into the bedroom to create a reading area.  The walls were painted, new hardwood floors installed, new drapery, dresser, side tables,  fireplace, and accessories were brought in - the only thing original to the room was the lovely iron bed that will be painted a burnished bronze to better compliment the look of the room.  We also provided additional lighting to the room to ensure both ambient and task lighting were optimized. 

This weekend we pulled together a bunch of elements so I couldn't resist giving you a sneak peak.  There are some finishing touches to be made and a chandelier that's due to arrive any day now, so once that's completed I will post the rest of the room.  Here's a before shot:

This photo was taken during the hardwood installation phase.

Fresh mint green walls, builder's light fixtue, and light coloured drapes did not provide

the cozy feeling the client was looking for.

This is the bergere chair that inspired the French Modern mood for the room. 

Lady, the owner's King Charles Cavalier watches on curiously as we move furniture around.

We infused the room with new and antique pieces found on our annual visit

to the Annual Christie Antique Show which I wrote about in May.

I also found some strangely "unique" pieces you can read about here .

What do you think so far?