When my clients approached me about redesigning their principal bedroom in their red brick post-war era home in midtown Toronto, I jumped at the opportunity to transform their space.
If you follow interior design and decor trends, then I’m sure you’ve noticed that warm neutrals are being used everywhere from kitchens and bathrooms to living rooms and bedrooms. My client knew she wanted those creamy, sandy, chocolatey hues and all of her inspo images oozed boho / mid-century vibes. The hardwood flooring and floor plan were to remain the same, so we set out selecting all new furnishings, lighting, paint and artwork to create a cozy, serene bedroom retreat for this young couple!
It’s not a huge bedroom, and with a new walnut king size bed taking up a good portion of it, we had to find some creative design solutions to fit everything on their wish list. His and hers dressers were a must as was a makeup vanity for her! To make this work, her husband’s dresser doubles as a wide bedside table. On her side of the bed, a small floating single-drawer nightstand does double-duty as a make-up vanity. The walnut bedside tables are part of a matching set (GASP!) with the king bed frame and while I don’t typically advise using “matching sets” I made an exception in this case. The coordinating dresser and wall-hung nightstand gave them each the specific type of storage and function they needed while looking unified despite their differences in size and shape. To complete her vanity area, we added a cylindrical ottoman upholstered in a gray fabric that easily tucks underneath when not being used as a seat. In order to give my client as much surface area as possible, we opted for wall-mounted reading lights. The couple wanted a solution that did not require an electrician so these globe and brass plug-in wall sconces did the trick beautifully!
When working within a warm, neutral colour palette, I am careful to avoid ending up with a bland, beige blob of a space. So we incorporated textures, like the chunky geometric ivory – brown area rug, organic elements, like the delicate leafy green olive tree (I love the pop of green in this space!), luxe bedding with layers of pillows in different shapes and sizes, and two different wood species – walnut and whitewashed ash to give it a collected look. We refreshed the walls, ceiling and trim with Benjamin Moore’s Simply White OC-117 for a crisp look that has a smidge of a warm undertone.
I styled it with an organic shaped lamp and curvy vases and a great landscape photograph of Utah. I instantly loved how the colours of the snow-covered golden bluffs and bits of green trees tied into the room. Simple black frames around the wall art make it pop against the white walls while a gold-toned full-length wall mirror adds a warm glow and is as much functional as it is aesthetic. They always found their bedroom a bit too warm and stuffy so we installed a sleek, black ceiling fan to keep the air circulating.
Now, with the bedroom makeover complete, my clients enjoy beginning and ending everyday in a space that oozes relaxation, comfort and style and with all of the functionality that they desired.