Category Archives: Bedroom Design
Bedroom Design: Tile Floors in a Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Tile might not be the most obvious choice for flooring material in a bedroom, but there are those rare interiors when it’s the ideal choice. Tile can be ceramic, porcelain, stone, or terra cotta, and is most suitable in warm-weather climates, keeping your feet cool as you wake each morning.
In the US, you’ll find tile floors mostly in Florida, the Southwest, and coastal communities. Homes in the Mediterranean also gravitate toward tile floors, adding texture and pattern to structures with history and charm.
Get inspired by these five beauteous bedrooms with tile flooring.
This Amsterdam bedroom boasts whitewashed walls and Provence-style terra cotta floors. The design is simple, earthy, and attractive.
Original to the house, the ceiling beams in this Rasteau, France bedroom are 800 years old. The large, square tile keeps the palette neutral in the renovated guest quarters.
Sleek and modern, this Chicago bedroom with a marble floor pulls out all the stops. It’s elegant, classic and has a view of the water! What more could you want in a master bedroom?
A Scottsdale home uses tile throughout the bed space and the sitting room. In this case, tile as a flooring material is an excellent choice, considering the desert-like conditions in Arizona.
For whatever reason, the designer of this London bedroom opted to extend the tile from the bathroom. If I’m honest, I would’ve rather seen hardwood floors or a flat-weave carpet here to designate the change of space. The beige color is a good choice –– it blends well and doesn’t detract from the rest of the décor.
Bedroom Design: 5 Ways to Modernize an Outdated Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
When was the last time you decorated your bedroom? If it’s been a decade or more, your space probably looks a little outdated. Even if you have a classic brass bed that remains timeless, things like patterns and accessories can start to look tired and lifeless after a while.
Updating your sleep space might not require as much time and energy as you think, however. Take a look at these five tips to help you modernize your bedroom, so it’s feeling fresh and stylish in a flash.
1. Play with fabrics
It’s easy to see how the above bedroom could look dull and dated without the prints on the curtains and pillows, which add a splash to the interior. Don’t be afraid to try a new pattern, even if it’s on the trendy side.
2. Create an interesting bed wall.
Cabinetry and an over-the-bed shelf add interest and dimension to this white room’s bed wall in an Amsterdam home.
3. Purchase a sleek platform bed.
A platform bed can facelift even the most dated bedroom. Transform your space by adding a modern bed or headboard.
4. Accessorize
A chandelier, clean no-fuss art above the bed, accent pillows and a throw at the foot of the bed, breathe life into this Minneapolis bedroom.
5. Add a classic modern piece or a conversation-starter.
A Scandanavian chair dresses up the corner of this contemporary bedroom. A sculptural piece of furniture or an objet d’art can add flavor to an otherwise bland interior.
Tips and Tricks: Sleeping with dogs
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Is It a Good Idea to Sleep with Your Dog?
Are canine snuggles on the rise? Let’s be honest. It’s hard to refuse the sweet, loving faces of our four-legged furry friends, especially when it comes to saying goodnight and crawling under the covers. And Americans aren’t refusing. According to the American Pet Products Association, almost half of all dogs sleep with their owners.
As a dog mom myself, I admit –– the absurd thought has crossed my mind (especially when hubby is out of town), but getting a full night of beauty sleep is far more important than snuggling with my almost 80-pound Labrador Retriever. Admittedly, I do, on occasion, allow him to come on the bed for a quick snuggle, but he returns to his dog bed on command.
As sweet as it sounds, it’s probably not a healthy idea to sleep with your pup, even if he or she promises never to snore. Read on for four reasons why it’s not a good idea to sleep with your dog.
1. Sleep interruption.
Your dog might kick or sprawl, taking over most of the bed and leaving you with the edge, if any space at all. You could be woken up and not get a full night’s sleep, or a good, restful night’s sleep. Sleep is essential to our existence, and lack of it will affect your performance at work, as well as your mood and overall health.
2. Fleas and ticks, and disease
You can catch roundworm or hookworm, and other diseases from your dog. If you keep your dog on a preventative, you can probably avoid fleas and ticks, but there’s always the chance of a stray making its way into your bedding. Would you really want bugs where you sleep?
3. Allergies
Unless you have a hypoallergenic breed or one that doesn’t shed, dog hair in the bed could cause an allergy flare-up. It’s also not exactly good hygiene to be snoozing among piles of dog fur.
4. It’s a hard habit to break.
Once you start allowing your pup to share the bed, you’ll have a tough time getting him to leave. Would you want to move from a soft, comfy mattress with 400-thread-count sheets and a down comforter to a dog bed on the floor? Didn’t think so.
Bedroom Design: Sleeping Lofts
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Designers often create loft bedrooms as space-savers in tiny apartments or homes. Ceiling heights tend to be high –– think 12 or 15 feet, and sometimes higher –– allowing enough room for a lofted bed space above the primary living quarters. The downfall of these spaces is that they often require a ladder to enter and exit. Some, however, have enough floor space to create stairs, making them more practical for everyday living arrangements.
Let’s take a peek at five sleeping lofts ––whether they use a ladder or stairs –– that appear to be comfortable and work well within each interior.
Complete with a house cat, this open floor plan of a converted garage comes with a tiny kitchenette and a loft for sleeping. This space boasts an industrial feel, and was featured in the New York Times. The beautiful photo was taken by Ira Lippke.
This colorful, contemporary family room in Phoenix was carefully planned. The sleeping loft sits above the bath, so as to not take any space away from the main room. Orange barn doors and an over-scaled pattern on the area rug warm up the cool, concrete floors.
This home demonstrates the beauty, simplicity, and elegance of white. Stairs lead to lofty twin bedrooms, each with privacy curtains. Located in Tybee Island, just outside Savannah, this cottage is a dream beach house, in my opinion.
Climb a few wooden stairs and you can escape to this bedroom hideaway. Uncluttered with a modern aesthetic, the space is more than sufficient for guests.
A rustic treehouse with a log cabin feel, the San Francisco guesthouse boasts mismatched textiles, actual tree trunks, and a knotty wood finish on the loft, all of which add to its charm.
Classic Goes A Long Way: Bedrooms with Animal Prints
Post by Tracy Kaler.
It’s not uncommon to find Leopard, Zebra, and Cheetah prints in traditional and contemporary rooms. In fact, animal prints are often considered classic –– a pair of pillows, a throw, or an area rug can swiftly add punch or personality to any interior.
Animal prints can make a room feel less serious or more luxurious; they’re versatile and adaptable. With the above in mind, it’s easy to understand why these bold, earthy patterns never go out of style. Let’s explore how we can successfully use animal prints in bedrooms.
Ralph Lauren zebra pillows create a soft backing against a wooden headboard in this London home. The elephant art above the bed ties all of the elements together. I like the style of the bedside lamps, but I would’ve selected a different pattern or a plain finish rather than more zebra, allowing the print on the bed to be the star.
Pairing pink with animal prints isn’t the most obvious choice, but the duo creates a dynamic interior in this Connecticut bedroom. Beyond the artwork, the animal print bed and pillows are the only pattern in the space. The Roman shades help soften the windows and allow light to filter in.
Burberry and leopard complement each other nicely in his Little Rock bedroom by Tobi Fairley Interior Design. This room is a fantastic example of how to combine patterns with ease.
A cowhide adds a whim of sophistication to this child’s bedroom. With a few small changes, the space can easily transition to an adult bedroom in the future, if desired.
