Category Archives: Bedroom Design

Things We Like: Art Deco Design

Post by Kyle St. Romain.

I love all things Art Deco, and you’d be crazy not to. For me, art deco elicits nostalgia from an era since gone. Art deco architecture is nothing short of grand, and it’s the style I imagine high rollers in the 1920s living in: well-traveled, well-built, and wanted.

Art Deco remains popular still today, and its influences can be seen in almost all types of design: architecture, interior design, fashion, and art. However, art deco is perhaps most easily associated with architecture. Indeed, many of the world’s most famous buildings are Art Deco inspired: The Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center.

If you’re lucky enough to live in an old Art Deco building, ideally constructed in the 1930s (when deco was used extensively throughout the United States), you’ve got it made. However, these architectural gems are becoming increasingly scarce which leaves most of us with the next best thing: art deco inspired interior design.

With a little creativity and patience to wait for the right vintage piece, an Art Deco-inspired bedroom design is very doable. The most permanent ways to bring deco into your bedroom would be with new, geometric crown molding painted in metallic silver or gold, marble wall panels, and elaborate ceilings. However, these more permanent changes would mean you really have to commit to the eclectic art deco theme.

If you’re looking for an easier way to bring art deco into your bedroom, furnishings are a great place to start. Armoires are very common in Art Deco bedroom, which also gives you more storage space. Mirrors are also typical in deco design. And while it’s perfectly fine to use wall mirrors, mirrored furniture and sunburst shaped mirrors are more clever ways to introduce the reflective element into your design. Mirrors also help smaller rooms feel open, which is a plus if you live in the city.

If you’re short on Art Deco inspiration, SampleBoard has an excellent blog post about getting into art deco design. You can also look for pictures of the interior of the Empire State building, or the Paramount Theatres in Oakland, CA. Both of these are prime examples of art deco at its finest. You can also search for photos of old train stations, which were primarily built in the art deco style.

Do you have any art deco design tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Bedroom Design: Shades of Gray

Post by Erin Sears.

Glorious Gray

Living in Portland, Oregon, I’m accustomed to gray.  We’re old friends.  I’ve accepted that soon the blue skies of summer will be replaced by the cozy gray dome that we live under for most of the year.  You’d think I’d be sick of gray, but gray happens to be one of the hottest colors in home décor right now and I love it!  Painting a bedroom gray is a great way to provide your room with a grounding neutral color to which you can add luscious pops of color.  Yellows, purples, turquoise and hot pink all look stunning against a gray base.  Conversely, adding gray accessories in a room adds an element of sophistication.  It shows that you know what you’re doing.  In the September 2012 issue of House Beautiful readers listed gray as one of their favorite color choices.  Let’s take a closer look:

Source: House Beautiful

Gray tufted bed with hot pink accent pillow and monogrammed shams.  So elegant!

Source: http://www.atelierabigailahern.com/

The red bed and yellow pillow really stand out against the washed gray wall.  It’s rustic and cozy.

Source: www.houzz.com Jessica Lagrange Interiors

Source: http://www.charlesprogers.com/european-linen-duvet-shams-p-162.html?cPath=3_15

If you aren’t able to commit to painting your room or you are still saving up for that special bed purchase, how about choosing gray bed linens?  Try the European linen duvet and shams from Charles P. Rogers.  Nothing brings a room together faster than good bedding.  Enjoy!

 

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Bedroom Design: Best Bedroom Colors


Post by Kyle St. Romain.

Choosing the best bedroom colors can be a difficult task, especially if it’s the first time you get to choose the color of your bedroom. Most apartments and rental homes leave the bedroom walls white, and for very good reason: white goes with everything. However, white can be boring, especially the drab white landlords use. If you’re ready to add some color to your bedroom, I’ve compiled a list of the three best bedroom colors and why.

1. Neutrals
Many people hear neutral colors and think, “boring,” but this doesn’t have to be the case. Neutral colors create an ideal backdrop to frame the rest of your bedroom design against, and are more forgiving for novice designers. They also work well with different designs, which allows you to easily update the décor of your bedroom without having to repaint. Included in the broad category of neutrals is everything from white to gray, which is actually a lot. Take a trip to your local home improvement or paint store and see for yourself: you’ll be surprised how many different shades of white you can choose from.

2. Earth Tones
Earth tones include the more muted shades of brown and green. Remember, you want to feel relaxed when you enter your bedroom and lime green probably isn’t the best way to conjure that feeling. Earth tones make it easy to envision what colors to incorporate in your overall design too; simply think of what colors you’d find in a forest. Bright red is an excellent color to use for your statement piece with an earthy palette, just doesn’t overdo it.

3. Blues
The number of shades of blue you can choose from can be overwhelming. To help narrow your choices, first decide between light and dark blue. Dark blue will create a deep, mature feeling in the bedroom, while light blues are generally considered more light and airy. Use white to accent your blue walls. White floorboards, headboards, and furniture contrast nicely with any shade of blue.

What do you think is the best bedroom color? Let us know in the comments below.

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Bedroom Design: A Lesson in Geometry

Post by Laura Cheng.

Move over triangles and squares, there’s a new shape in town. Polyhedrons are the new rage and its not hard to realize its appeal. The reason why I love geometric design is because it’s an oxymoron. The design is both retro and modern. It can enhance the bedroom with its clean, structured lines or draw attention to its unexpected, unsymmetric shape.  It can relax the formality of traditional furniture and bedding choices.

Geometry is everywhere. Lately, polyhedrons have been used as inspiration for many angular lamp designs. This one is sold by the Land of Nod, which just goes to show that even toddlers can get a geometry lesson on flat faces and straight edges. However, to make it easier for them to understand, the term has been simplified as “Between a Rock Lamp Base”.  It comes in silver, white, and gold; gold being my favorite (see previous blog about “Going for the Gold”).

Source: http://www.landofnod.com/between-a-rock-lamp-base-gold/f10706

On a nightstand, it stands as a beautiful and functional sculptural piece. If you’re really into replicating the look of this room, keep reading. Even timepieces can be transformed into a case involving geometry.

 


Source: http://www.landofnod.com/between-a-rock-lamp-base-gold/f10706

A classic alarm clock shaped as a polyhedron is the perfect complement to a modernly styled polyhedron lamp. Although out of production, the Retro Hexagon Clock by Pottery Barn adds instant vintage glamour and intrigue to your nightstand tablescape. A resin and pearlized material to the clock will maintain a coherent balance between the shiny surface of the lamp base.  Look for Bakelite clocks designed with updated details and mechanisms on your next trip to the flea market or antique store. And if you haven’t heard of eBay, then call me. We need to talk.


Source: http://jgkitchens.blogspot.com/2009/03/tick-tock-tick-tock-its-soon-time-to.html

Can you count the polyhedrons in this picture? Technically, polyhedrons are 3 dimensional objects. However, exceptions are always made in geometric design. In design 2+2 does not always equal 4. There is no right answer.  Another reason to love geometric design!  This geometric lattice wallpaper absorbs all the attention in this bedroom.  The key green color is repeated in the trim to help break up the busy pattern. Other primary colors like black and white keep the focus on the main attraction.

Source: http://www.bellemaison23.com/2011/11/timeless-trend-lattice-geometric-prints.html

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Bedroom Design: Best Bedroom Colors

Post by Kyle St. Romain

Choosing the best bedroom colors can be a difficult task, especially if it’s the first time you get to choose the color of your bedroom. Most apartments and rental homes leave the bedroom walls white, and for very good reason: white goes with everything. However, white can be boring, especially the drab white landlords use. If you’re ready to add some color to your bedroom, I’ve compiled a list of the three best bedroom colors and why.

1. Neutrals
Many people hear neutral colors and think, “boring,” but this doesn’t have to be the case. Neutral colors create an ideal backdrop to frame the rest of your bedroom design against, and are more forgiving for novice designers. They also work well with different designs, which allows you to easily update the décor of your bedroom without having to repaint. Included in the broad category of neutrals is everything from white to gray, which is actually a lot. Take a trip to your local home improvement or paint store and see for yourself: you’ll be surprised how many different shades of white you can choose from.

2. Earth Tones
Earth tones include the more muted shades of brown and green. Remember, you want to feel relaxed when you enter your bedroom and lime green probably isn’t the best way to conjure that feeling. Earth tones make it easy to envision what colors to incorporate in your overall design too; simply think of what colors you’d find in a forest. Bright red is an excellent color to use for your statement piece with an earthy palette, just doesn’t overdo it.

3. Blues
The number of shades of blue you can choose from can be overwhelming. To help narrow your choices, first decide between light and dark blue. Dark blue will create a deep, mature feeling in the bedroom, while light blues are generally considered more light and airy. Use white to accent your blue walls. White floorboards, headboards, and furniture contrast nicely with any shade of blue.

What do you think is the best bedroom color? Let us know in the comments below.

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