Bedroom: Masculine Cocoon
This bachelor was ready to make this space his own. Newly single, he wanted a space that would be sexy and masculine and, most importantly, let him sleep soundly in complete darkness. He also, very specifically wanted ‘layers’. First we chucked out the limp sofa and desk, and made this a dedicated bedroom. Then we completely sheathed the room in fabric - slate grey velvet curtains cover the windows, and the bed itself is surrounded by two layers that can be completely pulled shut, linen on the inside, silk on the outside. This bedroom gives this bachelor uninterrupted sleep and much needed rest so he’s ready to take on the world again.
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Bedroom: Bland to Bold
This woman had moved into this bedroom after her divorce. She didn’t have a large budget for new furnishings, but it was important to her to create a space that felt grounded, bold, and finished. She had some great pieces to work with and a furniture layout that made sense, so this was really a project about paint and accessories.
We painted the walls a dark, deep charcoal grey, painted the dressers, trim and doors fresh white, replaced the hardware on the dressers to suit the beautiful French Country mirror, and painted the desk to match the new curtains and bed pillows. After we added some new accessories and lighting we spent some time reorganizing the desk and closet for efficiency and created a sophisticated, calm room that makes the owner smile.
Total cost for this room, $200 in materials, 16 hours time.
We painted the walls a dark, deep charcoal grey, painted the dressers, trim and doors fresh white, replaced the hardware on the dressers to suit the beautiful French Country mirror, and painted the desk to match the new curtains and bed pillows. After we added some new accessories and lighting we spent some time reorganizing the desk and closet for efficiency and created a sophisticated, calm room that makes the owner smile.
Total cost for this room, $200 in materials, 16 hours time.
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Guestroom: Fun and Fresh
Guest rooms are the perfect place to have a little fun in your home. In this one we wanted to create a space that would be inviting to both adults and young kids, so we brought in both lively lime green and grounded coffee brown, and accessorized with oversized leafy art and some clever frog and dragonfly treasures. We also were able to pull in a number of photographs the homeowner had purchased years ago and, of course, make it all work with the furniture they already had on hand. A great guest room for grown ups and kids alike.
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Bedroom: Eliminating Clutter
This couple’s bedroom was overrun with laundry and clutter, leaving no room for rest, relaxation or romance!
We spent a day sorting and clearing, going through every piece of clothing and through every drawer. We painted the walls a lovely island-waters blue and had our contractor flip the door so it would open out of the room instead of in. As a result we could rearrange the existing furniture so the headboard no longer blocked the window. Then we accessorized with gauzy white curtains, recycled mirrors, the homeowners’ art and knickknacks and some new throw pillows.
We created an island-inspired retreat in less than three days and for $1150. Two years later, they’ve still maintained their new, clutter-less lifestyle! To quote the delightful words of the homeowner, they’ve gone “from Piglet to Peace.”
We spent a day sorting and clearing, going through every piece of clothing and through every drawer. We painted the walls a lovely island-waters blue and had our contractor flip the door so it would open out of the room instead of in. As a result we could rearrange the existing furniture so the headboard no longer blocked the window. Then we accessorized with gauzy white curtains, recycled mirrors, the homeowners’ art and knickknacks and some new throw pillows.
We created an island-inspired retreat in less than three days and for $1150. Two years later, they’ve still maintained their new, clutter-less lifestyle! To quote the delightful words of the homeowner, they’ve gone “from Piglet to Peace.”
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Guestroom: Handsome Retreat
This urban bachelor used this tiny loft space as a ‘guest room’, and wanted to create a space that would make his guests feel more at home - a little more privacy, a place to put their glass and a book next to the bed.
We started by warming up the space with a coat of paint (Benjamin Moore’s Pashmina) and installed a smoked and tinted glass wall to provide some privacy and a sturdy headboard. We hung pendant lights from the ceiling so that there would be adequate light but it wouldn’t eat up precious table space, and installed triangular corner shelves as night stands. Then we dressed the bed in deep grey sheets and fresh white linens, and tossed in a couple throw pillows, natural art, fresh flowers, and a spare blanket for richness and texture.
We started by warming up the space with a coat of paint (Benjamin Moore’s Pashmina) and installed a smoked and tinted glass wall to provide some privacy and a sturdy headboard. We hung pendant lights from the ceiling so that there would be adequate light but it wouldn’t eat up precious table space, and installed triangular corner shelves as night stands. Then we dressed the bed in deep grey sheets and fresh white linens, and tossed in a couple throw pillows, natural art, fresh flowers, and a spare blanket for richness and texture.
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Bedroom: Natural Zen
This woman had lived in this 80’ bedroom since her divorce years prior, but had focused her time and energy on single-handedly raising her daughter. Now her daughter was grown and it was time to create a sanctuary for herself. She asked for a space that was clean and contemporary but still soft, welcoming, and warm.
The room was plagued with popcorn ceilings, outdated and broken fixtures, buckling carpet and a bad wall texturing job left over from the previous homeowners. We started from scratch, re-sheet rocking the walls, eliminating the soffit over the bed, and getting rid of the flimsy doors, lighting and trim. We painted the room soft buttery yellow, installed shogi-style frosted glass doors, and laid ecofriendly cork flooring that would be soft underfoot but less allergen-friendly than carpet. Then we finished the room with beautiful new linens, furnishing and accessories, selling the old ones that were salvageable on Craigslist.
The room was plagued with popcorn ceilings, outdated and broken fixtures, buckling carpet and a bad wall texturing job left over from the previous homeowners. We started from scratch, re-sheet rocking the walls, eliminating the soffit over the bed, and getting rid of the flimsy doors, lighting and trim. We painted the room soft buttery yellow, installed shogi-style frosted glass doors, and laid ecofriendly cork flooring that would be soft underfoot but less allergen-friendly than carpet. Then we finished the room with beautiful new linens, furnishing and accessories, selling the old ones that were salvageable on Craigslist.
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Guestroom: Beautiful Makeover
This guestroom suffered an identity crisis - the elegant artwork didn’t go with the youthful bedding and stuffed animals, and the ironing and holiday decor was turning it into a storage room. We painted the walls a buttery yellow and replaced the mat on the artwork to a softer, more elegant color. We kept all the same furniture but rearranged it so that the bed could be approached from either side, making the room feel more spacious. We hung long violet colored silk drapes and gauzy sheers to camouflage the flat skinny window, then dressed the bed in soft eggplant colored linens with playful throw pillows in poppy reds. Simple de-cluttering, new paint and accessories, and the room got a whole new life!
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Bedroom: Cohesive color
This homeowner didn’t need to change anything about her house - she had great furniture, art, and accessories. All it needed was to be brought to life with color. This bedroom is a great example of how changing the walls from white to a color, in this case, a warm powdery blue, can make everything look richer and more expensive, from bedding to artwork.
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Bedroom: Teal and Chocolate
This bachelor had bought bedroom furniture but had never decorated the room in a way that showed it off, and though it was kept neat and clean it felt crowded and messy. He wanted a space that felt ‘finished’ and would feel inviting sould he invite guests over.
We rearranged the furniture so nothing blocked the windows or closets - that took away the feeling of being crowded. Then we painted the walls chocolate and aqua, color pulled from the painting he had in the room, and hung coordinating curtains to soften the look. Aside from a new duvet and pillows, paint and drapes, we didn’t have to add anything new to make this transformation. Easy to maintain, easy on the eye.
We rearranged the furniture so nothing blocked the windows or closets - that took away the feeling of being crowded. Then we painted the walls chocolate and aqua, color pulled from the painting he had in the room, and hung coordinating curtains to soften the look. Aside from a new duvet and pillows, paint and drapes, we didn’t have to add anything new to make this transformation. Easy to maintain, easy on the eye.
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