Warming up our cold Chicago bedrooms (without drowning in themes of other climates and coasts that just wouldn't make sense here) is about more than good heating and blankets. A comfortable, beautifully personalized and cozy space that's still organized and simple makes staying in bed late on weekends with a good book all the more appealing. With fresh starts upon us, we found some inspirational spaces through Cottage Living - which linked us to Southern Accents and Coastal Living, too. Midwest living can take cues from anywhere. Here are our favorites:
Photo above: Pieter Estersohn; Designer: Eric Prokesh; from Southern Accents from Cottage Living. Why we love it: The lightness of the white bedding and blue walls gets warmed up with the intricate headboard, rug, and wood furniture.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn; Designer: Amelia Handegan; from Southern Accents via Cottage Living. Why we love it: The walls are upholstered in mattress ticking trimmed in flat braid, and the suzani bedding doesn't stop other shapes and patterns from happily coexisting in this room.
Photo: Robbie Caponetto, Garage converted to guest room from Cottage Living. Why we love it: Super rustic and country design looks modern and warm with white walls and red floors.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn; Designer: Amelia Handegan; from Southern Accents via Cottage Living. Why we love it: The 1830 American canopy beds combined with the ceiling shape/angles and artwork placement is symmetrical, creative and enveloping.
Photo: Deborah Whitlaw; from Coastal Living via Cottage Living. Why we love it: Various textures and fabrics (walls, bedding and furniture) look traditionally warm and fresh.
Photo: John O'Hagan; from Coastal Living via Cottage Living. Why we love it: Neutrals and whites always work in your place of rest.
That blue bedroom is just beautiful - I love the traditional Italian antiques
view bepsf's profile
These rooms are delicious. I'm running out to buy this issue of Cottage Living now!
view medusa12120's profile
Sadly, Cottage Living is ceasing publication. I got my notice in the mail yesterday. They are substituting Southern Living for the remainder of the subscription.
view mbinaustin's profile
I want to dislike the first room because the wall color is so reminiscent of Tiffany blue, but it all works so well together. It's traditional without being stuffy. Makes me smile.
view jennab's profile
All of these rooms are lovely. Sorry to hear about Cottage Living ceasing publication. I recently let all my subscriptions end and I did not renew them, in order to save some money....guess I'm not the only one.
view suzy8track's profile
Love the antiques in the top picture! They really make a room so special.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
No, no, no, no, no and no. These rooms, while lovely for a Lake cottage in Michigan or Wisconsin, just do not work for Chicago. This is CHICAGO! City of bungalows, six-flats, Prairie mansions, mid-century high-rises and most importantly, SIZEABLE rooms. Both Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe would gag at the sight of all these tiny, frilly, feminine rooms. Carl Sandburg would be appalled. YUCK! Chicago bedrooms need rich colors that delineate the architectural elements (unless we're talking about a plain, mid-century box, which needs muted tones) and should be anchored with masculine, substantial beds. Window treatments should not hide the woodwork (again, unless we're talking about a plain, mid-century box). Floors should be bare to showcase our exceptional hardwoods, except for plush runners from the bed to bathroom. Absolutely not. These rooms are awful for Chicago. Just awful.
view Roelofs's profile
Roelofs, it's not as though the occupants just sponge painted the Sistine Chapel. I get (as I'm pretty sure everyone does) that you are a purist, but...maybe you are overreacting just a tad?
Really, it will be OK.
view typicalguineapig's profile