apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like the ideas of the built-in wardrobes flanking the window and the window seat - particularly if you install drawers in the lower sections of the wardrobes so that you can comfortably eliminate at least the taller of your dressers.

And call me crazy, but I'm not offended by the nice woodtones of the furnishings, the trimwork or the color of the walls either...
...but the "fireplace" is a different story. Since it appears that you have baseboard heaters (If not, you must have some sort of heating in there, Yes?) and it seems that you need function more than "ambiance" - I'd get rid of it altogether. I'd also move the trunk elsewhere and get some proper nighttables with drawers that are the height of the top of your mattress and matching lamps for either side of your bed.

If you need the fireplace for heat, maybe you could remove it from it's current enclosure and build into the wardrobe piece. Maybe build it in below the window instead of window seat.

I like the dark wood trim and your bed frame to match! A nice olive green would look really nice in there if you wanted earthtones...or maybe teal or sunset orange for a pop of color. Get a nice duvet and some accent pillows to throw on the bed....your world will change! I agree the wardrobe should be opposite the bed, though I"m nervous it's going to be too bulky and take up too much space in the room. Would be great if you could have a window double the width for your window seat. Definitely stain or paint the fireplace to match the trim in your room.

I don't think carpet is a must (I love hardwood), but it's definitely a possibility. I think white is a good choice for that.

1. That room does not have "no personality." It's charming and has really good bones.

2. It just needs a bit more color on the walls.

3. Make the window seat wider than the window. It'll give you a warm corner to lean against while reading.

4. Paint the fireplace (white).

5. If you're worried about matching the wardrobes to the trim, how about going more modern. Perhaps with a mirrored door or two? That way, there will not be conflict between too-similar styles of wood. And it'll break up the monotony.

Sometimes keeping it simple works the best.

Black, brown, gray, tan, white, off-white.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/the-olde-bell-inn-traditional-meets-modern-055559

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/look-gray-bricksholland-055302

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/lighting/look-linen-hanging-lamp-055798

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/inspiration/inspiration-burlap-covered-sliding-doors-055786

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/inspiration/beach-house-inspiration-055842

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/roundup-updated-rustic-western-style-part-2-088572

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/dark-forest-by-natasha-newton-055066

I think you're trying to cram too much stuff into the space. Own or rent? Is there an additional small room that could be used for some hanging clothing? Have you considered a platform storage bed?

This one I think has the most drawers:
http://www.ultimatebed.com/bigbo/

You can get it unfinished and stain or paint in whatever color you like. Use your current headboard with it. You've just eliminated the need for both dressers. And those long drawers at the end? For shoes!!!

Or your extra sheets, pillowcases. Lightweight blankets.

The bed won't take up any more space, but it will satisfy your current drawer needs, freeing up additional space. You may not NEED to build in a closet that will only serve to cramp your current bedroom.

The armoire might be all that is needed for a few hanging garments. Bonus with drawers, less dust. They will seal out dust much better than sliding closet doors.

I'd have the mystery chair between the two windows with a good reading lamp, small table, maybe tiny ottoman.

The armoire backed up on the wall across from the end of the bed. Where the 5-drawer dresser is currently.

You can go with the warmer grouping of colors or the cooler set. Depending on your climate. I'm convinced you could easily pull off the calm look of the first link's bedroom, right down to wall mounted lights on each side of the bed. It's very simple.

If you can't paint the trim, I'm assuming that means you rent (THANK YOU LANDLORD!!!!). If that's the case, I would advise against going the built in route. That's a decent sized investment on something that probably won't fit into your next place. If you want things to look more uniform, I'd think a better idea would be to buy matching free standing wardrobes that can easily be taken with you or sold when you move.

Thank you for the many wonderful suggestions so far! To answer some questions, we do own, but husband loves the original dark trim, so we won't be painting it. Also, we have central heat but this 105 year-old house is drafty and the fireplace really helps with the heating bill in the winter time.

#9-after the built-ins are installed we won't need either dresser or the wardrobe. The remaining items would be bed, 2 nightstands, fireplace. The bed has 8 bins under it that we are already using for storage-that's why we built the bed so tall...great ideas! Keep 'em coming!

Ah lucky you! A 105 year old house! The structure and soul of the bedroom strike me as beautiful. Gorgeous bones so to speak.

As others have already mentioned, it doesn't seem like the bedroom is boring, more like there is a lot of different things - and in my opinion too many woods - going on there.

The built-ins window are a great idea IMO.

However, have you considered the floor? It looks to me like the floor is fairly modern parquet flooring, is that correct or do I need glasses? If it is at all in your budget, you might consider putting in floor heating, thereby lowering your utility bills and getting rid of the fireplace at once.
http://www.nuheat.com/sustainability/nuheat-product.html
Then for the floor choose a darker stain that complements the trim, such as a dark stain bamboo (the floor heating requires an engineered wood floor, bamboo is a fairly sustainable option).
If you can't get rid of the fireplace, then I would paint it to match the walls, rather than the trim, just because it does look a little off in that light wood. Try finding a beautiful antique mirror to hang above it.

How about playing around with a paint tool on a site like Sherwin Williams? I think their "liquid blue" would bring out the life and depth of the dark trim - I happen to agree with your husband on not painting.

As for the bed, will you lower it once you have the built-ins?

ps. I realize I'm being confusing by first saying that there are too many woods and then suggesting bamboo floors, my thinking was just going with the laminate, but making it as dark, glossy as possible to complement the trim.

puddle-i do love and appreciate the bones of the room. the floors are the original solid oak, they are stained the same color as the window trim and crown moulding. i think we'll re-assess the need for under-bed storage after the built-ins are there. do you recommend lowering the bed because it would look better? the ceilings are 10 ft. ? the fireplace is technically optional--just a money saver. i like the idea of painting it the same color as the wall. what about a slightly lighter or darker shade than the wall? which option would make it stand out less? or is an exact match better? thank you!

How sad is my eyesight that I thought it was parquet!? LOL!!!
In that case, I obviously forbid you to touch them ;)

There is just something of a temporary feel to the bed right now? Can't put my finger on it.

I've been obsessing about finding the perfect picture to illustrate the feel of the blue with the dark trim.

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/03/sneak-peek-brad-dufton.html

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/house-tours/house-tour-alexs-granny-chic-washington-dc-090830

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-cant-miss-color-trends-for-2009/pictures/page-3.html

Hm. Sort of blue with the dark trim, accents of silver, yellow and plum.
Maybe paint the fireplace a "crazy color" like silver or yellow?

Scroll down, you'll see a beautiful window seat:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/06/sneak-peek-gemma-ahren.html

Say, if you are building in, are you rewiring the room? Because if you are building at the foot of the bed, you'll lose two outlets.

Looks like you have one or two at the head of your bed, and two more on the wall opposite the head of the bed.

As always, check to see what, if any, permits are required and if it changes the tax status of the home. Because you are reducing the square footage of that room (and therefore of the house).

http://realestate.yahoo.com/Homevalues/Home_Value_by_Square_Foot.html

"There is just something of a temporary feel to the bed right now? Can't put my finger on it."

It's the legs-they are 2x4's!!! We built a tall platform so we could put storage underneath--I'm hoping some day to have the bed on a real frame.