- Name:
- Inez
- Location:
- Baltimore, MD
- Division:
- United States
- What do you love about your bedroom?:
- Seven years ago, my husband and I moved into the 1950âs suburban basement of my aging parentâs home. The area that would become our bedroom had block walls and housed the HVAC system. We also encountered low ceilings of different heights and small prison-like windows with inadequate light and a dismal view of our neighborâs brick wall. My husband and I have always been intrigued by the idea of an In-law apartment, a home within a home where families can be supportive and loving under one roof. We also realized that multi-generational homes require private spaces to maintain household harmony and personal sanity. Our âGarden Styleâ apartment is the perfect fit. We adore our bedroom. Itâs a perfectly carved respite for our little piece of nirvana, blending beloved family heirlooms, treasured artwork, little bits of IKEA, and flawless functionality. But most important, I have been just a staircase away for quality care-giving which is a huge piece of mind and heart.
- What are your tips for creating a beautiful, healthy and organized bedroom?
- To conceal the change in ceiling elevation and add architectural detail we installed columns at the transition zone. The furnace closet was quieted with sound proof walls and a quality door. Tiny windows were lengthened to let in more light. Unpleasant views were frosted with film. A space saving frosted glass pocket door was installed to grab light from the hallway. We used accent lights to give drama and warmth to the area. Less functional items went to a local Womenâs Shelter. In the little furnace area, next to our bed, we shortened and installed an IKEA bookshelf, squeezing it under a duct for storing our shoes and luggage. To provide storage for magazines, glasses, hand lotion and that all-important clicker, I made fabric pockets for our bedsides that attach under the mattress. We believe the esthetics of a space are defined by all senses and just outside our bedroom window, we planted a Viburnum âErieâ which lulls us to sleep with the most intoxicating scent of spring.
- In modern homes, bedrooms have become more than just a place to sleep; they can be a retreat, a home office, a library, a relaxation zone. What are some ways you make the most of your bedroom?
- During the day, our bedroom doubles as a very quiet home office for my honey. Wall mounted cabinets and under cabinet lighting, keeps it well-organized and inviting. Itâs from our bedroom that he also likes to play his guitar. Our relaxation area is a great spot to have a cup of tea, read the paper or catch the evening news. Our bedroomâs sofa zone provides that little extra space to make the tiny flat highly functional. Our small bedroom with east facing morning light is the perfect place for me to drop a mat and do my Pilates and Yoga. This space also houses some of our most cherished books located within easy reach of our camel-back sofa to curl up and dream away.
Categories:
Main,
Style,
2013,
Bedroom,
My Bedroom Retreat
Nice room, looks clean and comfy. The low ceilings however are making me feel uncomfortable just looking at them, I can only imagine what it must feel like to be in it.
This bedroom is simply beautiful! It deserves 1,000,000 points! I didn't even know it was a basement had you not mentioned it. The ceilings are ok with me as I live in a 1950s ranch home that's typical of low ceilings. Looks quite cozy and comfy. Looks like a space to relax and get away from it all. From a RN perspective, Kudos for selflessly moving downstairs of your parent's home and being within an arm's reach to providing care if they need it! In my profession, I don't see much of that at all and that's coming from seeing folks with HUGE homes and nice incomes and their parents are in nursing homes! (sorry-off topic but again, bedroom is serene and beautiful)!
This is by far the nicest space I've seen. Your words also give it heart and soul. I was recently my Mother's caregiver. She had to go to the nursing home for special needs I could not do. But I made sure I didn't intrude on her space, and I carved out a tiny space of my own. I wish I had been able to provide her needs long term in our home. I think that's very important to be near aging parents and I wouldn't have traded my time with her for anything. You also show that it doesn't take much square footage for 2 to live comfortably with everything they need in one space. You are the first bedroom I favorited!
I particularly love the way you present your Art.
This is fabulous - I love everything you've done here.
Stunning - great space, great furniture. This is a really elegant bedroom.
absolutely beautiful.....I hope you win the contest
Love it! The art presentation is lovely.
Wow, your space doesn't look like a basement apartment at all! And I love your story, you sound like an incredibly caring and kind person. :)
Just lovely. It's traditional without seeming dated. I particularly love the little sofa nook - it's perfect.
This bedroom is absolutely stunning on so many dimensions and the story behind its genesis gives it soul. You should be so proud of what you and your husband have done and I truly hope you win this contest!
I registered just so I could vote for this room. Beautiful, especially given the constraints. I absolutely love how serene this space is. Well done.
Now this is what I call apartment therapy!! The space is beautiful, well thought out and designed. Everything has a place, no space wasted. The art is beautiful. The artificial lighting complements the natural lighting, making it appear inviting and cozy rather than dark and dank, like basement apartments so often are. It is really lovely.
I agree this is my favorite so far. Please tell us what the paint colors are that you used - they are lovely.
I agree this is my favorite so far. Please tell us what the paint colors are that you used - they are lovely.
So crisp.
How do I love this? Let me count the ways...colors, neo-classic style, Inez and her husband....
So envious! I love how you have placed the art on the walls. Everything is so nice! Love it!
This is lovely! You've done wonders with the lighting- it looks really cozy.
You had me from the first picture with the rugs on either side of the bed. What a smart use of space and a great combo of modern and traditional. And thank you for taking pictures that make it so easy to understand the flow of the space.
You are living the new wave of housing concerns. With tens of millions of baby boomer parents aging into elder care situations, the need for multi-generational family living is starting to increase exponentially. I'd be happy to see an entire site dedicated to how people make their homes function for this specific purpose.
After four years of caring for my father-in-law with Alzheimer's and knowing all the love that goes into it and the exhaustion that comes from it, I sincerely hope you win this contest!
Beautiful! Some spaces I admire, this one, I want to live in.
wonderful...great job...so as the person who made it...well done Liza...love you naty xoxo
an amazing bedroom.
Not my style, but still 100% impressive. Most people can't even come close to this on their main floor. This is magazine worthy.
Wait, do I spy a dressing table sans skirt with legs cut down into a coffee table? If so, that is just brilliant and looks great. I love your space even more!
This is probably the "real"est room I have ever seen on AT. I love it. I love that the furniture doesn't all match (but it totally works together). I love the gallery art. I love that couch. I love the lights, the paint, the molding, the floors. I love the little touches like the tea bag in the mug! It's not at all pretentious. I almost feel a little shy looking at all the details because I feel like I'm prying. What a great story to go along with the room! Like the others, I hope you win too!
this is beautiful, and so smartly planned, it's like a ship's interior. but yet, comfy and gorgeous looking. I adore the highboy tucked into that closet wall--yes, it's a tight fit, but it's got just as much personality as the wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUsGjDcptHk/UDgvV7hQBPI/AAAAAAAAAIc/MtU11Xanbag/s1600/enchanted+furniture.gif
like, space is tight but we are still FANCY!
A beautiful, elegant, comfy, cozy nest! I want it!
That is a beautiful basement!
Great eye! That's exactly what it was and no one else spotted it.
I was going to mark this as a favorite even before I saw the photos just based on what you wrote because I think it's wonderful and then seeing how lovely the room is sealed the deal. Great work!
Thank you! We used Benjamin Moore paints, the walls are painted in "Morning Dew" OC-140 in eggshell finish.
Less is more.
This is really an amazing space. I would have loved it even without the story. But as others have noted here, the story really makes it. Our parents are still relatively young and OK on there own, but it is an ongoing topic of conversation, particularly with my mother, who lives alone. Anyway, everything here is beautiful and well-suited to your purposes. I love all the art and the various nooks for different aspects of your life. Very inspiring.
oops--OK on their own, not "there" own.
You have made this space work beautifully for you -- a true winner.
I can tell that LOTS of thought and care went into creating this marvelous space. It is a reflection of the people who live there. I'm sure that the same care they have taken to carve out a gorgeous bedroom is also applied to the care they give their parents (in-laws). I would love to see a house tour to see the creativity applied to other areas of their home.
What an amazing space! You've made everything fit together so well. Love the little sofa nook with it's window and leafy plant. Wouldn't think a basement could look this cozy. Inez and her husband are trailblazers as many baby boomers will likely adapt similar homes to look after their elders. Good luck!
Holy cow! I want to live here.
What is immeasurable here is why you created the space-- a growing concern for so many people-- and you did it beautifully. I don't know of anyone who wouldn't like to have that bedroom. I'm also 5'3" so I guess ceiling heights don't bother me. Bravo for creating a functional, beautiful space with love. We can all learn a lesson or two from this.