Dear AT,
My bedroom (11ft x 13.5ft) has the potential to be great but Im FROZEN with indecision. In general I think I want a warm and zen bedroom. Minimalist but earthy and grounded. Sometimes a monochromatic approach of creams, beige, and wood colors appeals to me.
The current room layout works for me and Ive tried a few different configurations. Id like to keep the Ikea MALM dressers (light oak) and the metal cabinet, which was a labor of love and paint stripper.
Here are some of my problem areas and my ideas to solve them but Im looking for more ideas!
1. Repaint. Currently "Honeydew Green", but thinking muted olive, cream or biege.
2. A new bed. I like the case study V-bed but dont want it to be dwarfed nest to the metal cabinet.
3. Rugs. I like this or patterned Turkoman rugs from RUGMAN.COM.
4. Disquise the heater, with a bench like this one.
5. Art? I do like the aesthetic of an empty space, too...
6. New bedding and some lamps.
Thanks, Jennifer.
Hey Jennifer- well there is a lot of great info here. The first question we always ask a client is "what's your budget?" because that will define a lot of things like lamps, bedding etc.
Our main concerns would be dealing with a window treatment (nothing too flowy, maybe simple linen panels), getting a headboard (or that bed you like- very nice, indeed) and we'd center those dressers on that wall pronto. A big wood mirror over the dressers would also reflect that window and fill the room with more light.
Come on ATLA design-bugs- tell Jennifer what she should do!
The metal cabinet is beautiful, but I don't think it belongs right next to the bed--it's hard to imagine a bed that wouldn't be dwarfed by that piece. Looking at the pics I don't know where else it could go--maybe where the dressers are now? Or maybe it should go into another room?
What about moving the dressers to the long wall across from the bed. And the big metal cabinet to where the dressers currently are or vice versa.
I'd definitely add some simple window treatment. I like the idea of a gauzy linen one that was suggested.
And I'd paint the room a warmer color. In the daylight, it just seems really cold. No suggestions on which color. I think it would be determined by various accessories, like duvets and sheets, etc.
I think if the floorplan works for you now, cross that off the To Do list and move on to "dressing."
Given the space constraints, I'd go with a headboard (tall, to hold its own against the metal piece; perhaps something wallmounted, upholstered, neutral, natural) versus a "bed".
I'd get a framed mirror over the (centered!) dressers to reflect the windows opposite. Maybe a metal frame to cross-reference the stripped metal piece?
I'd vote for a standing screen to disguise the heater, versus the long bench (though I have long loved that bench!!)
Art: Absolutely! One piece directly opposite the bed. My favorite work of the moment is the highly textured and slightly abstracted oils of Koi ponds by Linda Holt at the Beth Urdang Gallery
http://www.bethurdanggallery.com/holt.html
I'd love to wake up to one of those every morning!
Windows:
A combination of single side panels (fixed, even, and don't scrimp on volume) combined with something for privacy/light control.. in the Zen mode, I'd vote for natural (lined) matchstick or a canvas Roman blind. Start the shades high on the wall, just a few inches below the line of the ceiling.
Color:
I love the color of the room shown in the nighttime shot (even though I know it the same as the other shots), but I'd be more apt to go more neutral... camel, gray or taupe... if you go dark with the walls, perhaps the ceiling could be the slightest hint of a color... robin's egg or sky?
I'd also paint the crown molding the same color as the wall, to heighten the ceiling.
On the side of the bed closer to the dressers, what about a small stainless cube by gus modern?
http://www.gusmodern.com/products/accent/stainlesscube.htm
If still set on a bench, this one from gus modern (to me) brings together elements of the stripped metal piece and the dressers:
http://www.gusmodern.com/products/accent/accent.htm
And I'd bring in a comfortable "armed" chair to pull up to the desk when needed or to sit next to the screen when not.
Thanks for letting us play!!
Layout wise, I'd move the dresser across from the bed and put the metal case where the dresser is now, then move the round table next to the bed where the metal case is now.
The dresser will be large enough to mask the heater without being close enough to it to worry about fire or heat damage.
For art, well, what you buy depends on your tastes and what you decide to paint the walls, but for placement, I'd go with a large piece over the dresser and two smaller but coordinating pieces over the bed. The latter of course depends on what bed and headboard you eventually choose.
Good luck!
Thank you for the good suggestions. I laid in bed this AM trying to visualize these changes (including rearranging the furniture)!
This will be a work in progress for a few months but it is my spring/early summer project. So late-coming suggestions are always welcome.
And I'll share 'AFTER' photos in...June?