apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

"high-end Ikea" is that an oxymoron?

Ikea does sell more expensive rugs compared to their cheaper ones and the price difference is a large enough gap that I could almost construe it as "high-end". ;)

That being said, I think a good rug from Pottery Barn would be where I would start considering looking at. Ones with more reds in them.

And M is right. The end tables are a little out of proportion compared to the low platform bed you have. Definitely would look at lower and wider.

I actually like the wall sconces but I would definitely put a different shade over them in a nice bright color other than green you have.

It looks like a very well lit and spacious bedroom though!

just a little tip from me on rugs: i have found my most gorgeous and treasured rugs on ebay. seriously, it's worth a look. some local rug warehouses sell there also, so you can save on shipping by picking it up yourself.

It may not work in this situation or with this rug, but consider using the back of the rug rather than the front. Sometimes the back has a sketchy, abstract, blurred effect that is quite attractive. Depending on the rug, it can look like a flat-weave rug. It may be less "Persian" in your case.

I would not paint the bed bad idea. The side tables should go. and a duvet with less pattern. Either pick colors out of the rug or choose the complimentry or analogous colors from the color wheel. You could even go a nuetral duvet and add color with a few accent pillows.

Looks like a great room! Love the wall detail and the windows, I like how light and airy the room seems and I like the rug a lot, but everything else seems a little off. I think you need a splash of symmetry. By this I mean the sconces are placed in different and weird parts of the trim; the bed isn't centered on anything, the rug or the wall; the tables are overlapping the window; two different kinds of wood (3 if you count the floor) etc...

My two cents: Edit!
1. Lose the tables, they are too high and the wrong color. Maybe you could push them together for a high table in a different part of the room?
2. Center the bed on the wall.
3. Push the rug back towards the wall or move bed away from wall, so that all four bed legs are on the rug.
4. Lose the bedspread. Go with a lighter, simpler color. One from the rug? Match the pillows to the new spread.
5. Paint the bed white.... or match it to the sconce bases to cut down on the number of colors you have going on.
6. If you keep the lights, space them on the wall and trim evenly, on either side of the bed.
7. Move the art to a more centered place on a wall.
8. Pick up stuffed duck.
9. Sleep in symmetrical peace.

I agree with Maxwell’s advice. Above and beyond that, I would center the bed on the wall (i.e. shift everything to the right), regardless of the fact that the wall panel mouldings are of different widths. Maybe it’s an optical illusion here, but I feel awkwardly pulled to the left.

I would definitely push the rug back (or are you worried about the radiator?). I also would ditch the bedspread and side tables. I wouldn't paint the bed, because lately, dark wood is my favorite thing ever.

The rug reminds me a little of what I have in my living room. I went with dark woods, and then reds and golds (and, gasp, even a little orange, a color I've always hated). I think if you paired your gorgeous walls with a deep red duvet cover in a nice fabric, you could have a really gorgeous room. I like the sconces too, but I'd probably change the shades, and make sure the wire hung straight down (that last one just because I'm crazy).

I second that you should center the bed...

Good luck!

I used "gorgeous" twice in a sentence; how embarrassing. Please substitute one "gorgeous" with one "sophisticated."

Thank you.

If it bugs you enough- sell it and move on!
I too had this beautiful, high end, boldly patterned rug in my bedroom for 4 years and hated every minute of it being in there because absolutely no bedding made sense with the rug. I finally realized it's better to fall in love with pattern and color on more easily replaced and less expensive pieces.

Personally, I wouldn't paint the bed, its a nice dark wood... I WOULD consider painting inside the wall panels though -if that is what they are called- what i mean is, those spaces which you have surrounded with color now. Then I would get a duvet cover that matches the inside panel color, to tie the room together more...I agree with everyone else about different tables, quilt, pillows, symmetry, but to my mind the main issue is the rug, which is very yellow...Id simply get a new rug, you are obviously sick of this one, and it is a bit... prosaic. ABC carpet clearance basement ( across from the main store on broadway) has a LOT of cheap rugs , maybe you can find one there and use that to anchor a new look?

Would it be crazy to paint the moulding a darker color to match the bedframe? It looks like the rug has some dark colors in it and with the light walls, different tables and different bedding I think the contrast might be more sophisticated than painting the bed lighter.

It might be cheaper and simpler to just "raise" the bed. It looks as if you only have a mattress on the bed. Why not buy a boxspring? It would raise the bed so that the headboard, wall sconces, and tables are in proportion.

I'm surprised so few people have addressed the rug. While replacing your bedside tables and pillowcases should definitely be on you to-do list, I'd start with the rug. You say you like it, but recognize that it is the source of your problem. I think if you can let the rug go, you'll be much happier with the design choices that open up to you.

I would start by figuring out what it is about that rug you love and what about the rug you don't like. Then, you should sell the rug and replace it with one that doesn't make you feel "hemmed in". To me, it sounds as if you love the thickness and texture of the rug, but not so much the color or design of it. That should help since there are lots of great, thick, wool rugs out there.

It's hard to tell you what colors to go with since you've said that you're trying even colors you hate in your attempt to integrate the room. However, if you like the comforter, that would be a great palette to work with. You might try looking for a rug that pulls in one or two of those colors in a simpler or a more abstract pattern which give you more freedom in your design.

For the furniture and bed sheets: If you decide to go darker with your colors (focusing, as you presently do, on the brown and darker blues) you should consider painting your furniture as Maxwell suggested. However, I suggest staying with the dark wood if you decide to lean more toward the white & pales end of the spectrum.

Lastly, I, like others, would center your bed between the two wall panels--not the entire wall it self. You've got it so close, but it's just off-center right now. You might also consider looking for more wall art to balance out the area above the headboard.

Have fun! You have a gorgeous room to work with.

The rug is beautiful. I don't think you should get rid of it unless you really want to. A red duvet might be nice. It looks like there's a bit of blue in the rug. Would you consider a solid colored comforter, maybe in a light blue so that your dark headboard would pop? Also, I think that painting the insets (the places in the wall that are trimmed) would be an interesting idea. Maxwell is right about the sconces. Look for nice glass lamps. But most importantly---do what feels right for you!

i couldn't sleep, so i gave this room a little photoshop makeover.

http://circooos.com/room.jpg

now i can sleep.

To all of you, huge thanks. i hadn't noticed the wall sconces were so troubling visually -- good god. They do have to go. but here's the thing: I love having lamps off the bedside table. There's no chance of tipping them over (we will soon have a kid in the house; the duck belongs to the dachshund) and they free up space on the small tables we've got to have (due to lack of space -- there's a closet to the right of the bed). what about wall fixture in a light color, with white cords, that are lower, and maybe just behind the headboard instead of beside it?

joy