apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The donut painting is fantastic. May I ask who the artist is and where you got it?

Holy crap. I want that donut painting too!

I really think this is primarily a matter of bedding, which is really one of the most effective, low-maintenance ways of transforming a bedroom. I would nix the bedskirt altogether and really embrace the "boxy" feel of the room by selecting a stiffer fabric for the top blanket (like a raw cotton), perhaps in a khaki or off-white, since you have that fabulous doughnut painting and the two need not compete. since you're not afraid to mix styles, replacing/repainting the white bedside table with something darker, as to tie in with your dresser, may give the room a more cohesive look.

good luck!

The donut painting is by a San Francisco artist named Jay Mercado. I know he is painting a whole line of unique donuts these days and they are all amazing. I visited his studio and picked out this one, but he also has a website where you can contact him...www.jaymercado.com.

This is a great room - it doesn't need much.

I would bring in some crisp bedding and then some white almost sheer curtains to make full advantage of that window (like IKEA VIVAN). Maybe a gray/white for the bedding?

The rug should work - I've used the same idea to get rid of the awful beige we have. Just make sure you get a heavy enough rug so it doesn't scoot around.

Also, I would go for symmetrical and identical lamps. They can really detract from the painting, which is THE focal point here.

I dig the empire chest.

If you are asking about color schemes, I recommend that you look at the article on how to find the perfect color here: http://www.bamagazine.com/

Other ways you could introduce color is removable wallpaper and curtains hanging from the ceiling over the bed to form a canopy.

Funny...I am hungry right now for a glazed donut.

definitely change the bedding to something a little more, um, cool? i don't want to say 'adult' but i can't find other words. also try adding a headboard and getting rid of the bedskirt. curtains would help also. good luck!

Love the donut! You have a good start in this room already; it just needs some polish.

For starters, you need bigger lamps -- the ones you have aren't the right scale. And new bed covering, a rug, and drapes will make the room look more finished.

It's always hard to guess someone else's style, but if you're in the mood for some fun, maybe try a vintage chenille bedspread and Hawaiian barkcloth curtains. You could also go more sleek and modern -- it just depends on your taste.

I like the boxy white bedding idea. I'd want a good splat of rich color added to the room - either in the rug or the curtains or both. How about a deep mustard yellow?
Cheers,
Joanne

Please don't paint your dresser.

I would find some sort of modern wooden bed frame made of a lighter wood, and then if you're willing to change it, maybe the sand and stain the dresser to match. I also like the idea of symmetrical lamps, maybe vertical ones to replicate the shape of the room. Definitely bring in a carpet of some sort to break up the white, I do it all the time.

In high school, our valedictorian got up and gave a speech called "My love is like a donut hole," comparing his girlfriend to a donut. It was really dirty and completely inappropriate for the occasion, which only made it more awesome.

Love the painting.

Dark brown sheets instead of the light blue ones would do a lot to give some visual weight to the bed, and tie in to the great bureau. In fact, I think the white bedskirt and duvet cover could stay - maybe get a brown and white pattern for two of the pillows. A couple lightweight cotton throw rugs could also add some color. You could probably tack them down in the corners with some small nails so they don't act as trip hazards. And then add some nice curtains that reach down to the floor - great!

I think your best bet would be to use the compliment to the painting background a creamy pale yellow (not far from the color of the lampshade on the right side of the bed. Immediately, the painting will pop and the lovely detail on the dresser will also stand out. I think adding that color along with some chocolate brown (to work with the dresser) would be great. Keeping most of the room neutral would bring attention to the painting. You could do a folded blanket at the end of the bed, also in blue. Also, if you could paint/stain the mirror a darker color I think it would work better with the dresser. I wouldn't mind seeing it switched out for a metallic framed mirror, either.

I'd start by moving the dresser (which I like exactly as-is) from it's corner and putting it on the wall opposite the bed, but closer to the entrance.

For the window-wall, get a rod that's the full-length of the wall and hang floor-ceiling draperies all the way across the wall - you'll need at least 1.5x the width of the wall in drapery width for fullness. I'd choose a predominantly royal/dark blue fabric and make your own...

For the bed, remove the painting and make yourself a tall (54" or more in height from the floor) upholstered headboard in the same fabric as the draperies - and center the bed on that wall. For bedding, look for simple white Hotel-style duvet and shams with blue or chocolate banding, and take some more of the drapery/headboard fabric and make yourself a tailored bed skirt, a coverlet/throw lined in powder-blue wool or felt and a couple of throw pillows - a square for the bed and a rectangle for the chair....

Find a nice small brown or blue upholstered armchair to go in the right corner of the room, and place a table and reading lamp there - your doughnut goes on the adjacent wall above the dresser. Replace your side tables with vintage nightstands/end tables with drawers in a nice dark wood finish that compliments your dresser (Check eBay, Craigslist, etc) and find a pair of big ceramic lamps that you can place oversized drum lampshades on. Take the mirror that's currently above the dresser and mount it on the wall behind one of the lamps - and go back to the store for it's match and do the same on the other side of the bed.

An area rug would be nice - I'd go to the carpet store and choose a remnant in blue or brown that's at least 8x10 and have it bound for your bedroom floor - and place it so that it's under just the lower 2/3rds of the bed (no need for it to be under the nightstands)

Lose the bedskirt. It reminds me of a little girl's bedroom.

1. No bedskirt
2. No mini blinds-proper window coverings like a nice shade or floor length curtains.
3. Move the dresser-looks too big and chunky so close to the window
4. Different lamps-maybe something more modern without lampshades (ie task lamps)
5. Bedding can have a pattern, but not too crazy. Geometric in shades of blue or gray or brown on white (West Elm has some nice ones now) Either a patterned duvet with white sheets OR patterned sheets with a white duvet. Also look into getting a more platform type bed from Ikea or West Elm
7. Not loving the side table either
8. LOVE the painting!!! Sorry for all of the other crappy comments

Basically, you guys need to add more funk and big elements to balance out the painting, which is dominating the space.

I like your bedding colors. If you want to change it up a bit, you can try some colored sheets (I like the suggestion for a dark brown, or you could go with a bold print like black and white stripes) and a couple of funky, modern throw pillows. Also: Get a crisper, non-ruffled bedskirt.

I'd go with sheer, floor-length white curtains to maximize light. Get rid of the little plants on the sill and go for one big, green, leafy one in that corner.

I agree about getting new nightstands for something made of solid wood and in a more traditional shape. I'd also think about getting larger/taller bedside lamps. The ones you have seem small. Perhaps you can get a pair of tensor lamps in pop colors (yellow, orange, green, red) to go with the modern, playful painting.

Finally, a few smaller pieces of art would help balance out the big painting. The only other art I see in the room is the little framed leaf.

Check out MACYS...in these times they have been having insane sales on bedding.

There is a LACOSTE line of bedding that is funny, bright, a touch preppy, a touch pop. I think a more polished bed would do wonders for the room.

I'd avoid anything too ruffled or frilly on the bed--stay with a neutral like white, but add a coverlet or accent pillows (maybe in a modern stripe or circular pattern) in blues, lavenders, browns. Also, bedside tables in a warm brown wood might make for a balanced focal point. Matching laps would also be nice--simple and graphic. I might add a sleek white modern-shaped dish to the top of the dresser. I think it will turn out great.

A donut? Seriously?

Nice, I can't stop salivating looking at that painting. I think I would have a difficult time not running to the donut shop everyday if I had that in my home. I love it.

That donut is amazing.

I'd ax the light blue pillowcases...the bedskirt is fine, but I'd avoid one with ruffles!

I like the brown/dark blue/silver colors being tossed about. And since you have green plants, you can throw little bits of that color in as well.

I love the dresser - it is very similar to the ones my grandparents have!

neater bedding with bolder color. get some shams or pillowcases that are extra long to smooth out neatly. or maybe add a couple of euro pillows to simulate a headboard effect without competing with the painting. the bedskirt is fine, just get a more tailored style (thecompanystore.com)

it think you should bring in tension through color. some pops of either colors that compliment the donut background (reds, blues) or contrast with it (yellows). Target has that Dwell duvet with the big black scroll pattern on white and yellow piping.

your bedside tables could use a little "scaping" maybe add some trays and boxes for small storage. definitely get larger lamps. the scale is too small for the bed right now.

definitely consider window dressing. and angle that dresser across the corner with a floor lamp behind it.

consider a bench beneath the window or a chair in the corner (maybe a coatrack with miscellany on it?)

and add a rug to cover that speckled builder's carpet.

neatening the bed alone will be a huge start. it looks like someone just got out of it. smooth vs. rumpled is a huge difference.

you didn't mention what sort of mood you need in this room: relaxing, energizing, inspiring. it would help to know for colors and such.

I love that painting (but it makes me hungry!) and I love that dresser. I don't like your nightstands. I think something the same color as your dresser, but modern, would be better. Perhaps something round, like this:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tad-End-Table/3233780/product.html
and put some matched vintage lamps on them.

well that doughnut doesn't belong. maybe in the kitchen.
love your bedding though.
get some curtains and paint if you can.
straighten the night stand..... maybe add a chair if there's room?

Thank you all for your suggestions! I have my marching orders for the next few months. Your ideas are so helpful so keep them coming if you think of more. I also love the donut painting--it makes me smile every day.

There have been a lot of comments already, so I'm just going to curate the ones I think work best:
- NO bedskirt
- paint the existing side tables the same dark color as the dresser
- large vertically oriented (or hanging) lights to take up some of the space in the corners
- Yes to a rug... get a cheap natural fiber one to cover up the whole floor and then buy a smaller bright accent rug (round!)

And a final suggestion... would it be totally crazy to go for bright pink rug? I'm digging the color of the flowers on the dresser, and it might be an interesting way to work in some more color. Or maybe light green would be a better choice: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50112571

i think you can leave many things as-is, but:

- blue curtains, very simple (ikea-style), with a vertical trim of either black or bitter-dark brown to match the dresser. i also think a bold stripe would look great.

- keep your cool (i think) bedside tables but spend a little bit on getting some bad-ass large colorful lamps, like giant yellow gourd shaped ones. you could put a dark trim on the shades too.

- crisper bedding.

- if you want to go nuts, a fun throw rug with a graphic pattern.

Love the doughnut. I didn't see anything quite like it on the artist's website though :(

Actually, I don't think you need a new carpet.
Spend the money on something else.

You should go for a hip boutique hotel vibe, super modern funk mixed with classics.

What you really need to buy is a new mirror (need drama) , new bedding, curtains and some table lamps (need bigger size).

I would suggest this mirror from ikea.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40073891
or if you really want to splurge, get an elaborate venetian mirror. It will be absolutely perfect with your antique dresser.
http://www.NOTJUSTMIRRORS.com/Agata_Venetian_Mirror_p/venetian_vg-026.htm

I think bright red would look great as an accent color.
Think of is as a cherry added on top. It will be amazing with that blue background of your donut. :)

You can go crazy and get a really funky venetian mirror in red too.

Change the bedding to something with a bit more structure.
If you want to keep the blue sheets, get a brown duvet, something similar to one of these.

http://www.wshome.com/products/p4002/index.cfm?pkey=cduvet%2Dcovers%2Dpillow%2Dshams
http://www.wshome.com/products/p3004/index.cfm?pkey=cduvet%2Dcovers%2Dpillow%2Dshams

You don't want something that's completely brown because it will darken the room.

You need a new box pleat bedskirt in thicker material. The one you have is too floppy.

Extra cushions in red lattice pattern would be nice. (anything geometric and sharp)
For curtains, I would get silk curtains in silvery grey.

If you have any money left over, I would suggest getting a new nightstand, although the one you have right now isn't too horrible. Maybe you can just change out the legs and top it with a mirror, or painted glass. Get skinner legs.

Oh and you can also get this headboard.
http://www.target.com/Chelsea-Tufted-Headboard-Collection/dp/B000HQ307C/sr=1-8/qid=1245380497/ref=sr_1_8/186-4477516-4240244?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Atufted%20headboard&page=1

A bed frame with a headboard can add a lot of visual interest to your walls. Something in a similar stain/color to your dresser, but a somewhat more modern style might be nice: I found these two bed frames that I think would look great:
http://www.furniturehomedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/kyoto-black-platform-bed.jpg

http://s2.thisnext.com/media/230x230/morocco-headboard-wood-bed_5AB01A0E.jpg

But I'm sure there's a lot more out there. Pedestal (less chunky) side tables in a bright color would be a nice accent, and of course some window dressings. Give us an update to let us know how your room turns out!

first off i'd paint, but if you aren't into painting you can get some color in the room with fabrics. a nice window treatment will make all the difference here. and i like the idea of an area rug, too.
a nice coverlet over the bed will make it look more dressed, - duvets can look pretty sloppy on their own.

if you can find the right one, invest in a decent bed, one with a headboard and footboard like a sleigh bed, or get a fabulous headboard then put a bench at the end of the bed. maybe even a four-poster bed
http://www.slmetalworks.com/beds_a.html just as an idea---- that alone would create a more intimate space and balance out the other strong elements in the room- the wonderful dresser, and of course painting which i adore (i love all of jay's work!)
you might consider moving the painting to the opposite wall but that would depend on the bed.

I am glad I do not have to see that donut everyday that would having me running to Bob's donuts on Polk.

Get rid of blinds, get softer sheers with a solid drape to keep light out when you are sleeping on double track- you could do white with a robin egg blue. You need taller lamps the bed overwhelms those lamps. It is calling for a headboard think "Mad Men" that beautiful tufted turquoise green the Draper's bed. get a more fitted tailored bedskirt, see garnet hill.

maybe some antique taller end tables in a dark wood, visit flea markets get two about the same size but they can be different.

I see your room being romantic with dark woods and white fabrics with some shades of turquoise, pale greens, robin egg blue.
Paint the mirror frame either white or gold.

I do like the donut, very fun.

No bedskirt, unless the bed legs are too ugly. If they are, then get a very clean, box style that doesn't rumple up and look frilly.

Take your colors from the donut and the dresser. Blues and browns. Sheer curtains whatever color or pattern feels right. Or a rich colored roman shade.

Love the molger mirror but it's too light and too small above the dresser. Think something taller would be the bomb.

Definitely change out the side tables and lamps. They look too small next to the bed.

And something tall and quietly stunning in the corner next to the window. A tall plant? A plant on a tall stool? A cool corner etagiere? Nothing too dominating but just a piece to help keep the window from looking left behind.

Love the donut. Glazed, my favorite. mmmmmmmm!

Skipped over the comments, so some of this may already have been suggested. But I also have an all white bedroom - I own my place, but it was the cheapest option to paint every room brilliant white. What I have found is that an all white background is a fabulous base for pops of strong colour, very much like your wonderful donut picture.

So in fact I would let that picture set the colour tone for the room - and it doesn't have to be all blue. Make either the bed or the bedside lockers a dark wood to balance the chest of drawers, but otherwise add in coloured elements like lampshades, a blanket at the foot of the bed, throw cushions, etc.

I have all white bedding on a dark wood bed, with a red scarf on a black blanket across the foot of the bed and red and lime-green patterned throw cushions. I also have red shades on the bedside lamps. Other colours (royal blue, sunflower yellow, kelly green) come from displayed jewellery, knick-knack boxes, books etc. The amount of white balances out the strong colours and the result is amazing restful without being bland.

Don't paint the dresser, please. It's very pretty and that would only ruin it. If you love the painting, take your colors from that and colors that coordinate. Maybe some brown and blue bedding with some cream colored sheers?

I like the donut painting.. a lot. My first reaction was: "cool painting!" My second reaction was: "in a bedroom?"

I like the bepsf suggestion to move the painting from above the bed and add a tall/high upholstered headboard. It's super easy to do; it would take an afternoon. You could use a sale coverlet or matellase as the fabric. You can tuft it by drilling holes from the back of the MDF board and pulling a shank style button through from the front side (which you can cover in the same fabric). A really cool DIY project.

I would move the Empire dresser and use it as a night stand to give that room some visual weight. put the donut picture where the Empire dresser current is and add an upholstered boudoir chair underneath... or other occassional chair that you love/speaks to you/resonates with your style but it will need some heft/weight. If you have room in that corner for a small occasional table (I'm visualizing something round), then move one of those teeny bedside lamps there.

Those lamps need to go. They are not functional. I like them and they provide "mood" but they are not functional in terms of reading a book in bed.

Like the idea of adding a carpet/rug to the space.

Window treatments: Hang medium weight colorful fabric panels ceiling to floor. This is a bedroom so you'll need window treatments that help keep the light out and facilitates sleeping. If you can add a bamboo shade in place of the alum minis, please do. Otherwise, you can sew a roman shade but I like the texture and look of bamboo personally. Please do not hang curtains from the currrent placement of the rod. Tooooooo loooooooow.

You'll probably need a second night stand for the other side of the bed. You can take your time and find something that would truly work. THink about function and no open shelving (it contributes to clutter and that's not soothing for sleeping).

Bedding: your current bedding is too girly/shabbychic/casual. I'd tighten it up with box pleat bed skirt (unless your bedframe is worthy of being shown -- if so then no bedskirt. If not, then no "fluffy" skirting). I like the ideas submitted to use chocolate and blue. Concur with the bedding suggestions made by home body. Nailed it.

I think you will find that the donut painting will want a more public appointment rather than being relegated to the bedroom. In that event, your bedroom will still rock even if the donut relocates elsewhere.

I'm heading to the bakery now.

Jay is painting a very cool series of donuts (no they are not reflected on the website). But there is an awesome chocolate raised in his studio window at 4754 California Street @ 10th Ave. Check it out if you are in San Francisco.

whatever you do---keep the donut painting!

I love your painting and the bureau is absolutely beautiful. Maybe move the bureau opposite the bed, hang the donut above it so you can see it from bed everyday.

I don't think the Molger mirror or side tables goes with the bureau at all. You need to resign yourself to a more hotel / traditional / masculine style for the bed and bedside tables.

Here are some side table deals on craigslist:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/fuo/1230201151.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/fuo/1230179214.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/fuo/1219164654.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/fuo/1230108237.html

Whoops, my links didn't work, but search under "bedside tables" and you can upgrade to a pair of mahogany tables for $15-$40

I have to admit I'm with some people above - the donut painting is weird in a bedroom and would be better served near a living area.

Whoever said change the bedding, hit it right on the head. Changing it out can be cheap and make a big impact. Navy or a deep blue in a geometric pattern.
If you want to change out the furniture, I'd go for some tansu style tables in a dark wood finish.

I think your basic furniture arrangment is okay. You could always play with the configuration. See if something is better for you.

And please send "after" pictures. I'm always curious to see what suggestions are taken.

yeah i agree it needs curtains, and how about adding balance with a dark wood antique coat stand in the back corner to match the dresser