This Plain White Bedroom Transforms with a Warm, Luxe Paint Choice

Written by

Sarah EverettAssistant Editor, Home Projects
Sarah EverettAssistant Editor, Home Projects
Sarah is an assistant editor at Apartment Therapy. She completed her MA in journalism at the University of Missouri and has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Belmont University. Past writing and editing stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and several…read more
published Apr 18, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
About this before & after
Home Type
Project Type
Cost
N/A
Skill Level
Rental Friendly

Many designs and DIY projects have inspiration images, colors, feelings, or words behind them — and all are welcome on a mood board! 

As interior designer Shenel Shaikh of Elementerre Studio writes on Instagram, “Never thought I’d be inspired by the leaky Himalayan salt lamp I found at Goodwill for $3, but here we are! I guess it’s true what they say; inspiration can come from anywhere.”  

The design goal for her DC apartment’s primary bedroom, which Shenel shares with her husband and design partner, Hassan, was to “capture the feeling of being inside a Himalayan salt lamp.” Here’s how they brought that vision to life.

A warm pink paint envelops the room. 

The Shaikhs color-drenched the room in Benjamin Moore’s Mudslide, a warm pink-meets-tan that very much matches the salt lamp look they were after. They chose a quilt in a similar color, too. 

Shenel says the “rich, tonal color scheme” — including on the ceiling — is one of her favorite parts of the after and is a great color choice for the blend of old and new furniture in the room.

An IKEA hack creates chic storage.

Shenel and Hassan shopped around for their bedroom. The bed is from Article, the rug is from AllModern, and the nightstands and lamps are both vintage. The dresser looks ultra high-end, but is actually an IKEA TARVA hack.

Shenel and Hassan added fluting to the TARVA’s drawer fronts, painted the piece brown (Benjamin Moore’s Toasted Brown), and added gold knobs. The result is a piece that looks totally at home in the luxe surroundings of the new bedroom.

For more IKEA TARVA hack inspiration, check out these 25 iconic dresser upgrades, and for another clever furniture upgrade from Shenel, check out her conference table-turned chic dining table.