This Basement Bedroom Went from Basic to a Cozy “Cocoon-Like” Sanctuary After a Makeover
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and when life gives you a basement bedroom with one tiny window, make it as cozy as can be. That’s what Olivia Barry did in her primary bedroom, which is located downstairs, below the living room and kitchen. “A spiral staircase descends from the living room to reveal a generous primary suite, complete with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet,” she describes.
There are fabulous architectural features original to the 1830 home, like the staircase and a fireplace, but Olivia had to do some work to make it feel a little less basement-like.
Beige paint makes the bedroom “cocoon-like.”
“In my bedroom, I embraced the natural darkness, using warm beige walls and dark accents to create a cocoon-like sanctuary that encourages restful sleep well into the morning hours.” (The paint is called Mission, from Portola Paints’ lime wash line.)
And to keep beige walls from feeling too bland, she incorporated thoughtfully placed artwork: “The painting of the horses was a gift to my grandfather from a student of his that he gifted to me for my 16th birthday,” she says of the piece above the mantel, and the small piece of artwork over the bed maintains a simple, serene feel.
The bedroom floors got some TLC.
One of the features Olivia loved about the townhome was that the living room still had the original wide-plank pine floors. Unfortunately, the flooring on the lower level had been updated prior to her moving in, so she wanted to restore some of the space’s original charm starting from the ground up.
“I immediately updated the bedroom flooring to echo the historic pine planks above,” she says. Doing so not only made the bedroom more cohesive with the upper level, but the wood floors warmed the space a bit.
The space is a blend of old and new; new items like the low-profile bed from Article, the dresser, and the fuzzy rug are cozy, neutral complements to the home’s historic bones.
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