Kimberly’s Design Dilemma
When we heard that Kimberly needed our help swankifying her bedroom, we sprung right into action. Here’s her letter:
I am most attracted to cottage style with a little bit of funkiness. I like to be around places that are soothing, light, airy, and cozy. I am pretty eclectic. I like the practicality of Ikea, the Caribbean feel of Pier 1, and the beauty of House Beautiful designs. The bed must stay in the room. If you can find an inexpensive dresser and side tables they can go. The right size side table has been an issue for me. The bed is pretty high off the ground. Since I like to read at night and like having easy access to my books I want to have something easy to grab. Other than that the room is pretty bare. Oh yeah, because I live in a condo I must have a rug on 80% of the floor. I am open to a new wall color for sure. I don’t like patterns very much. Muted soft colors are always good. I used to live in purple room. That was a bit much. I’ve been really feeling yucky about my bedroom for a while, and I look forward to making it warm and beautiful. I’ve not put curtains up for several reasons- one being money, but the other reason being that I love looking out my window and seeing the top of the beautiful trees. Thanks so much for your help! -Kimberly
Fear not, Kimberly! We’re dishing up a warm and cozy bedroom mood board to completely transform your space on a dime.
And now for the mood board breakdown.
1. Our warm and soft palette will evoke a subtle and cozy feeling as soon as Kimberly enters the room. All the white and light yellow tones will perfectly capture the light and airy feeling that Kimberly covets, and we’ll add a few splashes of chrome for modernity and some natural woods (which Kimberly might even whitewash!) and fibers for a hint of the island feeling that Kimberly adores. We would recommend that Kimberly paint her current headboard a pure white color which will crisp up her bed and make it work seamlessly with all the new pieces that we’ll be bringing in (on a strict budget of course). And when it comes to the walls, nothing transforms a space like a fresh coat of paint, and we think a warm golden yellow will create a soothing haven for Kimberly every evening (try Glidden’s Corn Silk).
2. Kimberly likes to have her books nearby and worried that her unusually high bed wouldn’t work with the average bedside table. Well, that got us thinking- who says you have to use night tables anyway? Flanking the bed with two of these affordable bookshelves will create a fabulous focal wall (and more than enough room for books and tons of other concealed storage as well). Plus because the shelving systems are backless, it will be easy for Kimberly to plug in her alarm clock and any other electronics (phone charger) without having to drill any holes in the back of the bookcase to accommodate the cords. With such great height on either side of the bed, it will draw the eye up and make the space look both taller and airier (thanks again to the backless construction, which will avoid wood overload in the space). And hanging a gorgeous framed mirror above the headboard between each of the shelves will complete the entire focal wall in an instant.
3. We were officially inspired by Kimberly’s clip on lamp, so much so that we hunted down a snazzy (yet totally budget-friendly) chrome version so that Kimberly can pick up two and clip them on either side of her headboard for modern-meets-cottage appeal (and reading light to spare).
4. Kimberly mentioned she didn’t like patterns very much, but to add a bit of dimension and pop to the space we dug up this classic and sophisticated bedding. It will work really well with the island inspired wood shelving systems on either side of the bed, and add a bit of polish to the room while keeping things light and airy.
5. We couldn’t wait to rescue Kimberly from her television balancing act, so we dug up this TV cabinet to match the open shelving on either side of the bed and add order to a previously chaotic corner of the space. One DIY thing that Kimberly can do to add even more island appeal to her wood shelving and this wood TV stand is to whitewash them (mix one part paint with three parts water and brush each piece with the mixture for a cloudy white effect that still allows the grain of the wood to show through). Of course this is a bit labor intensive, but it will add even more of that cottage appeal that she loves to the space, and nothing makes a room feel homey like a DIY project to really make it yours.
6. We couldn’t believe our luck when we stumbled upon these deeply discounted pillows from Pottery Barn. At only 14 clams, it’s the perfect finishing touch for the bed (which will work perfectly with our natural fiber rug and our wall color to boot).
7. And now for some clean, modern lines to balance the cottagey-island vibe. This chic dresser from Ikea is both affordable and timeless thanks to its simple shape and the same bright white color that will soon grace Kimberly’s existing headboard to tie the whole room together.
8. Here’s our aforementioned natural fiber rug. Made from jute and sporting a great herringbone pattern (still super subtle for Kimberly’s tastes) this rug will add more of that low key island feeling to the space while also tying in with the cottage chic thing we have going on.
9. And now for the item that will cost next to nothing but create a super cozy and inviting atmosphere in a flash: these semi-sheer floor length white curtains from Ikea can be hung high and wide around each of the windows in the room so as not to obscure the view while adding oodles of softness and ambiance to the space. The fact that they’re just $9.99 for two is the icing on the cake. Delish.
So there it is. Kimberly’s soft, warm and luxurious bedroom makeover. We can’t wait to hear what you guys think- especailly you Kimberly! And if anyone else out there is in desperate need of a custom mood board makeover of their very own, click here to learn more.
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Wow, I can’t wait to see the “after” photos! Fantastic job…