Before and After: Master Bedroom

SO, I promised you a "before and after" MONTHS ago for some work I did for a client in their master bedroom. They moved to their current house about five years ago and took all their drapery with them. In their new master bedroom though, they needed a change. They told me that they wanted a more romantic/glamorous feel to the room and less of a country look. Let me tell you what we did!

This is the original fabric which was a gorgeous chintz, but looked faded and super washed out in their room with pale pink walls. The room is bathed in light all day long as they have windows on three sides of they room so they needed something to take on the light.

The drapery looks plain and is too short. I thought it should fall all the way to the floor.

I showed them a lot of fabrics, but we ended up choosing a gorgeous pink silk taffeta from J. Robert Scott.

These clients can be a bit stubborn when it comes to change (Don't worry, they know!). I convinced them to switch out their sweet country white drapery rods with these more glamorous antique brass rods from Restoration Hardware.

DRUM ROLL.........

Two of the windows flank the bed. As you can see this couple has traditional and incredibly sophisticated taste. They have many antiques as well which only look more beautiful with the pink silk drapery.

Now the drapery reaches the floor and looks incredible, if I may say so myself.

This is the husband's night stand. He has an amazing library and books are nearly EVERYWHERE in this couple's home.

This is the view from the far side of the room.

This is the wife's nightstand. They have grown up children so I placed one of the many picture frames they have in their home on the nightstand.

Here is a close up shot of this beautiful fabric and brass hardware.

The pink drapery only makes the soft pink painted walls look more romantic and really unify the room. After the installation, it actually felt like the room got bigger!

What do you guys think?? The couple is quite easy to work with and are very receptive to my ideas. Currently I am helping them with the wallpaper in their master bathroom! They have just selected the paper, so stick around and see THAT before and after. I can't wait to show you!



Alicia B.

Floor Lamps Galore

Many designers say that adding light to a room is a great way to add space to an otherwise small room. I'm on the hunt currently for a really cute and classic floor lamp but don't really want to spend a lot. Finding a great floor lamp is a piece of cake, but finding one for a reasonable price is NOT. Therefor, I have put together a collection of beautiful, classic, and good quality floor lamps all for UNDER $200! Enjoy.

Shades of Light is my new GO-TO (i know, I hate that phrase too.) lamp source! This beautiful wooden twisted floor lamp is $198.

This is cute and feminine from Shades of Light as well. The Fleurette lamp for $150.

My sister just got this one (with a drum shade) for her apartment in Chicago! The Library Floor Lamp is classic and simple from Restoration Hardware for $175 in Antique Nickel.

This polished nickel Chase Pharmacy Lamp is also on sale for $119. I like is crisp, refined look; from Restoration Hardware.

CB2 Photography Lamp for 99.95. I secretly love this one because of the name.

Adair Floor lamp from Pottery Barn. $179. I love the swan neck; it's very graceful.

This might be as funky as I get, folks. I really love this french GLAM floor lamp from EQ3, a great source for lighting. Only 179.99!

From Ballard Designs, this one is a bit more architectural and you can adjust it. Lancaster Floor lamp for $99!

Apothecary floor lamp, also from Ballard is another one of my favorites and comes in brass and bronze. For $169.

So, if you live in a small space, add a little light in your life (besides the daily dose of ME). The pharmacy lamps are so charming and great for reading in a club chair, or on your sofa. I love the architectural look of some of the others and remind me of working in a studio or doing drafting! I know I have a more classic and traditional taste in things but if you think you want something like a torchiere or an up lighter...think again.


Alicia B.

Hotel Bedding Weigh In

Pottery Barn

One of my most loyal readers (YEAH my mother) came to me with a very interesting query about Hotel Bedding. Hotel bedding is usually white with thin (can be thick, too) but bold lines around the border. It is clean looking and evokes a feeling of luxury and softness. I love the clean geometric lines of it; though in my own apartment I prefer more of a quilt look as you can see below. People love this look so much that even the W Hotel now sells their bedding. While that's all well and good this reader brought up the good point that why would you want your home to look like a hotel? Shouldn't it be the other way around; that a hotel should try to emulate your home? Is it depersonalizing your own home?

Emily from Design in Motion says "Why not feel like you're on vacation every night? Use color and textile to personalize your own boutique space."

I love my white matelasse quilt. I got a celadon green pillow sham as an accent from Pottery Barn to add some color.

Amie of Cafiero Lighting loves it too--she has Polo Hotel bedding in her own room and Restoration Hardware in her guest room.

Restoration Hardware has their own collection as well with monogramming.

Fun colored hotel bedding from Laytners.

I had the privilege of redoing a studio space for a bachelor and good friend--above is the bedding I chose for him. He says "I love hotel bedding. There is nothing better than feeling like you're in a luxurious high end hotel." Having been on many a business trip for work, he should know. What do you think? Too common now? Lap of luxury in your own home?

Alicia B.

Hardcore Hardware

Fellow designer friend of mine from Cafiero Lighting Design asked me for my advice on sources for hardware which sent me into a wild search for new hardware ideas!

This is her pick above from Nanz Hardware http://www.nanz.com/ which is an excellent source for hinges, drawer pulls, locks, knobs etc and they do custom finishes.

Here are my favorites below:

www.Anthropologie.com , Medaglione

www.rejuvination.com I love this antique drawer pull

Cygnus hook from Rejuvination also. They are a really great source for vintage hardware.

Dakota Oval knob from Restoration Hardware.

Classic knob with ribbed detailing, Felicity knob, www.restorationhardware.com

www.rejuvination.com vintage "frog" hinge. Perfect.

I am terminally in love with Daisies because of my highschool. This one is from Anthropologie as well. Nancre Daisy.

Did not see this slate switch plate coming but SUPER love it from www.restorationhardware.com

Alicia B.