–Jennifer Shapira
◗ Experts say the key to creating a harmonious bedroom space is to invest in a couple of functional, attractive pieces. Mix patterns, mix styles, and reject the idea that it has to be formal. After all, a bedroom’s primary job is to function as a comfort zone.
◗ To make a bedroom have the most calming effect possible, choose monochromatic colors like grays, whites, beiges and greiges. That neutral palette makes it easy to play with pops of color, says Cathy Haskell of The Suite Shoppe.
◗ Consider updating color as seasons change, says Haskell. Go for a bold-colored duvet, toasty throw blanket or patterned rug. Stay current with trends and accessorize with of-the-moment colors or graphic prints.
◗ Stow away clutter in bedside tables, double-duty dressers, tufted ottomans or foot-of-the-bed benches. Keep it out of sight by filling up drawers with clothes, linens, extra blankets and pillows or romantic keepsakes.
◗ Be sure to have a good bedside lamp, either on the night table or mounted beside the bed. It should cast just the right glow for reading.
◗ When it comes to welcoming out-of-town guests, Washington, D.C.-based interior designer Lori Graham likes to outfit a guest suite with the creature comforts of home such as robes, slippers, scented candles, books, full-length mirrors, decorative lamps and lighting.
◗ Don’t be concerned that furniture has to match, Graham says. Think about combining rich textures and vibrant colors. In a design, she likes the juxtaposition of “opposing elements, such as old and new, masculine and feminine, pieces from the near and the far.” In a bedroom, she might mix a bright white linen sofa with metal coffee tables.
◗ Fresh flowers always add a decorative touch and a splash of color. Placing even one bloom in a slim bud vase can make the mood happy.
◗ If space provides, create a reading nook that’s comfortable and well-lit or a conversational seating area that could include a pair of lovely lounge chairs and a coffee table.
(June 2015)
