“When we hired Paola to design our primary bedroom, we were looking to have something softer and lighter,” says the homeowner who brought Warrenton-based designer Paola Martinez of Olamar Interiors to help redo the space. “We wanted to get rid of all the dark wood and heavy-looking traditional furniture that we owned, including our former sleigh bed.”
The biggest request the homeowner had, other than keeping the larger pieces of furniture neutral for design longevity, involved the tray ceiling. Either the ceiling or the headboard wall needed wallpaper for interest. The ceiling won.
“Our client hired us because she wanted a beautiful, updated, and classic transitional space,” says Martinez. “The entire design began with the selection of the wallpaper.”
“I was having trouble committing to a pattern because I didn’t want it to be too modern or too traditional,” adds the homeowner. “I also didn’t want it to be too busy, so that we would tire of it.”
Once the homeowner and designer found the whimsical F. Schumacher & Co. Feather Bloom grass cloth wallpaper, they solved the ceiling issue. The wallpaper dictated the overall palette — ivory, beige, touches of dark charcoal, and pale blue — and transitional vibe. Other patterns were reserved for the curtains and accent pillows to keep the visuals clean-lined, yet interesting.
“The room is also small, so part of the overall imperative was to lighten and brighten it,” says Martinez. “Our choice of wall paint, sheer draperies, and lighter-hued furnishings helped with that.”
The furniture includes a creamy shagreen dresser, two light-ash nightstands, a linen-upholstered headboard in taupe, and a pair of mirrors with harlequin-trim facing that reflect light on either side of the headboard. The curtain rod and bench legs are Lucite, which makes them fade into the background while serving a purpose.
“The homeowner didn’t want the space to feel crowded with furniture, so we really paid attention to scale and essentials,” says Martinez.
Everything in the space is purposeful. The his-and-hers ceiling-mounted orb pendants provide reading light and keep the nightstands free of clutter, for example. And a pale, soft area rug anchors the room without adding visual weight.
“The resulting room is neutral, elegant, and timeless, yet with a lot of personality,” says Martinez.
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
