The Firmdale Project is complete! This master bedroom makeover in Boston has come a long way. Check out the introduction to the Firmdale Project to see where we started. The original bedroom did not function well. It was trying to play too many roles– bedroom, closet, office, and library– all at once. Books from the large shelving unit were piling up on the desk. The desk was crowding the bed and making it difficult to access the en-suite bathroom. The dresser and bed were nestled in so tight, there was no room for a second nightstand and the dresser drawers couldn’t be opened fully. Our main priority was to pare down the room to its essential role: bedroom. We relocated the books and desk to another part of the house (and my clients actually undertook a massive book donation drive!). We moved the bed to the long wall opposite the windows, which suited the room’s dimensions much better. This change allowed us to upgrade from a double to a queen …
There are some tried-and-true combinations that are a guaranteed success, and black, white, and brass is one of them. It’s glamorous, sophisticated, and sexy. And since this look is monochromatic, it’s easy to achieve a coordinated design without fear of colors clashing. Here are a few of my favorite black, white, and brass accessories. 1) Faux bois pillow 2) Brass oval box 3) Vintage Colflesh enameled bowl 4) West Elm Clint task lamp 5) Vintage mid-century lamp 6) Black and white picture frame 7) Feather prints #3 and #1 8) Dessert plate 9) Vintage Henry VIII brass rubbing 10) Wm. H. Jackson wood holder
I just wrapped up a master bedroom makeover in Marina Del Rey, a beachside neighborhood in Los Angeles. My clients’ original decor was sparse: a matching dark wood bedroom set and a light Ikea Malm dresser. Their windows were dressed with vertical Venetian blinds, which had been installed by the landlord, and translucent black and cream floral curtains. My clients wanted their new bedroom to be sophisticated and tranquil. They asked for contemporary furnishings, a neutral backdrop, and pops of vivid color. Their existing furniture was functional, but they were missing a few key items: a workspace and a comfortable place to curl up with a book. My first recommendation was to buy a new bed. I am not a fan of matching bedroom sets because they lack personality and distinctive flavor. My clients kept gravitating towards inspiration images of upholstered headboards, so I suggested we go in that direction. I hired a local craftsman to make a custom winged headboard with deep, diamond button tufting and silver nailhead trim. We were able to hand …
Ceramic garden stools can do a little bit of everything. Indoor or outdoor. Side table or extra seating. Or simply a beautiful accessory. Ceramic is also a lovely counterweight to more common textures like wood and upholstery. Sources: 1) Horchow 2) 1stdibs 3) Christie’s 4) Amazon 5) One Kings Lane 6) One Kings Lane 7) Instyle Decor 8) Scully & Scully