Sometimes this image discourages me and at other times it motivates me. This was how the master bedroom in our new home looked when we walked through it the first time.
We loved the plantation shutters and the view to the pool. Plus we were crazy for the high ceilings but little did we realize that initially those very ceilings would become a bit of a design challenge for us.
When I look at it today, I love the furniture we have purchased. True, I have had a few missteps along the way and the room isn't complete. It is still lacking the style that I see in this picture. Then I remind myself that the previous owners had ten years to bring this room to that level of sophisticated perfection. We have only been at it for ten months.
necklace
Like I said, I made some mistakes. We started with the bed and knowing we had a whole house to fill we were keeping a close eye on those sales tags. We added two night tables, two lamps, a chest of drawers and a television. It was sobering to see how quickly those dollars added up but they barely seemed to make a dent in the space.
When it arrived. I knew it was all wrong.
Yikes!
I quickly learned that these ceilings, that are significantly higher than what I was use to in my 100 year old home up north, were going to require that everything we did going forward be done on a bigger, more dramatic scale. The ordinary wouldn't do.
Even so, I did get some of it right.
I've always been a fan of mixing it up. I didn't want to buy a bedroom set. Instead, I liked the idea of blending dark and white finishes. So we started off with the dark shutter style head and foot board bed but chose these Bernhardt Salon tables and the chest in a creamy white as the companion pieces.
I fell for the detailing on this piece the minute I saw it. I knew it had to be mine and ultimately it was the piece that set the tone of the room.
These pieces have a Palm Beach feel that works well in a Florida home. I am confident they were sound choices but I quickly changed the lamps out for something taller.
I'm still not sure I am embracing those shades but that will be an easy fix once I start accessorizing.
I'd love something like this.
I had planned to live with the bed but on one of our shopping excursions we came across this stunning upholstered beauty from Fine Furniture at Alison Craig It is part of the Humphrey Bogart Collection.
I still liked the mixture of woods but the night tables were a bit small for the massive bed. Luckily, I had a plan. The shutter headboard and these night tables were relegated to a still unfurnished guest room and I brought in these taller more massive replacements.
It is kind of telling that the only accessory is my ipad.
:D
Yes. This is better but again, imagine those lamps looking more like this.
I neglected to take a picture of it in our room, but we also added this bench to the foot of the bed.
Not only do I like the looks of it but it's so functional too.
After moving the night tables to another bedroom, I wanted to bring back in some lighter pieces so instead of going with a sofa in the bay window area I opted to use this space for a desk. I am temporarily using one of my mistake lamps on the desk but the gold is a bit harsh. I could tone it down with some paint but I think it will also end up in a guest room.
The lines in these pieces are spectacular.
So yes, the basics are in place. Now I get to layer the room with some interesting tchotchkes, perhaps a plant or two and a colorful piece of artwork.
The fun is in the hunt for just the right touches.
If I can only pace myself.
:D
xoxo,
p
