Guest Bedroom Oasis
Construction is now complete on my 500 square foot addition and I’m putting the finishing touches on the space. Before I reveal the room to everyone, I thought I’d share my thoughts regarding the design.
I’ve been contemplating what the interior of the space will look like for a while now. I like to start this process by developing a floor plan–laying out all the furniture for the space to see what fits. With 20’ x 14’ of space, there’s more than enough room for a king size bed, two large nightstands, a dresser, an entertainment armoire and even a petite sofa.
As the most dominant piece of furniture, I’m a firm believer that the bed should be the focal point in every bedroom. Though it may not always be feasible, it should be located directly opposite the entry for maximum impact whenever possible. In this design I’ve been able to achieve this, while still allowing for enough space on either side to accommodate generous-sized night stands.
The beautiful canopy bed I chose is a statement piece. Manufactured by Hickory Chair Co.–a high-end furniture brand–as part of their James River Collection, it was released in the mid 1980s and is sadly no longer in production. I’ve adored this piece for ages and was able to purchase it second-hand on eBay for just $800. While not strictly French provincial, the bed’s red and ribbon hard-carved detailing and warm color lend itself to the overall aesthetic I’m going for. While it was a vintage piece, it was so well taken care of it looks practically new.
Once the layout was finalized, I shifted my focus to the decor. I adore the timeless elegance of French provincial design–especially for bedrooms. Light-colored walls that offer a peaceful backdrop; antique or reproduction furniture that are hand-crafted with intricate details and old-world charm; and floral fabrics in pale hues that convey a feeling of romance are so essential in a bedroom.
This bedroom will feature a soft color palette of blue/green, taupe and cream. The whimsical toile fabric I selected has an elegant floral and bird motif. Two additional fabrics, buffalo check and gingham, will compliment the toile quite nicely and is a very traditional combination for French provincial style.
The ornately-carved canopy bed will be flanked by nightstands, or rather a repurposed dresser to one side and a repurposed buffet to the other. With a faux bamboo motif, the two pieces are quite similar in appearance. The width and depth of each is perfect, though a disparity in the height will need to be rectified by adding “feet” to one.
The botanical charm continues with this luxurious chandelier laden with leaf-covered vines that gracefully entwine six delicate candle arms. Repurposed from my dining room, the chandelier also has an abundance of crystals that further bounces light around the room. It’s a rather large chandelier, but the 9’ ceilings easily accommodate the grandeur of the piece.
I‘m overjoyed that this space is also large enough to accommodate an intimate seating area. It’s always nice to have somewhere besides the bed to sit. I’ve had this petite sofa for years! Once it’s reupholstered in the beautiful toile fabric I selected for the room, it will invoke the same serene feeling as the rest of the space. There’s so much space that I may even add a dainty arm chair.
~ Louise
