When the owners of a new-build Craftsman-style home moved in, their primary bedroom was a blank, white space without much personality. Interior designer Denise McIntire, founder and principal designer of Elevated Spaces Staging & Redesign, set out to make it a comfortable retreat for the family while resolving several functional issues.
The homeowners wanted more privacy from neighbors, a better setup for watching TV in bed, a closed skylight to prevent leaks and a design that incorporated their existing furniture. They also hoped to create a room where they could unwind with their children before bedtime.
McIntire closed the leaking skylight, added picture-frame molding and painted the walls and other surfaces in Sherwin-Williams’ Iron Ore, a cool charcoal shade. To bring warmth and architectural character to the room, she drew inspiration from cedar planks in the en suite bathroom. The planks were stained to match that ceiling, then paired with darker faux cross-hatching beams. The design connects the two spaces and contrasts with the dark walls and hardwood floors.
The ceiling’s new beams also informed changes to the lighting. McIntire closed off the existing can lights, retaining the central ceiling fan and light and adding wall sconces.
She also reworked the fireplace, whose angled TV mount and awkward nook made it difficult to watch from bed. A frame designed to align with the ceiling beams, along with drywall and stone extended to the ceiling, gives the fireplace a more unified appearance. The TV can now be angled for comfortable viewing.
Floor-to-ceiling linen-blend curtains provide added privacy while softening the charcoal palette. McIntire and the homeowner chose curtains rather than shades, with light-filtering fabric that is not fully blackout. The room was completed with the clients’ existing furniture and a washable rug suited to their family of five and two dogs.
Personal items include a wedding-gift sign above the bed and a framed guest book signed by visitors. The finished room has become a favorite gathering place for the homeowners’ children, who meet on the bed to watch movies or read before bedtime.
Sources: Apartment Therapy.