3 Inventive Ways to Add Drama to Your Bedroom
If you’re after something a little out of the ordinary for your bedroom, let these dreamy designs inspire you
Mitchell Parker
19 March 2016
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Painting your bedroom walls can elevate your space, but if you’re really looking to liven things up, try thinking outside the paint tin. Here, three designers show how rustic wood, hand-painted tiles and built-in storage can take your bedroom to the next level.
Rustic wood wall and ceiling
Designers Steve Lawlor and Roberto Ramirez of Lawlor Architects
Size 32.5 sq m
Year completed 2014
Unique feature Salvaged barn boards have been blind-nailed to blocking placed behind the plasterboard in the wall and ceiling. The wood warms the otherwise contemporary room – ‘It’s sort of a rustic-modern detail that reflects the owner perfectly,’ says architect Steve Lawlor.
Homeowners’ request Balance rustic elements with sophisticated modernism. ‘The tension between the old and new always creates exciting spaces and details that seem to endure over time,’ says Lawlor. ‘Think of Castelvecchio in Verona by Carlo Scarpa, as a perfect example.’
Why the design works A street-facing bay window and additional terrace-facing windows provide abundant natural light. ‘It animates the space,’ says Lawlor. Pendant lights made by the homeowner and recessed lighting in and around the wood treatment help ‘set up the scene very theatrically,’ he adds, while the paint colour complements the warm grey tones of the wood to make it pop against the wall. ‘It’s a place that everyone wants to be when they enter the room, especially the dog,’ says Lawlor.
Designer secret ‘Always mix modern and vintage details, glossy and matte surfaces, warm and cool colours, and natural and man-made materials,’ says Lawlor. ‘Without some tension, you’ll never achieve chemistry.’
Takeaway ‘Developing a relationship of trust, shared goals and having a good sense of humour make working on projects of almost any complexity easier,’ says Lawlor.
Details Windows, Pella. Floor, 4-inch quarter-sawn white oak. Pendant lights, bespoke. Chairs, Jessica Charles. Shutters, Next Day Blinds.
Team: McGovern Design Studio (interior design consultant), Fairline Builders (bespoke cabinets), Norton Light Laboratory (light fittings), Pand Construction (general contractor), Stacy Zarin Goldberg (photographer).
Want to add interest to your ceiling? Here’s how
Designers Steve Lawlor and Roberto Ramirez of Lawlor Architects
Size 32.5 sq m
Year completed 2014
Unique feature Salvaged barn boards have been blind-nailed to blocking placed behind the plasterboard in the wall and ceiling. The wood warms the otherwise contemporary room – ‘It’s sort of a rustic-modern detail that reflects the owner perfectly,’ says architect Steve Lawlor.
Homeowners’ request Balance rustic elements with sophisticated modernism. ‘The tension between the old and new always creates exciting spaces and details that seem to endure over time,’ says Lawlor. ‘Think of Castelvecchio in Verona by Carlo Scarpa, as a perfect example.’
Why the design works A street-facing bay window and additional terrace-facing windows provide abundant natural light. ‘It animates the space,’ says Lawlor. Pendant lights made by the homeowner and recessed lighting in and around the wood treatment help ‘set up the scene very theatrically,’ he adds, while the paint colour complements the warm grey tones of the wood to make it pop against the wall. ‘It’s a place that everyone wants to be when they enter the room, especially the dog,’ says Lawlor.
Designer secret ‘Always mix modern and vintage details, glossy and matte surfaces, warm and cool colours, and natural and man-made materials,’ says Lawlor. ‘Without some tension, you’ll never achieve chemistry.’
Takeaway ‘Developing a relationship of trust, shared goals and having a good sense of humour make working on projects of almost any complexity easier,’ says Lawlor.
Details Windows, Pella. Floor, 4-inch quarter-sawn white oak. Pendant lights, bespoke. Chairs, Jessica Charles. Shutters, Next Day Blinds.
Team: McGovern Design Studio (interior design consultant), Fairline Builders (bespoke cabinets), Norton Light Laboratory (light fittings), Pand Construction (general contractor), Stacy Zarin Goldberg (photographer).
Want to add interest to your ceiling? Here’s how
Hand-painted floor tiles
Designer Luca Andrisani of Luca Andrisani Architect (also the homeowner)
Size 19.4 sq m
Year completed 2014
Unique feature Hand-painted ceramic tiles designed by famous Italian architect Giò Ponti. The geometric design covers the floor of the entire apartment, unifying the spaces and creating the feel of the ocean.
Homeowners’ request Make the 97 sq m apartment seem larger. Flexible spaces were also a priority, as was merging the relaxing vibe of Miami with the sensibility of a New York art loft.
Plan of attack Ponti’s Hotel Parco dei Principi on Italy’s Amalfi Coast inspired the floor, furnishings and overall mood. Two large telescoping pocket doors replaced two walls and, when open, allow the bedroom to flow into the living room and office. The strong blue-and-white colour scheme connects visually to the sky and ocean, making the area feel larger. Modern Italian furnishings play a major role in enhancing the space. Big mirrors, reflective chrome and brass, and crystal light fittings bounce sunlight around the apartment.
Details Hand-painted ceramic tiles designed by Giò Ponti, from La Riggiola. Venetian chandelier in green Murano glass. Lamps, Arteluce (1960). Bench, vintage, Milo Baughman. Lithographs over bed, Massimo Vitali. Artwork, Vik Muniz. Bed linen, Restoration Hardware. Bed, made bespoke by MidcenturyLA.
Team PrecisionArt (general contractor), Emilio Collavino (photographer).
Discover how to jazz up every floor with tiling
Designer Luca Andrisani of Luca Andrisani Architect (also the homeowner)
Size 19.4 sq m
Year completed 2014
Unique feature Hand-painted ceramic tiles designed by famous Italian architect Giò Ponti. The geometric design covers the floor of the entire apartment, unifying the spaces and creating the feel of the ocean.
Homeowners’ request Make the 97 sq m apartment seem larger. Flexible spaces were also a priority, as was merging the relaxing vibe of Miami with the sensibility of a New York art loft.
Plan of attack Ponti’s Hotel Parco dei Principi on Italy’s Amalfi Coast inspired the floor, furnishings and overall mood. Two large telescoping pocket doors replaced two walls and, when open, allow the bedroom to flow into the living room and office. The strong blue-and-white colour scheme connects visually to the sky and ocean, making the area feel larger. Modern Italian furnishings play a major role in enhancing the space. Big mirrors, reflective chrome and brass, and crystal light fittings bounce sunlight around the apartment.
Details Hand-painted ceramic tiles designed by Giò Ponti, from La Riggiola. Venetian chandelier in green Murano glass. Lamps, Arteluce (1960). Bench, vintage, Milo Baughman. Lithographs over bed, Massimo Vitali. Artwork, Vik Muniz. Bed linen, Restoration Hardware. Bed, made bespoke by MidcenturyLA.
Team PrecisionArt (general contractor), Emilio Collavino (photographer).
Discover how to jazz up every floor with tiling
Built-in storage and feature wall
Designer Paul Mellblom of MSR Design
Size 25 sq m
Unique features An integrated storage cabinet that also displays art and a wall treatment made from dozens of staggered planks of wood. Some planks feature recessed lights.
Homeowners’ request Create an attractive space with better storage.
Why the design works The wall treatment and cabinets are made from white oak and have the same finish, but because they’re cut differently — the wall is rift cut and the cabinets are flat cut — they have different textures. The planks behind the bed have a slightly raised grain for a rougher feel, while the cabinets are more finely finished.
Designer Paul Mellblom of MSR Design
Size 25 sq m
Unique features An integrated storage cabinet that also displays art and a wall treatment made from dozens of staggered planks of wood. Some planks feature recessed lights.
Homeowners’ request Create an attractive space with better storage.
Why the design works The wall treatment and cabinets are made from white oak and have the same finish, but because they’re cut differently — the wall is rift cut and the cabinets are flat cut — they have different textures. The planks behind the bed have a slightly raised grain for a rougher feel, while the cabinets are more finely finished.
Who uses it A couple have lived here for many years. One is recently retired, and the other is soon to retire.
Designer secret ‘It’s not really a secret but more of an attitude: we do not accept “good enough”,’ says architect Paul Mellblom.
‘Uh-oh’ moment ‘We had trouble getting the wood colour to be uniformly grey, and the correct grey colour and saturation so you could still read the grain through the stain,’ says Mellblom. ‘For a while, we thought it might not work. We solved it by working with an excellent group of woodworkers, who took time to do multiple trial samples using a number of different stains and finishes.’
Takeaway ‘The right contractor makes the difference between good and great,’ says Mellblom.
Details Wood, rift- and flat-cut white oak with a bespoke stain. Reading lamps, Snaik from Carpyen. Fan, Haiku from Big Ass Fans. Recessed lights in planks, mini LED downlights from Juno.
Team Welch Forsman (contractor and woodworker), MSR Design (architect and interior designer), Alyssa Lee (photographer).
Designer secret ‘It’s not really a secret but more of an attitude: we do not accept “good enough”,’ says architect Paul Mellblom.
‘Uh-oh’ moment ‘We had trouble getting the wood colour to be uniformly grey, and the correct grey colour and saturation so you could still read the grain through the stain,’ says Mellblom. ‘For a while, we thought it might not work. We solved it by working with an excellent group of woodworkers, who took time to do multiple trial samples using a number of different stains and finishes.’
Takeaway ‘The right contractor makes the difference between good and great,’ says Mellblom.
Details Wood, rift- and flat-cut white oak with a bespoke stain. Reading lamps, Snaik from Carpyen. Fan, Haiku from Big Ass Fans. Recessed lights in planks, mini LED downlights from Juno.
Team Welch Forsman (contractor and woodworker), MSR Design (architect and interior designer), Alyssa Lee (photographer).
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It'll give them a hobby when they're both retired!
You can't beat the warmth and texture of aged and reclaimed wood for a wow factor in any space. It works well in period properties and as a natural counterbalace and softener to the cleaner edges of modern interiors - as the bedroom in pic 1 shows
I'm thinking if you can afford the amazing bespoke wall and cupboards in bedroom three you can probably afford a cleaner! Absolutely love bedroom one too although I'm not sure what I want most, the wood cladding and indigo walls, or the dog :D