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Designers' Decorating Secrets
continued  PAGE 2 OF 3

Why the Room Works: Tips from Mary

Jane Schwab

  • Balance: One reason this room feels so comfortable is the symmetry. I favor a pair of matching lamps on bedside tables with complementary art above. The paintings or prints don't have to be by the same artist, but the subject matter should be similar or your eye is thrown off, and it's unsettling. Everything does not have to match. For example, a chest is used on one side of the bed and a table on the other, but both are wood. Matching club chairs in the sitting area are paired with a French armchair for its different shape and wood frame.

  • Mix of finishes: To keep the color scheme from being boring, I combined various finishes throughout the room. There are iron elements (the bench, small table, floor lamp, and curtain rod), soft elements (the upholstered headboard, linen curtains, and wool carpet), and wood elements (chests, tables, and chairs). It's really a balancing act.

  • Fabrics: Although neutral, the fabrics used here have different textures that add interest without taking away from the room's serenity. The club chairs are textured cotton, the French chair chenille, and the ottoman is leather. A lightweight linen was used for the window treatments, and the headboard is upholstered in a camel-hair fabric. The only pattern that's really visible in the room is on the crewel bed pillows, but the different surfaces play off each other and are visually pleasing.

  • Sitting Area
    The inviting sitting area combines several textures that work together--linen and leather fabrics with upholstered, wood, and iron furnishings. None are overwhelming or jarring to the eye.

    Classic Meets Contemporary
    A neutral color scheme works really well in a master bedroom. You want a place to relax that feels warm and inviting," says designer Mary Margarett Nevin of Atlanta. Although neutral, this bedroom is far from boring. The mix of textures and the combination of contemporary and classic elements make a serene and visually pleasing room. The tall, upholstered headboard is comfortable for lounging in bed and also makes quite a statement. "Most upholstery workrooms should be able to help you create one that suits your style," says Mary Margarett. You can also make one for yourself either with a kit or from a piece of plywood.

    bedroom
    The serene feel of this bedroom is derived from the neutral color palette, soft upholstered headboard, and balanced lamps and artwork. A chest is used as a bedside table on one side and a table on the other, but both pieces are wood.

    headboards
    Mary Margarett favors upholstered headboards because they are comfortable and warm for reading. The height and double row of nail heads add a hint of drama.


    Next Room: Understated and Eclectic

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