A Warm White Bedroom

Who says white has to be sterile and cold?  By layering textures and using personal accessories, white can be very warm and cozy.  My goals for this space:  1) make it actually function well for two people as a non-traditional "master" bedroom (aka tiny)   2) maintain a calm, uncluttered, orderly space (edit carefully!) and exhale   3) try to use things we already had without having to buy new.  The only things I actually had to purchase to pull this together were the clothes hamper and the bedside lamps.  Although mostly repurposed from other areas of the last house, everything else....we already had :)

Come on in to the "master" bedroom...  Keeping the color scheme a simple white helps quiet and expand the space.  A large floor mirror strategically placed as you enter the room also helps expand the space borrowing from the hallway and helping to bounce light around the room. The refinished pine floors provide warmth and texture.

Since the bed takes up the largest portion of the room white is the way to go. A rustic quilt bought several years ago on clearance at Pottery Barn gives it a light summer season look.

One large dresser (from Ikea) corals a lot of clothing and packs it into a condensed space.  (Note:  you'll never see a tv on a bedroom dresser in a designer room... but c'mon this is real life.  We would eventually like to mount a slightly larger one on the wall above the dresser... banish the thought!)

The queen bed frame provides some visual interest yet maintains a light and airy feel. (Ikea again)

A small nightstand (previously a shade of light blue from my husband's childhood bedroom in a former life) provides additional quiet storage. A simple fishing basket on top repeats the warm floor tones and provides more storage. (hint: a great way to hide your husband's clutter!)

The other nightstand (still just $20 from Ikea and intentionally non-matching) gives plenty of bedside surface yet allows the tight space to remain visually open. A wooden cutlery box corals remotes, chargers, water bottles, etc.

Go vertical:  another way to pack in storage and repeat the warmth with baskets. The bedroom door actually opens out into the hall.  Although unusual, we kept it that way so as not to steal any valuable space from the tiny room.

Even a utilitarian laundry hamper can still have style.  After several unsuccessful tries, this one from The Container Store worked better here than in the laundry room and still sorts lights & darks.

Simple, inexpensive window treatments (found at Blinds.com) provide textural interest and control light and privacy. The woven white wood is backed with privacy liners and can be opened from top down or bottom up.  A great feature for a front bedroom allowing light while maintaining privacy. Drapey curtains would be in the way in this condense space.

Contrary to what you might think, a high bed works wonders in a small space. This space under the bed is valuable when two people are sharing one dresser and a small closet!

Accessories need maintain a simple, clean feel but add a dash of color.  This Christopher Burkett photo is much loved as it belonged to a dear friend.  Wall sconces mounted beside the bed provide additional lighting without taking up valuable space on the nightstands. These industrial style lamps from West Elm are simple and clean and very versatile.
 

More nature inspired photography on the opposite wall is by photographer Lin Isler.  We discovered these while vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina and had to have them. Her husband was actually working the shop when we purchased it.  She is based in South Carolina, her work is very affordable and can still be found online. (http://web.me.com/lilycharleston/linisler/Welcome.html )  Although the subject matter is different on each side of the bedroom, the simple white frames with wide white mats unite the photographs as well as the nature theme.

Accessories are kept simple and multi-functional when possible. A picture frame and a decorative box (discovered on a trip to Hong Kong) double as jewelry storage.

Silver accessories clustered together for effect.  No need to keep the silver perfectly polished... the tarnish gives it a more rustic feel and makes it feel more real and usable.  Family treasures and wedding photo provide sentimental value as well.

Located on the nightstand lower shelf (just below the shell photos) a glass jar filled with shells provides interest and repeats the photos.

Giving the bed more of a fall feel by changing out the quilt to a down comforter and adding creamy accents and textures. The shams are cream velveteen and the linen pillow features textured crewel embroidery.  A rough textured throw adds coziness.

Okay, one more purchase... Loved this little pillow discovered last weekend at The Country Living Fair!

The swiss cross or red cross symbol is simply brushed onto rough wool.


Just in case you forgot what the bedroom looked like when we found it... darker walls, darker floors, ugly closet doors...

We weren't even sure a bed would fit in here!