The home of London designer Abigail Ahern is a spectacular example of the power of dark colors...
If you're not afraid of the dark, give me a call--we can create a dramatic, moody space for your very own.
Happy designing and Happy Halloween!
Showing posts with label bedroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bedroom. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2026
Celebrating The Darkness Within: Happy Halloween 2026!
In recognition of Halloween next week, let's look at spaces that embrace and celebrate a deliciously moody darkness...
The home of London designer Abigail Ahern is a spectacular example of the power of dark colors...
If you're not afraid of the dark, give me a call--we can create a dramatic, moody space for your very own.
Happy designing and Happy Halloween!
The home of London designer Abigail Ahern is a spectacular example of the power of dark colors...
If you're not afraid of the dark, give me a call--we can create a dramatic, moody space for your very own.
Happy designing and Happy Halloween!
Monday, February 13, 2023
In The Know: Master vs. Primary
To keep you up-to-date on all things interior design, there has been an interesting shift recently in the world of interiors and real estate when it comes to what to call the largest bedroom of a home.
In the past, this room, or the suite it might occupy along with a large bathroom, was referred to as a Master Suite, or Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom. The term's first usage can be traced back to 1926 when Sears sold a kit home in their catalog with a bedroom that was larger than in eras past. After WWI, American homes were getting larger, and with the middle class becoming more prosperous, people were looking for more interior space for lounging and living. The word Master was simply used to denote that it was the largest and nicest bedroom in the home, one that took precedence over other smaller children's or guest bedrooms.
Clearly, the term does not come from slavery or plantations. But there has been a recent move away from Master to the now-preferred term Primary. The change is cited as a way to avoid language that could be misconstrued as racist or even sexist (because, while we do not have gendered language like many Romance languages do, the term Master is male). So we now see the term Primary or even Owner's Suite, Owner's Bedroom, or Owner's Bathroom.
However, some say that changing what to call the largest bedroom in a house is just literal lip-service and does nothing to address actual, on-going, systemic problems of racism in the United States and around the world, and that such a move is still something that only effects wealthy people, mostly not of color, who can afford to buy a home in today's challenging housing market.
Whatever a change in nomenclature may or may not achieve, it looks like almost everyone--MLS listings, shelter magazines, your interior designer blog master--now uses the term Primary Bedroom.
I will leave you with some lovely views of Primary Bedrooms that beckon one to relax, unwind, and rest.
Happy designing!
In the past, this room, or the suite it might occupy along with a large bathroom, was referred to as a Master Suite, or Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom. The term's first usage can be traced back to 1926 when Sears sold a kit home in their catalog with a bedroom that was larger than in eras past. After WWI, American homes were getting larger, and with the middle class becoming more prosperous, people were looking for more interior space for lounging and living. The word Master was simply used to denote that it was the largest and nicest bedroom in the home, one that took precedence over other smaller children's or guest bedrooms.
Clearly, the term does not come from slavery or plantations. But there has been a recent move away from Master to the now-preferred term Primary. The change is cited as a way to avoid language that could be misconstrued as racist or even sexist (because, while we do not have gendered language like many Romance languages do, the term Master is male). So we now see the term Primary or even Owner's Suite, Owner's Bedroom, or Owner's Bathroom.
However, some say that changing what to call the largest bedroom in a house is just literal lip-service and does nothing to address actual, on-going, systemic problems of racism in the United States and around the world, and that such a move is still something that only effects wealthy people, mostly not of color, who can afford to buy a home in today's challenging housing market.
Whatever a change in nomenclature may or may not achieve, it looks like almost everyone--MLS listings, shelter magazines, your interior designer blog master--now uses the term Primary Bedroom.
I will leave you with some lovely views of Primary Bedrooms that beckon one to relax, unwind, and rest.
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| Bedroom by Scott Corridan |
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| Bedroom by William McLure |
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| Bedroom by Suzanne Tucker |
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| Bedroom at Casa Cody in Palm Springs by Electric Bowery |
Happy designing!
Monday, February 14, 2022
A Salute To Bedrooms... For Valentine's Day 2022
Since today is Valentine's Day, I thought I would re-share a popular post from the past: a salute to sensuality featuring some luxurious, fun, luscious boudoirs.
One of the most basic ways to create an inviting bedroom retreat is to simply make the bed itself seem inviting. A padded and tufted headboard, as seen in the two photos below, sets the stage for a bed that appears sprawling, substantial...a comfortable place to spread out, a tranquil spot to relax on, a soft sensuous spot to roll around in...
A bed with an attractive base and headboard signals a sense of place and purpose.
In the first photo, the bed seems like a cushy cloud nestled on a plinth of warm, rich leather. Second image: the soft blue headboard and footboard by Jay Jeffers announces itself in this superbly relaxed yet sophisticated room.
Layering soft, sumptuous textures is another way to add a decadent sense to a bedroom. In the tactile room below, designed by Eric Kuster, we see hair-on-hide panels on the anchor wall, and a soft faux fur throw plays well with velvets and satins.
Speaking of fabrics, another way to soften a bedroom is to use fabric panels on the walls, a technique I have successfully used for clients. You can use drapery panels as a floor-to-ceiling headboard, like the first image. Or you can run panels along an entire wall, like Elizabeth Gordon did in the second image below. It's also good for dampening sound (wink wink).
A dark color palette in a bedroom says moody, exotic, and romantic.
One of the most basic ways to create an inviting bedroom retreat is to simply make the bed itself seem inviting. A padded and tufted headboard, as seen in the two photos below, sets the stage for a bed that appears sprawling, substantial...a comfortable place to spread out, a tranquil spot to relax on, a soft sensuous spot to roll around in...
A bed with an attractive base and headboard signals a sense of place and purpose.
In the first photo, the bed seems like a cushy cloud nestled on a plinth of warm, rich leather. Second image: the soft blue headboard and footboard by Jay Jeffers announces itself in this superbly relaxed yet sophisticated room.
Layering soft, sumptuous textures is another way to add a decadent sense to a bedroom. In the tactile room below, designed by Eric Kuster, we see hair-on-hide panels on the anchor wall, and a soft faux fur throw plays well with velvets and satins.
Speaking of fabrics, another way to soften a bedroom is to use fabric panels on the walls, a technique I have successfully used for clients. You can use drapery panels as a floor-to-ceiling headboard, like the first image. Or you can run panels along an entire wall, like Elizabeth Gordon did in the second image below. It's also good for dampening sound (wink wink).
A dark color palette in a bedroom says moody, exotic, and romantic.
The first image below by designer Smith Boyd features a delicious palette of browns, taupes, and greys along with textures like leather. The wood-grain striped wallpaper creates a natural, slightly wilder feeling that is tipped a little to the masculine side. The feeling of the dark purple Arabesque wallpaper in the next image is carried through by the Rococo mirrors and night tables... it feels like a fantasia on Mozart's "Abduction From The Seraglio!"
And think about dramatic, steamy, over-sized photos for an addition of extra sass and whimsy.
And think about dramatic, steamy, over-sized photos for an addition of extra sass and whimsy.
In the first photo, Amanda Nisbet's wild room for the Kip's Bay Showhouse uses a photo of pink glossed lips by Marilyn Minter. Another Marilyn, this one Monroe, presides over the bedroom of Brazilian architect Jorge Elias and his wife Lucila in the second image. I love how the lightness, curves, and playfulness of the photo (and its subject) contrast with as well as compliment the Chinoiserie feel.
And finally, I must report that I have tried to give equal time but I can't find an image of a bedroom that uses sexy images of men, which seems a little unlikely... there have to be some expertly designed bedrooms out there with a painting of a male torso or even a stylized Tom of Finland image. If any of my readers come across such a thing, let me know!
And notice how, in all of these images, extra pillows offer more visual comfort as well as more opportunities to introduce color, texture, and pattern. I hope I have inspired you to think about ways to enhance your bedroom, and to make it even more of a special "destination."
Happy Valentine's Day and happy designing!
Above photo by Trevor Tondro
Above photo by Roger Davies
And notice how, in all of these images, extra pillows offer more visual comfort as well as more opportunities to introduce color, texture, and pattern. I hope I have inspired you to think about ways to enhance your bedroom, and to make it even more of a special "destination."
Happy Valentine's Day and happy designing!
Monday, October 19, 2020
Celebrating The Darkness Within: Happy Halloween!
In recognition of Halloween next week, let's look at spaces that embrace and celebrate a deliciously moody darkness...
The home of London designer Abigail Ahern is a spectacular example of the power of dark colors...
If you're not afraid of the dark, give me a call--we can create a dramatic, moody space for your very own.
Happy designing and Happy Halloween!
The home of London designer Abigail Ahern is a spectacular example of the power of dark colors...
If you're not afraid of the dark, give me a call--we can create a dramatic, moody space for your very own.
Happy designing and Happy Halloween!
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