Today we're continuing our tour of our Dallas Project and taking you into the primary suite. In case you missed it, you can catch up on our previous posts to see the entry, office, and guest room, and the room that houses the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. This home was brand-new when we got to it, so we didn't design the hard surfaces, we were on the lookout for ways to personalize and warm up the spaces without doing anything too invasive. Paint, wallpaper and new lighting will always go a long way to bringing personality to a space and making it feel cohesive with other rooms in the house.
Our clients wanted their room to be a relaxing retreat from the demands of their work and the chaos of raising children/working from home/distance learning. This primary retreat needed to be all about the cozy vibes. First up, they hoped to have a bench for reading under the window but there wasn't enough space. Instead, we put a large chaise at the foot of the metal poster bed and I'm obsessed with how comfy it makes the space feel. There are always bonus points for multiple nap locations in a bedroom if you ask me.
Additionally, the wife had had her eye on a drippy heart painting by Kerri Rosenthal for years, and the husband surprised her with one in the tones of the bedroom. It has the lyrics from the song played during their first dance at their wedding, which is extra special. Is that not the absolute sweetest?! We loved helping him with such a thoughtful surprise and seeing her reaction on reveal day was priceless.
Originally, the walls were gray with white trim, but with the wood ceiling treatment, it was just too busy. We painted the entire space the same soft white as the trim, which tied everything together and really made that ceiling pop. Just as in the office, the clients were hesitant to add drapery since they had functional rolling shades, but the panels draw the eye up and give the room so much texture and warmth.
We used neutral bedding so that we could bring in color and pattern with vintage and designer textiles. This is the perfect solution for any client that likes to switch things up occasionally - giving them a solid foundation to play with when they're ready for a refresh. The bed makes such a sculptural statement that we didn't want the end tables to compete, so we opted for sculpted wood nightstands with hidden drawers and the same square metal detailing as the four poster bed. The adjustable scones are a major space-saver and their brass finish bring the perfect amount of sparkle to the room.
To continue that feeling of retreat, we wanted the bathroom to feel spa-like but cozy. The freestanding tub was already flanked by a set of built-in cabinets and shelves, which we filled with greenery, candles, warm woods, and collected objects to make the space feel tranquil and relaxing. We repeated the curtain fabric from the bedroom to tie the spaces together and really makes this spot feel indulgent and luxurious. When I can, I like to use a large area rug in a bathroom -- it feels more cozy than a small bath mat. This vintage-inspired rug brings a jolt of color, and is durable enough for use in such a high-traffic area. It's made of antimicrobial synthetic material that literally wipes clean and resists water.
The vanity area felt a little too white and sterile, so we added grasscloth wallpaper behind the mirrors for a dose of texture without compromising the spa like neutrality of the space. Then, we swapped all the lighting in the bathroom as well as the mirrors in the space to give it a little more personality.
Bathroom Styling Tip: It's easy for a bathroom to feel a little cold, but accessories can go a long way toward warming it up and giving it some personality. Here, we brought in black on the pendant over the tub and the vanity sconces to introduce a different metallic finish. On the built-in shelves we used vintage stoneware, a set of canisters with brass lids, and several organic objects (the driftwood branch and geode) which offer a ton of texture. The grasscloth wallpaper, vintage-inspired rug, and floor-to-ceiling drapes are an unexpected element in a bathroom that make it feel as comfortable as any other room in your house.
ICYMI: Catch Up Here
Photos by Amy Bartlam