Weekend decorator: A boring bedroom gets a moody makeover 

The design plan is to match the rest of the room’s decor to this striking walnut storage wall.  Photo by Supplied

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Dear Virginie, 

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This is my boring bedroom. It’s lacking pizzazz. There is an amazing built-in storage wall with walnut veneer, but nothing else in the room is striking. Can you help me pull it all together? 

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Lisa in Little Italy 

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Mirrored bedside tables can be swapped out for lower, mid-century-style versions. The lamps can be replaced with something more sculptural. Photo by Supplied 

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 Hi Lisa, 

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That walnut wall is amazing, and I would go as far as to suggest it’s the best thing about the room. The problem is that it’s disconnected from the rest of the room’s decor. So let’s use it as a starting point and build a warm envelope around it. 

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First let’s look at what isn’t working. The crystal and mirror accents are feeling dated and they’re really fighting with the vibe of that amazing built-in. It’s also time to move away from crisp whites and embrace a muddier, warmer palette. The IKEA cube bench at the end of the bed feels too makeshift for such a potentially sophisticated room, while the geometric pattern on the curtains is the wrong scale and competes with the geometry of the built-in. Rest assured, these are all easy fixes.  

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This earth toned rugs fits in easily with transitional décor. Eloise Beige rug from the Renato Collection, from $6,215, elte.com Photo by Supplied 

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The first thing I would do is get a large rug that covers as much of the room’s flooring as possible. It looks like you still have the original yellowish thin strip oak flooring here, and it’s fighting with the warm chocolatey tones of the built-in wall. Choose a rug that is simple and lush, like a natural wool rug with a plush, luxurious feel. Alternatively, you could go for a more traditional Persian or tribal rug in warm ochre, brown and black. It’s a matter of personal taste, but I gravitate towards geometric large-scale patterns rather than traditional tight ones. 

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A pair of these sculptural lamps can be brought in to flank the bed. Valis White resin table lamp, $339, cb2.ca Photo by Supplied 

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Next, replace your curtains with solid-coloured panels. I could see something in a rustic linen slub – a heavily textured linen – in oatmeal. If you’ve chosen to go with a coloured rug, choose a tone from it and match your curtains to it. Swap out the rod for a darker one, and lower it a bit from the ceiling so that it sits just above the halfway mark between the top of the window casing and the ceiling.  

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This elegantly minimalist nightstand nodes to the simplicity of Japanese tatami mats. Douglas solid wood tatami nightstand, $749, westelm.ca Photo by Supplied

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You’ll also want to get rid of the storage/seating unit at the base of the bed. To prevent the bed from feeling like it’s floating, consider investing in a new headboard. A woven or cane texture would be lovely here. But it isn’t a top priority; you might be able to get away with just adding a bed skirt and painting the nail heads on your current headboard so they’re not quite as shiny.  

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The night tables and lamps, on the other hand, definitely have to go. I imagine tables with lower, more horizontal proportions in teak or walnut that nod to the mid-century vibe of the storage wall. You may have luck thrifting those, as they’re the type of item that often shows up in estate sales. A couple of lamps with brass or ceramic bases would give warmth to the updated side tables.  

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Swap out the cushions on your bench in the window, and replace the shams and throws on your bed with something more colourful with a bit of pattern. I like the idea of warm terracotta and ochre in this room, with the occasional jewel tone, be it an unexpected teal, navy or rich cognac. 

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A woven headboard imparts mid-century style. Olalla Queen headboard in Oak, $1,199, article.com Photo by Supplied 

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The last thing to do is to find a piece of art for above the bed. This is such a personal decision, so look for something that speaks to you, or nods to the vibe we’re creating here, or that picks up on the colours you’re introducing to the room. Failing that, a large mirror with an interesting frame, either in carved wood or brass, would add a lot of warmth and visual interest. 

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And keep the ceiling light. It’s fabulous, and it’s going look great in this cozy new space you’re creating.  

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Have a decorating or design dilemma? Send your questions to Virginie Martocq at [email protected] for a chance to have them answered in her twice-monthly column. 

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