As this Seattle interior designer creates a master bedroom concept, I am imagining a canopy or almost canopy bed.  With ceiling height at 12′, a sense of cozy comfort calls. With a view of the Puget Sound from the 35 floor, the outdoor drama is provided with lots of windows.

Quickly my client selected two favorite fabrics as a starting point for soft coverings.  Both from Kravet.

Cameron Sable - Lee Jofa

Peony & Blossom - G P & J Baker

Albert Hadley from House Beautiful

I like this concept from a feature in House Beautiful by Albert Hadley in the April 2009 issue. But most likely, side panels rather than a full canopy will be sufficient. A mix of solids and complementary prints to be selected.  But I can’t forget the charming, small chair from my client in a yellow and blue stripe.

Client's Petite Boudoir Chair

This composition of a master bedroom design concept combines some family sentiment, lovely colors and patterns, a cozy, comfortable bed and a million dollar view.

Heading to the High Point Furniture Spring Market and as you read this I am sourcing new products and sources.  More on what I saw and heard soon.

Don’t be sleepless says this interior designer in Seattle. How can you bring the love into your bedroom? Not talking red candles, heart shaped mattresses, satin sheets and chocolates! Well, maybe okay on the chocolate. There are subtle ways to transform your bedroom into a room that invites lingering and takes it from simple to sensual…

Here are 6 tips for a bedroom that is simple and sensual

1. Declare your bedroom a stress-free zone for you and yours and a place for intimate moments. First requirement-a comfortable, quality mattress. Do some homework and remind yourself you spend one-third of your life sleeping! A typical lifetime for a mattress is 5-7 years. So the bed is the major piece of furniture in your bedroom (Reduce the clutter and increase romance with fewer annoyances). Below, Planter’s Bed from Hickory Chair.

2.  Choose luxury bedding to aid your sleep.  Research studies show us that we sleep better when surrounded in comfort and high thread count sheets welcome us with their crispness.  Quality bedding also enhances the appearance of our bedroom.  I prefer white sheets and love Williams Sonoma Home Everyday Luxury Collection.

Williams Sonoma Home Everyday Luxury Sheets

3.     Lighting and liberal use of dimmers sets the mood and provides shadows.  Try a chandelier to add a lift and glamor to your bedroom

4.     I like room darkening window treatments to aid sleep for my clients. Work schedules vary in our hectic lives and draperies keep the outside world from intruding. If your home includes small children or frequent quests,  consider a lock on the bedroom door for privacy.

5.    Soft colors in a neutral palette flatter skin tones – rose, greige, pinks.  Avoid green and yellow tones as they compete with our  skin tones and are often unflattering.

6.    Set the mood wit music like a favorite soundtrack to set the stage.  Don’t forget scents!  Find a scent that is personally appealing, soothing and relaxing. Remember fresh flowers once a week or at a minimum monthly.

Remember our bedroom is our personal sanctuary – our place for rest, relaxstion, pampering, thinking, and a place to be private. Look over the tips and bring the love to your bedroom.

Call us today and create your very own ‘Ritz-Carlton’ suite, a perfect blend of luxury bedding and calming colors for quiet times. 206.973.3743

Over the holiday, this Seattle interior designer stayed with a friend who always makes me feel welcome. So I was reminded of some core elements of your home guest suite.

Welcome Guests

What else would you add?  Maybe a down comforter? or luscious sheets?   Here’s the list.

• thick bath and hand towels
• fresh soaps
• shampoo
• water pitcher and glass
• alarm
• pen
• magazines
• extra hangers
• place for the suitcase
• fresh flowers (of course)
• an apple to nibble

It’s about you. It’s your home, your lifestyle and your personality that you express throughout your home. Make your guest room a sanctuary for friends and family.

It must be all the NYC fashion talk that has this interior designer in Seattle thinking Oscar de la Renta fabrics by Lee Jofa for a master sitting room addition.

This bedroom is all about blue and white, very classic and traditional, and the addition brings a comfortable window seat into the mix.  So I am collecting fabric ideas for the cushion and accent pillows.  Here’s a couple from Lee Jofa I’m considering.

Retreat to your personal oasis from your over-stimulated world of endless carpools, coordination of details and schedules to your private suite created just for you.  Relax and enjoy the soothing textures and calming colors coordinated to give you the perfect respite from your daily stresses. Add a comfy window seat, cup of tea and some good reading. Ah-h, bliss.

Let us guide you effortlessly through the process of designing your perfect retreat, call us today 206.437.8000.

Blissful, restful sleep, in the opinion of this Interior Designer in Seattle, WA begins with bedding. Yes the appearance of the bedroom is ever so helpful too but start with the bedding, please! Many options exist  to transform a basic bedroom into one for luxurious sleep. And do take advantage of special sale opportunities with well-known companies when available.  So I am pleased to share this link from my friend, Kathy Dessonville of The Linen Gallery who has a special promotion. Check out this video about caring for your new linens by Sferra.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Shop Scandia Down – Lowest Prices of the Year

Do you crave one simple, beautiful bedroom for blissful sleep? We’re here to help. Call us 206.437.8000 or send a request to design@faithsheridan.com.

My clients are busy organizing for the upcoming school year.   In my Seattle interior design practice I receive lots of requests for color ideas but not as often for teen boy bedrooms. In this post I have a color scheme for a teen boy and ideas to pull it all together.  This vibrant blue is a bold choice for a focal wall and the deep taupe on the side walls anchors and tones the warm rich chocolate.  I think a bounce of the Sundance yellow as a lamp, beanbag chair, frame or pillow will make his room have personality.  You can find suggestions and ideas like these in my newsletter. 

Or, gather up to 3  images and a question about your teen bedroom and for $50 get started on a Fast Solution. Are you ready?  Let’s do this!

Benjamin Moore Blueberry Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe Benjamin Moore Sundance

With this color scheme in place I suggest bedcovering fabrics in a pinstripe combined with solids.  I found this oxford cloth sample  with wide and narrow stripes at Williams Sonoma Home . It adds an  easygoing style with the style  of casual men’s shirting.

Williams Sonoma Oxford Tonal-Stripe

Finally, to make this ‘teen’ and not staid, I found this  area rug to place diagonally and partially under the bed or where it isn’t fully exposed. 

Foreign Accents Festival Area Rug 5x7

This is a busy pattern and exposing a portion rather than the entire rug pulls the color theme together.

Thanks to my friend, Laura Holland, at Hickory Chair.  Yesterday she dedicated her blog post to me and acknowledged my relationship with Hickory Chair Furniture.  At Faith Sheridan Interior Design in Seattle, WA, I often source furnishings from this venerable US based company in Hickory, NC.

One of the many reasons Hickory Chair is a first option is the ability to customize.  I am able to design something totally custom for my clients rather than ‘the standard issue’.  I can resize, combine finish stains, add details such as monograms, trims or combine fabrics in unique ways.

Please take a look at Laura’s post.  In this project, the mirror  and side table each have a custom finish. 

Dee's Guest Room

Our world was already hectic and crazy busy before the economic meltdown.  Now many of us cope with more concerns as we observe our daily world and interactions with family, friends, neighbors.  In this post, I share some ideas, simple ones, that may make our daily routines less stressful.

The Master Suite is becoming  an essential part of the modern home. Whether a remodel of an existing home or a newly constructed home, owners  are incorporating  features to the master bedroom which create a private retreat.  From private, spa-like baths, to well-organized walk-in closets, to mattresses and bedding,  designers recognize that the homeowners require a place all their own to relax and recharge.

Here are a few ideas to create a sanctuary in the midst of chaos.

1. A separate shower and jetted tub create an easy start to the day. Touches like dual showerheads and his-and-hers sinks allow room for everyone, especially when both have to be out the door at the same time.
2. Details like tile and granite vanities elevate these spaces from a bathroom to something like  a high-end spa.
3.  If you lack a budget to create a bath like this, consider changing out your standard shower curtain rod for a curved shower rod.  A curved shower rod is a quick and inexpensive way to add elbow room to your existing shower.
4. Hotels  place a coffeemaker in their suite’s bathrooms because they know that few grown-ups can start their day without a jolt of java.
5. Remodelers make special spaces for coffee and espresso machines right in the Master Suite. A small countertop with room for the coffeemaker, a few cups, and maybe even a small refrigerator below the countertop to keep milk or cream chilled. This way, you can get the coffee going and enjoy it the moment you’re out of the shower.
6. Choose soothing colors like earth tones, deep greens, browns and blues. These colors create a sense of harmony and well-being and will put your mind in the mood to relax for a peaceful night’s rest or a refreshed start to your day.

Send your comments and questions.  I love to hear from you, Faith.