What's with the black bed...are you a pair of goths, if so I would expect some slashes of purple and red, not sedate and rather granny gold cushions
Although ths room looks very much of the night it doesn't feel too lovey Dovey...Then there is the sedate little chest of drawers with the 3 carefully spaced images.
Crows nest comes to mind, just had another peak at the black nest.

The window needs treatment.
Do you have a budget, both monetary and energy wise ? Do you want a complete make over, or a few masterful changes.

Seriously though, black is great but it has to be great, sumptuous and sensual, your crows nest is none of these, it can also be Draculean, tomb like, but do you want that?

Are you passionate about black, I rabbit on about black, because it is so unusual to make such a choice of colour., particularly when no theme is involved.

Can I suppose that you do not like candy colours, do like warm soft purples, rich reds, deep blues? Velvety textures?

Elaborate a bit more and I shall respond with some helpful ideas.

Hi, addiemcfay. Congrats on your new house and baby! There are all kinds of DIY things you can do for your room to make it comfortable and romantic - that don't cost a lot. Don't mind curly - people have all kinds of ideas.

One thing that immediately pops to mind is your cute little dresser. You can paint it! The drawer pulls look lovely so I wouldn't change those. Maybe a robin's egg blue? Another thing is to look at other items in your house that could find a new life in your bedroom. Do you have some candles, table lamps or pretty fabric to frame?

If you go to your local fabric store you can probably find a fabric that's pretty enough to frame. Instant custom art! And while you're at it see if you can find something to make some comfy throw pillows. Layers in a bedroom are really nice.

Probably the most expensive thing will be finding an area rug. But you can take your time with that. I think to break up some of the black, you could find some pretty sheets and fold back the current cover about half way. That way there will be a little break between the black head board and cover. If you're up for a new set, here's a pretty one from West Elm:



One last thing - think about painting all of the walls a lighter dove grey except the bed wall. It can be the accent wall. As you get settled, keep your eyes open for garage sales, second hand stores and craigslist. There are some amazing finds out there. Good luck!

What are the measurements on your serpentine dresser?

Sorry about the sarcastic reply. It is only the second one I've seen. Most people try to be helpful.

I would shop house sales for furniture, lamps, art, and objects to put in your space.

The first thing that hit me was the dark bedding on the black bed. I would get a new one with a big pattern in a lighter color combination. If you get a comforter with sheets, you can get an extra pair to make panels for your window. You could pull the sheers to the middle and hang the panels on the ends.

I was thinking that the dresser could be painted and used as a bed table. It appears to be small enough, but pictures can deceive. Allposter.com has a great selection of print art that you can buy and have framed inexpensively.

If you do repaint, use a matte or a flat. Colors look much better without a sheen on the walls. Matte is a washable flat. For trim use the lowest sheen possible.

I notice that you have a white chair and white dresser. You could go with black and white stripe pillows on the bed and chair. Make a statement!!!A large print on wall and something bold on dresser. It does not have to be expensive.

I believe that Houssaon and I are on the same wavelength with your serpentine dresser. I asked for measurements because I wanted to know if it can be used on one side of your bed. If so, we can figure out the other side as time goes on. I don't agree with everyone who is giving you a hard time about black. The best course of action is to work with what you have and move forward from there. This could be a very sexy room and in order to get from here to there, we need to move in small steps, but we must first have all the details of what currently exists. :)

It may help to put a wallcovering on the wall where the bed is located. Adding some interest on that wall will add instant pizazz. It allows you to take your time and introduce new pieces when you can. (rug, drapes etc) I would look at www.mytwodesigners.com . They have some fun prints, a simple black and white stripe or a graphic. Adding a fun pillow or two on the bed will soften the black. Good luck.

love the suggestions you got here with exception of one! Little did they know it they helped me as well. Trust these designers they pointed you in the right direction and me too lol. I went to that site Manon suggestion and loved the bold prints . Loved the idea as well to use that dresser as a end stand next to the bed, Looks like you have room on the one side. I love your bed and with the right bedding you have a great place to start. That chair is very cool as well. It may take time searching for the right accessories but its so much fun too. Enjoy your new home and have fun with the search . Congrats on the new baby

I am far from a jerk or sarcastic, this is british humour and was not intended to offend, before working on a decor a little humorous introspection is not a bad thing,irrespective of who or what one is. it could be that you want to continue a black theme, in which case great but go at it with gusto. it would be good to know what colours and in what intensity you prefer them. whilst my comments have not gone down well, they have at least stimulated, incidentally a reread would make it clear I am not against black at all..far from it, it just requires an open minded handling to achieve a coherent look. Karen Paul should not misinterpret. I regret that I have upset you,but you may find that my answer is despite the british humour, the honest stimulus to knowing yourself what it is you want.

If you go to Z Gallerie, there is an image called Twilight I. The pallate is something you can use for your room. The image is in a silver frame, white mat with grays, off white and lavender. This is strictly for giving ideas for your colors, not the piece of art itself. You seem to be more classic in what you like. I note the serpentine chest that mirrors the shape of your headboard and the chair with the curved back.

When you find a piece of art you like I would recommend the silver frame with white mat so as to separate the image from your wall color.

One of the least expensive websites for art and framing is art.com. You might want to browse the more classical images and see if you can find the colors that mirror the Twilight I. I would recommend a horizontal piece over your headboard.

If you decide to place your chest next to the bed, again you can go to Z Gallerie and they have very inexpensive lamps. They have one with a lavender base with an off-white shade. If you find another piece for the other side of your bed, perhaps a round table and if you can find something the same height as your dresser, you can get two of the same lamp. I think a pair of something in your room might be quite nice.

Also at Z Gallerie, they have an off-white throw that resembles a fur and has pelts which makes it look quite realistic. This introduction of texture would be good as you seem to have everything so far in a sheen. I would get the room more together before selecting the final throw pillows for your bed. Let the room evolve.

thank you everyone for your suggestions! i really appreciate the congratulations, and helpful tips. :) i have big ideas for our room, but know it will take time (and a lot of money) to get there. and i never thought to use the dresser as a nightstand, and might give it a go!

addie I LOVE some of the comments and help you are getting this is great!

Hi Addie, Curlee really didn't mean any harm in his or her's response to your request. But in the meantime get a set of what they call hotel linen which is white sheets and pillowcases with a very skinny black trim around them. A lime green throw for the foot of your bed. Panels for the window from Pottery Barn online with the color of green, a hit of black and white background. Paint the dresser the color of your choice to add a little pop to your decor and enjoy your space. This should set you back around $200-$250.

Oh, Addie I forgot get a couple of throw pillows to match the color you decide to paint the dresser. And if you don't sew just get a piece of fabric cut it the size of the throw pillows adding enough to cover it and use seamtress double sided tape and tape them.

I started so do I finish?
lots of imagination beats lots of money hands down, every time.

A home made, A1 vision board with swatches, sketches, cut out images, accompanied by legends (notes, thoughts etc) surrounding the best focussed photo(s) you have of your bedroom, is a way of personalising your own decor, it is fun and satisfying. In your choosing a black bed, I thought your were probably interesting, broad minded and so on, oh and had a sense of humour...I write comedy, some of which can be black....

It is a well known truth that white linen (as in sheets, pillow cases) is the very best choice, but perhaps for now not the most practical. All the best

well again, thanks everyone. i probably won't be replacing my bedding- it was a wedding gift and i actually really love it. it's not black however, it is a deep purple/grayish color. hence why we chose to paint the walls with a deep gray. my vision is to eventually get bigger, more sturdy nightstands-with matching lamps on both, a statement piece for above the headboard. and i guess where i'm stuck is what to do on the wall where the dresser sits. i love the idea of adding silver accents. i'd like to keep the color palette as grays, ivory, black, with some hints of silver- and then a pop of fresh color- just havent decided what yet. i hate the window panels, but they were there when we bought the house, and again...dont have the money yet to replace them. i've considered either choosing a wallpaper with a nice pattern (nothing busy) for the wall with the bed, or doing something to jazz it up. i need more furniture, and basically just more money to sass it up. one day it'll come..our little man is only 9 months old so he takes all the focus, money, and attention right now in our lives:):):):

this is a better picture of the wall with the windows, the other one was too dark.

this is a better picture of the wall with the windows, the other one was too dark.

Well now that you've better explained your color patterns/choices and desire that would help you get better feedback. For now since you love everything in there but windows, I would just tell you when you make your bed, fold down the comforter and prop up the pillows like a hotel bed. Put the dark shams in back, white pillow cases in front and get yourself a throw pillow. The bed is the focal point after all.

"Well now I see!", said the blind man. The last picture was the "tell". lillyjoon gives perfect (and inexpensive) advice. :)

I would love something like this to go horizontally above the bed frame:

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/HomeDécorAccents/tabid/979/CategoryId/134/ProductId/35580/ProductName/Mirrored-Damask-Panel/language/en-US/Default.aspx


and here are more images (better pictures of the room)

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/HomeDécorAccents/tabid/979/CategoryId/134/ProductId/35580/ProductName/Mirrored-Damask-Panel/language/en-US/Default.aspx

first link didn't work. =/ i folded the bedding down, and propped up the pillows like so:) i added the hammered metal vase next to the chair that i had elsewhere. as you can see my end tables are cheapy, cheap ikea stuff. but i like where i'm at so far, just need some design inspiration!

close up of the pillows, they aren't gold. they are ivory.

love that you added some better pic and do love your comforter I can see the color now .

All the pictures you have are pure nostalgia. Obviously the two of you are so in love with one another. You know, I think you might want to get those pictures scanned into much larger sizes and have them framed for hanging on the wall where the chest is currently residing. You could begin quite a collection and watch it grow as the baby grows and you have more "Kodak" moments.

I think you've gotten some amazing advice. All of which will help you on a budget. I just wanted to comment and say that I would love to see you add some great color for romance like turquoise or jade green or both. I would hit up Homegoods if you have one in your area and look for inexpensive pillows that could infuse the room with color and I would paint or wallpaper (if within your budget) the wall behind the bed a color for drama. Then let your other walls be neutral or grey. I'd also do a lighter tone of grey paint if you stick with grey. Definitely white bedding which you can also find inexpensive at outlet stores like Restoration HW outlet. Don't know if you have one in your area or not... :) Good luck.

HI -- Congrats on the baby ! When we started out we didn't have much to work with either and now I know all your funds and attention are going to be on the child. Having your place look nice is a small part of your life right now - but you have a start and your tastes will change over time. So you have a base to start with and some ideas from everyone - even curly - I don't think he's a jerk -- it's all in the reading. Let It Go. Now -I love that little dresser- you could give it a little fix up someday - but keep it for sure . It might work as a side table for your room and someday in the childs room. Just add lots of white and or light colors now with your darks . First thing is save or scrounge around for some drapes in white - full length and wall to wall if you can - until then just put up some blinds. Get a couple of white fur pillows and faux fur throw for some fun. Take your time with it and have fun with your baby.

Congrats! The dresser would look pretty in either an iridescent/pearl white with crystal pulls or black lacquer with silver pulls. The ivory throw pillows are nice, but have too much yellow in them for your room colors--maybe you could put the pillows in the baby's room. Lavender or pale gray sheets would look lovely with the comforter. You could get a rug with lavender, purple, white, silver, gray and/or black in it like this http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/antique-rugs-carpets-european-and-american-hooked-and-rag-french-rag-2985.htm or this http://www.dorisleslieblau.com/antique-rugs-carpets-modern-and-deco-moroccan-2320.htm. Add modern art like this or this and you're all set.