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Help design gurus. What to do? Bedroom Too bland? French Country?

Hello design gurus,

For the first time I am not working with an interior decorator and I really need help. I am finally getting my much needed first floor master bedroom. Due to certain health issues and having 3 dogs (one who just keeps growing I call Galump because he runs into things only kidding), and in spite of continuing to work full time, I am having some trouble walking up and down stairs the million times (it seems) that they need to go out. In addition I have what I call a boomerang college student intent on moving back home. I simply will not share a bathroom with her again lol.


I will now have a wonderful walk in closet, my own full bathroom (there is a GD after 2 teenagers), and a much needed dog run in the fenced in backyard. All of these years working in the highest crime rated area schools in Detroit besides putting myself and my kids through school has finally paid off for this single working mother.


I have furniture from my former home which consists of French Country armoires, coffee tables, buffet, dining table and this bedroom suite will be out of site from the rest of the house. I want a calming room (after the days I have), something I want to wake up to, and still in the French Country mood.

I found these pieces on line because going from store to store, as with most people, is too difficult.

What do you think?

Beds, rugs, comfy chairs, and bed I could find but the writing desk/chair is one of a kind so I would want to buy it soon.

I would purchase colorful pillows based upon which of the art I choose to place in the room. I do have two gold framed Renoir lithographs one of which would fit nicely over the bed. It is very subtle of a woman bathing. I see wall mounted burnished bronze or burnished gold swing fixtures with shades on each side of the bed.




This is another choice of chair and I would get 2

I have two dark wood nightstands (antique very French Country)

or I would use this

https://www.onekingslane.com/p/2990513-trip-mirrored-nightstand-dune.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&page=5&refType=4


I have a painting I absolutely love. I guess it doesn't go in the bedroom? Or does it? It is a large piece 63x43 and have no idea if it goes in the bedroom on a narrow wall with a console under it. If it does go in the bedroom would I pull colors from it for the rug and pillows? I know one doesn't decorate around a painting, or does one? She speaks to me.



Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Ellie


Comments (9)

  • l pinkmountain
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Bump and my thoughts.

    Good art blends so use what you love.

    Your pieces seem to eschew a very soothing palette relying a lot on texture. Neutral so there is flexibility there. You could easily ad more colors pulled from the painting if you want. Seems to me like all your pieces go together but then I am all about eclectic. Others with a better eye may have other ideas.

    Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked l pinkmountain
  • Saypoint zone 6 CT
    6 years ago

    Your painting isn’t by Keith Burgess, is it?

    Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked Saypoint zone 6 CT
  • PRO
    CV & Associates, LLC
    6 years ago

    You have very nice, classes pieces. I would recommend giving them a bit of a more contemporary pop by mixing with some modern furniture: or fun pieces like a "ghost" Louis XV" chairs that are made of plastic but seem to work well with the actual ones! Go with a soothing color palette of peaches, light greens, etc., or go all pale washed out off white/beige with lots of texture and anchor with deep darker rug. Best luck!

    Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked CV & Associates, LLC
  • Eleanor Smith-Litt
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    Ipinkmountain, thank you for your thoughts. I too am ecclectic, hence the need for ideas as to whether everything is too matchy matchy. I have so many heavy pieces around the house being that most are French Country, I wanted to try some things that have a more gentle approach, especially with what I see is such a strong painting. Thank you for your advice. Thank you for your kind comment about the painting.

    aprilneverends, thank you so much for your great suggestions. I love what you said about it finding its own place. That is so true. I have always heard that the Japanese feel that the home decorates around the owner. I am happy that you find the painting beautiful.

    saypoint: The painting is by John Grande. His work has taken a really different turn these days.


    CV & Associates, LLC: Thank you for your response. I have so many large armoires, dark walnut and pine, and heavy pieces with darker rugs in reds and dark grees in the rest of the house. Since this master bedroom suite is more of a retreat I wanted to feel more mellow and I love the idea of peach and light green. I have beens so attracted to the mid century modern but I didn't know whether it would mix with these pieces. I am glad to hear that it might. What are your thoughts? The seat at the foot of the bed? The lamps for the nightstands? The nightstands? The larger chair instead of ivory? Thank you for your input. Ellie

  • Eleanor Smith-Litt
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    CV & Associates, LLC. I saw your modern meets Southwestern and it is really great. I see the concept of the white modern chair in a heavier more Southwestern design. It really works.

  • katinparadise
    6 years ago

    I think your painting is lovely and there's no reason for you not to use it in your new bedroom. I think a monochromatic room, when done well with lots of textures, can be absolutely beautiful. Good luck with your exciting project!

    Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked katinparadise
  • PRO
    CV & Associates, LLC
    6 years ago

    Thanks so much, Eleanor! Here in Southern AZ we have several homeowners who want to go beyond the "traditional" Southwest influences of Mexico, cowhide etc. , something lighter, as it were, and the mix with the Scandinavian furniture seems to please.

    Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked CV & Associates, LLC
  • PRO
    CV & Associates, LLC
    6 years ago

    HI Ellie, re your comments above:...

    "I have beens so attracted to the mid century modern but I didn't know whether it would mix with these pieces. I am glad to hear that it might. What are your thoughts? The seat at the foot of the bed? The lamps for the nightstands? The nightstands? The larger chair instead of ivory? Thank you for your input. Ellie"

    Just want to clarify that not every traditional piece of furniture "goes" with Modern (Scandinavian) or other MId-Century style. You want to go what we call "high contrast": traditional with very modern. If you go somewhere in the middle it may not work as then you dilute the effect.

    In summary, what you want to avoid is doing the whole house in one "period" (i.e. French Country) and one color. Mix it up and add a nice "surprise" element!

    Best luck!

    Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked CV & Associates, LLC