Alabama Lake HomeTraditional Bedroom, Birmingham

3. Desk. Some desks are just larger and wider versions of a night table. The flat surface of a desk can house a lamp, books and other nighttime necessities. If you have enough space, add a chair to create a dual-duty nightstand that also serves as a workspace.

And then we get to my favorite soapbox: found, recycled and thrift store pieces. Ottomans and stools populate thrift and consignment stores like rabbits. It takes very little imagination and even less fabric to transform them into just the right finishing touch for your room. The checkered fabric and scalloped miniskirts on this pair of what would otherwise be nondescript stools is enchanting.

Scallops on the twin ottomans and bed pillows, paired with box pleats on the window valances, play up the feminine feel of this space. On the flip side, straight edges would have made them more masculine.

Oversize buffalo checks on these valances and footstools break gingham out of its well-mannered mold. Their tailored yet splashy look bridges the style gap between the sweet linens and traditional sleigh bed and the exuberant art and chair upholstery.

The master bedroom color palette blends masculine and feminine tones. A contemporary painting by Ellen Langford above the bed layers nicely into this traditional setting. Farrington used gingham fabric from Brunschwig & Fils for the valances and benches. The botanical pattern on the desk chair is from Clarence House.

Foot of leg is interesting design.