Tropical Bedroom

The warm, balanced exotic style of this bedroom satisfies the client's mixed tropical family background and need for serenity and harmony. The steel tables are made with a natural raw patina and covered with semi-gloss lacquer finish. The Nelson wall sconces offer an architectural element as well as a functional lighting piece, which provides bright or diffuse lighting. The dark coffee-colored walls balance out with the light honey bamboo flooring, light cream rug and vanilla window treatment. The exotic fish tank is visible from the bedroom through a small opening for added enjoyment.



Colorful accents and a fireplace create a very warm atmosphere in this tropical bedroom design. Photography by Francis Augustine.



This guestroom has a seashell motif that is neutralized by a small leopard print fabric that adds a touch of exotic. The 10-foot-high gauzy fabric canopy creates the feeling of a far away island retreat. Photograph by Cynthia MacDonald.



Classic neutral colors and playful details make this bedroom a tropical paradise.



Nineteenth-century furnishings are the centerpiece of this dramatic room. The colonial bed, covered in antique Indian silk, is from a palace in Rajasthan, India; the capiz screen, with pressed and etched glass insets, is from the Philippines.

Romantic Bedroom

Cream and celadon were used interchangeably in this romantic bedroom, anchored by a custom velvet sleigh bed.



Handpainted furniture, luxurious fabrics and a luscious color scheme complete the look of this sensuous bedroom, a romantic retreat that envelopes you as you enter its doors. Photo by Dan Steinberg.



Fabrics and furnishings that are beautiful and timeless make an excellent foundation for flexibility and growth in this little girl's room. The bed with hidden trundle and child-sized table and chairs will make this lucky little girl the perfect host for slumber and tea parties to come.



The French doors open to a secret garden in this room that combines toile fabric, white matelasse and an antique rug.



Sage green walls provide a relaxing back drop to this bedroom. Plush fabrics were used for the custom bedding ensemble. The fabric panels hanging on the bed frame create a romantic cocoon. Designer tip: Paint the wall color up on to a portion of the recessed ceiling to give the illusion of more height.



We created this bedroom for a little girl. A lavender and cream toile coverlet coordinates with a gingham silk at the windows. Cream painted furnishings add a neutral touch to the space. A perfect place for a little princess to do her homework, dream and play!



This qualifies as romantic in my book due to the balanced offering of amenities for both of the sexes. Notice the chaise directly to the left for her and the antique flip-top bar with a classic Parisian smoking chair to the right for him. The couple will be drawn to the space in front of the fireplace, lounge on the shag rug and perhaps pull out a game from the round storage ottoman. Regardless of the plan for the evening, this bedroom is fit for romance. Photo by Donovan Swick.



An oversized bedroom wall is filled with custom headboard and an upholstered screen. The fabric colors are kept serene for this master bedroom.



This master bedroom suite is gifted with a great amount of space. The very dark brown, almost-black walls make this lofty room feel more intimate. The fireplace and TV wall was reinforced as a focal point with free form-painted horizontal stripes. The artwork, also in a horizontal format, helps maintain your eyes from perceiving the height of the ceiling. Such a bold combination takes a bit of moxie and faith in your designer's choice.

Headboard Ideas

In this New York City apartment, designers Alan Tanksley and Adrian Gilbey of Alan Tanskley Inc. placed a favorite painting at the head of the bed, above a headboard that was selected to blend into the wall's paint color.

"This was the perfect spot for the painting," Alan says, "because the scale was perfect, the color against the wall was very dramatic and the placement at the far end of the room created a long view, which gave the painting importance."

Hanging a painting above the bed works best in a room with ample footboard space, so that you can really see — and enjoy — the painting. "Look for artwork that's big and bold," Alan says. "Small-scale work or images will be impossible to view over the distance of a bed. And keep both the artwork and the frame very simple," he advises.

Hang the painting high enough so the pillows don't rest against it. Make sure the painting is lighted properly, and it will serve as a beautiful focal point in your room.



If your bed already has a headboard but is putting you right to sleep, embellish the bed with extra fabric.

"This was a boring bed that needed more visual strength," says designer Cindy Rinfret, author of Classic Greenwich Style. "To add drama and make the bed the focal point of the room, we created a cornice of handpainted wood that looks like painted-metal tole. It really dresses up the room."

Cindy selected a print linen from Colefax and Fowler, plaid taffeta from Travers and a trim from Clarence house. The effect is very feminine, but not too fussy.



With wraparound views of New York City, this penthouse apartment in Greenwich Village has plenty of natural light. To bring that sunshine into the apartment's interior and keep the space airy and fresh, designer Clodagh divided the space with partial walls. The effect is the openness of a loft with the coziness of a traditional apartment.

In the master bedroom, a partial wall conceals a walk-in closet. Clodagh upholstered the wall in Lexell Cobblestone leather so the expanse can function as a headboard. "I like headboard materials that can be sponged clean," says Clodagh, author of Total Design. "This leather can be wiped with a barely humid sponge to keep it fresh."

Adjustable Artmetide lights installed right into the headboard allow the bibliophile homeowner to read in bed, and a comforter from Ann Gish and simple pillows keep the look clean, spare and serene.

Magic of mirrors " No smoke here! Just 9 new ways to decorate with mirrors, indoors and out "

Fun ways to decorate with mirrors

Bedroom of reflection

Oakland, Calif., interior designer Sheri Sheridan says one bold item can make any room feel substantial. But who says bold has to mean expensive? Not us.

Glam up furniture

Two pieces of ⅛ -inch-thick mirrored glass custom-cut at a glass store give a stunning look to this salvaged side table. Don’t ask us how, but even your ancient coffee mug will sparkle sitting on top of shiny glass. Tip: For easy cleanup of spills, don't glue down the mirrors.

Illusion of space

This oversize walnut-framed mirror opens up designer Chris Choy’s living room by reflecting the white walls in his two-story house in San Francisco. A mirror like this is definitely an investment. But take Choy’s advice for keeping things reasonable: Decorate mainly with furniture pieces from salvage yards then toss in a few high-design splurges to give an impression of luxury.

Create a window

No window? No problem. Interior designer-contractor Francesca Harris replaced unattractive windows on this aging shed with pivoting shutters. Then she created her own window by placing a mirror behind the daybed to reflect the light and surrounding landscape.

Indoor furniture outside

With grilling season upon us, we know everyone is spending more time on patios, decks, and rooftops. Give your guests a comfy space to hang out while you’re busy channeling Bobby Flay. A mirror gives this outdoor space a living room look, but it’s guaranteed to stand up to sun and rain. Mirrors strategically positioned also create an illusion of space in cramped patios.

Faux pond

Altering the ecosystem in your garden isn’t always an option. A mirror creates a glacial lake when it’s laid flat without disturbing existing roots. This small glass pool reflects the sky and surrounding plants the way a mountain pool would — only no swimming here. Tip: Mask the edges by adding a layer of smooth river rocks of varying sizes and colors to mimic a rocky beach.

Mirrored cabinets

Mirrors in the bathroom clearly serve a purpose when you’re flossing each morning, but that doesn’t mean they can’t look luxurious. Mount two inexpensive mirrored cabinets next to each other to create one seamless surface. You’ll get the look of a pricey oversize mirror without spending the cash.

Portholes of design

Three perfectly placed mirrors in this family room create an oceanfront feel few nautical paintings could pull off. A typical piece of art could confine a smaller space. Instead, mirrors add an airy elegance as they reflect light.

A few installation tips

Wear heavy leather gloves and protective glasses when working with mirrors. If you will be placing the mirror where children play, use safety glass. Give the mirror proper support. Frame the mirror with wood, metal, plastic, or even tile.

Make Decorations For Your Table

Build a tablescape Start with slender but sturdy dried plant material from your garden or a craft or florists' supply store. 1. Select your base: a piece of plywood or wood, or a slate or terra-cotta floor tile. 2. Lay out a geometric hole pattern around the candle(s). For safety, ensure that nothing is too close to the flame. 3. Use an electric drill with a wood or masonry bit that is slightly smaller than the stems' diameter. 4. If holes are too small, whittle stems with a craft knife. Glue in place if desired. 5. Position candle(s); votives should be in glass surrounds, but larger candles can sit directly on base. Use long-necked gas igniters to light. Twigs Tree-like twigs edge a stream bed of green pebbles running down the center of a sealed 30-inch piece of redwood 1-by-4. Leaves "Skeleton" or "fossil" leaves (available at craft stores) overlap to form a pair of gossamer screens, flanking votive candles centered on a 12-inch square of black-painted plywood. Position leaves so they curve outward, making sure they’re at least 2 inches from the candles. Mini cattails Concentric circles of mini cattails surround a 4-inch-diameter candle. The outer cattails stand about 14 inches tall, while inner ones are 21 inches

Headboard Ideas

Work With What You Have

A study in light and bright contrasts, Candice incorporated the homeowner's existing espresso-stained wood headboard into the new attic master suite by balancing its dark tone with plenty of white accented by cheery pear green.

Light It Up

This teen's bedroom is truly a mini apartment — a lounge area, desk and sleeping space all flow seamlessly together. To define the bed, Candice suspended tiny pendant lights over the headboard which was given a fresh coat of steely blue paint to work with the room's hip, masculine vibe.

Romantic Retreat for Globe Trotters

Candice created this master suite to celebrate a young couple's love of far-off locales. To contrast with the room's many exotic souvenirs, she kept the bed traditional with a plush, custom headboard upholstered in rich charcoal-gray velvet framed by silver nail-head trim.

Ready for Romance

Candice knows how to spark a flame in the bedroom. She recommends starting with a soothing color palette paired with the right amount of soft lighting to create a restful sanctuary. A built-in fireplace and massive crystal chandelier enhance the room's romantic feel while an oversized, upholstered headboard takes advantage of the soaring vaulted ceiling.

Too Hip to Be Square

David covered an accent wall in sculptural, laser-cut mahogany to create a dramatic backdrop for the room's nightclub-inspired round bed. Minimal twin headboards, covered in the same sleek, white vinyl as the rest of the bed, provide a comfortable spot for lounging without visually competing with the focal wall.

Subdued Sophistication

Richly textured, neutral fabric surrounded by a raised walnut frame is a refined choice for this streamlined bedroom. Sarah combined soft gray with pale cream for a look that is evocative of old Hollywood yet is still fresh and modern.

Big on Style

To David, color is the root of great design. He expresses his theory by brightening up this airy bedroom with large paintings in saturated shades of orange and blue. A substantial tufted headboard, that encompasses both nightstands, makes the bed a soft place to land at the end of a long day.

Fresh Take on Floral

A feminine, curvilinear design makes this custom headboard a real attention getter. The large-scale abstract floral pattern Sarah chose is both youthful and classic. Pillows in coordinating colors finish the look.

Country Charmer

A richly patinaed brass bedstead is the natural partner to a vintage handmade quilt in Sarah's country house. Her inspiration for this bedroom was actually the paisley pattern used on the pillows — the bed's warm golden hue complements the tightly patterned fabric perfectly.

Fresh Take on a Classic

A traditional four-poster frame visually anchors the bed in this soaring, vaulted bedroom. Bright pops of citrus green and yellow add modern verve to the room's timeless style. Design by Sarah Richardson.

Timeless Room for a Little Girl

Sarah pairs pillows made from a vintage chenille bedspread with a decidedly feminine headboard covered in a modern take on country floral. Sarah recommends that when decoraing a child's room to not make it too juvenile because kids will too quickly outgrow it.

Moorish Masterpiece

The oversized spherical posts are the star of this bed. So, in place of a traditional headboard David hangs one of his original paintings and adds comfort with Moroccan-inspired pillows piled in an asymmetrical fashion.

Space-Saving Design

Scaled to tuck under the windows in Sarah's summer cottage, this headboard, covered in an exuberant floral fabric, adds just the right pop.

Beautiful Window Treatments for Bedrooms

Author Jackie Dishner




Whether looking for romantic ambiance,

blinds to control sunlight or window treatments to protect your privacy,

design experts uncover seven ways to dress up bedroom windows.

Drape With Silk

For a luxurious and romantic ambiance in the boudoir, designer Sharon McCormick pampers the bedroom in silk drapery panels, choosing a restful, sea glass color. Add pleats, tassels, crystals, beads or buttons for a custom touch. Included underneath is a remote-controlled window shade for privacy.



Metallic Finishes

If it's drama you like, you can get it with hardware. New Englander Sharon McCormick loves bedroom drapes that hang from large wooden rods in metallic finishes. Add more personality to the frame by selecting elaborate, crystal or fabric-wrapped finials.



Mix It Up

Designer Kati Curtis favors a combination of simple sheer and opaque draperies in her Manhattan bedroom designs. The sheer fabric stays open during the day to allow light in. At night, the opaque panels help buffer sound and keep light out for a good night's sleep. For a sleek touch, hardware is hidden in the window pocket.



Pleat From Floor To Ceiling

Choose a traverse or gathered rod and cover the entire wall by hanging pleated window treatments from floor to ceiling. Chicago-based designer Mary Susan Bicicchi creates a coccon-like feel with black-and-white patterned drapes in her own bedroom. Use the treatment to make a small room feel larger or open up a room with tall, skinny windows like hers.



Hang in Layers

To soften the look and add dimension to a bedroom window, California-based designer Lada Webster loves to use layers. She suggests adding a pattern to one of the layers to create a whimsical look or touch of character. Then it becomes a focal point in your private space.



Oversized Hardware

DrapeStyle designer Rick Thompson created this urban chic panel with oversized grommets and topped off with chocolate brown silk banding. The lighter metallic mesh fabric provides privacy, yet still allows light into the room. Oversized grommets work well in a smaller space with fewer windows and in contemporary settings, if you want the hardware revealed.



Trim With Fabric

Add a fun element to the bedroom decor with a simple, rectangular valance accentuated with beaded fringe, says Washington state designer Natalia Smith. It's a clean, unobstructed look that opens the room to light and color and adds the finishing touch — as long as the fabric in the valance matches what's on the pillows and bedding. Smith prefers a cornice with simple padding and a finished edge at the bottom for transitional, as opposed to traditional, style.