Nyla's Master Bedroom Overhaul: Before, Progress and After
In 2009 we decorated our bedroom. We added a “feature wall” of wallpaper, yep, I did a feature wall. Gulp. We installed swag pendant light fixtures I purchased from a vintage store in Nashville, installed drapery and purchased all new furniture and bedding. Below is the result of the updates. Overtime, we changed the bedding to a lighter, fresher, linen duvet, but otherwise this is the look we had when we embarked on our renovation in 2019, essentially the “before”.
What isn’t clear in the above image is the knock down ceiling, the lovely centre fixture (pretty sure that was photoshopped out), and the 1” white aluminum blinds, all shown so clearly in the below image. Yikes. I feel exposed!
Not only was our room ready for a refresh, it was time to bring it up to present day design times, and get rid of the above design details, not to mention the carpet!!
Gotta love the portable air conditioner! We didn’t, and still don’t have central air, much to my husbands disappointment :)
Let the update begin! Blinds are out, ceiling fixture removed, new hardwood installed, and a fresh coat of paint is on the walls. What a difference already!
Here’s the list of what we did:
Replaced carpet with hardwood.
Skim coated knock down ceilings for a smooth drywall finish.
Painted walls in Benjamin Moore Calm.
Painted ceilings Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray, and added an applied moulding.
Installed a ceiling medallion.
Installed new lighting (ceiling fixture and bedside table lamps).
Refinished existing bedside tables with Farrow & Ball Mouse Trap.
Purchased new bedding.
Added a bench at the end of the bed.
Added an area carpet.
Installed new blinds and drapery.
Slide the photos below to see the AFTER vs. BEFORE. Our room lighter, brighter, fresher, and so much more in line with our current tastes.
We purchased our bed and bedside tables 15 years ago, and still love them, so they were important pieces to consider when redesigning the bedroom. For all other areas we were ready for a change. While I do still love the vintage spun fibreglass swag pendants, I decided not to use them. We repurposed one in our powder room, and donated the other.
Fun fact: I painted my ceiling twice. The first colour wasn’t quite right, so I opted to use Coventry Gray, two tones deeper than our wall colour Calm, which ended up being the perfect amount of depth, and interest. Once we added the applied moulding, painted in Simply White, the contrast on the ceiling was far more noticeable, and exactly what I was after.
Master bedrooms are often one of the last spaces our clients consider when embarking on a renovation, whereas it should be one of the first. Speaking from experience, there’s no greater feeling than walking into a completed, polished space, representative of us, at the the of the day. Everyone deserves a solace, a sanctuary, and a place to feel good about spending time in.
We loved our bedroom when we decorated it in 2009, however 10 years later it was time for an overhaul, including the things we wanted to, but didn’t change at the time, due to sheer cost, and effort. The feeling we have in our space now, reflects us and the relaxed, calm feel we set out to achieve. The value of having a completed, tailored master bedroom goes far beyond aesthetics, and well into mental and emotional wellbeing. I can attest to this 100%!
Have a space, or home, you’d love to elevate? We’d love to chat with you about it. Get in touch via out contact page.
The AFTER photography by Phil Crozier
