...because home doesn't happen overnight.

I have a sister.  Well, actually, I have 2 sisters and 1 brother…all younger than me.  Yup, I’m the oldest.  One of my sisters, Rihana (pronounced ree-ANN-uh NOT ree-HAWN-uh like our school principals always called her), is in the middle of moving to a new apartment in Virginia.  After living with the same hand-me-down dorm room furnishings for 7 years, she’s ready for a more grown-up bedroom and enlisted my help.  Her requirements: a calm environment, a place to read, a dressing area, somehow incorporate her love of flowers and NO CLUTTER…all on a tight budget.  I rallied together this mood board for her.

And here is the room layout…

1) Rihana found an IKEA Malm platform bed on Craigslist that she wanted her modern bedroom to work around.  With 2 IKEA Lack side tables (in white) as nightstands and textural Boja lamps as ambient light sources, she’ll be well on her way to a soothing retreat.  Baskets underneath each nightstand act as extra storage.  A starburst mirror hung above the headboard adds curves and a touch of mid century modernity.  Bedding is mostly white with pops of orange and pink in floral toss pillows.

2) To corral reading material, a bookcase is placed near the door.  A jewelry organizer gives Rihana a place to store and display all her wardrobe accessories.  A round hyacinth mirror bounces light around when placed opposite the large window and provides a last minute checkpoint before running out the door.

3) For her reading nook, I found the IKEA Karlstad chair in medium grey.  A shelf mounted to the wall in the reading corner frees up floor space for accessing the closet (which I suggest becomes doorless by adding a simple tension rod and curtain panel).  A wall-mounted reading light creates a well-lit vignette for cozying up with a good book.  A throw pillow in orange and white pops against the darker chair.

4) Rihana likes to lay out her work clothes nightly for the next day, so she wanted a spot for hanging and dressing.  I found an upholstered bench (available via Target.com) whose seat lifts to reveal hidden storage.  A row of hooks just outside the closet door makes it easy to plan the next day’s outfit.  Above the hooks, a nature-inspired print in blue and orange complements the room’s color scheme.

The entire room is enveloped in a soothing, blue-gray paint…Benjamin Moore’s Quiet Moments. 

I’m happy to report that Rihana loves her mood board and has been working diligently on purging and painting to achieve the calm space she wants.  She’s also purchased some items I suggested and found other items herself using my ideas as a guide.  I’m hoping to visit her within the next few weeks to tie up any loose ends and ‘finish’ the room.  I can’t wait to see her…and her new room!

2 Comments

31.December.2010

I first spotted you on apartment therapy and I’m so glad you share your thoughts and talents on a regular basis. The blue-gray paint that you mentioned – is that the color you painted your interior walls? I absolutely love the color on your walls!
Thanks, Lia

01.January.2011

Lia – Here’s a post about most of the paint colors we’ve used in our home.

https://www.housetweaking.com/2010/09/14/you-asked-for-it-paint-colors/

Hope that’s what you need!