This lovely, serene bedroom (photo courtesy of Dulux Australia) has a lot of things going for it. The look is casual but not dated. It has country charm but not too precious. Older homes like this have a lot of character, which gives one a good starting point when decorating.
The high ceilings definitely add grandeur to the space. The oversized windows with wide trim and baseboards also add architectural interest. The look is very much enhanced through the use of clever paint placement, which is an easy prospect, even for the beginner.
By painting a wide band of colour at the top of the wall, you can bring in additional colour and drama to a room with high ceilings. I did this in my kitchen recently in a very similar green (white on the lower half) and love it. It was a simple paint project that didn't involve a lot of time or paint and it added just the right amount of colour to my small kitchen. I have a long window in the kitchen similar to the one in our feature photograph that was much more dramatic once the green paint was cut around the top of it. A simple band of colour can do many things to enhance the decor. In this instance, it makes the window and wall trim pop due to the colour contrast and makes the ceiling feel even higher.
I love decorating projects that are quick and have huge impact and this particular technique fits the bill. You can do it on a whim using leftover paint and it can easily be changed down the road. If you have leftover wallpaper on hand, you could use it in the same fashion to create a similar look. I don't recommend wallpaper border unless it very wide as it won't have enough impact. By the same token, if you have enough of the right fabric you could use fabric to achieve a similar outcome. Use what you have if it will work. Some of you may be thinking fabric is an unusual option but it's a viable one. For example, I recently purchased two large fabric remnants at the thrift store for a total of $4. I have no idea what I'll use them for and they don't match my current decor but they were quality items in interesting colours that, down the road, could be used for the purpose mentioned above among other things. Try to be on the lookout for items like this. Even if you don't have a current purpose for them, you may find one in the future.
While the green band in our photograph is framed with painted moulding, you could easily get away with creating the look of moulding with a simple strip of white paint at the top and bottom of the band. At that height, it's not going to be that noticeable and it will still provide the visual contrast needed to make the accent colour pop.
The pale, yellow wall colour compliments the overall colour palette. It is a soft, calming shade of yellow that is restful on the eyes but still provides a cheery ambiance during the day. The green and yellow bedding works wonderfully with the colour scheme because it brings the two colours full circle in the space. When using an accent colour, like the green in this instance, you want to carry the colour to at least two other areas of the room. In our feature bedroom, the green is also found in the bedding and on the accent pillow on the chair. This technique causes the eye to move around the room, which is optimal to create visual impact.
As I've mentioned before, a touch of black seals the deal. In this example, a print framed in black, a black lamp base and photo frame on the dresser create an interesting vignette. As well, the touch of black trim on the wicker bag sitting on the chair is a clever addition. Accessories come in many forms. In this case, a simple wicker bag does the job.
If you can get away without window treatments, as in our feature bedroom, the look is crisp and allows tons of natural light into the room. However, if window treatments are required, a set of simple billowy sheers would easily blend into this particular room and would soften the sharp lines of the window and blinds.
If you have a room in your home that is a nice colour but isn't packing enough impact, consider adding in a secondary band of an accent colour to enhance the look. If the ceilings are of standard height, the band at the ceiling might not be a good choice but you can add a splash of colour in other ways. Check out the web for ideas and tips.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
