We yearn for serenity in our daily lives more than ever these days. Everywhere you look there are books, DVDs and gift sets with candles in calming scents all touting stress-relieving, serene experiences, and we're buying it. Our lives are quite crazy, after all. For a society that boasts super technology designed to save us time, we are harried and hurried more than ever.
Because of the fast-paced lives we lead we need our homes to be a gracious, rejuvenating haven; our refuge from the noise and bustle of the outside world. Every room in the home should be somewhat calming, and the bedroom is the force behind our daily renewal. No computers, no televisions, no cellphones or fax machines; just rest. Rest for the body, mind and spirit is essential if we want to weather daily life and come out on the positive.
This lovely, simple bedroom is a great example of how easy it is to create a cosy space. You don't need a lot of space or expensive accoutrements in order to have a restful haven in your home. In this room, a distressed bed and chair set the tone for a shabby chic space that is casual yet stylish.
The elements of a serene space
Distressed furniture is relaxed and uncomplicated. It beckons you to put up your feet and not worry about scratching the furniture or leaving water marks with your glass. This facet alone gives us freedom from the button-down world around us. The wicker chair, also distressed, is deep and well-cushioned; just what you need to sink into with a relaxing book after a long day.
All of the elements in this room are from the earth. Wood finishes, flooring and wainscoting speak of mother earth; of nature and nurture. No bright, acrylic furniture and jazzy carpeting for this room. Even the bedding maintains the mother earth theme with soft botanical patterns in hues of cream and sage green.
Colour
In a serene space, monochromatic colour schemes can provide rest for the weary eye. In our feature room, a soft pastel green (again, mother earth) accented with soft cream tones is soothing to the senses. The lovely wood flooring grounds the space. The wood flooring is an eco-friendly, self-install product from Tarkett Flooring. To assuage the need for interest while maintaining a serene space, soft peach and yellow accent pillows add just enough colour to make the space interesting. The bold stripe on the side chair back cushion supports the colour palette from the bedding in a co-ordinating pattern that is lively in a subtle way.
No clutter
You'll notice this room is devoid of any unnecessary trappings. No piles of clothes, magazines or books to be found. No bric-a-brac on the walls or tabletop to clutter the mind. For some, this lack of decorating items is necessary to keep the mind at peace. I would probably add a scatter rug and a great picture over the bed but for some, less is more.
Natural light
The large windows in this room are a plus, and they are covered with very simple sheers that don't take away from the architectural details of the windows and the wainscoting. Natural light is good for the spirit, and letting the sun shine into a room can do wonders for the mind. On the flip side of this, having pull shades for darkening the room is imperative if sleep is what you need.
Cosy finishing touches
A chenille throw on the wicker chair is a comfy addition to a cosy corner where you can read or simply ponder. Additional pillows on the bed, including a neck pillow for added support when reading, make the bed a comfortable place to rest. No doubt the botanical print duvet cover houses a fluffy, soft down duvet; a great choice for the winter months. As an aside, I must say flannel sheets are wonderfully cosy, especially during the winter.
In the end, what I'm trying to say is take care of yourself. Serenity begins at home. It's easier than you think. Even if you don't have a budget for new furniture or flooring, remove some clutter, remove the electronics and give yourself a break. Bring in comfy elements such as extra pillows (steal some from the guest room if you must), comfortable throws (put this on your gift wish list) and perhaps a fresh coat of paint in a subtle tone. Doing some work toward your restful haven is part of the process. Soothing sounds, such as nature tapes (whale songs or a symphony), calming scents like jasmine and vanilla (some scents are more conducive to rest than others) and a good book that can take you away for a while, can all bring you closer to simple serenity.
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