It's spring -- time to freshen up the nest.
In a series of monthly columns, let's focus on one decor challenge and share some creative ways to update your home-- for under $1,000.
For all those in favour of hitting the snooze button one more time, we are dedicating this month's feature to that haven of havens, the bedroom. Products for this feature can be found at Urban Barn ( urbanbarn.com), Pier 1 Imports ( pier1.com), Daniadown (daniadown.com) and Home Outfitters (HBC.com).
The first stop on our shopping trip takes us to Urban Barn. The incredibly talented staff assisted me with our first challenge -- creating the bed as a focal point without going over budget.
At the Westpoint location, assistant manager Jesse Davidson started with a key suggestion: To define the bed as the focal point, you need to create some drama.
As Davidson brainstormed with his colleague, sales consultant Megan Martin, a design concept was born. Many designers are using window valances and draperies as a background, explained Jessie, in place of the traditionally framed bed that incorporates a headboard and footboard.
So to start off our decor makeover, we selected the Modbox Valance by Umbra. The simple profile of this valance offers a contemporary feeling to the design and comes in espresso or white. Davidson notes that with two extended-width sizes, the 28-to-45-inch (71-to-114-cm) width is perfect for a twin, while the 48-to-84-inch (1.2-to-2.1-m) width would be perfect for a queen or king bed. The Modbox comes ready to use, complete with wall brackets, screws and rod.
Another great feature of this valance, Martin says, is although it does not protrude from the wall significantly, it houses a bracket capable of holding a double rod.
This is a great option from a decor perspective as you can layer different drapery panels for a unique effect.
Urban Barn has a variety of drapery panels, ranging in price from $25 to $58 per panel. Davidson recommends using at least two panels if you are designing for a queen-size bed.
For this project, dark chocolate Manhattan panels, with attached grommets, would enhance the contemporary backdrop while adding a touch of sophistication to the decor.
Before I left the team at Urban Barn, an interesting chrome-and-glass table caught my eye. This table is elegant in its simplicity; however, it is the functionality of the table that I found most memorable.
The 20-inch (50-cm) round Circa End Table is adjustable, Martin pointed out. It allows you to decide the best height for your bed.
This is brilliant, considering the varying heights of mattresses these days. To complement the round table, a light such as the unique floral white silhouette table lamp by Torre and Tagus, would be a wonderful accent.
The next design element came from a visit to Daniadown. A change in duvet covers and pillows can make an extraordinary change in a bedroom.
In keeping with the fresh, new approach to our space, I am suggesting the Garden Party duvet and pillow cover ensemble. This ensemble provides a 250-thread count of combed cotton and offers a bold pattern of green and chocolate flowers set against a crisp white background.
The co-ordinating shams display matching floral motifs and will stand out perfectly against the espresso drapery panels. A Daniadown wool duvet is a wonderful option to the traditional down or feather varieties and is quite adaptable to all seasons.
Next on the list is a visit to Pier 1 Imports for a few accessories and a splash of colour.
After much debate, I selected the following to add colour and texture to our space: two, 16-by-16-inch (41-by-41-cm) red-felt, rose-petal pillows and a 12-by-12-inch (30-by-30-cm) sage ruffle pillow to play against the white, chocolate and green bed covers.
The red colour heats up things and is a great accent colour to complement green and chocolate. To co-ordinate with the red pillows, I suggest the red velvet dining chair, as the elegant chocolate legs co-ordinate beautifully with the valance, while providing a cosy place to sit and read.
One last stop is a visit to Home Outfitters. To emulate a footboard, three square chocolate faux-leather Carson storage ottomans can be placed side-by-side. These are versatile in that they provide storage and seating, and can be moved easily.
BEDROOM BUDGET
Altogether, these items would be over the $1,000 budget, so I have broken them down into a couple of options for you. (Note: these prices do not include GST.)
In the event of any discrepancies; pricing and product specs provided by participating stores at the time of purchase will be considered correct and will override any information printed in this article.
Valance (Umbra): $70
Manhattan Chocolate panels (average $50 each): $100
Garden Party queen ensemble: $159
Daniadown queen wool duvet: $139
Red-felt rose petal pillow: (two, at $49.95 each) $99.90
Sage ruffle pillow: $39.99 Subtotal: $607.89 OPTION A:
Red velvet chair: $269.95
Total: $946.95 (Leaves room to add a pillow) OPTION B:
Faux leather ottomans ($59.99 each): $179.97 Total:$857.95 (Leaves room for two more panels) OPTION C:
Chrome and glass table: $199 Torre and Tagus lamp: $54
Total: $930.98 (Leaves room to add a pillow)
-- Canwest News Service
