Idea Guide

: Diary | Ideas | Reviews | Shop | About Us

Unbearable Lightness of Bedrooms

Growing up as the oldest sibling, I eventually won the right to my own room. That room was a sanctuary, off limits to little sisters and the chaos of everyday life.

It had a twin bed with rainbow sheets. A writing desk, a bureau. Posters of my Teen Beat heart throbs on the walls and ceiling. Seventies heaven, or haven, whichever you prefer.

This new picture was in one of our idea books...Updating Classic American Bungalows. Our bedroom won't look like this, but there are several things that inspire me about THIS bedroom photo.

The Light

I think natural light, for sleeping and waking, is really wonderful for folks like me who struggle with sleep and depression. Not only are these windows practical, they are beautiful to look at as well. They cleverly frame the space outdoors in their pattern.

Use of Built-In Furniture

By using the kneewalls and spaces under the eaves to store books and such, there is no need for furniture to break up the perimeter of the floor. The cabinets on either side of the nook are for sheets and blankets. This creates a handy storage space close to the bed where these things are needed.

Light fixtures

I think sconces strike the perfect balance between the usefulness and reach of an overhead light, and the intimacy of smaller, table top lamps. They can cast pools of light into parts of a bedroom, playing light against dark, in a way that is very soothing.

Symmetry

This room has symmetry and patterns in the built-ins, the sconces, the windows, and the angles of the walls meeting the ceiling. The placement of furniture can be more casual because the room itself is designed in a pleasing way. The room can "stand on its own" without furniture. I don't know how else to explain that. Maybe a designer can help me out on this one in the comments.

The Trim

I like pieces of the room - windows, doors, floors, built-ins - to have an outline, a frame. Trim allows you to frame these different elements in a unifying way so that they all flow into one another.

The Furniture

Not many rooms could accomodate this much furniture (ours wouldn't). However, it is nice that there is furniture that allows napping and reading and dreaming in a private space without actually going to bed. Or a quiet space to share reading time without being in bed. I have had to train my body to sleep (I'm not doing the greatest job...but I'm much better than I used to be) by avoiding the bed until I am ready to sleep. My body associates my bed with sleeping, not television or reading.

Space Within a Space

Oh! This room had me at the "nook". The definition pretty much says it all: a secluded place. I like rooms that aren't plain boxes, that have depth and character. Spaces carved out of other spaces. This is one of the reasons I've always been attracted to bungalows, even when I was a child. I love to tuck myself away somewhere with a good book. In newer construction, I would find CLOSETS or any room that was smaller than the main room to curl up with a book and a blanket. With nooks, I can be in the room and still get away.

No Television

I'm not a big fan of televisions being in the bedroom or even front and center in the living room. Anytime a television can be tucked away somewhere, I feel better. I don't know what I feel this way.

Posted by jeanne on August 28, 2004 at 11:07 AM

Looking for More?

	Search for more on 'bedrooms' on this site.
	Search for 'bedrooms' on on other houseblogs like this one.
	Search for 'bedrooms' on Google.
	Search for 'bedrooms' on Amazon.com.