Room update

Thoughtfully selected materials have taken this Melbourne bedroom from lacklustre to luxe.

The brief Make it contemporary, unfussy and enduring: that was the request the owners of this Melbourne bedroom put to Lauren Li, interior designer and director of Sisällä Interior Design. “They’d been living overseas and were now yearning to stay put,” she says. ”Because of this, they were happy to invest in high-quality, classic pieces.” The makeover “We started with the curtain,” says Li. “Chevron sheers look chic and soften what is a very large room. The transformation was instant and my clients were ecstatic about them.” Working with the restriction of existing wall-light locations, Li opted for a long, rather than tall, upholstered bedhead. “I took my cues from luxury hotel design,” she says. “Ribbed upholstery is timeless.” It did take a little convincing for the homeowners to embrace the grasscloth wallpaper Li suggested, but in the end they saw the value of adding texture to the space. After much deliberation, new wall-mounted lights by Danish firm Nordlux were ordered. “I try to avoid using replicas and these lights were a good choice within our budget.” Why it works Contrasting textures are teamed with a subtle colour palette to create a luxurious feel that will stand the test of time. “Even though it’s large, I love how cosy and intimate this bedroom is, and so do its owners.”