Grown-up bedroom to better suit a maturing son
Study hub, reading nook, new furniture and paint cater to young adulthood
I knew my 20-year-old son, James, was all grown up when he said his cluttered and messy bedroom needed a “rethink.”
An aging desk and ancient bed frame were on their last legs, he pointed out, and he longed for a quiet spot to sit and read away from the household hustle. Recognizing the desire to read and study as a sign of sober-minded young adulthood, and hoping such proclivities will eventually lead to long-term, gainful employment, I quickly agreed to a room redo.
James had a clear design vision. He wanted to switch out the apple green walls for a dark and moody blue. A big, wooden bed with a sturdy headboard, a chair large enough to cradle his 6-foot-plus frame while he read or hung out, and a study space were also on the wish list.
It seemed a tall order for a 12-by-15 foot room with a small cut-out out on one wall, and an awkward dropped ceiling.
That’s why the makeover started with a consultation with decorator Lisa Canning (isacanning.ca).
This is such a worthwhile step. Even if your budget doesn’t run to full-on design services, some professional guidance can provide direction and help avoid costly mistakes.
Because I have a tough time choosing paint colours, Lisa suggested a few options. In the end, we chose Dulux Black Sable (dulux.ca), a gorgeous, warm grey blue that deepens almost to a silky black in low light.
Initially, Canning suggested wallpapering the ceiling in a textured paper in a complementary shade, which would have created a fantastic effect.
It would also, however, driven the Man of the House (MOTH) to divorce. Canning suggested that using white ceiling paint — to which 10 to 20 per cent of the wall colour had been added — or coating it in a colour higher up on the same colour chart were other options (I chose the latter.)
As the bed is the star of any bedroom, I spent a long time looking at frames at Artemano (artemano.ca), which has a fast-changing selection of handcrafted beds made with both new and reclaimed exotic wood. In the end, I chose a solid Indian rosewood bed in an olive-toned finish. The lovely grain and clean lines make a statement without overwhelming the room.
While I’m not a big fan of matching room suites, I decided on bedside tables in the same wood. The room is relatively small, and I didn’t want to break the visual flow too much.
Models with drawers add extra storage. Table lamps with bases made from zesty green ceramic perched on clear Lucite squares provide colour.
Above, a dreamy landscape from Mobilia (mobilia.ca) is perfect for the bedroom, and its glossy, golden tones reflect light onto the deep wall colour.
An awkward wall cut-out serves as the study hub, with a slim desk with a white lacquer top and graceful walnut legs paired with a handsome elbow chair, also in walnut with a black leather seat.
MOTH added built-in shelving. A black metal and brass Jonathan Alder lamp deliver good-looking task lighting. All three pieces are from Casalife (casalife.com).
A cosy corner beside the bed is outfitted with a generous armchair tucked beside a chest of drawers in a glossy, grey lacquer finish that looks sleek and helps bounce light into the room. What happened when James saw the finished room? He promptly pronounced MOTH and I the “best parents ever.”
It almost made me cry. But not in front of him. Because even though he’s a grown up now, his mom can still embarrass him.