SLEEP TIGHT
Dramatic and heavily patterned, or relaxed and plain, your bedroom can be a true expression of your style
The latest and loveliest bedlinen to help you get a good night’s rest.
TREND: ARTFUL ADDITIONS
Linen slip cover headboard in Natural $1350 (queen), new range 100 percent cotton bed throw, pillowcases, and Euro pillowcases in Almond POA, linen pillowcases in Cinnamon $135 a pair, Winter Trees velvet lumbar cushion $240, Winter Trees merino throw $485, alpaca bouclé throw in Cream $287 and Bulb lamp $320, all from Thread Design, threaddesign.co.nz; Column side table in Oak $990 and Rolf rug in Off White/Beige (large) $2490, both from Citta, cittadesign.com.
Queen bed mattress and base throughout from Harvey Norman, harveynorman.co.nz; all duvet and pillow inners from Linen Boutique, linenboutique.co.nz.
TREND: SWEETLY RETRO
Dusk bedhead in Bristol Classic Jacquard Ivory POA, Chambray linen Euro pillowcase in Oatmeal $54.90, Sove linen Euro pillowcase in Ivy $49.90, Lazo wool bouclé cushion cover $109, Wildflower linen pillowcase $89.90 a pair, handwoven cushion cover in Walnut $59.90, heavy linen jute cushion cover in Plum $59.90, Sove linen fitted sheet in Ivy $209, Sove linen flat sheet in Ivy $209, Wildflower linen duvet cover $319 (queen), Hut bench $1740, Compound bedside cabinet in Pink $1490, Moon table lamp in Bone $340, Piccadilly carafe in Olive $69.90, Rib tumbler in Olive $101.40, all from Citta, cittadesign.com; Couture Prairie and Flea Market Finds by Rachel Ashwell coffee table book $59.90 from M.M Linen, mmlinen.com.
Aretreat, somewhere to curl up with a book, watch something online, chat to friends on the phone – this may sound like the description of a good living room, but is in fact our bedroom. This most personal of all our spaces in a home has become a sanctuary to escape to. “With the stress and uncertainty that Covid-19 has brought, having a beautiful, calm retreat is even more important right now. And not only at the end of the day,” says interior designer Vic Bibby of Hawke’s Bay’s Bibby & Brady. If you have a large bedroom, consider adding a small sofa at the end of the bed, an armchair in a corner and a side table, says Vic.
When designing a bedroom that is shared by both male and female, Vic suggests soft grey greens, deep blue or charcoal, along with patterns like stripes, checks or something more organic. A neutral palette layering whites, creams and wood tones with lots of texture is also a great option for gender-neutral spaces.
Auckland-based interior designer Anna Cuthbert believes New Zealanders have become much more comfortable with bolder colour and sees deep blue, mineral sea green, clays and red earth tones coming to
TREND: GENDER NEUTRAL
Pique Euro pillowcase $90, Sottobosco Euro pillowcase in Indigo by Bianca Lorenne $252 a pair, Egyptian cotton triple trim pillowcases $110 a pair, Doll Shadow cushion $415, Arco cushion in Prussian Blue by Bianca Lorenne $215, Tramonto cushion in Copper $199, Capriccio cushion in Prussian Blue $165, Mateo cushion in Prussian Blue $199, Roma bedspread set in White $575 (queen), all from Linen Boutique, linenboutique.co.nz; Sottobosco bedspread in Indigo $444 (queen), Mizumi throw $518, all from Bianca Lorenne, biancalorenne.co.nz; Plinth bedside in Natural $690 and Type 80 table lamp in Grey Mist by Anglepoise $590, both from Citta, cittadesign.com.
TREND: BOTANICALS
Headboard covered in linen sheet set in Slate by Baksana (sheet only shown) $520, white quilted valance by Bianca Lorenne $195, lamps $245 each and X-legged bedside tables $549 each, all from Linen Boutique, linenboutique.co.nz; Julia duvet set (includes pillowcovers, one shown) $279.90 (queen), Julia Euro set pillowcases (one shown) $109.90, laundered linen Euro set pillowcases in Green (one shown) $129.90, Julia cushion $119.90, all from M.M Linen, mmlinen.com; pink cushion stylist’s own.
the fore. “We’ve largely moved away from light, crisp, straight lines in the bedroom. Some clients still want a floaty look but generally bedrooms have become much more interesting with layering of colour, pattern, different materials and texture.”
Bedrooms are great spaces to mix patterns, she says. “You could use elements of plain bedlinen as an anchor but then add checks, florals, Eastern-inspired designs and paisley. Try mixing types of fabrics like linen, velvets, furs and cottons in the same room, and also different hues of the same colour. Add touches of metallic, which can then be used in the ensuite to tie the rooms together.”
Careful lighting is important. Says Vic: “Consider whether you need a central light in the room or if your bedside lights are enough. Soft, mood lighting is much more romantic than a bright overhead light. If you have pendants either side of the bed you could opt for one or two discreet recessed lights in the ceiling, and add a dimmer.”
She often chooses wall lights or low-hanging pendants above the bedside tables to free up set-down space. “Sit up in your bed and measure about 10cm up from your shoulder – if you have a partner with a different height, split the difference. Then centre the pendant or wall sconce over the bedside table.”
For curtains, she says hanging them as high as possible and wall-to-wall adds elegance. Consider black-out lining and, for privacy, a double track with a semi-sheer on the front and a lining at the back on a separate track is a good option.
For flooring, carpet and rugs give welcoming warmth and softness when you step out of bed.
Walk-in wardrobes allow the bedroom to be less cluttered with furniture but if that’s not possible, consider a full wall of fitted wardrobing for a more seamless look.
THE BED AS THE HERO
Being the biggest piece of furniture in your bedroom, it makes sense to take the time to dress and style your bed to your own taste, says Bianca Nottingham of Bianca Lorenne. She notes that people dress their beds depending on the season, choosing a duvet cover that will transition between them. In winter, layer up with a comforter, cushions, velvets and sheepskins in