10 Winter Bedrooms

Since I spend MOST of my time blogging from bed after the kids go to bed, I wanted to share some cozy bedrooms that would definitely inspire creativity. I could cuddle up in any of these beds all weekend long with my laptop! Which room inspires your creativity most? I’d pick #3 or #6!

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A Home in Goa

Vacationing in India for a month was an adventure to say the least. We visited many family homes in different states with different cultures and the homes were all decorated with traditional Indian items like paintings and colorful fabrics.  This home is located in Goa, India and is available for rent. Casa Tota is a 150 year old Portuguese house, carefully and lovingly restored. I decided to share this home, because it has all the elements of homes I visited there.  The canopy beds are quite common and the urns for fresh flowers is just gorgeous!  Interiors in India is known for it’s rich use of color and beautiful wood carved furniture passed down from generations. I just love how they used old Bollywood movie posters as art – I couldn’t find it in India this time around, but I’m sure I can find similar posters on line. Have a great Holiday weekend- enjoy it with your loved ones. -ijin

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Maximising the Potential of Your Guest Room

No one likes a bad host, so don’t fall into the trap of giving your guests a horrible night’s sleep. Below are four simple tips to make you room feel less like a hotel, and more like it should be: an extension of your house to people you care deeply about.

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1) Choose the right bed

When furnishing your guest room, the first thing to consider is what kind of guest bed to provide for your visitors. In an ideal world a sumptuous four-poster bed would be perfect as it would add a layer of grandeur to your room. However, we don’t all have the space for this, so you have two far more practical options:

• A sofa bed: It doubles up as a seating area for your guests (something you of course have to account for) and if you are limited on space, it can fold away neatly so it won’t dominate the room.

• Twin beds: Although you may think a double bed is more welcoming, twin beds are far more versatile. They can be pushed together to mimic a double bed, or separated when required.

• A day bed: generally designed with patterns, a day bed does a great job of adding a stylish look and can turn your small guest room into a living room in a flash.

2) Choose sensible furniture

You will inevitably need to provide storage options for your guests, but with a limited space you may find yourself up against a brick wall, unsure where to turn.  Below are some furniture necessities:

• A Narrow Chest of Drawers: This will allow your guests to store their clothes in an organised way, and it will also work wonders for your décor. Their slim design looks elegant and it will draw focus away from the floor: creating the illusion of a larger space.

• A Wardrobe with a mirror: Your guest shouldn’t be forced to live out of a suitcase, so it is important to provide a wardrobe. By choosing a wardrobe with a full length mirror you can kill two birds with one stone and also cater to their vanity needs.

• A Bedside Table: A bedside table will create a more homely feel for your guests. My top tip is to buy a bedside table with a glass top: any nasty drink stains can be easily cleaned, and it will also give a classy look to your bedroom.

3) Curtains should never be forgotten

You wouldn’t want to sleep in a room without curtains, and you equally wouldn’t want to sleep in a room with poor curtains. So the easiest solution is:

• Blackout curtains: They will prevent your guests being awoken at the crack of dawn and, on a hot summer’s afternoon, they will act as a heat barrier and transform your guest room from a sauna into a cool living space.

4) Add a personal touch

Whatever anyone tells you, the little things in life make a huge difference. Your guestroom is not a hotel room, so don’t treat it like one. Be sure to add the following to create a comfortable, relaxed stay for your guests:

• Pillows, Pillows, and more Pillows: By including an abundance of pillows you will make your room look warm and welcoming, and you won’t make your guests have an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

• A good stack of books and DVDs: By having a selection of good books and DVDs for your guests to enjoy it will make them feel right at home.

About our Guest Blogger:
Paul is part of the interior design team for Wedo Beds, an online retailer specialising in comfortable beds and bedroom furniture, and he is happy to share his design tips with you. For more information visit the Wedo Beds online shop.

Spiff up your BEDROOM!

If you’re thinking about a master bedroom facelift, consider a contemporary bed that makes a bold statement. One of my favorite styles of the moment is the faux leather tufted bed. Tufted beds really dress up the room.

To make the most of your space be sure to center your new bed on a windowless wall. Adding contemporary artwork, or a nice mirror and modern lighting will help to complete your new bedroom look. click here for more styles!

Tufted beds also go nicely with almost any style bedside table & wardrobe. I love bedside tables with drawers for my magazines and books. They are also great if you are looking for extra clothing storage space. Nesting tables are great for the bedroom too. And they can easily be moved to the living room if you decide to change up your decor!

Who really needs large closets when there are so many pretty wardrobes to choose from! My favorite wardrobes are those with both shelves and drawers inside.

Children’s rooms are most fun to decorate. One of my favorite styles as a child was the loft bed. Loft beds are great for small spaces as well. Set up a nice study area or cozy reading nook underneath the bed. Bunk beds are great for shared rooms. They take up very little space leaving lots of play room for kids. I love the look of a colorful striped rug beside a metal bunk bed.

Novelty beds are a great way to decorate a themed room. I know my kids would LOVE to sleep in a fire truck or a castle bed. These beds are affordable and double as “toys” for playing make believe!

HAPPY DECORATING!

Distressed, Pink Bed

A gorgeous full sized bed is for sale at Chrissie’s Collection. Light pink with light distressing, only $300! (wish I lived in the area, this is a bargain!)

Black Wall as Headboard

A dramatic but interesting idea! Too masculine or do you like it? Via The Brick House.

Funky Bunk Designs

by Christine Hart

If you’re helping a teen redecorate his or her bedroom, consider contemporary bunk beds for the colorful, distinctive styles and creative layout possibilities.

To make the most of your space and to choose the design that will delight your teen, there are several imaginative types of bunk frames you’ll want to browse. These bunk bed frame styles are great for inspiration while you’re in the idea-generating phase.

Funky Bunk Styles:

• Loft bunks (just 1 bed on top)
• Bunks with stairs (instead of a ladder)
• Bunks with desks
• Triple bunks

Rockin’ & Vibrant

Nothing says urban or edgy like bold blacks, paired with intense vivid color. Look for collections that come in multiple finishes to achieve this look. You’ll have a coordinated style, without committing to a complete bedroom set in one strong color. Browse Lea bunk beds from collections like My Style (shown above).

Soft & Subtle

Alternately, your teen might be into the softer side of design, and you’ll find bunks for this look too. Try the Secret Garden Collection (shown above with a pink loft bunk). Just the name can inspire more décor accents to really personalize the room. Think vine decals, a skeleton key-shaped wall rack – for keys or jewelry – and a wicker chair on the side.

Adaptable Foundations

Bunk beds are such a versatile design choice, you might opt for an understated finish that lets other interior accents establish your theme. In those cases, look for natural shades of wood, choosing the unique layout that best fits your space before you decide on the colors and shapes to surround it.

Vintage Poster Beds

I’ve been searching for a twin or full size vintage bed (like one of these) on Etsy/Ebay for weeks. I am hoping to purchase something under $100 to paint- so preferably something a bit chippy and not perfect/shiny maple! I love all 3 of these which I found on Ebay but they are all $250 plus… I’ll keep looking!