Designers Share Their Tips on Creating a Dreamy Oasis

Headquarters (left)
A headboard can be anything: an iron grate, an old wooden door, a tapestry, or a large-scale work of art. Here, a 19th century Chinese court painting makes a grand statement. Bedroom by Tyler Cobb
photography by Danny Piassick
Crowning Glory (right)
Frame a headboard with fabric, and it becomes more intimate. “I’m all about the bed,” designer Kimberley Miller says. “I like wonderful details in the bedding and an upholstered headboard, which is essential for comfort.” Bedroom by Perry Henderson
photography by Scott Harben

Walls on Wheels (left)
A mobile room divider, with Corian shelves on each side to display art, breaks up sleeping and sitting spaces and creates a sense of privacy without blocking the views. Bedroom by Mayowa Alabi
photography by Stephen Karlisch
Pleat Your Case (right)
Curtaining a wall adds softness and texture; a bold color such as orange comes off more refined than it might otherwise. Bedroom by James McInroe
photography by Stephen Karlisch

Double Up
Make your guest room transitional. Two twin-sized upholstered chaises are sofas in a living area by day. By night, add sheets and sleep guests. Bedroom by Rick Rozas
photography by Stephen Karlisch

Think Big
If you have limited space, don’t think small. A carved and lacquered Oriental screen and eggplant-colored walls are dramatic and intimate. “The bed is the most important element in the bedroom because without exception, it’s usually the biggest thing in the room,” designer Allen Kirsch says. “You can’t tuck it away. So, make it the focal point.” Bedroom by Julia Elam
photography by Stephen Karlisch

A Modern Classic
Traditional elements such as monogrammed sheets and a tufted headboard pair well with modern art. Bedroom by Muffin Lemak
photography by Timothy Kolk
Balancing Act
A lot of patterns are mixed here, but symmetry, repetition of color, and paired objects keep a feminine room from looking fussy. Bedroom by Susan Palma
photography by Timothy Kolk

Suite Dreams
To create a luxurious, intimate effect in a big space, use precious materials such as mohair, lurex, leather, silk, and hang a chandelier that looks like jewelry or art. Break up a large bedroom with cozy areas of furniture—a fireplace grouping for sitting, a well-lit banquette for reading, a luxurious bed and side tables for sleeping. Bedroom by Julio Quiñones
photography by Stephen Karlisch

Behind Bars
Casual ticking stripes, sheer muslin, and fabric covered walls restrain this ornate iron bed. Used in abundance, stripes become a
neutral, as they do here. Bedroom by James McInroe
photography by Steve Wrubell
Have Fun
Whimsical lilac gives a formal French tufted headboard a sense of humor. Crisp white linens let the color steal the show. Bedroom by Sarah Bloom
photography by Mali Azima

Bright Idea
Soft light is a must, so create diffused light from several sources. Pair a sconce with a bedside table lamp, and put all bedroom lights on dimmers. Use an unexpected color like pistachio, and temper it with neutral colors such as brown and cream. Bedroom by Jesse Neargarder
photography by Steve Wrubell