What’s in my Bedroom

Given I spend much time designing bedding collections, this is a frequently asked question.

Cumulatively over the years I’ve moved around and lived in many homes. From large scale houses to shabby shacks, (my personal preference), with both teeny and massive rooms. I’ve lived with city noises humming, ocean waves crashing as well as beautiful but elusive peace.

I have a common thread of design that finds its way into all spaces I have lived in, varying depending on what the home calls for. However, when it comes to my sanctuary of where I sleep, I have a very specific template. One that creates calming energy.

My nature can be anxious, often elevated on awakening and drifting off into slumber. Where that uninvited roommate chatters in my brain. And so, my bedroom is where I am most mindful to support my senses, of what I see, touch and hear.

Why I Always Return to White

While there are many soothing dreamy dusty pink and blue paint colors I have considered, as well as romantic wallpapers, and have also pondered a darker palette of teals which I have experienced as a guest, evoking a different type of sanctuary, but for my everyday place for my bedroom, I am always drawn back to the simplicity of white. A clean, non-yellow, non grey white. Depending on the brand, whites I like are typically called, All White or Bright White.To me this creates a cleansing palette, where my eyes can settle and nervous system can rest.

The Rituals of Winding Down

I like the philosophy of rising at dawn and sleeping as the sun sets, but especially during my days in England that is not realistic during the long summer and short winter days. But I do stive to wake up and slumber early. Giving myself wind down time between work or my endless to do list. To help my nervous system regulate, I sometimes pop on soft classical music or my beloved Enya, to begin the wind down process.

Framing the Day

Curtains have played an important role in my sleeping space. Giving me an intentional ceremony to open and close the day. My time in the UK has introduced me to the complexities of window dressings, from the fabric choices, linings, headers & hardware. My favorite has been made from silk dupioni with soft ivory black out linings, for both practicality but also to create a ballgown effect with giving substance to the silk. This is where I bring a soft shade of color, pale soft blush or a whisper of blue, which offset against the purity of the walls I find soothing.

However when privacy is of no concern, I have also enjoyed sheer voile embroidered or ruffled curtain panels, light enough to pick up the breeze creating pure romance.

The Absence of the Unnecessary

I love the informality of mismatched nightstands, flakey wood or distressed delicate carvings. But I have very little on my nightstands, as the absence of the unnecessary enhances a clear mind, no clutter, no distractions. Recently I invested in a small little white clock, to remove the temptation of the invasiveness to peace stored in our phones. The energy bursting for attention is counter intuitive to sustaining the aura of calm.

A Story of Peace

Lighting also plays an important role, for practical purposes as well as twinkling romance. So a chandelier is always an anchor in my bedroom, (with dimmer lights if possible).

One of my favorite lamps is that of a pair of porcelain doves. Whimsical but also doves symbolize peace, love, healing and grace which adds to my peaceful story.

I consider a small vase of flowers a meaningful accent, for beauty as well as fragrance. All part of the mindfully selected choices I make to contribute to the overall sanctuary of my bedroom.

Between Work and Sleep

Then for my bed dressings. I spend much of my days designing bed linens. Mix and matching large cabbage rose with little sprinkles of ditsy flowers. Ruffles and trims are a constant focus for me to be sure my collections have romantic often vintage inspired intricate details. However, to give some separation from my always inspired mind, I tend to dress my bed in white. My preference is a crisp cool cotton, 4 sleeping pillows and one big 30 x 30-euro sham. Mushy and fresh. Often, I don’t fully make my bed, but smooth out the sheet, fluff up the pillow and fold down the duvet, still intentional but allows for the bedding to breathe.

Whenever I walk into my bedroom I am always grateful for this sacred space.