Simplicity

The simplicity of the purest white bedding, glass lamps and framed botanicals, hung casually but uniformly above the bed, lends this bedroom by Melanie Benecki a serene and lighthearted verve. White-washed wood paneling and a natural fiber rug impart the fresh, relaxed feeling of a seaside getaway, making this a room we’d love to escape to.

DESIGNER INSIGHT
“I always work with a room’s architectural rhythm to create a peaceful space,” says designer Tish Mills. “If a window has curves, for example, I mimic that movement with layers of flowing fabrics. In a bedroom, a calm color palette and soothing art quiets the mind. Blues and neutrals are beautiful, but keep in mind that any complementary colors will be soothing to the eye. Whether your style is traditional, transitional or contemporary, try to avoid harsh lines, and keep the finishes soft. I love using a significant object or collection as the basis for inspiration, but nix the clutter—which has no place in the bathroom, either. By creating plenty of storage, you’ll have a room that feels organized, spacious and light.”

Benecki's take on the bath makes the bathing place just as welcoming as a living space. Handsome, tactile materials that feel warm underfoot combine with soft fabrics for a room that's cozy to a divine degree. Who wouldn't want to spend some downtime in a lavatory as luxurious as this? Soaker tub, Waterworks.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS
“My idea of a cozy, serene bedroom has always been wrapped up in the precedent my grandmother set for me. Her gracious boudoir is the quintessential escape, awash in pure white, with a crisp coverlet—and just the right balance of Victorian walnut, Prussian blue, and a gallery of meaningful prints, watercolors and vintage photographs. But these accents are all but lost on my favorite element: a chaise lounge in the corner, where I spent many delightful childhood hours thumbing through picture books. Ever since, my dream master retreat has been defined by this essential upholstered piece, which, happily, can be equally at home in the bathroom as it is in one's sleeping quarters, creating a wonderful spot to while away the hours. Add a basket of plush towels or blankets, floor-sweeping draperies, and an étagère or pedestal table for stacks of books and flowers, and you instantly have a room that feels truly lived in and loved.” – Kate Abney, Assistant Editor

Produced by Kate Abney

Page 2: Serenity

Page 3: Comfort

Page 4: Simplicity

Back to Intro