I know a lot of you will question my decision to switch out the gorgeous paint color in our bedroom, but wait!  I can explain.  First, I have wanted a red room in my own home for years now, but have been limited by the orange undertones in the hardwoods running through most of our house. Then, over Christmas it hit me!  Our bedrooms are carpet!  None of my kids were interested in a red space, so that limits it to the primary bedroom. What are the other reasons you wonder?  Well, if all goes according to plan, this will be a romantic and invigorating space that serves as inspiration to others. Fingers crossed it works out!  Finally, it’s just paint.  I’m doing the labor myself, so from a financial perspective, I don’t have much to lose.  Low risk, potential for high rewards. Red bedroom it is!

Note:  Some of the mentioned items in this post may be gifted or sponsored, but I wouldn’t have reached out to these comanpies unless I was sincerely excited to use them in my home.

  When designing a room, it is important to take into account the opinions and preferences of each of the clients.  In this case, there is one other “client” involved in this decision…my very patient husband.  While he really doesn’t have many opinions on anything interior decor related, he did seem excited about the prospect of a “more masculine color” than the current subtle pink. 

I grasped on the idea, “Right” I said, “More Masculine!” However, even as I said those words, I doubted there will be much of anything in this space that one would refer to as “more masculine”.    

 Let me explain,  I have a Burl Art Deco wardrobe that I keep my clothes in and the lines of this piece dictate a bit more feminine choices.  

Pair that with the red, almost clam shell shaped bed, ornate antique mirror, and heavily floraled chinoiserie screen, and we are squarely in the “feminine and romantic” zone.  As a result?  I say let’s roll with the girly vibe and balance out the strength of the red. Don’t forget, in the end, it’s just paint…and all of the other cascading tweaks that happen in a space as a result :).

Speaking of all of the tweaks…I want to highlight some of the small projects and upgrades that I am excited to add.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room…The RED PAINT!  After a week of carefully studying half a dozen samples and moving them from corner to corner, I’ve finally fallen in love with Benjamin Moore’s Cinnabar.  It’s a little softer than some of the reds.  Plus, it has just enough blue to keep it glamorous, and it is just warm enough to feel grounded and match my headboard.  I’m going to paint the walls matte using my fav Benjamin Moore Product, Aura.  Their matte is not only lovely, but quite durable. Plus it is self leveling and dries quickly.

Then I’m going to try something different.  I want a high gloss/ lacquer look on the doors, windows, and baseboards.  I LOVE the look of lacquer, but don’t have the time to strip these areas.  Plus, lacquer is very tricky to work with.  Instead, I’m going to try Benjamin Moore’s Advance for a similar high gloss-look for this red bedroom.  To aid in the prep, I’m going to try a new-to-me product called Fast Sanding Primer. It should help me get that smooth finish.  NOTE: Cinnabar doesn’t currently come in the Advance product, so we color matched it.

 

Be sure to watch my stories to see how this goes. I think the contrast between matte and gloss will be incredible.

This is an image demonstrating what Benjamin Moore’s Advance looks when applied.

Time for new bedding!  I found a really great flame stitch fabric and I have painstakingly sewn a new coverlet and ruffled bedskirt with contrast banding.  Normally I have my workroom do this type of thing, so this feels like a pretty big deal. Now picture me arrogantly blowing on my fingernails and wiping them on my shirt.   🙂

 I’m going to pair this with some lovely bedding from Annie Selke.  I wanted to pull all of the colors together with a subtle monogram and I opted for straight lines on the Trio bed linens to help honor my husband’s request for more “masculine”. I have used Annie Selke for rugs, wallpaper, pillow, curtains, and table linens.  They have such a fun aesthetic and good quality.  I might add this coverlet as well. 

 The vibe I want?  Eclectic.  The vibe I am trying to avoid? Hollywood regency revival time capsule :).  The easiest way to keep this space fresh and unexpected, aside from the paint, is the Art!  Enter ArtStar!  They have several pieces that I like and hope to use in upcoming client projects, but I am particularly drawn to this piece by Ulas and Merv called Sofa.

Ok, let’s be honest.  In the original makeover, my bedding and drapes in this space were a bit of an afterthought.  However now I have the time pull out a major surprise.  I’m channeling my inner Miles Redd, and have purchased gorgeous Schumacher Botticelli Trim.  I think someone needs to pinch me, and I CAN NOT WAIT for the mailman to bring me this purchase.

The Schumacher fun doesn’t stop there!  I’m going to add a lumbar of this GORGEOUS Schumacher Ruan Dragon Damask cotton/silk blend.  This fabric is a dream to behold!

Last, and certainly not least…I’m going to sew a box cushion with some a Royal Silk Embroidery by Schumacher.

So what do you think?  Will it work?  Am I crazy?  Check back in during the next couple of weeks to find out and don’t forget to follow the progress on Instagram.