Redecorating the Bedroom

All this month I’m going to be talking about bedroom redecorating. I’ll also have lots of other useful tips for around the house, including 2 great design dilemmas. But I’m just finishing a much needed spruce-up of my own bedroom and thought it might be fun to focus on the room we spend so much of our time. The bed, below is from Portuguese company, Jet Class.

I’m asking all my readers to help me out. What questions do you have about decorating bedrooms? Trendy and soothing color palettes? Storage? Small spaces? How to add a little romance? Let me know what’s on your mind and all questions will be answered. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• An interview with SFerra, a premier linen company. Their sheets are a dream to sleep on.
• My take on decorating for teen and children’s rooms.
• How to dress the bed.
• Color and lighting to add softness and drama
• And lots and lots of bedroom photos to inspire you.

Take a moment to think about your own bedroom. Is there room for improvement? Are there products you’re searching for? Or, is your bedroom design perfection? Send me a photo or a bedroom design dilemma . Ask me a question. Let’s make August what it ought to be -¬† a restful and relaxing month.

IKEA’s Billy Bookcase – Red all over!

IKEA is ready to ship their 2010 catalog. I got a sneak peek at it. My favorite new item is their Billy bookcase in red. There’s something about adding a touch of red in a room that makes me smile.

What makes this nifty, thrifty ($60) item even better are the glass doors you can add. It transforms Billy into a more substantial piece. They’re not on IKEA’s site yet, but stay tuned.

UPDATE: I really got this one wrong. Sorry. They’ve come out with a new, deper bookcase with a chunkier door. It’s in their print catalog, but I’m out of town without my scanner. I’ll update again next week.

Miami Gym designed by William Sofield

Let’s all go to Miami right now! I need to move there actually. Because I know my new hip would feel oh so much better if I were toning up at the David Barton Gym.

This photo essay is from last month’s issue of Interior Design magazine. I’m generally in love with all things Moroccan and mid-Asian things these days. Though it’s not residential, there’s still a lot to learn here, in my humble opinion – beginning with the lighting. As you look through the photos, try to imagine how different the space would look without the atmosphere created by the marvelous lighting.

Let’s go!

A pendant globe creates movement on the wall that leads to the locker rooms. Movement in a gym – there’s an idea.

Everything in the reception area is authentically Moroccan. Color is the star here. Deep indigo. And the mix of materials – woods, fabrics, and metals. It has the feel of a seraglio as opposed to a gym. Nice atmosphere.

Above the reception area, the star-sparkled ceiling takes my breath away. Again, this is a total light show. So the next time you think about overhauling your space, think about lighting first.

Again, recycled glass in the spheres create a graphic shape on the walls. It recreates the stained glass shapes of Morocco. Pretty cool, huh? The place to do this at home is a powder room. That’s the place to go over the top with drama.

Hey, this actually is a gym! Funny, this doesn’t look like the YMCA, where I work out (and I think they did a great job on that). Three cheers for designer Sofield’s team.

This is close to one of my favorite parts – the women’s locker room. How cool is this? See what a little rope lighting tucked behind those lockers does to the room? Awesome!This is my second favorite area – the women’s locker room. How cool are those stencils? Very. The colors, the lighting – it all makes you feel so good you won’t care how many pounds you need to lose. Try this look in your bedroom or dining room. These are good rooms for drama.

The spa lounge gets its sense of movement from the different sizes of the colorful lanterns.

Men, how do you feel about the locker room’s entrance here? Masculinely understated, but it maintains the look. I guess men are embarrassed by drama in the lockers?

Here we see the spa area. I really need to be on that table right now. The tables are arranged in a row (next photo). The only I don’t like is the proximity to each other. I want to feel aloooone during my massage.

The look here is fantastic. Love the tents. Love the rugs. Love the tables and candles. It’s perfection. Just whisper. Shhhhh!

Has anyone been here? Make us jealous and speak. I also want to hear reviews on the design. Fire away.

images: eric laignet

Beautiful swimming pools

Why oh why am I sitting at this desk? I need to be in one of the many swimming pools over at Francine Gardner’s inspiring blog, Art de Vivre. I think this one, Sawasdee Village Resort in Phuket, is my fave. No, I think it’s this one. I can’t decide! They’re all so beautiful.

Check them all out by floowing this link. then take the day off and go swimming.