Robert Frost-Inspired Bedroom

Design on a Dime : Episode DOD-506 -- More Projects »
Fifteen-year-old Cerita Bickelmann lives with her parents who, of course, decorated their home to their liking, but Cerita wants her room to reflect her tastes and personality.
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Before
The Dilemma

Host Kristan Cunningham meets with Cerita to discuss the design issues. Cerita wants her bedroom to be serene, peaceful and evocative of a Robert Frost poem. Currently, the walls are white and there is very little color in the room. Every surface is cluttered so she needs more storage. Her workspace is cramped and in need of a new layout. Both lighting and window treatments need to be updated.

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After
The Solution

Here's how the design team cleans up the cluttered bedroom:

  • The walls are painted an icy blue to start the room's crisp wintry palette.
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  • Design coordinator Dave Sheinkopf builds her a new desk that's in the shape of a leaf. He cuts the shape out of plywood and routes the edges for a smooth finish. He gives it a light green base coat then airbrushes a leaf design onto the surface. A bookshelf is used underneath for stablility and storage.
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  • Design coordinator Spencer Anderson highlights the wall behind her bed with a birch tree relief outlined with genuine birch pieces. The relief is made out of luaun and painted to look like birch trees. The actual birch pieces are used to highlight the edges.
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  • Cunningham camouflages the frame of the existing mirror with willow branches. She cuts foam core larger than the existing mirror frame and paints it brown. Willow branches are hot-glued to the foam core, then lightly misted with white spray paint for a wintry effect. The foam core is attached to the mirror frame with painter's tape.

  • The new silk bedding, matching skirted nightstands and silver lamps are sophisticated elements to balance out the room's whimsy.

  • The windows are updated with shimmering fabrics that make the room feel icy and magical.

    The Cost

    Bedding and accessories - $337

    • willow twigs: Michaels
    • sage green silk comforter and pillow shams: Cost Plus World Market - comforter #350228, shams #350230
    • green vase with purple flowers: IKEA - Respekt vase #70017139, Smycka Art flowers #80056696
    • silver storage boxes: IKEA - Klings, #60053585

    Furniture - $198

    • robin's egg blue desk chair: IKEA - Jules, chair frame: #40059885, seat shell #10059900/ Blue
      taupe table skirts: Target - #60010142

    Wall treatments - $177

    • green wall paint: Lowe's - Valspar American Tradition, color: Bali
    • birch bark sheets: Green Set, Inc.

    Window treatments - $163

    • green panels: Linens 'n Things - Sassy, #025883650791
    • sheer panels with sequins: Linens 'n Things - Glamour, #025883540795
    • silver curtain rods: IKEA - Index #83517483
    • finials: IKEA - Lyster, #20028102
    • tieback: IKEA - Konjugat, #73494683

    Lighting - $63

    • silver bedside table lamp bases: Target - #74000017

    Hardware and incidentals - $53

    Project Total - $991

  • Resources
    decorative project materials
    Target
    Website: www.target.com

    decorative project materials
    Green Set, Inc.
    11617 Dehougne St.
    N. Hollywood, CA 91605
    Phone: 818-764-1231
    Fax: 818-764-1423
    Website: www.greenset.com

    decorative project materials
    Ikea
    Website: www.ikea.com

    decorative project materials
    Michaels
    Website: www.michaels.com

    decorative project materials
    Cost Plus World Market
    Website: www.worldmarket.com

    decorative project materials
    Lowe's
    Website: www.lowes.com
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