Create a Personal Retreat

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1006 -- More Projects »
Interior designer Stephanie Cade provides tips for turning a spare bedroom into a personal relaxation retreat.

  • Paint the room in a relaxing color of your choice--a sage green is nice. Also paint any dark woodwork white.
PHOTO

Figure A
  • Place a sisal rug on the floor (figure A).

  • Bring in a comfortable chair with an ottoman. You could either borrow them from another part of the house or purchase new. Add a chenille blanket for warmth and comfort.
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    Figure B
  • Choose window treatments that make the room more cozy. We made these curtains using a few napkin rings and some wicker, Asian-inspired placemats (figure B). We simply placed the placemats over a wooden dowel painted black and added decorative napkins rings to one end.
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    Figure C
  • If you enjoy reading, set up a bookcase or shelves for your favorite reading materials. Add an end table with a nice reading lamp. Place a bamboo table runner on top of the table or bookshelf. Stain a lampshade to match the room and hot-glue sisal rope around the lamp base. Place a soothing rock fountain on the table (figure C)for a finishing touch.

  • Cover an old bulletin board with fabric to personalize your retreat space with favorite photos and other personal items.

  • Turn an old twin bed into a daybed. Just add an assortment of decorative pillows along the back and sides of the bed.
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    Figure D
  • Add a cozy feel to the bed by using a towel ring and some sheer fabric hung over the top of the day bed. Attach a metal towel ring to the wall near the ceiling (figure D) and centered over the bed. Drape sheer fabric over each side of the ring. Be sure the fabric is long enough to reach the bed.

  • Use uplighting in one corner of the room. Place a large pot filled with bamboo in the corner as well as a table with an orchid on it.

  • Add other personal touches with photographs or prints, candles, books or anything that will make the room a relaxing, enjoyable place to spend your downtime.
    • Also in this Episode
    TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1006
    •Household Moneysavers
    •Create a Personal Retreat
    •Vegetable Recipes
    •Tip of the Day