Boutique Bedroom Makeover

Lindsey Hayes

With chic furniture choices and a small battle over paint color, designer Lindsey Hayes was able to turn a cold, contemporary bedroom into a warm transitional retreat where the homeowners can feel comfortable and relaxed.
Describe the homeowner's wish list.
The couple really wanted the space to feel warm and inviting. They also wanted it to feel swanky and special, almost like a boutique hotel room. And lastly, they wanted a seating area in the room.
What was the biggest issue the design addressed?
The biggest issue in their bedroom before I got my hands on it was the warmth factor. The space just felt too cold. Their previous furniture was circa 1990 and was too matchy-matchy and way too contemporary for the rest of the home. The walls were covered in a goldenrod paint color that matched the hardwood floors, and they really needed a large area rug.
Dated Bedroom Gets a Boutique-Style Update
See All PhotosDescribe an obstacle in the space.
My biggest obstacle in this space was the paint! The entire house had the same trim color, which had a slight tint of red in it, and the couple really did not want to change that. I tried to work around it by picking a “greige” color that also had a red tint to it, but the trim still stood out like a sore thumb. I finally convinced the couple that we had to change the trim in the bedroom and bathroom, so I had my paint guy mix up a series of colors for the trim, walls and ceiling. The end result is a calming neutral palette. (Think Restoration Hardware.) We got away with only changing the trim and doors in this space by painting the inside face of the entry door. That way the outside of the door still matches the hall and the rest of the house when it is closed.
How did the end result match your original vision?
Everything in the space turned out like my original vision and original design boards that I presented to the couple. The only differences in the end were the accessories I added to really push the look over the top.
What surprised you the most about this project?
I really learned a lot about paint selections during this project. It really helps if you have a good paint guy who can mix up some different colors and do sample boards before a lot of time is spent on painting the space.
What are the hidden gems that make a big difference?
The hidden gems in this design are the custom night stands that I had made by my carpenter. The couple loved the dresser for this space and wanted a similar but different look for the night stands. So we kept the same shape, added appliqués to the drawer fronts, and painted the pair with black lacquer. After that, we popped on fancy mother of pearl knobs!