Master Bedroom Move-In Makeover

by Susan on March 14, 2011

in Bedrooms,Before & After,Decorating,Room by Room

The master suite is supposed to be a retreat to sooth the soul at the end of a long day.

But we just weren’t feeling it from this house when we first viewed it online. It felt dark, dated, and yes, it looked like a lot of work! The reddish-brown carpet and pink walls almost sent us running.

master bedroom before

But the layout was good, and we like the many windows for natural light.

So we persevered, and lightened it up with Benjamin Moore Ivory White paint (it looks a little lighter in the pictures than it really is). We also ripped up the carpet to replace it with a more neutral variation of brown, tan and beige. Whew!

replacing carpet in master bedroom

wall votivesAdding our existing furniture and made it feel like home (and saved money!).  I like the contrast between the light walls and the dark furniture.

The simple glass votives over the bed are hung in a linear fashion for a minimalist, contemporary feel. They are vintage Pottery Barn – not expensive and so many ways to use them!

master bedroom after

We did invest in new window treatments, but kept the cost down by buying “off the rack” rather than custom. The panels are from West Elm, white voile sheers from Pottery Barn, and bronze double rods from Crate and Barrel.

We also added the chair in the corner (from HomeGoods). I love the clean line of it.

Chair from HomeGoods

We purposely kept the colors in this room very calm and subdued. We played off our favorite print from our favorite jazz hangout (the DeerHead Inn in Watergap, PA) to bring a subtle splash of turquoise against the neutral palette. While this room is not very loud from a color perspective, we find it very soothing. And, as a Mom, I love that it hides dirt. ;)

turquoise accents

So let’s review side-by-side…which room would you have better dreams in:

Before

After

Here’s another view – notice the opening to the sitting room on the left? Yea, that’s another project!

master bedroom

Here’s the “before”…stay tuned for the “after” post! We’ll try to create a sitting room using what we already have. Time to start digging through the basement and garage!

master bedroom sitting area - before

Any suggestions for this sitting area? What do you find relaxing about your bedroom?

 

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Deb March 14, 2011 at 5:19 pm

Susan, It is beautiful!! I love it!

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Susan Jensen Smith March 14, 2011 at 7:11 pm

Thanks Deb…I’m sleeping MUCH better at night now!

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rosa March 14, 2011 at 10:40 pm

wow!!!!!!!!!!
that room is huge!
lovely details!
happy week,
Rosa

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Tracey March 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Susan,

Your room is beautiful! Very inspiring. :) Missing you here – hope you’re all doing great!

Tracey

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Susan Jensen Smith March 19, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Thanks Tracey – miss you too…come visit when the pool opens!

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Laura March 15, 2011 at 4:18 pm

I think it’s time for another project in my house! Love it, Susan – so beautiful!!!!!

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Swflrealtystaging March 16, 2011 at 12:29 am

for that sitting room, I’d play off that turquoise and grey… can’t wait to see it…

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Susan Jensen Smith March 19, 2011 at 6:26 pm

So far we have a black leather sofa to work with…

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Julie March 16, 2011 at 1:34 am

Wow that make over is like going from 1985 to 2011 in 2 clicks! Great job!

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Susan Jensen Smith March 19, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Funny…the house was built in 2000. Guess the 80′s lived on!

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Cathy~checkitoff March 23, 2011 at 1:27 am

the sitting area is going to be tricky because of the low angled ceilings. It looks like a nice space, but I am afraid that you and Leigh will bump your heads in there!! Love all you have done. Keep up the great work! Cathy

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Susan Jensen Smith March 28, 2011 at 11:39 am

That would hurt! I think we’ll have to keep any seating central below the window!

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