Suite Dreams
Whimsy is the secret to beach house décor |
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At end of a long day, retire in style and comfort — in your bedroom. Here are a dozen ideas for decorating a soothing haven.
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Delicious romantic canopies
Sheerly white canopy
Surrounded in sheer white curtains, this bed feels cozy and airy at the same time. The panels are bordered in lengths of white satin, adding a bit of glamour and glow. Dark wood tones are the only other colors in the space, creating a serene getaway. |
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This contemporary bedroom gets a shot of personality and interest from canopy draperies hung fron the unusual geometric bed frame. The fabric panels are made of striped fabric hung from tabs — an easy treatment that can be custom made or purchased ready-made. |  |
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| Budget canopy bed |
 | Do you live in an apartment or rental housing? You can still get the look of a canopy bed by hanging fabric panels from curtain rings or hoops suspended from the ceiling. Measure for this effect by installing the hardware and looping a string up and over the rings, allowing another 24 inches so the fabric will puddle gracefully on the floor. |
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Crisp and fresh
Color cues
The bold use of color on the wall, as well as the accent quilt and bed skirt, creates a pleasant counterpoint to the white comforter. The color also helps distract the eye from the room's small scale. A charmingly curlicued headboard gives this bed focal-point impact, yet its open design keeps it from overpowering the modestly sized sleeping area. |
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| There's just enough space around the bed for bed making and for access to a walk-in closet. The lamps at either side of the bed are at the perfect height for reading, as they've been placed on a taller-than-usual side table. |
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Romance in white
Buckwheat hulls:This fill, which has been used abroad for centuries, is relatively new to the United States. The pillows are generally smaller than standard pillows, they mold easily to form, and they are not conducive to dust mites, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers. Some people find them annoying and noisy to sleep on, however, so before buying one, ask if it is returnable, or consider purchasing a small size to try out the feel. |
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Fresh color comfort
Nothing says romance like flowers and piles of down-soft pillows. This white bed has been alluringly angled into a corner and framed with floral draperies. Antique furnishings lend a sophisticated air while the skirted table brings a feminine touch. |  |
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The right colors and fabrics add elegance to your decor.
| Romancing the room
Luxurious lair
A silk fabric and tufted design can create a mood of luxury and sophistication. Drape a lined bed hanging, and a bedroom feels as sensual as a European villa. When your decorating goal is an opulent air, work in shades of gold, shell pink, and amber. Check with a quality fabric store for fine fabrics suitable for upholstered headboards. Fabric stores are also sources of workrooms that make custom headboards. | |
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French dressing
Toile de Jouy fabrics, for which one color is printed over a neutral background or the reverse, lend themselves to tailored applications appropriate to master bedrooms. When your goal is a bed that's sophisticated and not fussy, decorate with select touches of this French-inspired scenic print, shown here. For a no-fail scheme, use only colors in the toile, avoiding the distraction of competing hues. |  |
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| Old-Fashioned elegance |
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Exuding all of the charms of a country inn, this master bedroom teams a slim four-poster under a canopy of intricately crocheted netting. The yesteryear-inspired bed is paired with delicate pink and peach sponged walls, to keep the look light and airy. See-through furnishings -- such as this gauzy netting -- as well as glass-top tables and lightly scaled furniture provide airiness to a room. |
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