Tuscan bedroom makeover

Tuscany - the name is golden. Graced by natural beauty and intrinsic grace, this breathtaking region of Italy is a masterpiece in itself. Towers, monasteries, bridges and vineyards - wherever you turn, there's an inspiring sight. Italians live with this legacy of stunning art and architecture and these visual treasures infuse and inform their sense of design.

When a client told me her bedroom was in desperate need of a makeover, I suggested we draw inspiration from this rich region knowing it is a favorite destination for both of us. She didn't take much convincing.

Challenges

Although the bedroom is fairly large in size, its footprint (or floor plan) is disjointed. There is a narrow landing and hallway at the entrance to the room that initially felt quite separate from the bedroom proper. My first challenge was to incorporate this lost space into the room. By painting the full bedroom area in a single colour, coordinating fabric within both areas, and adding decorative details into the transition space, I created the feeling of a suite, rather than a single bedroom.

Determining the Mood

One of the first things I like to establish with a client is the desired mood of a projected room makeover. Once I know what feeling the client wants to capture (dramatic, romantic, restful, energetic) I can more easily determine colour palette, fabrics, and accessories.

In this case, the client longed for a cozy and comfortable oasis to accommodate a variety of activities - watching television, reading, dressing, and sleeping - so a versatile colour scheme was essential.

Colour Palette

We agreed on an antique white Venetian stucco finish. In addition to providing an authentic Italian paint finish, Venetian stucco has the advantage of hiding imperfections in walls, a worthwhile consideration since it's an older home. For punctuation I chose accent colours from Tuscany, burnt Sienna (named after the red clay hills of Sienna), terra cotta, and yellow ochre. These earthy colours have the ability to absorb the warmth of daylight and give it back to the room when the sun sets.

Fabric Selection

In the bedroom, more than in any other room, our fabric choices come into direct contact with the skin. Choosing luxurious, sensual fabrics is key to comfort. For sheets, crisp cotton Percale is a favorite. Look for thread counts of 250 and 410 for the most luxurious feel. Cotton satin is slinky and sensual at higher thread counts (between 320-600). Linen, though pricey, is another sumptuous option.

In terms of pattern, a Tuscan interior will more likely feature a simple striped fabric than a floral one. Colours are usually soft and muted; however, you will find the occasional bright colours.

On the windows, we opted for a contemporary linen crewel with stitching to accentuate the shape. The soft scallop gives the main window a romantic look, where a tailored roman blind would have a more masculine look.

Furnishings and Accessories

The essence of Tuscan style is simplicity. Built-in furniture is limited in favour of freestanding cabinetry. Most of the furnishings are mismatched, rather than formal suites, and assembled as though they had been collected over generations. Once the main furnishings were in place, we accessorized with earthenware and pottery in blue, yellow and terracotta.