Ready, Set, Begin...But Where?

I just got a Facebook note from a friend who lives in Portland, OR.  She said she is thinking about a make-over in her master bedroom, but is not sure where to begin.  Here is her question:

"When it's time to re-do the master bedroom, how do I pick new colors? Textiles first, since you can custom match paint? Artwork, then textiles....?"

If she lived closer, I would have been there in 5 minutes to help her talk it out.  I think picking colors and textiles is actually secondary to some key decisions which will lead you thru the process.  Let your room develop organically before your eyes.  I have written some thoughts to help you begin to create an organic decorating process and room transformation. 

Before you begin your project, there are some questions you should ask yourself - and your spouse!  Go in the space.  Sit there in the room and talk about your expectations, your wish list, your vision and goals.  Here are some key talking points to get you started:

Do you love anything in the room?  Determine what needs to stay and what needs to go.  For example: do you need all new furniture, or do you need to work with what you have?  Do you have carpeting you can't afford to replace or do you have an heirloom quality rug that you spent tons of money on and you need to work around?  Whatever it may be, is there something you committed to that must stay? 

What's not working for you the way it stands now?  Besides the aesthetics (the fabrics, colors and finishes), what needs to change with the function and format of the room?  Is the sun in your eyes in the morning - you might want some black-out curtains or to move the bed?  Do you need better lighting when you read at night or when you get ready in the morning?  Are your closets and dressers maxed out and you need more storage?  Do you have to stand on the bathtub to see yourself in the mirror - you might need a full length mirror?  Examine the floor plan and the problems in the room and make sure you address them when you are ready for the make-over.

What are your main tasks in the room?  Each task gets a check box and your room is not complete until all your needs are met.  Sleeping - check.  Romance - check.  Dressing Area - check.  TV Viewing?  Reading?  Computer?  Whatever else you do is your business!  But, your room should accommodate your needs. 

What kind of look are you drawn to?  Come up with some key words you would use to describe the finished product:  Peaceful.  Calm.  Cave-like.  Open.  Bright.  Dark.  Cozy.  Clean.  Luxurious. Simple.  Romantic.  Restful.  Zen.  Wild.  Also, cut out pictures from magazines of bedrooms that you like.  See if your spouse has words and pictures that match yours.  If not, each choose words and ideas that you can both agree on.  And keep those key words in mind while shopping.  If the words don't describe the piece you are about to buy, don't bring it home.  Easy enough!

What can you afford (Part 1)?  Realistically determine your budget - decide how much you are willing to spend.  If you want a quick face-lift, you can do that for a gallon of paint, new linens and a few key accessories - say around $500.   If you also need lighting, window treatments, and some additional pieces - give yourself $750-$1000.  If you need the whole shooting match - set your maximum limit and stick to it. 

What can you afford (Part 2)?  Another piece to this budget question is how long do you want to give yourself?  Say you have $200 to get started but you have a bonus coming soon and you will be able to do a little more then.  Or are you hoping to piece it together over a few months - a hundred bucks here and there?  Since you're not going to have HGTV cameras documenting your progress and make-overs don't happen in 30 minutes, you can take your time pulling your room together as your budget allows.  If you start slow, at least you started!  But, realistically set some goals for your timeline.  Do you have a house guest coming soon or a dinner party planned when guest might accidentally peek in your room while using the hall bathroom...Better yet - PLAN a party so you have a hard deadline and vow to get it done before the big night! 

Once you have answered these questions and figured out a little plan of action, go window shopping to look for inspiration.  This is where the decorating part actually begins.  Head to your favorite store with an open mind and bring your phone to take photos (so you can remember).   It could be a color you love.  It could be bedding you have to have.  It could be a vase or a lamp or a piece of art.  Find one or two things you LOVE and then pull your room together with those items in mind.  Inspiration might come from a throw pillow, or an upholstered chair, or a piece of art.  Pull your room out of that - like a rabbit out of a hat! 

I'm not a girl who likes matchy-matchy.  Try not to buy it all - NO BED IN A BAG, please.  Just get one piece, or two.  Then, keep your eye out for things that have similar colors.  Art does not have to match (ever heard the phrase "Real art never matches the sofa").  But, it should compliment the room in a different and interesting way.  Start gathering things you are drawn to and find a paint color that shows up in each of the pieces to pull it all together.  

So, I guess the short answer to the question that was posed to me...paint color comes last and it should come about organically.  First make some key decisions, then choose things you love, and lastly, the wall color will show itself to you thru your choices.  Don't pick the obvious color, pick one that is present but maybe not expected.

Here is an example of how organic decorating transpires.  I worked on a project in the spring with a friend.  She just wasn't loving her master bedroom anymore.  She knew she had to keep the furniture, the TV and she needed a spot to read with her kiddos.  Three main decisions were made and goals were set! 

Next, her inspiration came from a DKNY coverlet and shams with a bright, apple green color that she loved.  She also loved the idea of pairing it with black and white and she picked up a pair of lamps with zebra shades.  Now, how to pull it all together.  That's where I came in.   Zebra is tricky - it can be done - but very carefully...

We selected a bunch of throw pillows in different textures, shapes and sizes to toss on the bed.  Some were green, some were black, some were black and white.  I found a white duvet cover and some pillow shams with a black print and some splashes of apple green to tie it all together and make it look like it was all "on purpose."  Nothing matched, but it complimented our inspiration pieces.  We were heading in the right direction.

We were also working with her antique, traditional, Kindel bedroom set.  It is beautiful, but not modern or sleek - which is what she was looking for.  But, by choosing the modern and sleek colors to juxtapose the traditional elements, it worked.  In order to acknowledge the traditional style in the furniture, we added a chandelier (on a dimmer for romantic time) which had both classic and modern elements.  We also added two white leather wing chairs (she needed seating in her bedroom for reading with her kids) which were in a traditional shape, but modern texture. 

She originally was thinking she wanted the room to be painted apple green, but after seeing the amount of light the room gets - I suggested she go with a warm charcoal.  The bedding was light, the flooring and ceiling were light, and the wing chairs were light, so we could afford to go with some drama on the walls and draperies to balance and ground the bright, stark colors.  I chose deep, rich, black silk drapes to compliment the charcoal walls.  AWESOME. 

Around the corner in her closet and dressing area, we placed these black and white prints.  Fresh off the clearance shelf!!

Her inspiration was the apple green and zebra, but these elements are just small accents in the overall room.  If we had painted the whole room apple green, the special pieces would be lost.  Now, it plays off the black and white in such a fresh way and stands on it's own.

She absolutely loves the outcome.   That's really all that matters.   I think it turned out to be a great make-over, too.