One of the most frequent requests I get from clients is to re-design their bedroom.  Everyone wants their bedrooms to feel warm, inviting and beautiful!  One quick look through a Pottery Barn or Frontgate magazine may make you feel like “why doesn’t my bed look like that?”.  There are some tricks to the trade to help give a designer look to your bed.

Layers

I love to layer a matelassé or quilt over the mattress and then fold a fluffy duvet at the end of the bed.  I specialize in the trifold (just folding the duvet in a z-shape) so that when you get in bed and reach down, that duvet just pulls right up over you.  A solid white matelassé is the perfect crisp look paired with a statement duvet cover and matching shams.  Instant designer look!  I often fold back the sheets and matelassé about 1/3 of the way back from the headboard to expose the pretty edging… look close in magazines – they do it too!

A bed skirt or a box spring cover

Every bed needs either a box spring cover or a bed skirt to cover the box springs.  A bed skirt will typically give a more formal vibe (try to have it skim the floor) and a box spring cover takes on a more modern, tailored look.

Pillows

I’ve heard it said that pillows are grown-up’s stuffed animals and I totally agree.  I get push back on the number of pillows sometimes, but they really are a key to a beautiful bed.  Here’s a good recipe for pillow placement.

• Lay your sleeping pillow flat.
• Stack Euros across the bed on top of those sleeping pillows.  You can also use standard (or king) shams here, but Euros will give even more height.
• Place standard (or king) in front of the stacked pillows above.  We’ve just created a great layer.
• Finish with decorative pillows.  I love two accent pillows with a little lumbar in front or to cut down on the number of pillows (just by a little… sorry) lay a long bolster to do the job of three accent pillows.

And I’m letting you all in on a great resource for bedding…. Tuesday Morning!  They have glorious designer bedding fundamentals:  sheets, matelasses, sham fillers and duvet inserts!  They are on my shop list every time I design a bedroom!

Here’s some bedding inspiration for you!

Low Country Interiors signature style is southern, elegant design.  But what makes a design “southern”?  The hallmarks of southern design lie in the balance of old and new and outdoors and in, with a feel of hospitality at its core.  The southern home doesn’t need to be perfect, but always ready to welcome an impromptu guest! 

Beloved Antiques or Heirlooms

Good southern design loves family and family history but no one wants to feel like their home is a museum or like it’s stuck in a time warp!  The key is blending a fabulous antique with a new, fresh, more modern piece to achieve a collected and rooted sense of style.  Traditional design is back with a vengeance, but what I think is more important is that a space is TIMELESS. 

In this image a traditional dining table & antique art are updated with fun accessories and a creamy sideboard.

A Luxurious Bed… and dare I say, a Four Poster One?

Nothing screams “southern” more than a four poster bed, but you need not have that level of formality to achieve southern style. A luxurious bed topped with layered linens and beautiful (and bountiful!) pillows is key! 

Monogrammed Linens

Reese Witherspoon once said, “If it’s not moving, monogram it!”

I like to use monogrammed linens in a couple of key places… towels, napkins and bedding.  A powder room is a perfect place to add some monogrammed guest towels.  The edge of pillowcase or on pillow shams is another place to kick up the southern.  Even a decorative pillow “casually” placed in a chair is a win! Last but not least, a dining table to make a mama proud includes beautiful monogrammed napkins!

Natural Elements

Southern homes reflect the beauty of the outdoors in their interiors.  We love to include florals in fabrics and wallcoverings and often you will find marsh scenes and birds in a variety of art and patterns.  Natural fibers like grasscloth, wicker and cane make frequent appearances in southern homes particularly along the coast.

This powder room features an iconic wallcovering that is all about the birds! 
It is paired perfectly with the walnut counter top and antique mirror!

Sweet Porches

Southern homes treat their porches… or verandas as they’re called here…. like additional rooms!  Rocking chairs or swing beds, screened or not, porches are a staple in a southern home.  Outfitted with outdoor fabric- covered cushions and pillows, rugs, even accessories and lamps, southern homes capitalize on warm breezes and awesome views.  And they’re the best places to sip tea and sit a spell!