RETHINKING A BORING BEDROOM
I am trying to create an interesting bedroom for myself and my husband, but so many of the products available are too frilly or feminine to suit a man, and plaids or stripes are too unromantic and ordinary. Is there something I can do to make a room with character that would please us both?
Kathleen Page
St. Paul, Minnesota
In the last few years, there has been a great deal of interest in Anglo-Raj furniture. It is exotic, yet not extreme. The picture above, right is Raj by Revman. It features a sophisticated mix of colors and patterns on the sheets, curtains, pillow shams and comforter, adding up to a custom-designed look. The paisley and border pattern are unisex and lively; even though they are coordinated, they do not have a pre-packaged, stale look. The colors are also unusual and elegant. Note that the end table is not the standard piece, but rather a dark mahogany “odd” table that lends an eclectic air. The chair creates visual interest and a light scale. This is a room that doesn’t scream bedroom, but is still an inviting place to visit and relax.
CREATING A COMFORTABLE KITCHEN
My husband has recently retired and we’ve decided to do a major kitchen renovation. I love to cook and am always in the kitchen. I wish there were some way to devise a room where my husband could join me more to sit, read the paper or watch T.V. Also, it would be nice to have a dining area where we could eat like grown-ups rather than the pick-up area that we had when the kids were at home. Is this asking too much?
Lucy Palmer
Smithfield, Virginia
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I came across this picture (below) by Wood-Mode that looks like just the answer for you. The paneling on the cabinets and the concave drawer fronts give this kitchen more of a library feel, as does the crown molding and the base details. The drawers, cabinets and pantries can hold everything you could need. Get the hood cover for the stove top in the same style, so that there is an unbroken line of paneling. Don’t hide your good dishes and accessories—use china cabinets (here, the molded pilasters and pediment top make for great architectural interest). Look through a cabinetmaker’s catalogue; you can find a myriad of pieces to work with.
Place a formal dining set in the area by the china cabinet—it will fit right in and be quite elegant. A television could be incorporated into the center island. Be sure to allow yourself enough floor space for a wing or club chair and ottoman. Note how the dark green walls add a dramatic and elegant contrast against the warm yellow; the ceiling beams with the green and yellow create even more of a custom look. It’s a far cry from yesterday’s kitchen, and all it requires is imagination and planning. Good luck and happy cooking together.
Editor’s Note: Margot Gunther, ASID, is a designer who has worked on residential interiors, country inns and restaurants; her work has been featured in top decorating magazines, as well. Additionally, she has a great deal of experience in renovation and restoration, and an extensive knowledge of designer resources. |
