marti8 and sheetalN, we do love waking up in there. I need a 9x12 rug to ground the space, but it's so much more serene with the lighter color and softer headboard. Makes such a difference! Before the room was a bit too masculine for me. BlackChamois, here's the link for the tutorial. As far as tutorials go, it was just ok. She left out the hardest part which was getting the fabric around the curves. We figured it out eventually, but it took some tries to get the fabric straight so it wouldn't bunch. nosoccermom, the paint color is BM Nimbus. I think it's either at 75% or 80% -- i'll have to check the can. I love the color - it's a true gray with no undertones. I've repainted both of my bathrooms with it. Here it is at 100% in my daughter's bathroom (sorry for the big pic): Here is a link that might be useful: Tutorial

Olychick, I totally agree with you about variation and depth. That's what I was going for, even though I know I haven't achieved it yet. I love texture in decorating. I bet softening even just a few of the edges more will go a long way towards what you're saying. This is definitely a work in progress. I really wish the lighting was better. I will dig out my real camera and try to get some better shots. Thanks, rafor. I also agree with you about the sharp edge of the top of the white panel. DH suggested dental moulding, but I don't like that idea. I'm more inclined to put up a thin, one- or two-inch shelf with shells and stuff up there as I describe in my OP to funk up the top of it...haha...love that!

I've linked below my favourite bedroom set from a pine & oak shop near us - we purchased new livingroom furniture from them this past spring and plan on buying the bedroom set from them in a year or two (need to save some money first!). I just love this set because of the high headboard and low footboard - it's a queen shown in the pic but easily imagined with a king which is what we have and our bed is screaming for some height as it too looks really wide in our room. tess Here is a link that might be useful: bedroom set

I agree that espresso furniture is rather dated, and I can understand being tired of it. I'd suggest getting rid of the chest of drawers altogether and minimizing the amount of wood exposed. The bed itself isn't bad, is it making the room darker? If it's all white already, it sounds like you're already making it brighter. Perhaps a lighter colored area rug to lighten the floor as well. If you have nightstands that are dark too, maybe different ones in a contrasting color or shape would help.