Soothing Gray and Creamy White Bedroom With Coastal Style
A designer transforms a Long Island, New York, master bedroom into a light and airy space made for relaxation
Jeannie Matteucci
December 3, 2018
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish spaces, smart lighting and a good decaf dry cappuccino.
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish... More
A European ballroom is a fine place to hold a lavish party. But no one wants to sleep in one. Victor Bruno and his wife, Laura Miller, faced that dilemma with their Long Island, New York, master bedroom. A stacked-tray ceiling and wall panels painted to look like clouds in a blue sky set amid a backdrop of gold-colored walls didn’t exactly leave them twirling.
Designer Jeanne Campana came to their rescue, helping the couple interpret their desire for a more coastal, relaxing style into a comfortable bedroom retreat full of soothing grays and creamy whites.
Designer Jeanne Campana came to their rescue, helping the couple interpret their desire for a more coastal, relaxing style into a comfortable bedroom retreat full of soothing grays and creamy whites.
“After” photos by Kyle J. Caldwell
Bedroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Victor Bruno, a captain with the Fire Department of New York, and his wife, Laura Miller, a business executive
Location: East Islip, New York
Size: About 505 square feet (47 square meters)
Designer: Jeanne Campana
The renovated bedroom now includes a soft and serene color palette with grays, blues and touches of silver — “approachable modern,” Miller calls the palette — that creates a welcoming vibe for reading, resting, watching TV and enjoying the calming views of the spacious backyard. “Jeanne was really able to capture the essence of the environment I wanted,” says Miller, who saved photos from Houzz in an ideabook that she shared with Campana to help communicate the style she wanted.
Paint colors: Cliffside Gray and Super White, Benjamin Moore
Find a local interior designer on Houzz
Bedroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Victor Bruno, a captain with the Fire Department of New York, and his wife, Laura Miller, a business executive
Location: East Islip, New York
Size: About 505 square feet (47 square meters)
Designer: Jeanne Campana
The renovated bedroom now includes a soft and serene color palette with grays, blues and touches of silver — “approachable modern,” Miller calls the palette — that creates a welcoming vibe for reading, resting, watching TV and enjoying the calming views of the spacious backyard. “Jeanne was really able to capture the essence of the environment I wanted,” says Miller, who saved photos from Houzz in an ideabook that she shared with Campana to help communicate the style she wanted.
Paint colors: Cliffside Gray and Super White, Benjamin Moore
Find a local interior designer on Houzz
Before Photo
Before: Here’s a look at the original bedroom. In addition to the color scheme and ballroom feel, Miller and Bruno felt the frilly curtains, old-school chandelier and worn out wall-to-wall carpet had to go. “It felt dark and heavy,” Campana says. “They have a beautiful spacious backyard and wanted as much light as possible in this room.”
After: Campana enlarged some of the windows to widen the views and allow more natural light in. A cozy gray area rug over a new stained oak hardwood floor anchors the bedroom and adds texture and warmth. A modern ceiling fan with a light and remote replaced the chandelier.
Campana also modified the stacked-tray ceiling to complement the clean lines found elsewhere in the updated design. “I was looking up at the ceiling in the middle of the process and asked our contractor if we could square it up to make it feel more open and also feel like an enhancement for the room,” Miller says.
Shop for area rugs on Houzz
Campana also modified the stacked-tray ceiling to complement the clean lines found elsewhere in the updated design. “I was looking up at the ceiling in the middle of the process and asked our contractor if we could square it up to make it feel more open and also feel like an enhancement for the room,” Miller says.
Shop for area rugs on Houzz
A custom-designed floor-to-ceiling wood headboard in a grain stain and with upholstered gray chenille panels resembles headboards Miller has seen in hotels during frequent trips as a business executive. “For me, this headboard enables a much more fluid transition for this bedroom with a reading or seating area,” she says. “It enables the bed to become part of the room.”
Two white slipcovered armchairs, a round ottoman and a tempered glass side table create an area at the end of the bed for reading, relaxing and watching TV. “It really creates a highly functional sanctuary where I can relax, read and replenish from the day and from my frequent travels,” Miller says.
Stain for custom headboard: Rustic Gray, Sherwin-Williams;
Browse headboards in the Houzz Shop
Two white slipcovered armchairs, a round ottoman and a tempered glass side table create an area at the end of the bed for reading, relaxing and watching TV. “It really creates a highly functional sanctuary where I can relax, read and replenish from the day and from my frequent travels,” Miller says.
Stain for custom headboard: Rustic Gray, Sherwin-Williams;
Browse headboards in the Houzz Shop
Adjustable wall sconces with a swing arm allow the couple to read comfortably in bed. White side tables feature a lacquered grasscloth finish for a touch of texture. “I love these nightstands,” Miller says. “They’re fashionably understated but highly functional.”
The cozy duvet cover has an embroidered design stitched on cotton sateen.
Side tables: Frances 2-drawer side table in white, Bungalow 5; custom pillows: S & S Interiors
The cozy duvet cover has an embroidered design stitched on cotton sateen.
Side tables: Frances 2-drawer side table in white, Bungalow 5; custom pillows: S & S Interiors
Opposite the bed and seating area hangs a TV surrounded by custom cabinets with lighted glass display shelves for family photos and collectibles.
Custom cushions on the window seats hide storage. Roman shades keep the area open and welcoming. “Since we added those window seats, I didn’t want anything hanging like drapes that would make it hard to sit there and enjoy the view,” Campana says.
Custom shades: S & S Interiors
Custom cushions on the window seats hide storage. Roman shades keep the area open and welcoming. “Since we added those window seats, I didn’t want anything hanging like drapes that would make it hard to sit there and enjoy the view,” Campana says.
Custom shades: S & S Interiors
Before Photo
Before: An odd space over the garage presented a design challenge.
After: Campana created a reading nook by adding custom built-ins with grasscloth-backed display shelves, a deep window seat and ceiling millwork. A pull-out desktop on one of the cabinets gives Miller a spot to work on her laptop. “This is my favorite spot,” Campana says. “It’s like being tucked away and having a place to relax and enjoy all their photos and views of the beautiful backyard.”
Pro tip: “I’m a huge fan of built-ins and adding architecture to a room that didn’t have any before,” Campana says. “It adds character and makes such a difference.”
E. F. Chapman Darlana small lantern in polished nickel: Visual Comfort
Pro tip: “I’m a huge fan of built-ins and adding architecture to a room that didn’t have any before,” Campana says. “It adds character and makes such a difference.”
E. F. Chapman Darlana small lantern in polished nickel: Visual Comfort
Before Photo
Before: This view shows what the bedroom’s rear wall looked like before the renovation. Two small windows limited views of the serene backyard.
After: Larger double windows with custom window seats give the homeowners the improved views they wanted. Campana added a contemporary direct-vent gas fireplace surrounded by light gray porcelain tiles. The linear fireplace can be used most of the year and adds a sense of coziness to the bedroom. “Personally, I think all bedrooms should have a fireplace,” Campana says. “This room is so spacious, I really wanted to bring in a warm element.”
Now the couple have the light-filled and serene master bedroom they wanted. They might even do a happy dance.
Gas fireplace: Echelon II, Majestic; custom window seats: S & S Interiors
Contractor: Artistic Contracting
More on Houzz
Before and After: 6 Bedrooms That Offer Function and Style
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom
Get bedroom ideas
Find an interior designer
Shop for bedroom products
Now the couple have the light-filled and serene master bedroom they wanted. They might even do a happy dance.
Gas fireplace: Echelon II, Majestic; custom window seats: S & S Interiors
Contractor: Artistic Contracting
More on Houzz
Before and After: 6 Bedrooms That Offer Function and Style
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom
Get bedroom ideas
Find an interior designer
Shop for bedroom products
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Undoubtedly an improvement over the "before" but not my style at all, too traditional, neutral and boring for me. The built-in storage (on the reading nook picture) looks heavy, maybe just too much millwork, and on top of it all this intricate ceiling moldings. There are however good ideas to take home, like the fireplace surrounded by window seats, and the reading nook, which is certainly the best thing you could do in that space.
How lovely. That baseboard heating facade is beyond words - beautifully executed.
If I'm crazy picky, I'd be tempted to raise the fireplace 2' so sleepers can enjoy it from bed - or perhaps there's a way to organize seating to focus on the fireplace?
Wonder what's behind the closet door midway beside the bed? I'd bet a coffee station would fit in those bookcases, and replace the nook bench with the owner's 'favorite desk feature' - a full, comfy desk, file cabinets, and chair.
What a cozy space!
Beautifully done ... perfect in every way!
Thank you so much for sharing this project - both before & after photos. I have been talking about doing something similar to our master bedroom; having built-in cabinetry created and do away with large pieces of furniture. Your photos will help me share a visual outcome w/ my husband! Simply love all you've done & the sanctuary you created! Kudos!