Room of the Day: An Eclectic Bedroom With an Edgy Vibe
Combining flexibility with function and a good dose of high style was the goal for this San Francisco bedroom makeover
Wanting to give his simple, no-fuss modern bachelor pad master bedroom in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco more warmth and character, a twentysomething tech executive collaborated with designer Sara Cosgrove to create a masculine space that was stylish and functional. “A priority was being able to work on his laptop in different parts of the room,” says Cosgrove. “We also wanted to create warmth by layering textures and create interest by mixing textures with patterns.”
Distinctive library book wallpaper gave the bedroom the old-world vibe they were hoping to achieve, and created a striking backdrop for the client’s queen bed with a tall tufted leather headboard. Olive painted walls with sage trim, a gallery wall above the TV, closet doors with chalkboard paint and a hand-drawn design, and eclectic furnishings mix with Aztec prints and menswear-inspired fabrics to give this inviting space personality and a definite non-cookie-cutter look and feel.
Distinctive library book wallpaper gave the bedroom the old-world vibe they were hoping to achieve, and created a striking backdrop for the client’s queen bed with a tall tufted leather headboard. Olive painted walls with sage trim, a gallery wall above the TV, closet doors with chalkboard paint and a hand-drawn design, and eclectic furnishings mix with Aztec prints and menswear-inspired fabrics to give this inviting space personality and a definite non-cookie-cutter look and feel.
AFTER: Muted library book wallpaper with a matte finish is a stunning backdrop for the new queen bed. “It’s visually very interesting and dramatic and lends itself to the old-library look he wanted,” says Cosgrove, of Interior Design Fair. “It didn’t seem plausible to have lots of shelves with lots of books in that space.”
The wallpaper inspired the room’s rich color scheme, with warm tones that create a cozy feel. The tall, tufted, cognac-leather headboard makes a statement of its own, surrounded by four natural wood and iron shelves that provide space for a few of the client’s favorite books and collectibles.
A striking hanging pendant is one of the more modern pieces in the room that provides a twist to the overall old-world flavor. “It came in pretty late in the game and helped us deal with a junction box that was off center,” says Cosgrove. “It seemed like a great choice, since he’s young and in tech, and this creates a fun pop and transition.”
A kilim area rug under the bed anchors the space and provides pattern and texture. A handy C-table off the bed can be used for working on the laptop or as a spot for resting a cup of coffee or a snack.
Headboard: half.com/eBay; comforter, sham, sheet set, pillow insert: Bed Bath & Beyond; C-table: Cost Plus World Market; wallpaper: Andrew Martin; shelves, brackets: West Elm; kilim rug: Pottery Barn; pendant light fixture, bulbs: Inmod; wall paint: Olive Branch 2143-30, Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Majestic Sage 1532, Benjamin Moore
The wallpaper inspired the room’s rich color scheme, with warm tones that create a cozy feel. The tall, tufted, cognac-leather headboard makes a statement of its own, surrounded by four natural wood and iron shelves that provide space for a few of the client’s favorite books and collectibles.
A striking hanging pendant is one of the more modern pieces in the room that provides a twist to the overall old-world flavor. “It came in pretty late in the game and helped us deal with a junction box that was off center,” says Cosgrove. “It seemed like a great choice, since he’s young and in tech, and this creates a fun pop and transition.”
A kilim area rug under the bed anchors the space and provides pattern and texture. A handy C-table off the bed can be used for working on the laptop or as a spot for resting a cup of coffee or a snack.
Headboard: half.com/eBay; comforter, sham, sheet set, pillow insert: Bed Bath & Beyond; C-table: Cost Plus World Market; wallpaper: Andrew Martin; shelves, brackets: West Elm; kilim rug: Pottery Barn; pendant light fixture, bulbs: Inmod; wall paint: Olive Branch 2143-30, Benjamin Moore; trim paint: Majestic Sage 1532, Benjamin Moore
A gallery wall was created above the bedroom’s flat-screen TV, combining architectural prints and personal photos with special meaning in brass frames. “What’s great about a gallery wall from a budget perspective is that it’s big impact without having to buy that one really expensive piece,” says Cosgrove. “You can use several pieces and incorporate your own photos and create balance in the space.”
Olive velvet drapes add warmth to the windows and provide a seamless transition from the olive walls.
Floor lamp: yard sale; street life artwork: Fine Art America; drapery, drapery hardware: Ikea
Olive velvet drapes add warmth to the windows and provide a seamless transition from the olive walls.
Floor lamp: yard sale; street life artwork: Fine Art America; drapery, drapery hardware: Ikea
An Eames-style chair is combined with one of the more expensive pieces in the room, an iron and rope side table, to create the bedroom’s lounge area, replacing the desk and chair that sat there before. “We sourced a few options but really liked the unique shape and use of natural materials with this table and the texture it brought to the room,” says Cosgrove.
Bill Sofield Hex Side Table: McGuire Furniture
Bill Sofield Hex Side Table: McGuire Furniture
Aztec-print and houndstooth pillows add pattern and texture to the neutral gray bedding. “We’re a big fan of mixing and layering patterns, because it creates depth in a room,” says Cosgrove.
Aztec pillow cover, kilim pillow, houndstooth pillow: Etsy; Aztec pillow insert: West Elm
Aztec pillow cover, kilim pillow, houndstooth pillow: Etsy; Aztec pillow insert: West Elm
Iron bookends in different shapes and designs were chosen to stand out against the graphic backdrop provided by the library book wallpaper.
Bookends: Pottery Barn
Bookends: Pottery Barn
The painted nightstands with a dark finish on each side of the bed have the traditional shape with turned legs that the designer and client wanted, with a drawer for closed storage and an open shelf that holds a basket for remotes and other bedroom essentials.
The table lamps have an industrial feel and a unique look that fits with the room’s overall eclectic vibe.
Table lamps: Etsy; nightstands: Crate & Barrel outlet
The table lamps have an industrial feel and a unique look that fits with the room’s overall eclectic vibe.
Table lamps: Etsy; nightstands: Crate & Barrel outlet
BEFORE: The wall with the bedroom’s sliding closet door was previously white and nondescript.
AFTER: The sliding closet door now features a hand-drawn design by one of the design assistants, on chalkboard paint. “Wall paneling and molding details are costly, so we wanted to bring that in with a more cost-effective way and a fun way,” says Cosgrove.
Now the client has a more inviting bedroom with personality and character.
“I feel like ultimately we created a warm, inviting room with classical detailing with a twist,” says Cosgrove. “It’s a play on texture and pattern.”
Chalkboard paint: Perpetual Motion Painting
See more Rooms of the Day
Now the client has a more inviting bedroom with personality and character.
“I feel like ultimately we created a warm, inviting room with classical detailing with a twist,” says Cosgrove. “It’s a play on texture and pattern.”
Chalkboard paint: Perpetual Motion Painting
See more Rooms of the Day
Room at a Glance
Location: San Francisco
What happens here: Sleeping, lounging, working on the laptop and watching TV
Size: About 150 square feet (13.9 square meters)
BEFORE: The existing bedroom had a navy blue accent wall surrounded by white walls. The modern furnishings were minimalist, with a platform bed and a desk area that blocked some of the natural light coming in through the bedroom’s front bay windows.