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Room Tour: A Cluttered Bedroom Becomes a Calm, Stylish Sanctuary
A remote design service enabled a busy couple to create a tranquil bedroom where they can rest and recharge
With the arrival of a new baby during a nationwide lockdown, the couple who live in this Victorian flat were keen to carve out a tranquil space for themselves.
Their bedroom was the obvious place for this, but they were unsure about how to turn the cluttered space into a calm, relaxing haven. So they got in touch with Emily Eby of NUA x DESIGN, who provided a full online service to help them create a bedroom that reflected their needs and personalities.
Their bedroom was the obvious place for this, but they were unsure about how to turn the cluttered space into a calm, relaxing haven. So they got in touch with Emily Eby of NUA x DESIGN, who provided a full online service to help them create a bedroom that reflected their needs and personalities.
As the couple wanted to feel calm and relaxed in their bedroom, the main colour choice was a tranquil blue. However, it was important to position it in the right place.
“We put the deep blue behind the bed, so the couple can look out from the sleep area to bright white walls,” Emily says. “When they’re moving around in the space, they see the blue.”
The owners were also keen to add some brighter accent colours, so Emily brought in soft pinks and sunny yellows to complement the blue.
The space is quite tight, so Emily advised sticking to just one bedside table. “The lamp on the alcove drawer is accessible from the bed, so it made sense to compromise,” she says.
Cushions, Habitat and An Artful Life. Throw, West Elm. Ottoman, Habitat. Bedside table, Cox & Cox. Bed, Ercol.
“We put the deep blue behind the bed, so the couple can look out from the sleep area to bright white walls,” Emily says. “When they’re moving around in the space, they see the blue.”
The owners were also keen to add some brighter accent colours, so Emily brought in soft pinks and sunny yellows to complement the blue.
The space is quite tight, so Emily advised sticking to just one bedside table. “The lamp on the alcove drawer is accessible from the bed, so it made sense to compromise,” she says.
Cushions, Habitat and An Artful Life. Throw, West Elm. Ottoman, Habitat. Bedside table, Cox & Cox. Bed, Ercol.
The original space had a dark fire surround that, while attractive, looked quite heavy in the room.
The couple also owned some useful chests of drawers, which fitted perfectly in the alcoves.
Ready to renovate your room? Find reviewed interior designers in your area on Houzz.
The couple also owned some useful chests of drawers, which fitted perfectly in the alcoves.
Ready to renovate your room? Find reviewed interior designers in your area on Houzz.
Emily recommended removing the heavy fire surround and replacing it with something simpler and more contemporary. A beautiful piece of reclaimed wood now sits above the original insert.
“The couple were interested in using raw timber finishes and mixing deeper, richer woods with lighter ones,” Emily says. The raw timber mantel contrasts with the darker, more polished wood on the drawers, while a stylish yet simple pendant light brings the two surfaces together.
Emily also updated the small drawer pulls on the cabinets with a large brass design.
Drawer pulls, Decor & Decor. Lamps; baskets, all West Elm. Vases, Made, Habitat, An Artful Life and H&M. Artwork, The Poster Club and East End Prints.
“The couple were interested in using raw timber finishes and mixing deeper, richer woods with lighter ones,” Emily says. The raw timber mantel contrasts with the darker, more polished wood on the drawers, while a stylish yet simple pendant light brings the two surfaces together.
Emily also updated the small drawer pulls on the cabinets with a large brass design.
Drawer pulls, Decor & Decor. Lamps; baskets, all West Elm. Vases, Made, Habitat, An Artful Life and H&M. Artwork, The Poster Club and East End Prints.
To add more depth to the scheme, Emily introduced different types of textiles. “I’m originally a textile designer, so I love using interesting textures,” she says. “We mixed smooth, plush fabrics with more tactile textiles to create a cosy space.”
The ottoman at the foot of the bed is a useful, multi-functional addition. “It brings in extra storage, is a handy place to sit, and is somewhere the couple can rest things when they’re getting ready,” she says. “It was also an opportunity to add an accent colour.”
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The ottoman at the foot of the bed is a useful, multi-functional addition. “It brings in extra storage, is a handy place to sit, and is somewhere the couple can rest things when they’re getting ready,” she says. “It was also an opportunity to add an accent colour.”
You might also enjoy Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Bedroom.
A roomy white wardrobe is located on the opposite wall to the fireplace, so there wasn’t any need to clutter the shelves with too much storage. Instead, Emily sourced beautifully tactile baskets and vases to create a calm display.
“To add a fun element, we decided to take books the couple had already read, but wanted to keep, and line them along the shelves with their pages on show,” Emily says. “Adding greenery was also important as a way to bring life into the room.”
Plants, Patch.
“To add a fun element, we decided to take books the couple had already read, but wanted to keep, and line them along the shelves with their pages on show,” Emily says. “Adding greenery was also important as a way to bring life into the room.”
Plants, Patch.
For a couple who hadn’t ever worked with a designer before, this was a new experience. “They love the space and enjoyed the process,” Emily says. “They said we pushed them to think about things they wouldn’t have considered on their own.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this tranquil, contemporary bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What do you like about this tranquil, contemporary bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple and their two children
Location South London
Property A terraced house with two bedrooms
Room dimensions Around 4m x 3m
Designer Emily Eby of NUA x DESIGN
Photos by Veronica Rodriguez
“My clients already had a few key pieces for their space, but they lacked the confidence to bring them all together,” Emily says. “They knew they wanted some colour, but again weren’t sure how to choose the right shades.”
To gain insight for a client’s scheme, Emily always starts the design process with extensive interviews and questionnaires. “As well as finding out their style, we also ask how they want to feel in the space,” she says. “Then we try to marry the two.”