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Turn Your Bedroom into the Ultimate Retreat
(ARA) - People used to think of the bedroom simply as a place to rest their
weary head at the end of a long, hard day and call it a night. Today, the
growing trend is to turn the room into a stylish and peaceful retreat where one
can relax and recharge; and you don't have to spend a fortune to get the job
done.
Instead of making pricey changes like replacing the fixtures and furniture,
dress the room up with a combination of color, textile and accessory updates. A
good place to start is with a fresh coat of paint. It's the most inexpensive
change you can make, and the one that will have the most impact.
If you want to transform your room into a tropical oasis where you can just
relax, good color choices are green, brown, beige and tan. To make the room
appear brighter and more spring-like, yellow will do the trick. If you feel like
you need a daily emotional lift, go with orange or red; blue will make the room
feel more formal; and if space is an issue, violet will make the room seem
larger.
Once you decide on a wall color, move on to the bed. "One of the fun things
about bedding is that you can completely change the look of a room just by
changing the sheets," says Amaury Fremaux of Yves Delorme, a purveyor of
fine bed linens since 1845. "In the same way that people grow tired of
their summer clothes after a few months and look forward to breaking out the
sweaters and corduroys once the weather turns cool, it's great to be able to
shift from lightweight blanket covers and pastel shades to richer colors and
textures -- and vice versa."
These days, people are giving their bedrooms a coordinated, upscale look with a
combination of pettiskirts, top-of-the-line sheets, and pillows of all shapes
and sizes.
"Whether you're inspired by the design of the bed, the architecture of the
room, a favorite color palette, or even the memory of an alluring place, the bed
is the ideal canvas for creative exploration and the expression of changing
moods, likes, and desires," says Fremaux.
Yves Delorme just released its 2005 collection and there's really something for
everyone in it. The 14 original designs span three design sensibilities--les
romantiques for people who want a whimsical, romantic feel; les refinés for
those who want to create an aristocratic feel; and les décoratifs for those
looking to create a look with rich colors and striking design.
All of the designs elegantly combine colors, patterns and textures.
"Pattern adds drama and interest to the bed; the most creative beds mix
patterns for a fresh, one-of-a-kind look. The number of colors used in a pattern
contributes to its depth and overall character. The scale of a pattern also
determines its character," says Fremaux.
A large-scale pattern such as Rosa, for instance, makes a bolder statement. It
is more assertive, appears to take up more space, and creates more energy. To
counter the tendency of a bold pattern to dominate, mix it with a smaller, more
delicate one such as Palmettes for a dynamic balance. The key to successful
combinations is in understanding patterns that are too similar will compete with
one another. Combine florals with stripes or plaids, or bold patterns with
delicate prints or solids to let them play off one another in a pleasing
symphony of layers.
Fremaux points out that in addition to elegantly presenting color, design and
texture, all Yves Delorme sheets are woven of combed Egyptian cotton,
acknowledged as the best quality, longest-staple cotton in the world. "The
higher the quality of the cotton, the more luxurious the feel," he says.
The best-quality cotton results in a stronger fabric with a smooth, soft hand.
Once you dress up the bed, look for complementary accessories that showcase
texture -- quilted coverlets; throws woven of wool and silk; and accent pillows
in a range of fabrics, from pretty organdy to contemporary leather and suede.
And don't forget coordinating towels for the master bath to tie the whole look
together. "All of our collections include pieces that are intended to be
mixed and matched," says Fremaux.
Whether reducing the bed to its essentials or building a sumptuously layered
fantasia of colors, patterns, and textures, the look of the bed need not be set
for all time. The joy of linens lies in the endless possibilities they offer for
transformation without great effort or expense.
To see all the designs Yves Delorme has to offer, log on to www.yvesdelorme.com.
There you'll find an extensive look at the collection, a place to order a
catalog, and a store locator if you'd prefer to visit a retailer near you.
Courtesy of ARA Content