Perfect Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Winter 2014

From an icy blue and white color palette to touches of silver and rich, menswear-inspired fabrics, see how a lackluster bedroom gets a winter-inspired makeover full of the season's hottest trends.

By : Brian Patrick Flynn.

To put a ho-hum Los Angeles guest bedroom to good use for winter guests, this 12x14 room's design was inspired by winter itself. From the icy blue and white stripes of the hardwood floors to the white birch bark wall covering, the room is wrapped floor to ceiling with touches of winter. Get ideas to turn your guest room (or master suite!) into a warm and trend filled haven.

Trendy menswear fabrics, metallics and nature inspired details come together effortlessly in this space. A playful mix of finishes, patterns and textures starts with the bedding ensemble, then makes its way throughout the entire room.

Old knit sweaters and men's flannel shirts that have been retired from your wardrobe can be given new life again as throw pillows. This trio of repurposed apparel includes a cable-knit sweater as well as a pinstriped button-up and a woodsy plaid flannel.

Similar to layering jackets with sweaters during the cold winter months, textiles cozy up this winter inspired bedroom. Ensure guests stay warm by leaving them extra-warm covers at the foot of the bed, like this off-white cable-knit blanket and cashmere plaid throw.

Rustic accents are often used to add winter warmth to interiors, but rustic doesn't just mean stone fireplaces, thick wooden beams or aged pine. Here, an old, country style cabinet door is repurposed into a serving tray with basic door pulls as handles. Greet guests with winter treats and hot chocolate during their stay.

Organic wall coverings are an excellent way to bring natural textures and colors into a room. In this bedroom, white birch tree bark adds instant winter flair. To fully envelope the room in this texture, it was installed on the walls, doors and the ceiling.

A collection of framed artwork and photography is simply leaned against the wall above the entry’s console table. A small table lamp made of mercury glass helps reflect the light it emits once switched on at night.

Often used in glamorous interiors, mirrored nightstands are an excellent way to add storage space, usable surface area and reflection into a room. During the day, any available natural light is bounced around once it hits the nightstands. At night, artificial light is reflected, which results in a sexy, warm atmosphere. One downside: Fingerprints tend to quickly take over the top and front surfaces. To keep mirrored nightstands clean, consider keeping glass wipes inside the drawer.

Vintage accents are an excellent way to add one of a kind detail to any space. To use vintage in a winter-inspired manner, consider mirrored table lamps from the 1970s. While the metallic silver surface offers a wintry touch, it also adds a fun, disco-era vibe. Or create your own metallic lamp by adding a chrome shade to a basic base. In addition to adding a cool accent to the space, the reflective surfaces help bounce light around the room.

While lying in bed, the entire winter-inspired bedroom envelops its overnight guests with subtle textures and a tight palette of coordinating colors. An old dresser picked up at a flea market for $100 was given a wintry update with a glossy sprayed finish. When choosing the proper blue for the space, a washed-out blue-gray was ideal since it added a wintry look without overpowering the room.

For extra clothing storage, the updated dresser was assigned to a long wall just 2 feet away from the bed. Its 12 drawers offer ample space for sweaters, scarves and holiday garb. A wedding image printed on canvas as well as a collection of bright white accessories create an elegant focal point for the room's far wall.

Texture is a non-literal way to bring touches of winter into your space. The look and feel of a cable-knit sweater is evocative of a winter wardrobe. To use this texture in an unexpected manner, consider ceramic or plaster vessels featuring the cable-knit pattern. You can even make your own vessels by cutting old sweaters to size and adhering them directly to glass or ceramic vases with spray adhesive or starch.

Fabric isn't just for window treatments and upholstery. Give your hardback books a designer update by wrapping them with medium-thickness fabrics featuring a wintry palette and a mixture of different patterns. To keep the fabric stretched taut, secure it to the inside cover using double-sided tape.

Seasonal trees aren't restricted to holiday use. Give your bedroom a graphic winter vibe with a metal candle tree that will light up the space on long, cold nights. It's best to keep candle trees at least one foot away from walls, window treatments and upholstery.

Perfect Ways to Use Exclusive Plum, Sherwin-Williams ' Color of 2014

Described as spiritual, mystical, romantic, and dramatic, Exclusive Plum is Sherwin-Williams 2014 Color of the Year! Unlike the newly declared Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid, Exclusive Plum is a color that a majority of us will look at and seriously consider its applicable use in our homes. Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams’ director of color marketing, describes the color beautifully: “This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential.”

While the previous example was decidedly modern, this space shows how a similar dusty purple can work in a room that is more traditional or transitional. The hue is superelegant paired with rich tobacco browns.

If you like purple-gray but are wary of using a large dose of it, consider employing it as a small accent color. Just keep in mind that if this is the only strong hue in the room, the eye will be drawn to whatever is clad in it. Make sure you are calling attention to something you want to stand out.

To keep the hue from feeling too heavy and somber, try pairing it with plenty of warm whites or creams. A wood floor also adds warmth and contrast.

This example shows how Exclusive Plum can work as a neutral base. It pairs well with shocking greens, bold oranges, bright reds and, yes, even Radiant Orchid. Just use the vibrant hues sparingly and mix in some light neutrals  shades of white, gray or tan  to keep the space feeling light and open.

I think this color works best in bedrooms. It’s a rather heavy hue, which is good for a room in which you want to relax and rest.

Here’s another nice example of how to work with Exclusive Plum or a similar purple-gray. It’s striking in this room against the warm gray and taupe as well as the bits of greenish gold.

Rugs are another way to bring fun new colors into a room. This beauty would look fantastic in a bedroom or living room.

If you like Exclusive Plum, but perhaps not on your bedroom walls, look for bedding in it. Cool purples are thought to reduce stress, so they are perfect for bedroom textiles.

Here’s another nice set of cool grayish-purple bed linens. This hue works well as a base color to which you can add accents of almost any other color. I can visualize splashes of blue, gold, chartreuse, pink or red added here.

2014 Perfect Window Treatments Styles Ideas

Pick the right treatments for your windows. Get to know the available options  valances, shades, panels and more  and how to best use each treatment with these easy tips

Valances 

 A valance is a little bit of fabric that does a big job. It hangs across the top of a window, adding softness, color, and pattern to a hard architectural element. Purely decorative, a valance helps establish a room's style. At its most basic, a slip of fabric can be attached to a rod with clip rings. For more detail, add pinch pleats.

Simple Valances 

The simple valance is a casual treatment that works well for family areas such as the kitchen, breakfast room, and bathroom. In rooms where privacy isn't an issue, the valance can hang alone. When privacy is a concern, the valance easily pairs with a hard treatment, such as a blind, shade, or shutters.

Box-Pleated Valances 

Those who appreciate a classic decorating style will fall in love with the box-pleated valance. This tailored treatment is a natural in rooms where you want a formal air, such as a living room, dining room, or master bedroom. The stationary treatment's crisp stitched pleats lie flat against a mounting board, which is typically attached to the wall with simple L-shape brackets.

The box-pleated design is easily duplicated on furnishings such as table coverings, slipcovers, or bed skirts to unify a room. Here, fabric-covered buttons accent the corner pleats on the table topper to mimic the valance.

Simple Swags 

Sometimes a simply knotted scarf worn around the neck is the perfect accent for an outfit. A simple swag on a window dresses up a room the same way. A loosely slung fabric strip, unlined or lined, draped over a decorative rod or wound over a tieback at each top corner of a window frame can add an abundance of style. The middle of the fabric strip acts as a valance; the ends, whether cut into opposing diagonals or simply hemmed, softly hang down the sides of the window.

Swags can be made of luxurious fabrics to fit formal decor or dressed down in cottons befitting a cottage or country home. The beauty of this style is its simplicity, so it's most appropriate used alone on windows where privacy is not an issue.

Balloon Shades 

For the ultimate romantic gesture, nothing beats a billowy balloon shade. This sumptuous fabric shade features cascading scallops that culminate in graceful, blousy folds along the bottom. Cords strung though rings on the back make the shade movable, and as the treatment is raised, the vertical gathers create dramatic poufs. Because this treatment usually remains raised, it acts as a valance more often than a shade. The amount of fabric used--at least twice the width of the window--creates the opulent look. Large designs can get lost in the multiple gathers, so opt for solid-color or small-pattern fabrics. Be aware, too, that the number of gathers, pleats, or scallops creates different looks within the balloon-shade and valance family. An Austrian shade, for example, has less shirring and is therefore more tailored than its cousin, the balloon shade. Because this window treatment is so showy, use it in small doses.

Tie-Up Shade 

Simplicity is the name of the game with tie-up shades. Sometimes called a stagecoach-style shade, this economical treatment uses fabric in its most unconstructured form: It hangs flat from a rod or mounting board, then the bottom edge is hand-rolled or folded to the desired position. Fabric ties, ribbons, or cords hold the rolls or folds in place. Adjusting the shade requires untying and rerolling it by hand, making this treatment more decorative than functional. Consider using it where you're likely to leave the shade down to hide an unsightly view or open in a room where privacy or sunlight aren't issues.

Roman Shades 

For the look of luxury without yards of flowing fabric, a Roman shade is a wise choice. When closed, the shade is a flat fabric panel. When raised, cascades of deep, horizontal folds are responsible for the tidy look. Cords strung through rings on the back of the fabric give the shade its mobility. Some Roman shades are made without dowels or lining, resulting in looser, puffier folds.

Roman Shade Tips 

A Roman shade can be mounted inside or outside a window frame. Though the shade is often used alone, it can be the practical layer combined with side panels or a valance. Appropriate almost anywhere, a Roman shade's level of formality is defined by fabric and trim choices. You could use plain muslin in a sunroom or toile in a master bedroom. Just be sure to choose fabric that can form handsome folds.

Cornices 

Think of a cornice as a wood valance, it is typically made from plywood, assembled with wood screws and corner brackets, then painted or covered with wallpaper or fabric and mounted to the wall above a window. Like a valance, a cornice can appear alone or team with another treatment. Because it is usually made of wood, a cornice benefits from being paired with a soft treatment, such as a curtain or fabric shade, to temper its hard lines. These structural lines are especially effective in rooms that lack interesting architecture. They can camouflage a window's wimpy trim or bring interest to a room that doesn't have crown moldings.

Rod-Pocket Panels 

Of the many ways to attach a drapery panel to a rod, few match the ease of the rod pocket. In this treatment, the curtain rod simply slips through a channel sewn into the panel's top edge. The tighter the fit, the more dramatic the shirring. For a ruffled header, sew a pocket a few inches down from the top edge; when the rod is pushed through, the fabric above it fans out to form a ruffle.

Rod Pocket Panels 

Rod-pocket panels are commonly made of lightweight fabrics and left unlined for a casual look. But don't overlook this style for more formal decor. For a sumptuous style statement, consider plush velvet panels shirred tightly on a substantial rod. Because panels don't slide easily on a rod, especially when tightly gathered, they're typically used in the closed position or held open with decorative tiebacks.

Panels with Rings 

Prickly metal hooks used to be standard fare for hanging draperies. Stuck into the back of a panel, the hardware was out of sight and out of mind. No more. Wood or metal rings that slide along a pole allow you to put hardware in a starring role, complementing virtually any style of drapery. Besides being fashionable, panels with rings are easy to open and close and offer an alternative to anyone who dislikes the cord-and-pulley system of traverse rods.

Tips for Using Panels with Rings 

Think of rings, rods, brackets, and finials as a drapery's jewelry. Hardware with unusual shapes, eye catching colors, or high contrast will draw the eye up, focusing attention on the top of the panels, window, and ceiling. Large rings can be hand-tacked along a panel's top edge; small clip on rings are fine for suspending lightweight fabrics. Some rings open and can slip through buttonholes or grommets at the top of the panel.

Pleated Panels 

In the world of window treatments, pleated drapery panels are the classics. They withstand the whims of window fashion, adding elegance and sophistication to any room. There are several styles of pleats, all of which are sewn into a panel's top edge to create a decorative header. Pleats are often formed with the help of header tape, which is available by the yard at fabrics stores. Sewn to the panel's back, the tape forms pleats when pulled. Hooks are then inserted into the tape and hung on rings, or more typically traverse rods, which have a cord-and-pulley system for opening and closing the panels.

Pleat Styles 

The most common pleat, the pinch pleat is a series of equally spaced single, double, or triple pleats that are pinched in the center, forming fans above and below the pinch.

A goblet pleat is similar to a triple-pinch pleat, except the pleating above the pinch is exaggerated with a stiffening card or paper to form a wineglass silhouette.

Pencil pleats are narrow single pleats formed in neat, tight folds.

Cartridge pleats are also single pleats, but they are spaced more widely and the tops rounded.

Tab-Top Panels 

The unpretentious look of tab-top panels makes them a natural for country and cottage decorating. There are many variations, but standard tabs are simply loops of fabric sewn into or onto the valance's top seam. The panel hangs relatively flat from these tabs, providing a good opportunity to showcase interesting fabric prints. 

Because the curtain rod is visible between the tabs, you can add decorative rods and finials for more impact. To maintain the fuss free feel this style evokes, use cotton or linen fabrics in simple checks, stripes, plaids, or florals. These are usually stationary panels, because drawing them across the rod can be cumbersome.

Easy Steps to Choosing a Perfect Palette 2013 Ideas from HGTV

By : Jennifer & Kitty O'Neil   


Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil are sisters and authors of the book Steampunk Chic: Vintage Flair From Recycled Finds. Their crafting, decorating, and flea market articles appear regularly in Woman’s World, Crafts 'n things, and Create and Decorate magazines. They also write for the websites of Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, HGTV, Fine Living, Parents, and LifetimeTV.
The O'Neil sisters were born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and are the granddaughters of Chic Young, creator of the comic strip “Blondie and Dagwood.” They share their enthusiasm and their fresh approach to crafting and decorating on their blog, RunningWithSisters.com, and on their website, ONeilSisters.com.


With paint and decor available in every hue imaginable, adding color to your home might seem overwhelming but it doesn't have to be! Break down the process with these three simple steps to picking a color palette for any room.

Design by Lori Dennis.

They are the questions every homeowner asks: What color should I paint my walls? How do interior decorators pick a palette in a flash when there are so many colors out there? It’s easier than you think. In just three simple steps, you can choose a palette for any room in the house.

Step 1: Establish a Mood

Start by thinking about the mood of the room. How do you want the space to make you feel? Tranquil? Lively? Romantic? That’s where color comes in! Different colors evoke different feelings, and it turns out those color-feelings are pretty universal.

If you want your space to be passionate and stimulating, embrace red as the main hue. Red is the color of the heart and represents life and love. For a warm room that energizes, go for orange as the dominant hue. Orange used to be a “makes-ya-hungry” fast-food color, but techies and fashionistas know it has been reborn into a vibrant color of the future. Yellow is also high energy, but in an uplifting and cheerful way. When you walk into a yellow room, you can practically feel the sun shining on your face. Moving around the color wheel, we have green, the color of nature. It creates an atmosphere that’s as friendly and comforting as the landscape around us. Blues are also abundant in nature and suggest the calmness and tranquility of clear skies and ocean waters. For a room on the contemplative and sensual side, pick purple  it combines the arousing qualities of red with the calming essence of blue. White is the color of purity and cleanliness, so use it to make a room feel clean and organized. The earthiness of brown makes a place seem grounded and unpretentious.

All you have to do is decide what mood you would like for your room. For example, if you want a living room that’s friendly and comforting, then you’d choose green.

Once you've pinpointed your palette's dominant color, tweak it to set a specific mood. Citrusy green and yellow work beautifully together in this vacation home. Design by Shelly Riehl David.

Step 2: Explore the Rainbow

You’ve chosen your main color, green, but there are thousands of greens, aren’t there? Yes, but don’t fret. You can tweak that green (or whatever shade you choose), again based on mood. Green is friendly and comforting, but if we mix that green with blue to get teal, we add a little calm and tranquility. Want a more lively and cheerful room? Blend green with yellow to get pear. Every color can lean toward its neighbor on the color wheel and pick up some of that mood. Red that leans toward purple is passionate and sensual, ideal for a bedroom. Red that leans toward orange is stimulating and energetic, a good choice for a kitchen.

Once you’ve figured out your main color, you’ll want to choose accent colors. If you chose calming teal as your main color, it can do all the moody work. The accent colors will appear in smaller amounts and won’t affect the mood, which means you can choose from anywhere on the color wheel. Try color-wheel neighbors to create a palette that feels harmonious. For example, enhance your teal with touches of green or blue. Reach a bit further around the wheel to add a bit more excitement. Just think how jazzy teal looks with lime or purple. The further you travel around the wheel from your main color, the more dynamic the combinations. If you pick the color exactly opposite on the color wheel, that teal would vibrate with red-orange accents, a look that is intense and modern.

Consider a room's style and decor when finalizing your color palette. Cool, tranquil blues suit this casual-chic bedroom. Design by Linda Woodrum. 

Step 3: Style Your Palette

Once you’ve selected a main color and accents, it’s time to match that palette to your decorating style. To do this, pick out a paint chip that includes your main color, teal. As you move up the paint chip, that teal gets lighter as it is tinted with more white. As you move down the strip, the teal has more black in it and gets darker. These different tints and shades coordinate with different styles of decor. If you gravitate to traditional, choose the darker, muted versions of your whole palette to help capture that traditional look. If your taste is cottage chic, go for a lighter palette. The extra white in those hues will suit your whitewashed furniture perfectly. But if your home is casual contemporary, you can use the palette as is. Those true colors will pop!