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Project became family affair

The last time I decorated my bedroom was 12 years ago. Painted finishes reigned supreme as the perfect solution for reproducing the appearance of lush fabrics and wallpapers, and expensive stone at a fraction of the cost.
D01-Jan.-18-Travis
My new bedroom portrays the essence of a sophisticated boudoir – the glamour of lush window coverings and elegant wallpaper is back.

The last time I decorated my bedroom was 12 years ago.

Painted finishes reigned supreme as the perfect solution for reproducing the appearance of lush fabrics and wallpapers, and expensive stone at a fraction of the cost.

We were re-discovering the magical finishes that clever artists and artisans had crafted for centuries using paint and plaster.

Advancements in paint technology and experimentation simplified the secret recipes, made these artistic finishes available to a generation of enthusiastic DIYers, and a new passion for paint arose.

The upper walls of my romantic mid-90s bedroom were draped in trompe’l’oeil sheers, painted with shades of luminous sea foam green, and attached to the wall borders with painted gold rings. A classic fantasy marble dado was composed with shades of peach, light gray, viridian green and white.

Finally, I stencilled on a traditional Greek key border to separate and frame the stunning paint effects. Yes, it was a lot of work, but the results were worth it. I had a beautiful retreat in which to relax and sleep.

It takes a leap of courage to paint over such a detailed paint finish. Five years ago, I totally missed the stark stage, when everything was pared down and minimal. I persuaded myself that it wasn’t really me, and more time passed. But now trends are shifting as they always will. Richness and grandeur are back, and I knew it was the right time switch up.

It became a family affair. I took the plunge, rolled on a coat of primer, and splurged on wallpaper from my favourite designer, Tricia Guild, the huge talent and inspiration behind Designers Guild fabrics, wallcoverings and home furnishings. Designers Guild products are available across North America through your designer. www.designersguild.com.

Guild has revolutionized the world of wallpaper, and here has taken a traditional English damask design and infused a gentle array of shades into the paper so that its appearance changes with the light throughout the day. Then I needed a window treatment to replace the floaty white sheers. Window dressing is returning with a flourish, and my sister Joanna Jackson (Joanna Jackson Interiors), who lives in England, designs and sews the most elegant draperies.

Joanna chose two silk fabrics from the Designers Guild Collection that pick up the cream and gold of the wallcovering. Creamy shot silk uppers and gold silk taffeta are joined at the seam by a delicate and decorative trim which incorporates gold and silver. These drapes remind me of a wedding dress and complement the walls in tone and texture.

The bed is actually four newel posts with a plywood headboard, but after two coats of high gloss white paint it looks very contemporary. The gold finials, actually curtain rod finials, are the finishing touch. I have the most beautiful bed linens from Anachini. www.anachini.com.

Our son Max Rosenstein is studying to be a photographer and I asked him to take the picture of the finished room for this column. Working alongside your bossy mother is never easy, but he captured the spirit of the new decor with aplomb. My husband Hans and I are now happily ensconced in fresh surroundings, we’ve caught up to 2010.

Debbie Travis’s House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please e-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com