Sweet Respose: A serene retreat for an empty-nester couple

Our brief was to create a serene retreat fore an empty-nester couple. The room had good bones: it was well-proportioned with a lot of natural light, a beautiful four poster bed, and a tray ceiling. It just needed a little help to fulfill its potential. When we met with the client, she had tear sheets (I wish all clients did) that revealed her taste: they all shared a warm creamy mainly monochromatic palette, a restrained feminity, and an undated traditional sensibility.

We painted the walls in a creamy pale gold and re-carpeted in a luxurious stiae wool carpet. A custom double ruffled faille bedskirt and fine quailty Italian linens make the bed a retreat after a long day. Vintage Empire style mirrors with a custom finish flanking the bed provide a sense of architecture and symmetry, while the art platters above the headboard tie together the palette.

Interlined silk panels provide privacy at night, whil sheers allow in diffused light during the day. A small club chair upholstered in charcoal velvet provides a masculine touch to keep the room from becoming too feminine (there is a husband to consider after all), as well as a place for the clients to persue their voracious reading. Ottomans at the foot of the bed pull up to the chairs to provide more comfort.

Across from the bed, a custom nude (painted by me) provides a pretty view. This couple are not big television watchers, so there is not a tv set in the room.

Double doors provide access to the adjoining bath and closets. A faux finish on the door gives the look of aged cypress. Because this view to the bathroom contained so many doors--the entrance double doors, the doors straight ahead (they lead to his and her closets), and a door to the water closet (unseen, but directly to the right of the bath entrance), we decided that they needed to be features in their own right.

A chandlier provides a beautiful focal point, and is even lovelier against the pale blue-grey ceiling.

The extra long double vainities provides a beautiful display place for flowers and art.

The beautiful lucite ball chair (from the fabulous Visual Vamp at perch) provided just the right scale for the petite home owners and the right sparkle.

Togther these elements: creamy paint, sumptous fabrics, and sparkling accessories provides a soothing retreat for a busy couple.