Room Makeover | Eastern Shore | March | 2009
A 19th Century Bedroom With Lofty Ideals
The Problem:
The Phippses, who live in historic Centerville on the Eastern Shore, reside in a19th century Colonial featuring original beams, wood floors, and fireplaces. Though this spacious room and its nifty loft have much potential, the Phippses wrestled with everything from wall color to how to access and use their loft, which is not accessible from the bedroom. “The bedroom itself needs direction. I love my furniture, but am not in love with the curtains and everything else. If you notice I still have not finished painting because I don’t think the wall color works,” says Kelly Hardesty Phipps.
The Designer: Daniel Webster of Higgins & Spencer, Inc. in St. Michaels: 410-745-5192
The Solution:
Webster radically repositioned furnishings and suggested warm, elegant red or light green-toned fabrics for bedspread and window treatments to unify the room. To access the tricky loft space, he suggests that a small square be cut into the ceiling and a library ladder placed below; an attractive railing could enclose the larger “cut out.”
“First, I moved the king-sized four-poster bed’s position from a side wall to where it could face outward. A side wall, though sometimes a must, is never a good placement for a bed. You want to place a bed in a manner that you can see anyone entering or leaving the room. I recommend a loft ladder placed next to the armoire and a light and attractive railing to enclose the loft’s cut-out. My advice would be to keep the material as visually light and open as possible. For the windows flanking the chimney piece and to the left of the bed, I suggest roman shades or, if they want a softer look, balloon shades. For the shorter window by the loft ladder, I suggest simple plantation shutters. I would opt for choosing a green for the walls that matches the green in their room sized Kirman Oriental, which is composed of greens and blues upon neutral background. Blues can sometimes be cool and depressing. Strong or bright blues can liven up a room, but are better in a dining or family room. Green is a restful color and one that symbolizes growth. In particular, I recommend Benjamin Moore Norway Spruce #452, a ceiling white, and trim in a crisp white or semi gloss finish.”
A rolling loft ladder, courtesy Alaco Rolling Ladders
Fabrics by Colefax and Fowler suggested by Designer Daniel Webster
Benjamin Moore Norway Spruce #452
Tags:
home makeovers
daniel webster
19th century
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