Seaside Getaway Bedroom
There’s nothing like a vacation to soothe
your nerves and make you feel refreshed
– especially when that vacation is to a
seaside locale. Like the tide itself, the
calming ocean blues, waves lapping on
the shore, and the breezy, waving palm
trees all have an irresistible, relaxing pull.
But when schedules are tight and budget
non-existent for jetting off to an exotic
locale, a bedroom makeover could be the
answer to the need for wanderlust or
relaxation – or both.
Calm and collected
Creating a serene seaside retreat starts
with calming color. A soothing color in
darker tones of pastels, such as a steely
blue, makes for instant relaxation. Shades
should reflect the natural elements found at the seaside that range from pale, mossy greens to beiges resembling the color of sea oats and sand. Toned down whites are also good choices for trim and ceiling colors as this kind of color palette won’t create a stark contrast of bright white against the wall color.
Finish line
The finishes chosen for a seaside bedroom should be satin and dark rather than bright and shiny. A relaxing retreat features hard furnishings in dark, exotic wood tones, such as mahogany, deep espresso, and ebony. Paired with pale-colored bed linens, the dark wood colors look especially rich and exotic and evoke the feelings of a Balinese retreat or Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
The dark woods are also more noticeable against the soft tones of the colors on the wall with each complementing the other. Dark wood frames are also a handsome choice for art work. Framed maps of the locale or of local flora and fauna make nice touches for artwork. If antique maps or artwork are hard to find, substitute newer versions and wipe on a small amount of dark stain to create an aged look.
Escape Elements
Creating a complete seaside or vacation-feel bedroom relies on adding elements that round out the seaside appeal and
the feeling of escape. Beautiful, art-quality seashells make wonderful sea-inspired accessories for a table top or as art for the walls. Sea coral is another hot trend and richly evocative element that makes a good choice for a pattern, whether on the walls, on bed linens, or in fabric for curtains. Coordinated accessories work best when chosen at once, so try to group your accessories to be sure they fit within
your seaside theme.
Natural textures are also key choices for relaxation, yet they maintain the eye’s interest. The natural texture of a sisal
rug is appealing both to the eye and to the foot with its nubby feel. Select upholstery, throws, and pillows in similar
colors but with different textures. The textures have a layer of tactile richness and the similar color palate keeps the
calm feeling going. Choose baskets, boxes, and trunks, in rattan, wicker, or other natural materials to further the
travel and exotic ambience of your seaside retreat.
Creating a look
If you’re interested in creating a seaside
feel for your bedroom to make going home
a getaway from it all experience, you can
easily mirror the hotel or homes in your
favorite seaside locale, whether that’s
Bermuda, Florida, Hawaii, or even Goa,
Mauritius, or Java if an exotic oceanside
retreat is what you desire. Most hotels
feature websites with views of their
accommodations, allowing you to peer
in so you can recreate the look for your
own home.
So go ahead and peek – and then make
that look your own in your bedroom.
Then, a vacation can be just down the
hall anytime you want to go.
© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
All rights reserved.
