Would you love to upgrade your bedroom but have no idea where to start? Let’s break it down and look at bedding, lighting, furnishings and materials that could spark inspiration for a sleep restoration transformation.

‘Why does bedroom decor matter? I/we are the only ones that see it’

You may already be well aware that your rest space is a sanctuary, ideally a zen paradise for deep repair. Our bedroom is where we rest our soul and allow the body to restore balance, to heal itself, to explore the realms beyond time and space. There is much research and yet much mystery as to what happens when we sleep. Are we leaving our bodies? Are our dreams subconscious memories, interpretations of daily events, are we connecting to collective thoughts, are we receiving messages or premonitions. Something we can all agree on is the importance of safety when we sleep. We realise that there is a vulnerability when our senses close down. And so connecting to this vulnerability - we might decide to bring care and attention into the space. Like wrapping a baby in a special blanket. We owe ourselves to care for and support that vulnerable state.

When we create a beautiful sleep space we are really demonstrating a sense of self-care and protection. The bedroom is the number 1 area I would recommend starting with when giving your home and soul a refresh.

Now how to start this process?

There are so many beautiful things to choose from and it can be overwhelming to begin putting together a bedroom that isn’t only white on white - or a jumble of things we like but don’t really connect. So the space can easily fall flat from disinterest or swing into chaotic over-function and disharmony.

An interesting mix of patterns and colours, sourced from Pinterest.

I want to share items that sparked my interest this week. Technically, we’re skipping some steps - usually we will compile a mood board and inspiration images - but for this article I want to jump right into items which could help with working backwards - reverse engineering things.

The benefit of being IN interior design means we are really searching and building an understanding of materials and shapes and designers and manufacturers. Our expertise comes from so many thousands of hours spent on the hunt. Its not just about if things are pretty, but is it cohesive and balanced - who is making the item, where does it coming from, is it ethical and sustainable?

Budget is a serious issue when we are planning spaces - but I want to request we leave that particular problem till the very end. It is quite incredible what we can achieve when we lift the limitations - just go on the journey and enjoy the show. Sadly, consumerism and capitalism have created unfair expectations on what things are worth and what they cost to make. So for that to be undone, we need to go on a journey.

The first item that I really have been thinking of is a set of sheets! I have a soft spot for sheets. It’s what you wrap your body in after all - for 8-10 hours at a time. This is the first place to invest in a sleep station refresh.

Choose organic natural materials for bedding when possible

These 100% Linen sheets in Olive Stripe from Carlotta & Gee start the show. I just love the olive stripe and the washed worn look. This 100% French linen material is OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring sustainable and ethical production. The sheets are pre-washed with volcanic stones, creating a very soft feel which gets even better over time.

After finding the sheets I began to look for a quilt cover. I absolutely LOVE the throws and blankets from Toast - a UK clothing and home wears company. I checked into their sustainability rating and while they are doing some good things - they need to work on their fair trade aspects. When we are sourcing or selecting any goods or items for our homes and interiors - we need to consider so many variable factors and arrive at a place where we feel comfortable - the convergence of our needs being met, what we can access and what we can afford. Toast is by no means the least expensive - in fact, the average consumer may find it difficult to afford. The quality and craftsmanship is very good, and for this reason is likely to stay out of landfill longer, be loved and appreciated for its lifetime and maintain its quality and integrity for many years to come.

Organic cotton is breathable and healthy for the skin

The Hand Stitched Organic Velvet Quilt in Pomelo caught my attention and would pair beautifully with the Olive Stripe sheets. This quilt is made from organic cotton velvet and natural undyed linen. It’s filled with organic cotton wadding and hand-stitched by artisans in India. This material is super high vibrational. For a safe, healthy and restful sleep, this beautiful quilt is a perfect selection.

Next I searched for a beautiful throw blanket. I was looking for something to compliment the light green gold, olive and oatmeal like neutrals. I then found a fantastic brand - TBCo from Scotland. TBCo is a B Corp certified company - which means they have a very high standard for ethics and sustainability. B Corps are leading the market in the area of sustainability and are demonstrating a deep commitment to the future of the planet and society. Recycled Wool Blanket in Charcoal Waffle would be a lovely contrast with the Poloma quilt, providing some texture and dynamics without being too heavy.

The TBCo Recycled Wool Blanket saves six garments from landfill. Wool is a very breathable and temperature regulating material. Wool blankets can contribute to a more restful sleep, helping you wake refreshed.

Now I’ve paired these 3 items together - I began to make a collage of the items I’d found. I want to check how the colours are looking - granted that computer screens can impact how colours are perceived - but companies have come a long way in ensuring that they represent their colours in various lights and give you a sense of how they will appear in person. Another reason why engaging a holistic interior designer can really help with this process! If items are ordered and are not true to the onscreen appearance - the designer will manager the return and replacement of a suitable item - with your approval of course! But this will all be taken care of as part of the service so you don’t have to worry about the labour and stress of returns and replacements.

Next I wanted to include a decorative pillow. I recently sourced a stunning pillow for a client and there were many variations on the colours available. I went straight to the site and picked a few images of different colours to pop on this quilt and blanket. I really loved the way lavender popped against the paloma and charcoal.

This gorgeous Abigail throw pillow from Christina & Lundsteen has been living rent free in my head for weeks! Handmade in Poland from 100% cotton velvet - the ‘almost yellow, pale lilac’ was singing in alignment with the Paloma quilt. Can you see how this is coming together and building a story?

Pillows are like stuffed animals for adults - do not underestimate the comfort and longevity when investing in pillows which feel amazing to touch and enlivens the ocular senses.

Bedframe!

I wanted to include a bed frame in this article as well. Now there are soooo many to choose from but there is a frame in mind which is quite accessible. I recommend the Ineshi Connect Platform Bed in walnut! Handcrafted entirely from sustainably sourced, up-cycled Rubberwood—no MDF or veneers are used. Made from repurposed solid wood the frame features unique imperfections making it truely one of a kind. At my suggestion, my sister and her partner purchased this frame and love it!

The Ineshi Connect Platform Bed made from repurposed solid wood

The Ineshi bed is sleek modern Japanese inspired style - of 16 reviews in total ALL of them are 5 stars! Impressive.

From there I began to think about the overall colour palette. So perhaps this is a little bit backwards to how others will pull it together, but I’ve found that my method works best from the centre and spiralling outwards and going in and backing it all up after the fact. In other words… you can start where ever you feel is best for you, so long as you understand the steps and the process so you can go back and fill in the blanks and write the rest of the story.

Lighting!

I went through quite a few lighting options. Nook Collective is a great place to look for lights. I initially looked at sconce lights and bedside lamps. I found a number of options and began to lay them out to swap around with the items I’d already found. A central ceiling pendant isn’t really required for a bedroom. If you have ample lamps and possibly some dressing task lights or lighting around the edge of the ceiling - you don’t really need to have a central pendant. However! It can be a really lovely look if you choose something soft and suitable for a bedroom. I love the look of diffused lighting through veils or gauzed fabric. Shout out to the California Pendant light.

Crochet Inspired Aluminium Wire! Stunning pendant from Nook Collections

This lamp creates a beautiful play of light through crochet-inspired aluminium wire! It brings a new texture to the space while also feeling soft and woven.

I like to make sure that there is a balance of elements represented in a room - earth, air, fire, water, spirit. This lamp brings all of the elements is a poetic balance. The cord is adjustable and the light is dimmable - a high quality piece like this will last the ages and never go out of style. It would be best with a slightly higher that usual ceiling. A 2.4 metre ceiling and there really isn’t space for such a pendant over the bed.

The bedside lamps I selected could potentially be improved upon. The Stringer Table Lamps are the right idea aesthetically - but I would leave these as place holders and comeback to them to see if I could swap for a better quality product from a more reputable supplier. These lamps don’t suit enough of my requirements for ethics and sustainability. Its important not to get too sidetracked and put off along the way when creating a potential room proposal. Just include the items found and go back to check and replace things as the process progresses.

Bedside tables

This was an area I could have gone in many directions with. I felt to play and invite a modern texture. I tried out other timber finishes similar to the bed frame (but not the same). I came across a set of fairly simple traditional style bedside tables - the Brightmoor Linen Wrapped Bedside Tables in Navy looked really lovely paired with everything else chosen so far! I loved how the navy played with the lavender and provided contrast to the lighter golden green quilt

Throughout this layering process, I’ve been connecting everything to the quilt - you might think that this is one of the last things to be concerned with since it is probably the first thing that can be changed. However, in my experience a really great quality quilt is going to last you years and years - expect to love it for a long time. Even if you do change it out - you’re starting with an item that you want wrapped around and protecting your body - a sacred garment, like a ritual robe. Bedding does not need to be disposable - especially if it is a natural fabric.

Walls and Flooring!

I played with some wall colours - starting off with greens, though instinctively it seemed that a darker charcoal wall would enhance the bright bedding creating the bed as the feature and the star. I found a Dulux paint called Yarwood and added it to my style board.

Since reading about Bremworth carpet’s sustainability ethos and efforts - and receiving samples - they’ve been the top of my selection for wool carpet. Te Aroha in Bronze is 100% New Zealand wool. It has a 15 year warranty and a lifetime stain resistance.

I then stood back and looked at the overall colour palette again. I saw the palette forming and made some squares in my style board to identify the core colour theme. We want to aim for about 5 colours in a theme, ensuring balance, harmony, alignment in colour values and mood. This would then help me to complete the finishing pieces within space.

Often we start a space with a rug or a piece of artwork - but you know me! I like to work backwards. At least in this hypothetical style where I’m not working directly with a client but I’m putting together furnishings while I experiment with items I find and like along the way. Since it can be very time intensive to find pieces that cross over that ideal balance of aesthetic, accessible, affordable and sustainable - sometimes we do have to take a different approach to putting a room together where the final outcome will resonate and align with our values and ethics.

To create this list and research these items and finish putting one room proposal together took me about 10 hours. Mind you - this is not with any editing or consideration to refining things based on client feedback. I would generally allow 20 hours for a room concept and documentation for a client. For reviews and amendments we would have to add on top of that.

Artwork that vibes…

I searched to find art pieces which connected to the colours in the room. Art is really special on its own - but the framing and matting is really where you can connect the art to your room theme. Art pieces can be reframed and new matting can pull out different colours from the piece, changing the look of you room. I loved the colour from this piece ‘Jungle Painting’ by Lina Jilani. I mocked up a silver platinum frame with a matching olive matting. The second piece I found was by Rebecca James called ‘Women at Sunset’. Again, I create a mock grey frame and a lilac matting. Be sure to follow the links and read about both artists!

The Rug!

I wanted to inject a source of light around the bed and so searched for an interesting cream rug. I just loved the Fjell rug by Anna Carin from Designer Rugs. Hand-knotted in 100% Tibetan Wool, designed in Australia and crafted in Nepal. Designer Rugs has a good reputation for delivering quality rugs and they have a wide selection of interesting pieces. Finding quality rugs can be tricky and they can become very expensive. I particularly love Benisouk rugs - and will share more on them in another article.

Now the room was coming together, and I spent some time putting everything together in two presentation slides - the first one showing all the individual items in a ‘flat-lay’ style and the second page showing how the room could look all set up.

What is your favourite piece from this list?

Style Board - it all began with the Olive Stripe Linen Bedsheets!

Today it became apparent that I need to create a gold green and lilac bedroom! This is the second room thats come together in this way - I’ll have to show you my room designed specifically around pieces of art I’d found - the opposite way that I worked on this one.

Elevation/ perspective: Styling a luscious bedroom for lucid dreaming

I selected the Soft Bench 72 by Gregory Beson from 1st Dibs. I was searching for patterned fabrics as I think an end of bed bench is a great way to add interest through a specially upholstered piece. I just love the Cascadia fabrics by Kelly Wearstler and this could have worked very well, though in the meantime the Gregory Beson bench appeared in the search and I felt that would be a nice ‘neat and complete’ addition to the room. I encourage my clients to spend their time on a few pieces and connect to some stunning upholstery. This is the best way to elevate your room into designer status.

The final additions of this project where the side chair in Plum and the accent pillow by Homme Upholstery France. In choosing these items I focused on the colour tones and shapes firstly. I would ensure that there is ample time to meditate and consider a design over time before starting. So there is time to swap these items with things that have a higher sustainability rating. However, when we are costing our project it may be necessary to make some compromises in order to come in on budget.

The next part of the process is to cost out/ create a costing schedule for the items. If we stared with a budget we could consider this along the way - however, as I stated earlier on - in order to furnish a space with quality items, quality materials, fair trade items, we need to understand how much things cost to make and procure. For this little daydream hypothetical, I chose some higher end items, but also included some very affordable pieces. There are a few compromises where I haven’t scrutinised the sustainability of items AS closely. Remember - if it is not directly and openly declared as a central marketing feature - it is probably not very considerate of ethics or sustainability.

I hope to have shown that to be completely and thoroughly considerate of all necessary factors would simply take more time. This puts designers in a compromised position when advocating for environmentally conscious products - we also require more time in order to find and arrange those items together since there are much less available on the market at affordable prices.

When hiring an interior designer - they should be ensuring the absolute best outcome for your investment - as you are paying for the experience and knowledge that can only be obtained over time and time again of researching companies and processes and furnishings.

A room doesn’t have to be put together in one day - but creating a cohesive plan is a great idea to start off with, it will make things a lot easier when shopping as you know what overall look you are working to achieve.

When you feel safe, secure and comfortable in your bedroom sanctuary, you could experienced enhanced capacity for astral exploration. With care and attention, your bedroom will rejuvenate your soul and replenish your energy for a fresh new day.

Holistic Interior Design is all about setting clear intentions and being intentional with how furnishings and materials are selected and arranged.

If you would like to discuss your project and bedroom space, for a Human Design consultation and an Intuitive Tarot reading - please feel free and welcome to book with me. 15 minute discovery calls are very welcome if you’re not sure where to start.

With perfect love and perfect trust, until we meet again, bless your heart dear one!

Connecting with you soon, Nat. x

Styling a luscious bedroom for lucid dreaming

Natural Flow Alchemy