As is so often the case, once we we remodeled the primary suite bathroom into a treetop oasis, the bedroom portion of the suite was begging for some attention to keep up! 

This antique farmhouse and its twin next door have been ongoing projects for a couple of years.  Now we are getting down to the last few spaces.

The primary suite is tucked under the eaves of the top floor and has a fair amount of charm with its original antique beams in the low wainscoting, the texture of vertical pine paneling, original hardwood floors, and sloping ceiling lines and angles created by the dormer.

Existing Conditions

As always, we start with an assessment of what is there, and consider what’s staying and what might be altered. This room had:

• Painted walls and ceiling were all in an uninspired chalky white

• The bed, with its pretty iron frame, could only go on the dormer wall and is under a series of windows that doesn’t quite line up with the furniture.

• The white wall mounted HVAC unit sticks out against the dark pine paneling

• Valances cut off some of the light and visually lower the ceiling  

• A pair of dressers in another wood tone competes with the paneling

• Antique beams and low wainscoting fill the lower walls with unparalleled character

Here are the “before” pictures

Design Solutions

Choose an allover wallpaper in an organic pattern that marries nicely with the tree paper in the Primary Bath and has a light background.

Use the wallpaper on all the walls and angled walls above the antique beam low wainscoting. 

We selected this twiggy neutral wallpaper and our client had the perfect art pieces!

Paint the pine paneled end wall in a white that blends with the background of the paper and makes the HVAC unit less obvious

Add neutral linen drapery panels to the windows in a vertical stripe that visually raises the ceiling.  Make the rod behind the bed wide enough to span the bed AND nightstands.  

Add a neutral wool sisal rug to the floor under the bed for softness and texture

Use the existing mattelasse bedskirt and add taupe textured linen bedding (duvet cover and shams) for a tailored finish. 

Include accent pillows in a teal color that brings out the color in the bedside lamps, and a pair of textured pillows in a white on taupe cut velvet branch pattern that mimics the wallpaper .

Add a chair between the dressers, a third lamp, and simple accessories like a vintage vase of flowers, art books, tray, and brass accents to finish the room

What a difference it made to paint the pine paneling on the end wall and add draperies.  

The dressers were topped with a rustic verdigris metal urn-turned-lamp, a whitewashed wood tray with brass handles, and a vintage vase of field flowers.

A textured woven sisal chair and antique trunk were brought out of the shadows to serve the spaces between the dressers and at the foot of the bed.

No new furniture was purchased, but just these few updates dramatically transformed the space into an airy, tailored retreat!

Other posts you might enjoy from this farmhouse project:

A Farmhouse Primary Bathroom Before and After

Two farmhouse powder rooms with pizzazz

A Farmhouse Great Room Before and After

Inspired? How can we help you transform your private space into the retreat of your dreams? Contact us to start the conversation