Transforming Master Bedroom Into Retreat

Does it just seem like your life has become a little too—organized? What happens when the bedroom becomes just as sterile as the rest of your life and is no longer a retreat from the world and a place to just relax? Who says we can’t go a little crazy in our master bedroom and really deck it out the way we want and indulge ourselves? Hey, we work hard so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to play hard—in our own homes!

Transforming the master bedroom into your own private retreat is not nearly as hard or complicated as you might think. Sometimes, the subtle changes can have the most profound effects which is why you want to start with the light fixtures. Simply indulging your fantasies and choosing elaborate and intricate Tiffany lamps and matching ceiling pendants can completely revolutionize a space. The softly diffused light coming through a Tiffany lampshade will help set a relaxing tone in the space and make every minute in the room a treasured moment.

Where feasible, a fireplace is another great addition in the bedroom. While you may not be able to install a chimney and a genuine wood-burning hearth, you can buy a fireplace powered by natural gas. Easier to install and maintain, a gas fireplace in the bedroom will still generate a romantic atmosphere and is sure to become the only place you want to be on those long, cold winter nights! Be sure to buy a beautiful fireplace screen (a stained glass screen is the best!) or perhaps a stunning candelabra to really help set the space off and generate the right atmosphere. Locate great ideas for fireplace accessories at http://www.fireplacescreensetc.com.

Finally, the linens are something that can really define the bed and we tend to be quite conservative when buying. Sometimes, you may just want to throw on a set of “naughty” bed linens for special occasions (like when the kids are away at “band camp”!). Or, maybe there is just some special afghan that may be uglier than homemade sin but is the most comfortable thing you have ever known. The point is that the master bedroom should be your retreat and a relaxing place to come home to—this is the one room where the imagination should be allowed the most freedom so don’t be afraid to indulge your fantasies!

How To Create An Exotic Moroccan Bedroom

Moroccan d้cor is quite popular in modern homes, due to its dramatic jewel toned colors, gorgeous exotic patterns and luxurious Moroccan fabrics. Making a bedroom into an exotic Moroccan bedroom is a decorating project that can be very exciting. From choosing the Moroccan furniture pieces you like to finding the Moroccan bedding and decorating accessories that fit your taste and set the mood of your room, the shopping experience will surely be a pleasant one with so many Moroccan home accessories to browse through and enjoy.

How to Start Your Decorating Project

Start by selecting your paint color. What color excites you for your Moroccan inspired bedroom? You have lots of color choices with this theme. Moroccan d้cor spans a wide range of colors – from cobalt blue to saffron yellow; from shocking pink to brilliant red and gorgeous greens. Any of these colors would work nicely in this African d้cor. Offset with some earthy tones, like sand and cinnamon and your bedroom will definitely take on the decorative appeal of Morocco.

Use Moroccan Home Accessories To Complete The Look

You can add wonderful touches of Moroccan design to your bedroom with mood lighting using Moroccan candle lanterns or lamps. Use authentic lanterns imported from Morocco if your budget allows or you can achieve the same look and feel with beautiful Moroccan-inspired candle lanterns at a substantial savings.

There are many Moroccan lanterns and lamp designs to choose from. You can start adding that exotic touch by purchasing just a few Moroccan candle lighting fixtures. Hang your Moroccan lighting or place them on side tables or drawer tops.
Many Moroccan lanterns and lamps use candles as their light source, but they can also be electrical. The choice is yours. The advantage of using candles as the light source is that the movement of candle light enhances the romantic mood created by Moroccan candle lanterns. The flickering flame causes the shadow effects made from the intricate pattern cut in the metal of the lanterns to dance about on ceilings.

Heighten the mood in your romantic Moroccan themed bedroom by using scented candles in your exotic candle lanterns.

When it comes to Moroccan bedding, most designers suggest that you stick with spice colors. Your bedding can either match or offset the color scheme of your paint.

Add lots of pillows or cushions on the bed and on the floor. Use pillows with colors and patterns of Morocco. Moroccan fabrics or even some embroidered silk will help you achieve your unique exotic look.

Rugs are another great accessory for your Moroccan bedroom. Use decorative area rugs or authentic Moroccan rugs to soften the floor and enhance the authentic look and feel of your bedroom.

Use canopies or mosquito netting above your bed to give your bed exotic style.

Moroccan furniture, including Moroccan tables, chairs, wardrobes, headboards and chests, can be heavy wooden or wrought iron pieces. Ornate markings on the heavy wood are common. Metal pieces lean toward being “chunky”. If you want authentic Moroccan furnishings, you should look for Moroccan Imports such as intricately carved screens and carved furniture pieces with mother of pearl or brass details or intricate carvings and brilliant colors.

If you are having a hard time finding decorating ideas for your new exotic Moroccan bedroom, there are many Moroccan decor decorating books to choose from. You can purchase these books to find Moroccan decor ideas you would like to use.

If you are just getting married or buying a home and you like the Moroccan style, you can always put the Moroccan Imports you like on your wish list.

Any look can be achieved for less if you use your imagination. If you’re on a budget, buy accessories and furniture that give you the feeling of Morocco for a fraction of the cost.

Visit African-Images.Com to locate product resources.

In the world of interior design there is constant change of evolution and style, the latest craze in bedroom design is the French decoration style. There is little more romantic that a room with a luxurious French bed and accompanying stylish fittings. Not only will a French bed bring an air of romance to your bedroom but is a brilliant way to revitalise a tired looking room into one of sophistication and elegance.

Most French decor has a concurrent colour throughout, from the bed to the walls. These colours are usually light blue, shades of green and even gold although peaches, pinks and lilacs are becoming increasingly popular.

As long as the shade of colour matches the whitewashed furniture and adds to the distressed look the choice is yours, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Another great French design feature is to contrast the walls and soft furnishings with the bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Paint is not a prerequisite, French interior design regularly uses soft wallpaper patterns to compliment other fixtures in the room.

The bed is of course the most important aspect of any bedroom; for that distinctive French feel it is worth getting a rococo style bed with a plush, thick mattress and comfortable oversized pillows. The bed frame can be made of antique wood and should have a distressed look to it; ornate carvings are typical in paisley patterns and floral designs. The French love luxuries so do not scrimp on the sheets, plenty of linen in brilliant white or lace gives a simplistic clean look to your bed.

Added to the bed, other pieces of furniture should be oversized when trying to achieve the French look. A huge wardrobe combined with a chest of drawers should be in place while a dresser adds luxury if you have the space. If you have a large bedroom it is even worth adding a comfortable armchair or settee as well as other antiques made from wrought iron.

French bedroom design emphasises the window as a focal point of the room away from the bed. The use of long, flowing drapes tied back to frame the vista creates a stunning effect. Keeping the window clear is also vital in letting large amounts of light into the room, making it as light and airy as possible. Curtains should extend all the way down from the ceiling to the floor, adding a sense of height to the room and that luxurious French feel.

A hand painted screen near the bed can also create this sense of height and makes an outstanding design feature. It can also be placed in the corner to soften the edges of the bedroom and add a feeling of comfort. It can also add a romantic centrepiece allowing lovers to undress behind it in a seductive way, after all romance is a vital part of any French bedroom. Other accessories should include porcelain or pieces of artwork that are typically French and will help add to the look more generally.

In terms of lighting Tiffany lamps placed close to the bed are a brilliant way to recreate Art Nouveau style within your room. This classic elegance is easy to achieve and adds soft lighting to emphasise the romantic nature of your new French bedroom. A chandelier is also an advisable lighting solution if your room is large enough and can carry such a large light fitting. Candle holders are also ideal for adding romance and decoration for cosy nights in.

When considering your new French bedroom, remember to always follow your own taste. Thankfully it does not have to be an expensive look to achieve, even when considering the initial outlay of the bed. For a bedroom that is certain to bring romance and relaxation, the French style is the perfect solution.

If you are looking at French Country Decorating for your bedroom then there are few things that need to be considered to ensure that the finished look is right.

Firstly you need to look at style and colour. Most French Country Decorating designs are set against a background of whitewashed woodwork and are able to co-ordinate with a wide palette of colours. For a bedroom flowers and toile patterns can be used effectively. Where ever possible you should use materials that are luxurious to the touch, look at adding some traditional French lace if at all possible to the design or even some brocade may be included within the design as well.

If you like a bit of color, you could consider some light blue or light green walls or even a golden color. The key is to make it look faded or white washed as if it is antique. Match the colors in your patterns to the walls, curtains, rugs and accessories. Adding some antique accessories around the room with “chippy paint” will help to give it an authentic look for the French Countryside. Although these type of accessories are in demand today, you can still buy them at fairly reasonable prices in local antique markets and even some thrift or consignment stores.

Next we need to look at windows and lighting. For a more authentic French Country style the windows should look lovely with the use of soft sheers and tailored curtains and drapes preferably ones that will softly fold on to the floor to add that extra hint of luxury (so don’t go for short curtains). It is important to include decorative tiebacks, valances and swags in your French Country Decoration design. The lighting to the room should be ornate with the lamps (Tiffany style seems to suit this kind of design well) and which also help to accentuate the walls and fabrics in the room as well.

It is important that the furniture used in a French Country Bedroom decoration should be a few pieces which have been either wood stained or colour painted to help ground the room and make everything sit in perfect harmony with each other. Certainly a French Country style bedroom should be decorated using the most luxurious toile or floral bedding that you can afford as well as a ornate and gorgeous bed along with shabby chic furniture. Remember a French Country style bedroom should ensure that you are surrounded by beauty and style as you sleep.

But at the end of the day it does not matter whether you go for the country or contemporary look, what you really want to do is design a room that displays your taste and style.