Bedrooms should be romantic retreats

Bedrooms should be romantic retreats
By LISA BOONE Los Angeles Times

After revamping many homes on HGTV's Takeover My Makeover
and other shows, designer Valerie Bickford has noticed a
near-universal trend:

The bedroom is neglected. "Wonder why you don't have the
romance? Or why you can't sleep?" the designer asks. "It's
because we put ourselves last." Public rooms, such as the
living room and kitchen, usually receive the most attention
because they are what guests see most.

The bedroom, Bickford says, should be a sanctuary. Her
pointers on how to create one:

• Furniture: One of the most common mistakes, Bickford
says, is to line the space with furniture. "People have way
too much furniture in their bedrooms," she says. Her
mantra: "Declutter!" Edit furnishings down to a bed, an end
table or two, an armoire or dresser and a nice reading
chair.

• Kid stuff: Create a zone solely for yourself or for you
and your mate. The bedroom should have the ambience of a
vacation retreat, not a kid zone. "Your relationship with
your partner is primary," says Bickford says. Keep the
kids' toys out.

• Electronics: Gadgetry affects our psyche, Bickford says.
Her solution: Keep work space separate from the bedroom. If
space is an issue, Bickford recommends armoire offices,
which are available at varied price points, from IKEA to
Ethan Allen. "When you're done working, you can close the
door," she says. The one electronic gadget she'll allow: a
music player for soothing melodies.

• Novel décor: "Books are our friends," Bickford says, and
not just in a study. White book jackets look elegant on a
chocolate brown bookshelf. You also can place books with
covers in warm, brown hues on a white bookcase. The color
combination creates a peaceful environment. Bickford loves
chartreuse as an accent color. One last option: Take the
jackets off.

• Lighting: Every room needs task lighting for reading.
"Make the room feel like your favorite intimate restaurant
where the lights are low," says Bickford. Sconces, a
chandelier on a dimmer, candles — all will set the mood.
One unconventional suggestion: pink lights, which deliver
relaxed, soft illumination. You can read with them, too.

• Color: Think serene. Bickford recommends looking to
nature for inspiration. "If you're a beach person, look at
the sand, look at the sky," she says. "If you can't decide
if the color is right, put it up against sand or a fern or
the sky."

Go natural. You don't want vivid colors in your bedroom,
she says. She prefers deep earth tones — chocolate brown,
classic green — that make the room feel more intimate. "The
color of the walls are what is embracing you," she says.
Color accents can come via the bedding and artwork. Cafe au
lait, hot pink and white are one of Bickford's favorite
combinations.

• Extras: Flowers, such as hydrangeas, lilacs or pink
tulips, can make you feel as if you're in a fine hotel.
Linen spray can make your room smell heavenly. "Spray it on
your towels, sheets, pillows, your reading seat," says
Bickford, a fan of aromatherapy. A silver pitcher with a
matching tray might come from Ross, TJ Maxx or thrift
stores.

• Indulgences: For her mother, Bickford placed a bistro
table and two chairs in her bedroom so she could have tea.
Others may like a minifridge in the walk-in closet,
credenza or the bottom of an armoire, much like some hotels
do. "Fill it with your delights," Bickford says.
"Champagne, water, fruit. Pamper yourself."

• Pictures: Bickford likes to keep things simple. Keep the
frames in the same family: Go with all black, or arrange
photos in thematic collections or groupings. Try all black
and white. "People will take one photo of their kid, and
they'll plop it in the middle of the wall," she says with
dismay.

If you can't afford good artwork, frame your kids'
renderings or stretch fabric you love over a canvas, she
says. It's all about doing something interesting that makes
you feel good.

Bedrooms should be romantic retreats

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