the master bedroom: details

My vision for the room was for it to be a calm, serene retreat- and since it was on the second floor, it would have a perch feel- almost like a tree house. I chose a color palette that was very soothing to us:  grays, champagnes, browns, creams, mushroom and a hint of turquoise.

The room is rather large at 14' x 30' and was a combination of two rooms. When we took down the original fireplace in the dining room (because of damage) we were then able to take down the chimney between the then master bedroom and a small cedar-lined closet and small master bath (both not original to the house). Where the bed is currently was the closet and the master bath was in the area of the french doors. It was an odd and awkward layout as you had to walk through the closet to get to the master bath.  We moved the master bath to the ell and took down the wall and chimney that sat in the middle of the two rooms- making a large master bedroom.  The whole East side of the upstairs is the master suite.

We added this fireplace in Phase I of the renovation. The mantel was found at a salvage shop in Portland, Maine. What I loved about the mantel was that it looks like a "cousin" to the original mantels on the first floor! As was common practice when the house was built (1850) items in public places would have been nicer/ more grand than the items placed in private rooms, like a bedroom- so that this mantel is similar, yet simpler is perfect. The floor is original in this room, though we did have them sanded and restained, as we did throughout the house.

The wall color is Benjamin Moore's Titanium OC-49 in eggshell finish, trim is Benjamin Moore's White Dove in Latex Stain Impervo.

(all my paint color from the house on my sidebar under "my paint colors")

Antique mirror found at Marche aux Puces (Paris Flea Market) hung with antique chain on door.
Antique marble urn turned into lamp.  Antique French table.

I was asked to describe my color palette, and I have long described the colors I use in the house as the colors you would see in a dried hydrangea-  aged, muted, worn color.  In this room I would say I have used more of the neutral tones from those dried petals.

Vignette on antique French commode. Aren't the birds the sweetest?!  They were individual gifts from my mother and my sister, Patti, one Christmas- the same Christmas! Each had purchased a pair of birds, unbeknownst to the other, as my Christmas present. They were both really excited about their gift as they knew I would love it....Over Thanksgiving that year they were telling each other what they had gotten me for Christmas and they both realized that they had purchased the exact same gift (my mother found her pair in Hawaii and my sister found hers in Baton Rouge.) They were so mad that the other had the same gift! And, I was so happy and thrilled when I opened them- first one pair, then the other- I love having four!!! The birds are well-fed, dining on real birdseed!

Caribou antlers.
here

Details of antique chair wrapped in natural linen with mushroom velvet interior and cushion.  Pillow is the same fabric as used on a pair shams on the bed.   Finish is as found!

This is the view when you walk in the room from the upstairs landing.  Antique Chinese ginger jars and jardiniere with lid.  Wood pricket found in France and iron candle holder found in Johnson City,Texas.  Old wicker trunk has leather straps (broken, but still there!)  Piece of forestwood on top of the basket.

After I had finally pulled the master bedroom together I realized I wanted/needed a small table next to this chair. I remembered this vintage concrete baluster that was in the basement (it is one of a pair) and this vintage copper Indian (India) tray that I was using on the upstairs back porch- luckily I just happened to have another vintage brass Indian (India) tray (that I couldn't pass up because it was so gorgeous and the price was great)  sitting outside in the winter elements developing patina since someone had overly polished it, so I just switched them out- this one came inside and the other tray went to the back porch.   (Everyone has an extra Indian (India) tray sitting around, yes?!;) The copper tray was perfect in the room as it has a beautiful turquoise patina.  A closeup of the table top can be seen here.
This orchid bloomed for over a year, went into a three month hibernation and is now blooming again!  The "Ella bed" is used, but rarely- as she much prefers our bed!

Antique French processional crosses.
Bases are antique glazed terracotta. We purchased the bases from a dealer in Kansas City years ago- he was tired of looking at them, so he sold them to us for a great price. I sold many found-objects turned into lamps with these bases, but here we used them (cutting at different heights for the right scale/balance) for each cross. The two other small bases are marble and alabaster pieces from old lamps.

A closeup of the bedding.  The two back shams were made using the reverse side of the fabric, as the colors were softer, more muted (the fabric is actually softer to the touch too.)  The two shams in front match the champagne-colored coverlet (discontinued, Donna Karan).  The large pillow was made from an antique rug; we found the pillow at the Scott Antiques Market in Atlanta.  The hint of turquoise in the pillow was the inspiration to add turquoise into the room.  The small boudoir pillow is a green/blue velvet (Como/ color: Gris from Calico Corners).  The same velvet is also on the ottoman at the foot of the bed (this is where Ella sleeps every night, with her own down comforter;) 

My antique Chinese ginger jars that I use in the room range in color from green to turquoise, so finding a turquoise velvet that worked with the whole range of color proved to be difficult.  I would bring home samples thinking they were perfect, only to have them read too "blue" or too "green" when in the room and next to the ginger jars. 

French doors which open to the upstairs porch here were added in Phase I of the renovation.  The original door that opened from the master bedroom to the porch is now the door to the master closet.

 

I used antique marble for the fireplace surround,  found at Nor'East Architectural Salvage (a great source if you are in the area.)  The antique olive jar was purchased from Mark Sage of Love Train Antiques in Atlanta (aka Bobo Designs.)  The chaise is covered in a slubby basket weave linen that actually has muted threads of turquoise running through it.  Brown velvet pillow from Ikea, topped with a pillow made from an antique tapestry piece.

Curtains are white linen, from Ikea.  Curtain rods are bamboo rods from the garden center ($1 each!)  The curtain rod finials are old curtain rings that I stained to closely match the color of the bamboo, and they fit over the end of the rod (with a little help of some tacky putty.)
The bed skirt is a natural linen and was custom made.

Pair of antique charcoal architectural renderings on the wall behind the desk.  The cream rugs are from Lowe's, and the black cowhide is from Ikea.   I researched using real lambs wool rugs, and everything I read complained about the shedding.  Some articles said that it would eventually subside, but some said that could take a year!  I even went to Ikea, put one on my cart and after being covered in wool dust-bunnies;) I carefully put it back.  Since we have allergies the faux rugs have worked beautifully, and the price can't be beat!

Antique French commode found in Avignon, France.  Antique Italian mirror purchased from a dealer/friend in Dallas.  The antique marble prickets were found on our first trip to the Paris Flea Market.  The 18th century wood candlestick (turned into lamp) has the faintest hint of having been gilded at one time, and has a real candle base.  Antique Chinese ginger jar.

The table and chair were found on the same day, in the same place as our kitchen pedestal table... it was a good day!
here 

The oil painting was a curb-side requisition found on a junk pile in Dallas!   I paired it with a beautiful antique gilt frame.  Design books sit on the table and I will randomly open to different pages for inspiration.  Antique English sterling and horn magnifying glass helps me see all the little details up close!
  This is the second entrance into the room.  The table with antique oval English urn is filled with white and cream alabaster grapes of various sizes.  For reference, the hall window in front of the urn is directly over the front door.

The story of the making of the headboard from reclaimed barn wood from our barn renovation is here.

The story about the finish on the headboard can be found here.

Both pieces of art were found at a gallery outside of Aix-en-Provence, France.  Me thinks we might have paid too much for the bottom antique oil painting as they gave us the antique watercolor of the cows!!  We fell in love with the landscape oil as it reminds us of the region.  It is painted by Barthelemy Niollon, who has works in a museum in Aix.   He was a close friend of Cezanne (though they painted with different techniques), and was a steadfast supporter of his work after Cezanne's death.  

In this photo you can see the other bedroom door.   This is the door most often used as it is just to the right as you come up the stairs.   This photo also gives you a view into the master bath and lets you see how the two rooms connect.

The crosses sit on an 18th century Georgian bookcase found at an estate sale in Dallas.

My assistant! 
It's hard work being Ella;)