Relax, Rest, Sleep

Whether it’s big or small, turn your bedroom into a private retreat with inspiring ideas from these creative designers.

- Mary Jane Harris

SERENE COMFORT

For her own en suite bedroom, Jo’burg interior designer Sheila Jorgensen of White on White Interiors envisaged an airy, tranquil space with the emphasis on luxury and comfort. “The room had good proportions and plenty of natural light. The only major change I made was to remove the existing cupboards. There simply wasn’t enough space, and fortunately we had a guest bedroom that I could transform into a dressing room.”

Sheila began by wallpapering the entire room with hessian paper. White linen curtains add a crisp accent, echoed in the white bedside tables and lamps from Cécile & Boyd. “I had both the mirrors, and painted an existing chest of drawers in a similar aqua shade to the headboard fabric.” For added comfort, Sheila layered a carpet from Belgotex with a neutral rug. Down pillows and bedlinen from Ginger Cat are pure luxe, and Sheila dressed thebed with an Indian cotton throw. “After a long day, you want to feel as though you’re sinking into a pile of feathers.”

Sheila adds that it’s important to create a ‘wow’ factor. “Bedrooms are a place of escape and rest, but you also want to make a glamorous statement.” Sophisticated touches are evident throughout the room: the pair of porcelain dogs inherited from her mother-in law; a bust from Amatuli is placed next to a crystal bowl of fullblown roses. “I have a lot of family photos in the bedroom; it’s important to surround yourself with personal things.”

Palette-wise, the deep-buttoned linen headboard is echoed in a compact upholstered ottoman. “I like to have overflow space for all my books. It’s on castors so it’s easy to move about.”