Monday, April 6, 2009

Decorate A Bedroom In Ethnic Style

Ethnic style lamps


An ethnic bedroom design is accomplished by incorporating specific aspects of a distinct culture into the planning, colors, accessories, furniture and style of the room. The room doesn't need to be a theme room but it should reflect the ethnic culture desired by the room occupant. With this decorating style, less is more. A few ethnic pieces, because they are unusual, will make a larger statement than similar generic pieces.


Instructions


Decorate An Ethnic Style Bedroom


1. Remove everything from the bedroom. Use your cultural clippings to inform your colors and style for the bedroom. Ethnic style seldom includes wall-to-wall carpet, so remove the carpet and replace your flooring with a darker hardwood or large 18-inch dark tile floor (such as Saltillo tiles).


2. Add texture to your wall if you are emulating stucco. (Venetian plaster is a good choice for understated texture. Select a plaster color that suits your ethnic palette.)


3. Add paint to the ceiling and walls (think in neutral colors when possible). Ceiling paint should be similar in tonal range to your wall color. If you opted to faux paint your walls for the illusion of texture, select a neutral (light color) from your wall shades and apply that to the ceiling.








4. Identify your focal point. This with either be a window wall or the bed wall. Generally the bed is the largest piece of furniture. Plan your walking paths between any doors and the windows such that your bed accommodates the most natural paths in the room. Allow 3 feet between or past any furniture and all doors should be able to open fully.


5. Position your bed if it is the focal point such that it has walking room on both sides. Low, platform-style beds with clean lines are a good neutral choice. Select a headboard that is made of natural materials like wood or leather. If your window is the focal point consider a window-length pelmet with distinct ethnic shape. This is particularly good for Moorish type keyhole effects. These can be made out of wood, painted or covered in fabrics or other materials. Place a low ethnic style bench under your window.


6. Position your rug so that it emerges from under the foot of the bed and can be seen on the entry side of the room. It can be angled for drama. Add two bedside tables, either with straight furniture lines or use ethnic pieces.


7. Position a straight-line, wide and low dresser on your open wall.


8. Use ethnic textiles on accent pillows (less is more). Position one single larger ethnic art piece in a prominent position or above the headboard. Consider hanging netting above the headboard for a draped effect. If you used ethnic side tables then use straight lamps. If you used straight side tables then use decorative ethnic style lamps. Use one decorative accent piece on your dresser. Add a few live plants.


9. Hang your cultural prints in an arrangement over your dresser. Your room should look elegant and spacious. There should not be any clutter. If you have a collection of objects to display, place them together on a small tray. Small objects tend to make a room feel cluttered.

Tags: focal point, your wall, above headboard, ethnic pieces, ethnic style, Ethnic style, less more