This is What Our Bedroom Looks Like
I’ve been working with American Express to redo my bedroom. They provided me with a total of 300,000 Membership Rewards points.
Hello, dark and lovely bedroom.
Everything came together just as I hoped it would. The colors and patterns of the new bedding look great together, and our bed feels so soft with its new pillows and comforter.
The Edison Chandelier is amazing.
We do have our fears about Eleanor jumping on the bed or swinging a pillow and breaking the bulbs. We may need to revisit our lighting options in a few years, but right now we are absolutely loving the chandellier.
I like the little pop of red from our phone, and the yellow of the lacquered tray holding magazines by my side of the bed.
I really love the play between light and dark in the room. Sheer white shades, white curtains, and painted white trim all provide a nice balance to the zinc walls, gray rug, dark furniture, and the Jacobean bamboo flooring.
Our overflow of books has been contained by the new bookshelf.
The bedroom is somewhat small and there is already a lot going on visually, so we wanted the new art to be subtle. I love the antiqued zinc finish against our ‘zinc’ wall color.
Soporific.



































looks lovely :) so fun following along!
Your bedroom looks so elegant due to the wall color! And the chandelier is pure gorgeousness!!! Love the entire look – stylish and beautiful! xoxo
Gorgeous! I love the dark walls mixed with the greens and other pops of color.
Gorgeous!
pretty!
out of curiosity, do you know what the dollar value of this would have been if you had just paid for it outright? it feels like the paint and the bedding really went a long way to making it feel like a completely different room, which gives me hope for my own desperately needed bedroom makeover (which has to happen on the cheap)!
300,000 points = $3000. The paint and bedding definitely went a long way though, so I’d concentrate on those elements for a new look. A lot of the money in my bedroom redo went towards a new rug (not necessary if you’re on a budget) and new pillows and a down comforter (which you can actually see). The light was pricey too, but I think it’s a pretty interesting part of the room.
Looks great. Where did you purchase your bedside lamps? We’ve been searching for some similar.
Thanks!
Those are from Pottery Barn. We’ve had them for a few years now and we still love them.
There is a similar type at jcp.com, and they are $50 each. Just thought I’d mention it! :)
Or you could always try Lampsplus. I’ve had success with them in the past during their sales–bought some really great teardrop-shaped metal bedside lamps for about $60 each. It’s worth checking out if you can’t find what your looking for anywhere else!
stunning, simply stunning.
It all looks amazing! I just love it.
Wow. Looks FANTASTIC!
Love the room! Those closet doors: stock or custom built? If stock, where from please and thanks?
Stock – Home Depot. “Nu Porte” was the name of the brand, I think.
Sooo pretty. We rent but I am inspired to change everything anyway!
Looks great…I love the lighting fixture.. my favourite part of the make-over! Well done!
This looks wonderful, the artwork looks fantastic. I love dark bedrooms, they are so cozy and cave-like perfect for curling up in. You’ve done a fantastic job. I envy/love your color sense.
Our bedroom is painted a purple that was inspired by the color in your old living room (from your apartment I think?). We love it. Thanks for that.
Oh, yay! I’m glad to hear that.
Nicole, it is STUNNING. Seriously, you’ve outdone yourself here. I think this has become my favorite room in your entire house. I’m totally reconsidering my choices for my upcoming bedroom refresher now.
Yeah, it’s my new favorite (but that tends to happen each time I work on a room).
I’m so green with envy right now. I just did a whole post on Friday how I want a chandelier over my bed… lucky!!!
I never had one before. It’s nice!
Oh, I love it! Fantastic.
I’m so green with envy right now. I just did a whole post on Friday how I want a chandelier over my bed… lucky!!!
It came out so, so beautiful! We have gray walls with white trim in our bedroom…but I think I want to go even darker now that I see this!
The dark paint gives the whole room some ‘oomph’. :)
The room turned out great! The dark colour looks nice and cozy. Eleanor will love looking up at those lightbulbs and I think its great for kids to be surrounded by beautiful things (and learn just to look and not touch sometimes too).
That light is definitely a look, don’t touch. ;)
Love love LOVE that wall color! And the light fixture DOES look amazing! Great job!
nicole – wow! I am so happy that you got the chance to do this bedroom makeover. So inspiring as a reader!
It’s so funny you picked out the edison – we are planning to install it in our new dining room at the beginning of july when we move to our new-to-us house. Is there any way you can do a post on the installation process? I would really, really appreciate it!
The installation was pretty straightforward. We used painter’s tape to mark off the spots to attach the arms before we put any holes in the ceiling.
Love it! So excited to finally see the reveal. I absolutely adore the bookshelf corner. The artwork is perfect.
Green and Black. Love it!
That looks fantastic! I love dark walls – we have a lot in our house (our dining room is painted “soot” – which is basically black, but sexier and more dramatic!)
Will you post some pics with the chandelier on? I’d love to see it all lit up! Is it too bright for a bedroom or do you have it on a dimmer?
It’s hard to get a good picture with the lights on. The bulbs aren’t too glaringly bright though – only 40 watts. A dimmer would be a nice touch, but not absolutely necessary.
I absolutely love how well this room came together!
I’ve always shied away from dark paints because I’ve heard that they make a room look smaller. Since you mentioned that your room is already on the small side, I was wondering if now you feel that the walls make it feel even smaller?
It’s darker for sure, but I don’t think it feels smaller. I’m a big fan of dark wall colors.
Wow, looks amazing. I love the two framed pieces of artwork and also the light fitting. Really want to decorate our bedroom this summer so hopefully I will get around to it. I’m thinking a different style though with antique cream walls and woodwork and some floral accents for a country cottage feel. You have given me another little push to get moving on this project so I hope I complete it soon.
Absolutely gorgeous! Looking at your room really makes me want to decorate our bedroom. We spent alot of time making our kids rooms beautiful and just so but we haven’t done one thing to ours except buy nice furniture! It looks kinda pitiful:( I’m putting our room on the to do list right now!
I love the wall color, and the green really works with the gray. Gorgeous!
It is absolutely stunning! I love the chandelier( it is a perfect focal piece) and all of the colors and patterns you brought together are just brilliant. Great job hun! Amazing!
xo
Melissa
absolutely love the light and wall colour. did you also paint the ceiling the same colour? very very cozy :)
Yes, the ceiling is the same color as the walls.
So restful and stylish, and I love the pops of red and yellow!
Favorite thing: light fixture–really makes the space super cool! Second favorite thing: your fabrics and color combo. Nice job!
the chandelier is worth it… whatever it was. man!!! love it love it love it. and hte zinc art. so interesting.
Looks awesome!!! I especially love your wall art.
Looks great Nicole!
Where did you get your headboard? I love it!
Our bed is from Room & Board (Hoffman). We bought it shortly after we moved in three years ago.
I spy a Chuck Palahniuk book on your shelf! :)
I love your room! It is soo adorable. LOVE your website!!
Great room! We are doing our rooms in the same colors & you’re providing wonderful inspiration! Thanks so much.
looks fantastic!!
may we see it with the lights on, pretty please?
Love it – I like dark bedrooms as seem cozy.
Looks great, I love the colors you chose!
Perfection! I LOVE the wall color.
It looks amazing! I love the light and dark contrast as well.
So pretty! It is dark done right, for sure!
wow! it’s really lovely… amazing job :o)
Your new bedroom is rich in textures! I love it, especially how all the different patterns come together in your bedding. And I must say, I was a bit sceptical about the chandelier, but boy does it make a statement! Can wait to see your next room, it’s giving me lots of inspiration for our upcoming house (built from scratch!)
cheers!
Absolutely LOVE it, especially the Edison light. It is so unique!
beautiful!!!
Oh, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the “after,” and I was not disappointed! Love, love, love it! I think, though, that my favorite thing has to be the bedding. I really like mixing those stripes with the paisley print, and the colors really all came together so nicely!
I love it!!
i’ve been looking forward to this post for weeks, and it did not disappoint!
Nicole,
Someone may have already asked this, if so I apologize, but I was wondering if it might be possible for you to post pictures of the room with the new chandelier lighting turned on. Just a thought?
I know. I’m having a hard time getting a good picture though.
Love the bedding and the paint color.
Your room looks fantastic! I am a huge fan of dark walls and loooove the grey color you chose. My favorite part though is the red rotary phone — where did you get it!?
Pottery Barn, years ago. I think they still carry them, but not in red anymore.
Great decor. I love your choice of color for the paint. Awesome!
Absolutely STUNNING! I love love love greys. I was thinking of using a shade of darkish grey in my bedroom walls as well, having maybe just 1 wall red/dark pink as a feature. Do you think it would work?
You can always find a shade of gray to work with red or pink – It’s such a versatile color. I even think ‘zinc’ could work.
Wow! I Love it. And I like that it is a bit of departure from your usual aesthetic while still maintaining your distinct signature. Everything is spot on. Really fantastic.
Really beautiful, Nicole. Love the wall color in particular. So soothing!
It looks gorgeous!! I’m officially in love with the wall color, and the bedding, and the light fixture…
Oh my gosh, I LOVE it! With you perfect use of accessories, it looks so “finished”. My fave is the @ symbol :)
Thanks for inspiring me to finish our bedroom decor. I just can’t find THE perfect wall art to fill up a 10 ft wide expanse of blank wall though… ugh.
Wow, just spectacular. The colours are perfection and that chandelier is to die for! I figure your status will go a lot further than mine in convincing Pottery Barn to sell in England as well so if you could have a word? ;)
Brilliant job as always, you really have so much talent!
love all of it!!! you do great work, it looks like your style, not corporate as some feared.
AAAHHmazing!
GORGEOUS! I LOVE that chandelier. Plus, the wall color, the paisley quilt + striped sheets…omg. Everything is just seamlessly beautiful!
It looks great! We just finished redoing our bedroom too, but I’m thinking of replacing one of our nightstands with a small bookcase. Where did you get your wooden @ bookend? I would love it in our room?!!
That’s from Crate & Barrel. I figured it was perfect in a blogger’s bedroom. ;)
You’ve outdone yourself! I’ve loved following along! I must say I’m usually a fan of light and bright but I think I could crawl right in to that bad and stay for a while:)
I am loving the mood in this room… the bedding is so inviting and that lamp is to die for! My favorite thing in the whole room is the phone :) LOVE IT!
I knew it would be beautiful! I love the zinc on zinc very classy ;) And the Edison bulb chandelier makes my heart skip a beat–gorgeous!
‘Soporific’ was definitely an SAT word for me many years ago…great looking bedroom, by the way :)
Wow! What a great project from start to finish. Your bedroom looks just amazing. I like the masculine feel of the zinc colored walls with the more feminine feel of the bedding.
it’s awesome! and it’s always fun to peek into someones special place of rest….very very soothing….thanks for sharing…
xoxo lylah
I have the same phone but in chrome. I bought the pink princess phone for my daughter’s room. I love retro phones. The room is gorgeous. :)
Lovely!
It looks great! What a difference.
I really want that Edison chandelier for the dining room, but first I need to do a host of other things first. Namely, refurnish and paint the dining room and living room.
Wow! It’s dark- but just right. I really like it, especially with the contrasting green.
Nicole, it all looks amazing! I’ve been obsessed lately with dark walls and your new room just proves to me that dark walls in a bedroom adds to the luxurious and cozy factor. It is like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
You’ve done a great job. I bet it feels amazing to lie in bed looking at your bulbs.
The light is so intriguing, i’d love to see a shot with it turned on.
Love the zinc wall color and wall sculpture. I’ve seen the light fixture a million times, however, so it feels way too trendy for me and all those bulbs would catch a lot of dust in a bedroom. But, kudos on the overall color combos…
It looks fantastic! I am so happy to see that the Edison light worked out and looks amazing. Everything works together perfectly, great job!
Its just perfect! Great job!
I just showed hubby the “finished look” and he loves it. Giving me the “go ahead” with the green/gray look for our room as well. He even wants those exact sheets from West Elm. Love you style, thank you for helping me move my hubby into re-doing our master bedroom!
Love the wall color, love the chandelier, love the bedding, love it all!!!……Lovely. :)
That light fixture really is amazing. I love how the room seems sort of industrial, yet comfy. Bravo! My only question: what is the wattage of the bulbs? Is it crazy bright in there with the fixture on?
Jenny
They’re only 40 watt bulbs, so it’s not too bright. You can stare right at them and be fine (though I don’t know why you’d want to for any length of time!).
I am SO running this by my husband. LOL.
I LOVE IT.
We are very country/vintage- I think adding a little mod to it helps balance things out.
I can’t believe how fast everything came together. I was worried about the Edison light but it totally works in this room.
That looks great!
We have a dark bedroom too, it’s like a cocoon, I love it.
It looks fabulous as always Nicole, well done!
Looks great! Everything came together so nicely, congratulations!
Your bedroom looks amazing! I especially love how you put all of those colors, prints, textures together just on your bed!
Your bedroom looks great.
I was wondering where you got that wooden @ sign?
Crate & Barrel.
Oh my gosh it looks BEAUTIFUL. I absolutely LOVE those dark walls with your great green and yellow bedding. And that “chandelier” is absolutely fantastic!!!
I love it!!! This is making me want to re-do my bedroom!!
Love it!
Beautiful!!
WOW! It really turned out great. And thanks for sharing your project. It has inspired me to get moving on some projects I’ve been putting off for too long.
It looks AMAZING Nicole! Is that an Australian ‘Real Living’ magazine or am I imagining things?
Yep. I subscribed after a few kind Australian readers sent me some issues. Great magazine!
I looove the bedding!
I love how this came together! It’s so cozy and the colors and pattern compliment each other so perfectly!
Everything looks so great! I love that you were able to keep your existing bed and nightstands but changed the rest and make it look SO different.
I was wondering if you find your IKEA closet to work with the rest of the bedroom now – I didn’t see any photos of it.
Oh, I just didn’t get any interesting photos with it. It’s still in the bedroom, and in fact I’ve painted it white (the doors were light/natural wood).
What a lovely finished project. I’d love to see a shot of the Edison from the head on the pillow perspective, so that we can see it how you will see it. Perhaps?
Thanks for taking us on this journey. I love your choices.
jbhat
really lovely! thanks for sharing it with us!
I dieeeeee for that chandelier! Love it! It came out beautifully!
i’d like to see a pic of the chandlier in the room WITH the lights on.. doesn’t it blind you though?
Nope, it’s not bad at all. I just can’t get a decent photo.
First let me say that I appreciate your hard work and sharing with us very much.
I hate to be the one that ruin the party, but I have to be honest and say that I really don’t like your new room.
The gray is too dark, too much and too depressing .
The fact that you choose to paint all the walls including the ceiling, gives a fee of claustrophobia and make the room look small.
Think of the feeling that the room will give you in a winter day when the light is poor and the sky are gray.
It’s like living in a winter room all year long.
I really like the bedding though….I love the colors.
The chandelier is beautiful, but I think it’ll suit living rooms better.
The furniture are dark too and against the dark gray walls it is really too much.
I loved your previous bedroom a lot, it was warm and gave a feel that bedroom should give you.
Again….I’m sorry and I hope you’ll choose to publish my comment anyway….
Now I really want to change the color of my bedroom to a dark slate. I have gray everywhere else, though not in the boudoir. I really think it makes the most sophisticated, perfect room color!
We just painted our room the same color – I can’t believe it! I love it. The dark gray gives it such a “grown-up” look and not too masculine, not too feminine. The white trim gives it pop and keeps it from being too dreary.
I’m sooooooooo curious though, where do you put all your clothes? Just the closet? I didn’t see any dressers or storage other than the night stands…
Brandon’s clothes are in the closet (there is a small dresser tucked inside), and mine are in a freestanding IKEA wardrobe that’s in the room. I just didn’t get a photo with it.
Amazing room! I love the combo of dark + light…just the right bit of drama for the bedroom, but still very comfortable.
Came out AWESOME, Nicole. Especially love the wall color with that bedding combo.
I love love love it. I love the colour – it looks so elegant and sophisticated! I especially love the light fixture!
I think someone has already asked this, but I also am curious for a picture of the chandelier all lit up. I think it’s the most fantastic part of your new room.
Your bedroom looks stunning! what an amazing makeover, so different now. I love gray, I am a firm believer in dark bedrooms and love the way yours turned out. The bedding is perfect, it provides contrast and warmth.. the chandelier is absolutely amazing and the bookshelf a favorite of mine for sometime now. But I am super crazy about the art above the bookshelf, it provides so much personality to that wall!!!
I love it and think it’s fabulous! I especially like the bedding. And, of course the Edison lighting! The colors of our bedroom are very similar so, there are so many little inspirations that I can take from this room. Hopefully, I will be able to get our room “just right” sometime soon.
Sorry if you have mentioned it previously on your site, but where did you get the prints featured on either side of the window?
Those are by Emily Martin (A Black Apple).
I love how most of the room is subdued (for sleep), but with tiny pops of color
I love the Edison Chandy! I have been looking at that for some time, sadly have no where to put it, but it is fabulous! Great colors.
I for one like dark bedrooms, and think this turned out great. I love how the Edison makes it seem like you’ve been spending a lazy afternoon lying in bed, blowing bubbles! A nice touch of whimsy.
Love the new bedroom look! It’s cozy, but also a bit industrial.
it looks so pretty and cozy!
Love this! It’s so cozy the pattern mixing is lovely.
you’ll just have to read “no more monkeys jumping on the bed” and she’ll know you mean business :)
lovely room. we need to do this to our bedroom when we get the chance.
absolutely LOVELY! a night shot with the chandy on, please?!
Love the new room! From the paint color to the bedding to new chandelier – it all came together well.
So will you be launching an e-interior design service soon? :)
Soon? Maybe? I need more hours in a day.
love love love.
love the Emily Martin paintings too!
I love it! The chandelier reminds me of City of Ember.
The chandelier cracks me up! It definitely adds a punch of fun to the room – I love the way it all turned out!
I love it. If American Express wants to give me points I would be happy for the challenge (hint, hint), but there is no way it would be some lovely. I hav been eyeing that fixture for my dining room for so long. I should just break down and buy it.
The Edison is perfection. One large statement in a small room is just the thing. You pulled this off so well!
Once again you’ve showed what great taste and sense of style you have. Beautiful! I love you put a bookshelf in the bedroom, and that zinc wall art is fantastic. Great choices!
xoxo
I LOVE the textiles on your bed. The way it looks against the colors on the wall is gorgeous. Beautiful palette :)
Wow, it looks great! The bedding is perfection, great job!
this is breathtaking! I admit, i didn´t like the edison chandalier in your first pics that much. but in combination with the dark wallpainting and everything…stunning.
what about a cage around eleanor…eehhh…the bulbs? *hint*
I appreciate the different look of this bedroom, but it evokes my claustrophobia with the dark walls & ceiling. Aesthetically it does look gorgeous, just not something I could live in. All the more awesome that you love it & live there :D
Seriously seriously gorgeous on every level. I have complete bedroom envy and don’t know how I am going to sleep in mine tonight. I want that chandelier NOW!
Absolutely LOVE that chandelier. LOVE it! It all flows perfectly..
Wow Nicole! This really turned out beautifully. I have been OBSESSED lately with grey, and I love that you chose a darker shade for your paint color. I recently painted a darker shade of greenish grey in our basement and everyone was freaking me out saying it would be too dark. BUT it turned out perfect and everyone is now back tracking on their initial statements. The bold choice definitely paid off for you and this room!
Wow, that’s truly fabulous! Enjoy your new bedroom!
It’s beautiful!! Love it.
That chandelier is so interesting. I like he “bare” feel of it. It is beautiful in an ordinary and simplistic way. Great find!
Very nice and put together. I love the green. I’ve been looking to buy a green duvet cover myself. Where did you find the wooden ampersand?
That’s a bookend from Crate & Barrel.
I just wanted to tell you that your bedroom is beautiful. Along with the rest of your home
Love the look of the dark and green contrast. I’m sure you’re sleeping well in your new room!
Your bedroom came together so nicely – I really like the bedding you choose! It suits the dark grey perfectly.
Why would you let your child jump on your bed?? Don’t do it.
Love your new, dark bedroom. I am also loving your Real Living magazine! It’s the only one I buy over here – always so much inspiration!
Stunning!
You’ve inspired me to paint my bedroom in a dark gray too!
Thanks for all your daily inspiration!
[...] via Making It Lovely [...]
i love love love those lights. how unique and adds great depth.
I love the look of the Edison. How low do the lights hang? I guess what I’m really wondering is how much space is there from the bottom of the lowest bulb to your bed?
Gorgeous!!
It’s been so much fun to see it all come together.
LOVE the new art! Oh, and you’re really making me miss our beautiful gray walls :(
It is all pulled together so nicely. I really love the artwork and the tray and the phone — great touches! Keep up the good work!
I love the zinc objekt on the wall – beautiful …!
Great post & great blog. I love the chandelier in the bedroom! Very cool.
Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust and a little Pixie Dust
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Hi! Can you please tell me where you purchased your nightstands? I think they would look great with the Ethan Allen Isabel headboard that I just purchased. Thanks in advance!
I love your room, btw! It’s fantastic.
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Yikes, I have this Edison Chandelier in my kitchen above the breakfast table. Absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!!! I get so many compliments on how unique it is! You did great in choosing that for your house.
love love love the edison chandelier! there is a similar lighting option hack using hemma lights from ikea for around $100 instead of $399. http://www.instructables.com/id/Hemma-Light-Chandelier-Hack/
Wow, this looks absolutely amazing. Love the chandelier, the wall colour and the fabulous zink object. Wish my bedroom would look like this :)
I love the walls and ceiling in the same color. I’ve been contemplating that. I’m wondering if you do that in other rooms in your house. I’ll have to go back through posts with pics and pay more attention to that detail. :)
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i am absolutely jealous that you got those striped sheets from West Elm! I ordered mine back in early May and they are supposedly going to ship next week – which is fine, because they’ll arrive just in time to put into my new apartment! the bedding combo looks great, though! I’m thinking of constructing a headboard with really graphic navy blue and white patterns and keeping the rest of the bedding simple with solid colors (chocolate brown down comforter, and purple gingham).
[...] remember the lovely bedroom redesign that I did with the help of Membership Reward Points from American Express, yes? Well now I am [...]