How to Make an Off-Center Window Disappear Behind Your Headboard
Master Bedroom Makeover Part Four
Welcome to my Master Bedroom Makeover Part 4! It's a blue French Country Primary Bedroom reveal. The room makeover has been completed for many months. I only now have the photos to share with you, my friends, and my fans. It was a sorely needed refresh and one well-deserved. I believe everyone deserves to pay special attention to their master bedroom (or primary bedroom, to be politically correct). It is where we spend most of our time in the world. You might wish to catch up on the previous posts in this series first and foremost.
Enjoy these fresh French Country Master Bedroom ideas that will inspire you to create your own oasis that offers peace, rest, and an opportunity to recharge!
Free Download: “How to Style Your French Country Bed” Guide
How did I create a French Country Bedroom?
Read on to find out the changes that I made to create that French Country or French Country Cottage look.
Before
Photo: Julie Ann Shahin
Before: (above left) The bedframe and the mirror were the only new purchases in this room. The quilt was handmade by my mother, and I also handmade the window coverings. The dresser and chair were inherited from my in-laws. The nightstand was a previous possession of my husband's from his bachelor days, not actually a nightstand, but just an accent table. As you can see, we were also storing lounge chairs in the corner, ack! In fact, the artwork is the wrong scale, and there is hardly any room to walk between the bed and the dresser.
Mismatched furniture, some pieces were hand-me-downs
Handmade quilt created by my mother
Handmade window coverings didn’t do much for the space
Side table being used as a nightstand
Artwork is the wrong scale for the bed
After
Photo and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
After: (above right) The significant changes include a lighter blue paint color than before, a minor change in the floor plan, and full-length window coverings. You can see that the artwork is now better suited, scale-wise, for over the chest of drawers. Read on for more details about this bedroom refresh.
Lighter blue paint color
Trim color changed from white to beige (although I would have preferred to use the same color as the walls, but compromised with my husband)
'Change in the floor plan
Full-length window treatments
Artwork moved to over the new chest of drawers, where the scale works
Concept Design Review
Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
The concept was to create a more calming, sophisticated, and coordinated atmosphere in the primary bedroom. Previously, the primary bedroom was a mish-mash of new and inherited furnishings, outdated and lacking a focal point. We wished for a peaceful oasis in the French Country Style, keeping the bedframe, making a few changes to the floorplan, and giving the room a new look. The refreshed space will be not only relaxing but also a space that makes us happy.
Goal: create a more calming, sophisticated and co-ordinated space
Floral French Country Style with some Shabby Chic thrown in
Relaxing
This concept is featured in a previous post that you may enjoy: How A Concept Board by Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design Can Help You Have a Romantic French Country Master Bedroom: Part 3
Our Couple Dilemmas To Be Solved
1. Dilemma #1: To Area Rug or Not to area rug
DILEMMA
Since our Master Bedroom is an addition that used to be a garage, we had to use carpet over the concrete floor for warmth, especially with New York State’s chilly winters. I did want to bring in an area rug because it helps anchor the room for me as a designer. However, my husband said no. (Read my article on overcoming decorating dilemmas with a spouse here.)
MY SOLUTION (aka My Compromise)
My husband agreed to runners along each side of the bed. My thought is to get something very soft and cozy to the feet, such as faux sheepskin.
We have yet to add these, however, as you'll see. So far, the room works without the floor runners, and I forget I ever wanted an area rug. If I want, I bring in my sheepskin rug that spends time in various parts of our home, depending on my mood.
In the photo below, the accent rug finds a cozy corner in front of the chest of drawers.
Photo and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
2. Dilemma #2: To Pillow or Not to Pillow
DILEMMA
Even though we purchased all the extra pillow shams for the first time in our marriage, now all I hear is complaining every night when the extra pillows have to come off.
MY SOLUTION / COMPROMISE
So totally honest, with our senior dog, we have decided to not use the bedding until he passes away to keep it looking clean and fresh. So right now, the bedding and pillows are in storage unless company comes over. However, I think I will get a large basket for the pillows when we decide to use the bedding daily.
3. Dilemma #3: How to Use My Ireland Travel Souvenir
DILEMMA
I love using something in a room that has been collected, whether through a unique gift or travel experience. I think it brings meaning to the space and helps give it a soul. The linens used to create the new window treatment in our master bedroom were purchased when I took my mother to Ireland a few years ago. (I purchased the tablecloth linens at the Blarney Woollen Mills.)
I struggled with the idea for months because not only would they be used for the bed, but my husband was insisting on using them on the bedroom window as well.
My experience told me that there would not be enough fabric to use in both places.*
MY SOLUTION
DIY Window Curtain Panels from a Tablecloth (pictured below)
As I wanted at least 2x-3x fullness, an extra window panel (purchased) added on either side of the DIY Curtain Panels gives the window treatment beautiful fullness. *(Read: What Is the Fullness of a Drapery?)
Designer Trick:
A designer look is achieved by giving your window curtain panels extra fullness.
Measure your window width in inches to figure the fullness. For example, the window width is 50".
Multiply that by 2 or 3 to figure out how much width you need. (Multiply 50 x 3 = 150”)
Divide the subtotal by the width of an individual curtain panel in inches. (If the curtain panel is 30" wide, then divide 150 by 30 = 5. Thus you need 5 curtain panels total.)
Divide the total from Step 3 by 2, and that is how many curtain panels you need on each side., if you wish to have panels on both sides. (5 divided by 2 = 2.5 panels on each side. Round up or down, depending on your taste. So I would personally round up to 3 panels on each side in this example)
How do you deal with an off-center window behind a bed?
Solve the problem with full-length curtain panels. Allow the curtain panels to span the full width of the wall. Using fabric in a room can add eye-catching design and a sense of comfort. Open the curtains when you want to expose the window if you need natural light.
More tips: Hiding an off-center window in a bedroom
Article continued after image
Photo and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
BEFORE: WINDOW TREATMENTS
(Notice the off-center window behind the bed, and the new difference behind the bed in the photo above)
Photo: Julie Ann Shahin
AFTER: WINDOW TREATMENT CLOSEUP
Photo and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
4. Dilemma #4: Dark Wood vs. Painted Wood
DILEMMA
One of our household's recurring dilemmas is that my husband loves and adores natural wood, particularly dark wood furniture, while I long for white-painted or whitewashed furniture.
MY SOLUTION
I was dealing with having a wooden bed frame that I longed to paint for many years ended up being one of those times that was a combination of biding my time and compromise.
I agreed to keep the bed frame as is, and we purchased a refurbished French Country dining set painted white for our dining room as a compromise.
Floorplan Review
Below you see the previous furniture arrangement in the bedroom on the left, and on the right is the new furniture layout.
Previous Layout: The bed was off-center to not block the whole window behind it. Thus, there was hardly any room between the bed and the dresser to walk or to open drawers. The chair was hardly used except to throw clothing on it.
Challenges and Pain Points:
Bed off-center due to weird placement of window behind it
No room to move between bed and dresser on the right
Chair only used for clothing
New Layout: The bed is centered in the room, and curtain panels hide the window that was never used, to begin with. New nightstands provide symmetry, and a new dresser adds to the room's focal point.
Solutions:
Center the bed on the wall
Curtain panels hide the off-center window
Symmetry achieved with new nightstands in the French Country Style
Focal point of interest created with the new chest of drawers
3D Renders Review
This section shows how 3D renders can help you visualize the final design. The design of unique furniture and decor items in the rendering program is limited to the models offered, although custom models can be made at an additional cost.
Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
3D render of the front of the bed
Render and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
3D Render: View from the door
Render and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
Before: View from the door
Photo: Julie Ann Shahin
After: View from the door
Photo and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
View from the Closet
Render and Design: Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
Thank you for checking out my primary bedroom reveal. Having a fabulous bedroom is something that everyone should strive for. If you would like assistance, please check out my local and online design services. I would be honored to be involved in redesigning your space! You deserve a space that relaxes you and keeps you stress-free.
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