Make your bedroom a retreat of Tranquil Reflections 
BY JEANETTE CHANDLER
Special to the News
news@gulfbreezenews.com

All of us, at some point in our daily routine, yearn for a place of tranquil reflections. Your bedroom is, or should be, that haven. Pamper yourself with a décor that provides comfort and a sense of luxury. There is nothing quite like the look of a beautifully designed custom bedspread or headboard to create a luxurious space. Calm colors add to the allure, helping make the environment comforting as well.

When Thoreau wrote "I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude" in his famous book, Walden, he chose to seclude himself from the everyday world. While most of us live too far from a meditative spot in the words, all of us, at some point in our daily routine, yearn for a place of tranquil reflections. Your bedroom is, or should be, that haven!

If your bedroom doesn't offer you a respite from the hustle and bustle of the day, then now's the time to transform it. The time and money you invest now will pay off in big dividends in your future. Especially, as it might mean you'll be able to be a little happier and saner!

I'd like to suggest you begin by visualizing the types of activities you'll want to conduct in your "getaway haven" - letter writing; reading; pursuing a hobby; morning meditation - all types of activities that require peace and quiet to complete. Then ask yourself....can your bedroom, with the given amount of space you have, accommodate all these needs? The answer is usually yes, although you may need to take advantage of some clever pre-planning.

Soft, flowing fabrics and soothing colors help make this bedroom a haven. Light can be controlled with room darkening window treatments despite the windows in the room.

Pamper yourself with a décor that provides comfort and a sense of luxury. There is nothing quite like the look of a beautifully designed custom bedspread - especially if the pattern has been outlined quilted to highlight the design. Outline quilting allows your fabric to actually take on a three dimensional quality that is most gratifying to the senses. And by adding a coordinating window treatment, you'll end up with a totally inviting and peaceful room. Interiors by Decorating Den has a fabulous selection of custom bed linens to choose from with special sales prices during January!

Layering window treatments adds richness. Try natural colors, too, as there is nothing so calming as bringing the outdoors in.

In arranging your bedroom, first things first! In most cases that would be the placement of the bed. Because this is usually the largest piece of furniture, chances are that available wall space will somewhat limit your placement options. If at all possible, try not to place the bed so you'll be facing a window, where morning light will wake you up. However, if your bed must face the window, all is not lost. Room darkening window treatments can screen out most of the light.

In your search for solitude, you might consider using Mother Nature's color palette. There's nothing quite so calming as bringing the outdoors in - especially where color schemes are concerned. And in thinking about Thoreau - using nature's color palette is about as close as you'll get to the woods, while remaining indoors.

Contact Jeannette Chandler at Interiors by Decorating Den for more information about decorating your interior or exterior spaces at (850) 932-9319.