In this week’s Retro Design Dilemma, reader Jeanne is asking for ideas to decorate her beautiful vintage knotty pine bedroom. She wants tips on colors to paint the angled ceiling, along with ideas for window treatments and nightstands to match her beautiful Broyhill Brasilia bedroom set.
Jeanne’s full letter:
Hi Kate,
Here’s my knotty pine bedroom. I live in a story-and-a-half brick bungalow built in 1952. The upstairs is finished in knotty pine and is one large, open room. It has two sections, one which I use as my sleeping/bedroom area and the other is sort of a dressing, open area. The only thing I did before moving in, was have the hardwood floors refinished with three coats of polyurethane applied because I figured I’d never do it once I moved in.
I’m the second owner of the home. The widowed “woman of the house” passed away and her two sons (who grew up in the home) sold it to me (in 2008). I assume that the sons used the upstairs as their bedroom, because there are two sets of built-in drawers built into the kneewall/attic space – one on each side of the bedroom. The cool thing about the house is that the kitchen was custom remodeled around 1960 and the bathroom was remodeled in 1964. Everything is original to these remodel periods, except a year ago I stripped all the wallpaper in the bathroom (even on the ceiling) and repainted and wallpapered.
Two braided rugs were left in the bedroom when I moved in. I decided that I don’t really want to use them in the bedroom and have replaced the one on my bed side with the chevron rug (although I’m rethinking that decision but will use it for now). I plan on replacing the braided rug on the dressing area side eventually. I was thinking a solid color, depending on what color(s) I paint the room.
The ceiling and angled walls are white. A flat white. This is my dilemma. I really love aqua. I would love to paint the room light aqua. Do I just paint the angled walls and leave the ceiling white? Do I paint the angles AND ceiling aqua (the same color) or should I paint the ceiling one shade and the angles another for contrast? I’m open to a darker teal as well. I’m not sure if that would be too dark, or would make the room enveloping and cozy.
There are built-in book cases in the dressing area that I use for my shoes (I’m a woman, what can I say!).
Also, there is a built-in open shelf unit that divides the two areas (I love it!). I was debating about painting the shelf unit (maybe a darker teal) and possibly painting the backs of the bookcases the same dark teal. Or should I leave the shelf and bookcases wood. There is a lot of wood in this room. Or maybe paint them white or black. Help!
Plus, my biggest challenge will be painting the ceiling area above the stairway (above the shoe shelves in the photo). I don’t think I can do a precision paint job using roller extensions and may have to hire someone for that area. A friend told me about using a “plank” but there is no way that I will be standing on something suspended above the stairs and I do not own one of those fancy ladders than transforms into scaffolding.
You’ll notice the closet and built-in drawers have the original black wrought iron hardware, hinges and pulls. I recently painted and re-did the inside of the closet (it was wood with one galvanized rod across). It has an angled ceiling – so I had to configure it to optimize the storage & hanging space with custom ClosetMaid parts I got at Home Depot. I’m really happy the way it turned out.
My goals for the room are:
• Paint the ceiling and walls (hope to do this between Christmas and New Year when I’m off work)
• Possibly paint the shoe shelves (backs only) and open shelf unit
• Find nightstands – either Brasilias to match my bedroom set* or possibly something modern from IKEA that I can mount on the wall. I don’t believe I have enough space for two full sized nightstands.
• New lighting – possibly something that mounts on the wall or turquoise ceramic vintage lamps.
• I’m not attached to the window treatments and will be re-thinking those as well. I saw some aqua velvet (not to be confused with “Aqua Velva”) curtains at IKEA (not sure if they still have them) or I also have some barkcloth drapes that I started cutting up to make valances. They are a cream background with turquoise and red tropical floral pattern.I went to school for and was a graphic designer/art director for about 20 years before switching to the account side of the advertising business. Yet, I have the hardest time trying to decide on something for myself. Just like the shoemaker’s children who have no shoes – either that or I have commitment issues. 🙂
* I found my Brasilia set on Craigslist and got it for $450 (Queen headboard, dresser with mirror and chest)! I’m still thrilled about it!
Thanks, Jeanne, for all this great information, and the photos. What a beautiful space — the knotty pine looks like it is terrific quality! We’ll be back at noon — with some ideas!
Readers, what do you think Jeanne should do?
Thanks to everyone who commented with suggestions or was able to tune in (or join in — that’s you Larry) live for our Google Hangout. Below are the three solutions that Pam and I came up with for Jeanne’s knotty pine bedroom.
Pam here: We know that Jeanne prefers aqua, but I wanted to show this first mood board — knotty pine and rust — to principally show how starting with your curtains — or, another complex colored textile — can be a great starting point to choosing colors for any room. In this case, I had these vintage rust and orange curtains on hand. I found them at the Goodwill and, well, have been hoarding them for some future project. I love how the rusty tones meld with the honey amber of the knotty pine walls and the oak floor. I found a braided rug in the same tones from Capel — I would make it big… I suggest a buttery yellow coverlet that picks up one of the colors in the curtains, on Wayfair.com…. and even would spray paint the traverse rod a hammered iron color to coordinate the rod with the knotty pine hardware used elsewhere in the room.
When I saw Jeanne’s knotty pine in combination with the Broyhill Brazillia and her tropical palm tree lamps, I immediately thought — tiki. I wanted to try to use what Jeanne already had in the room and make it work together. The Brazilia design reminds me of an up close view of a carved wood tiki figure and the knotty pine is reminiscent of a close up view of bamboo — perhaps like the bamboo that often lines the front of tiki bars. Even Jeanne’s existing natural wicker end table has a tiki feel to it because of its natural texture. I first found these Tommy Bahama Tropical Harvest window curtain panels (now gone from website) at Bed Bath & Beyond. They have a lot of the same warm brownish orange color that is already present in the wood floor and knotty pine walls. I picked out the acid green from the leaf design on the curtain and found this limey green bedspread (now gone from website) from CB2, which has a great modern texture instead of being just a solid block of color. For a rug, I chose this greenish hand woven Amesbury Jute Rug from Overstock.com, which also adds some earthy texture — that reminds me of a grass skirt — to the room without calling too much attention to itself. To finish off the room, painting the walls and ceiling a light, buttery cream — pulled from the curtains — will warm up the walls without competing with the knotty pine walls or any of the other elements in the room.
Pam back: Mood board #3 heads into the aqua-ish territory that Jeanne likes. However, as we discuss in more detail in our video, Kate and I are concerned that a strong aqua will be too clashy with the knotty pine… it may be too “competitive” with all the orange in the kp. But, we think that if you tone the aqua down somewhat — lighten it and grey it out, then the values of both colors will be harmonious. The color of this coverlet set from Garnet Hill is called “mineral green”, and I think that it would work. The blue/green in the vintage curtains (now sold) spotted for sale by ebay seller private screening are a darker version of the mineral green. I found another Capel braided rug that seems to have the right colors — all the colors from throughout the room. Pick up the stronger colors in the rug for your accents. For example, the Arcadia Green of the spray paint for the traverse rod.
So there you have it. Lots of ideas, Jeanne — we hope we helped, rather than just confuse you. For sure: Your room already is beautiful — that knotty pine is dreamy — and versatile. We’re… jealous… because we don’t have this room in our own house to decorate! Let us know what you decide — many thanks for sharing!
mary Tatum says
This is one of the most awesome bedrooms I’ve ever seen! I’m lucky to have knotty pine wainscot in my living room, and jewel tones work beautifully with it.
Jeanne says
Thank you, Mary!
Elaine says
Your room is beautiful, and so functional with the built ins. I love aqua, too. My paneled bedroom has aqua bedding. The curtains are brown with aqua and grey print that I picked up at Home Depot. I picked dark curtains because the big window faces south. The aqua really cools down the wood.
I would paint the ceiling and walls the same color, and that will add plenty of cool color to your room.
I would not paint the divider shelves nor the inside of the bookshelves. If you want color, you could fit the back of the shelves with panels of color. If you plan to use the divider shelves for decorating, use lots of shades of sea colored glass.
Jeanne says
Thank you, Elaine! I’m glad I asked everyone about painting the room divider and book shelves. I would probably be sorry afterwards if I painted them.
Patty says
Don’t paint any of the wood. Do paint walls and ceiling same color. I don’t like looking at all of the shoes. Would love to see some nice pottery or other collectable on 2 sided shelves.
Bed spread is too short. I see the mattress. Needs another layer to cover it or a different mattress.
I think color on the wall will make room look more put together. Right now, I’m not sure about the color of the rug (black?) with the paneling.
What about some nice woody looking windwo shades? Maybe valances on top to soften up.
Furniture needs to be arranged away from built ins. Maybe move bed around. Try angling something from the corner by the window. White furniture needs to move to another room.
Wait as long as it takes to find the perfect bedside tables.
LOVE knotty pine.
Jeanne says
Thank you Patty! Some great suggestions. I definitely need the proper bedding (I switch-up quite a bit). The “bedspread” in the photos is actually a hand-made bargello-pattern quilt that my mother made for me in my favorite colors. It’s gorgeous in person, but I agree the dimension is off a bit to be used to cover the bed. I need to get a bedspread or comforter to cover the top of the bed in a solid complimentary color and use the quilt as an accent folded at the foot of the bed (as Kate suggested in the video, I believe).
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
I have to concur with the light aqua on the whole ceiling. Then, how about some vintage wallpaper with a complementary aqua hue on the backs of the bookcase? This would look kitschy cute and like it had been there forever.
Jay says
What a beautiful pristine space. Definitely use a pale shade of your choice, the aqua sounds nice, on the ceiling because of the angles. A dark shade will close in on you, especially on dreary days. Those beautiful casegoods are shoved into the corner. I know actual wall space is limited but try to move the pieces so they are more in the open and away from each other. How about placing the head of the bed in front of the windows. You gain head room and space for nightstands. TV viewing is also easier when placed to the side of the bed.The barkcloth curtains sound nice and can be cordinated with paint color. I’m a fan of wooden venetian blinds, just had them placed on my picture window, but probably would be wood overkill unless given a painted finish. Please let us see pictures of the final project.
Jeanne says
Thank you for the suggestions, Jay! I DO need to spread out those dressers to showcase them better.
Also, I notice suggestions to move the bed to the window wall. When I originally moved into the house – I placed the bed in front of the windows, but a few years ago moved it to its current spot. I’m in Michigan and Kate astutely picked up a heating/cooling issue. The room never really gets cooled off completely in the summer (even though I have central air) or warm enough in the winter. I purchased a window A/C last summer to help cool the room, so placing the bed in front of the window really wouldn’t work.
JKM says
I also agree about keeping the angled portions of the ceiling the same color as the flat part. Besides being choppy-looking, I’m afraid you’d never get a very straight edge where the two meet, especially if you’re suspended in space over the stair :). I think a pale aqua could be very nice, too.
I’m apprehensive about painting any of the woodwork. I can see that it’s a lot of wood but it looks to be in perfect condition and, once it’s painted, it would be difficult to un-do. What about wrapping fabric onto thin rigid boards (like foamcore perhaps?) then appying them to the back surface of the low shoe shelves? It would be subtle, the fabric could match or coordinate whatever you do on the windows and all could easily be swapped out with something new if you get tired of it.
I wouldn’t paint the room divider, either. Here’s an idea: What about doing the same fabric treatment I mentioned above but wrap it on both sides of rigid boards. Then apply the boards toward the back of alternating shelves held into place with small shoe moulding (stained or painted). Say you chose the larger open shelves to do this to, you could make one shelf open toward the dressing area, the next one toward the bedroom, etc. The smaller ones left open to both sides could hold colorful pottery or whatever that would look good from both sides while the shelves with backs could hold objects or other things that might look better from the front but not the back (like books for example). The fabric might soften the appearance of this area while adding some color if you want. The inserted panels would need to be set back from the closed-off side by about an inch or so to allow the shelving grid to still be expressed. I’m sure I’ve done an awful job of trying to explain my stream-of-consciousness thoughts!
It’s obvious the previous owner did a quality job and put a lot of thought into this room when it was built. Whatever you do will be lovely.
Jeanne says
Thank you, JKM! Wrapping fabric around foam core and inserting them into the back of the book case (shoe case) is a great idea! It would be a good way to try out a color or fabric and take them out if I don’t like it without permanently painting. I’m so glad to get all this input from everyone!! It’s really helping me decide what (or what not) to do.
Neca says
I would say definitely paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. I think the room would look extremely choppy and smaller if the ceiling were white. I think going with a pale aqua would be lovely – I used that in my master bath and kitchen and love it. Beautiful space!
Jeanne says
Thank you for the compliment Neca! Great point about the room looking “choppy” and from what I’ve read – I think everyone is pretty much in agreement with painting the room all one color.
Marta says
Sorry for so many posts in a row! Not enough coffee on board. 🙂 But, I wanted to share this link to directions to make cornices from tri-fold presentation foam boards. Really quick and easy, including how easy they are to hang. http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-cornices-for-my-bedroom-windows.html
Jeanne says
Thanks for your input, Marta! I think adding some fabric/pattern/texture is the way to go after watching the live discussion and reading people’s comments. I never thought of using foam core for building cornices! Great idea. Foam core is so versatile.
Marta says
Meant to add, would paint the ceiling, including the angled areas, the same color. I think it would be too busy if you painted the flat part one color and the angled part another.
Marta says
I’d love to see fabric-covered cornices and coordinating/matching fabric-covered shades on the windows (very easy and inexpensive DIY projects). Scalloping or fringe on the bottoms of the the shades, too. You might also consider covering the inside backs/tops/sides of shelves and bookcases with the same or coordinating fabric instead of painting them. Using decorative fabric trims on the edges of shelving is another fast, easy, inexpensive way to add color and zest to wood panelled areas.