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!
Nancy says
Many great suggestions; just DON’T paint the wood. Trust me, you will regret it downt the line. Barkcloth would be great. Paint the entire ceiling, but I am not sure about aqua. Just make sure the tone is not too Miami Vice. Great room! The dressing area would be a fabulous office.
Catherine says
Rather than making the angled walls/ceiling compete with the woodwork, I’d paint them a sunny yellow. Then use aqua and other contrasting colors for the curtains, bed, and everywhere else that you want people to look. In your pictures, the eye is nicely drawn to the aqua, white, and red decorations. Your wall color should enhance rather than compete with that effect; otherwise, I think that people will spend a lot of time looking at the lines where the woodwork meets an aqua wall.
Nita says
Warm tones versus cold tones… the easiest way for me to explain it is that warm tones can be related to the tones you see in the summer, like the blue summer sky is a warm blue. Cold tones are like what you see in the winter, for example that icy winter sky blue is cold and the yellow of the dead still-clinging to the trees leaves is cold.
I don’t know if that helps anyone else differentiate between warm and cold, but that’s how I’ve always seen the difference
Ryan says
Please don’t paint that gorgeous woodwork!!! Too often painting woodwork is becoming a trend that nauseates me – because it’s a trend that is inconsistent with the periods of these houses.
This is a classic find that I think you should really reconsider prior to painting that gorgeous paneling.
It’s a very warm and unique space because of the color of the paneling.
Jeanne says
Thanks Ryan. I didn’t plan to paint the paneling, I was only considering painting the open shelf unit in the middle of the room. I don’t think I’ll paint the shelf now, though. No worries. Save your barf bag for another time. haha. 😉
Lena says
I’ll keep comments brief. Yes to “spa blue”, keeping the shade on the lighter side. Maybe move the white dresser to another room and then move the tall dresser over where the white one was. Yes to relocating the bed in front of windows. I think you can do white plantation shutters then add a cool print valance curtain. I love the black/white rug. Perhaps add Zebra print throw pillows to tie them together. Good luck renovating.
Andi says
So much to think about in this wonderful space! I will limit my comment to the ceiling/walls. I have two such angled bedrooms in my Cape Cod second story, and recommend that you definitely paint these the same color without trying to delineate a ceiling from the angled walls.
I agree a color in the aqua family would beautifully complement the knotty pine (which I love), but I would recommend a grounded, grayed out version (but not gray)—more like what is often called “spa blue” these days—than a bright or even moderate “turquoise” shade.
All shades of aqua and turquoise are also my favorite color—I have happy “Miami” turquoise walls and countertops in my 1952 kitchen (original countertops) but in my bedroom, we used a grounded, grayed out “spa blue aqua” that is simply lustrous and calming, goes well with wood tones, and lends itself to almost any style of decor. It still reads very much like “aqua” though, not gray.
There are many shades of “spa blue.” I used Benjamin Moore Heavenly Blue in the Aura paint line, but if I were repainting that room, I would go one shade deeper on the paint strip.
We painted ceilings and walls the same color.The extra expense of the Aura paint is worth it as one coat was enough, a big consideration for you with that stairwell situation.
The gray undertones in the spa blues complement the warm wood tones and also go well with the black accents. I am thinking you can make that chevron rug work if you love it by incorporating a few more black accents throughout the room, especially since the black iron hardware is original and still in place.
Now I am straying beyond the walls and will stop! This is a fabulous space, bedroom and dressing area and sitting room all in one beautiful space. Love the large oval mirror, such a great visual complement to all the straight lines of the woodwork.
Eartha Kitsch says
Wow, this is my dream room! My vote is to not paint the shelves or any of the wood because 1. you can’t go back and 2. there are enough opportunities to bring color into the room without touching that gorgeous wood and 3. painting certain wood elements is going to make the room look choppy where now, the wood has the most beautiful flow to it. Can I tell you again how much I LOVE this room?
I like the white ceiling but if you do paint it, my suggestion would be just a bare hint of a color – like some were saying, maybe a light champagne color. Not a deep blue or aqua though. I think that would really close in the space and make the ceilings feel shorter.
I say let the room be the stunner that it already is and use furniture and decor items like you’d use jewelry to set off an already awesome outfit. I love the orange chair, the chevron rug and the braided rug – and that incredible deer art work. I think that if you get a bedspread that doesn’t compete with the rug – like maybe a solid aqua spread with the one that you’re using now just folded up across the foot (because it’s really pretty) and find a way to hide the electronics, you’re going to be halfway home. More period lamps would help too beside the bed.
I do vote to definitely not paint any wood though – if you paint those shelves, the shelves are going to be the focal point and not the beautiful items that you can place in them. And if you paint the backs of the shoe shelves, it’s just going to highlight your shoes and make them pop and although, I love a great pair of shoes, you’re not going to want your shoes to compete with the great aspects of the room itself. Maybe if you’re going to use those for shoes and not for something more decorative like books or knickknacks, get some louvered shutters to match and have those shelves close off?
Again, LOVE this room and I want to go into it right now and never come back. Enjoy it!
Jeanne says
Thank you Eartha! Your kitchen has always been an inspiration to me.
Tracie@MiddleClassModern says
I love the idea of using a honey color on the drywall/ceiling. I agree that they both should be painted the same color.
I understand why you want to paint the back of the shelves and that super cool room divider. There definitely needs to be color on that plane of the room to both break up and showcase the knotty pine.
So here’s my unsolicited advice. I love your Brasilia set. It doesn’t work in this room. You need some painted furniture to bring color right up against the paneling. I’d move the Brasilia into another bedroom and scout Craigslist and thrift stores for older pieces that I wouldn’t mind painting. And painted furniture is very mid-century (I have lots of decorating books from the period that were simply in love with the idea!). That might be a way to pull in the aqua color you want.
Robin, NV says
Geez, I couldn’t be more jealous. I’d love to have a knotty pine bedroom. I completely agree with the other posts that recommend painting the the whole ceiling the same color. I’d say any shade of blue. Aqua or turquoise would look great. I’d also go for some great retro barkcloth curtains in a fun pattern. I wouldn’t paint any of the wood. As one post said, it’s hard to undo and you’re fortunate to have so much knotty pine is great shape. I love, love, love, the chevron rug and geometric bedspread. Somehow they really work with the room.
At the risk of being unpopular, the one thing I would definitely do is replace the Broyhill Brasilia furniture with other pieces. I know Jeanne is very excited to have scored the set for so little but it really does not work with the room. The stain of the Broyhill furniture clashes with the knotty pine and Jeanne is mixing two different midcentury styles – the Broyhill being a bit more “high end” and the knotty pine being more “comfy rustic.” They’re two looks I love but unlike chocolate and peanut butter, they don’t taste great together. I’d try to find some simpler pieces that more closely match the color of the paneling. That or something painted in dark colors. Besides, with all the built-ins, why would you want stand-alone bureaus and dressers?
I don’t have a problem with the shoe storage. It’s Jeanne’s dressing room and not really a space where many visitors will come. She has the awesome room divider for displaying bits of art so I don’t see why she can’t store her shoes where she can see them and keep them organized. I do think it would look cute to paint the backs of the shoe storage a slightly darker aqua to match the ceiling.
Robin, NV says
Just one more thought – if Jeanne removes the Broyhill pieces, it would make room for a nice sitting area across from the bed. Personally, I love having an upholstered arm chair in my bedroom for sitting and reading books. I’d keep the bed where it is, place a chair in the corner next to the window, and put a nice vintage braided rug between the bed and the sitting area. In this case, I would also replace the bedspread with a chenille blanket (as suggested by Teresa).
Jim says
I was thinking the same thing. The Broyhill is too dark and too fussy for a knotty pine room. It doesn’t compliment the knotty pine but competes with it and, even worse, doesn’t lend itself to aqua. Something much simpler and blonde, like some Paul Mccobb, would compliment the room and make the decorating task so much easier.
LoquaciousLaura says
I love another poster’s suggestion of centering your bed on the window. I would think about white wood or wood-like blinds, a valance using your barkcloth, and white sheers hung high and wide on either side.
Before I even scrolled down to read that you wanted to paint the walls aqua, I was thinking, oooh she should paint the walls and ceiling a very, very light aqua!
If you move the bed, you can give more breathing room to your gorgeous Brasilia pieces (I’m jealous). I’d recommend nightstands painted in a color that coordinates with the aqua — maybe a darker blue or teal. You could possibly get two non-matching nightstands in wood and paint them the same color, and then as long as they’re the same height they “match” in a funky kind of way.
I agree with others who say don’t paint any wood. How about using vintage-y cloth to “paper” the insides of the room divider on the vertical sides? You could either wrap cloth around cardboard/foamboard/plywood cut to the exact size, then wedge it in, or try wetting the cloth with water and cornstarch, then “papering” it on the surfaces. If they are well-sealed, it shouldn’t damage the wood, right? Apartment Therapy had a tutorial on this.
Finally, I’d say that the built-in drawers, while a cool feature, kind of make the room feel busy. I’d think about how to minimize them, like putting some kind of wood or wood-colored hardware on them so they blend in more.
I am so jealous of your room. It looks like such a lovely place to curl up and read a book!