I love putting together a good mood board but by now I know it doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to the plan. I see it more as an anchor or starting point for the whole project, rather than a set of rules I have to follow. Coming up with colour schemes, materials, furniture and all the little details is probably my favourite part of the process. At this stage, I often think with my heart rather than my head. But once the renovation starts, reality kicks in and you quickly realise what’s possible and what isn’t. Sometimes, it’s a practical issue. Maybe that table you spotted on Pinterest can’t be shipped to the UK, or the paint colour you picked doesn’t quite work with the furniture you eventually decide on. I’ve learnt not to get too attached to the original plan and to leave room for things to evolve as we go. I often tell myself that if something doesn’t work out, perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be and the universe has something else in mind. I try to trust the process, adapt along the way and hope for the best!
So, here’s mood board version 2. It doesn’t look much different, but maybe it’s a little more realistic.
The Overall Style
I didn’t really have a specific interior style in mind when we started but I knew I wanted to bring together all the things I love in one room. Think rattan, natural materials, Scandinavian simplicity and mid-century modern furniture, with a few French-inspired touches thrown into the mix. Rather than sticking to one particular style, I wanted to create something that felt personal to us, combining different pieces, textures and finishes that work well together without looking too coordinated. If I had to put a name to it, I’d probably call it refined eclectic. I like the idea of mixing different styles and eras, but in a way that still feels calm, cohesive and intentional. I don’t want everything to match perfectly and I think that rooms that do lack some personality and character. Natural wood, woven rattan, soft fabrics and a few more decorative details should help bring everything together without making the space feel too busy. Above all, I wanted the bedroom to feel like a relaxing oasis: bright but cosy, with no unnecessary clutter. We may have a Frame TV in here but even that is disguised as art on the wall. I really want this room to be a place where we can switch off and unwind, away from the everyday distractions. Somewhere that feels a little bit like staying in a boutique hotel, with all the comfort of home.
Choosing the Flooring
I was torn between hardwood flooring and carpet (you can read more about that here). I loved the idea of having beautiful wooden floors that are easy to keep dust-free, but I wasn’t quite sure if they’d be worth the investment or feel warm enough, especially as I’d have a rug anyway. In the end, we decided to go with wool carpet. I think a herringbone pattern will be a lovely alternative to parquet flooring, giving us a similar look but with a much cosier feel. The final decision was actually made for me when we needed to hide the wires for our Frame TV underneath the carpet. And honestly, I’m really happy with how it turned out! Sometimes you just have to trust the process and make decisions as you go. I’m already pretty sure that herringbone carpet will be my choice when it’s time to replace the existing one.
Paint or Wallpaper?
I always knew I wanted to use the Sian Zeng Bamboo wall mural on the feature wall, but I was hoping we could use it on all the walls. Unfortunately, because we’ve had issues with humidity around the bedroom windows (which we’ve since fixed but I’m still a little cautious about), I’ve decided to play it safe and stick to one feature wall. The whole scheme would have looked quite different with wallpaper on every wall, and perhaps this gives me a little more freedom when it comes to choosing colours, furniture and materials. The painted walls will act as a blank canvas, allowing the other elements to stand out without competing for attention. I love the subtle Japandi feel of the mural, and because the bedroom faces south, it gets lovely warm, golden light for most of the day. I think balancing that warmth with a neutral paint colour will help keep the space feeling bright, calm and relaxing.
A Touch of Antique Brass
My original mood board was more focused on natural materials and rougher textures ( like clay and concrete) but I felt the scheme needed a little warmth. That’s why I’ve decided to introduce antique brass (in smaller doses) as I still want the room to feel understated and elegant. I also love the contrast between the botanical wallpaper and the brass details. There’s something about mixing natural elements with a touch of metal that just works for me. And honestly, when it comes to this room, the more texture I can add the better!
Mismatch Furniture
Matching furniture sets feel a little outdated to me now and can make the room feel pretty impersonal. I’ve definitely been guilty of buying matching sets in the past (it was a quicker and easier way to decorate!) but I don’t think we have a single bedroom where everything matches anymore. I find it much more interesting to mix pieces that complement each other rather than match perfectly. Of course, you still need to make sure everything works together, but that doesn’t mean sticking to one type of wood or finish. I’ll happily mix oak with mango wood, for example, as the shades I’ve picked have similar undertones. I’m also planning to introduce rattan to add another layer of texture and tie the different wood finishes together. It’s easier than you might think and so much more fun than having a room where everything matches.
Window Treatments
Since our decorating budget doesn’t stretch to new window treatments this year, I’ve kept that in mind when putting together the colour scheme for this room. Luckily, I still like our existing curtains and blinds, although I am planning to get a new antique brass curtain rail. At some point, I might swap the curtains for something patterned (I’d absolutely love embroidered curtains in here) but for now they are staying. We’ll use plenty of natural materials (like wool, cotton, and rattan) and I’ve also introduced synthetic velvet to add a touch of luxury. I think all these textures will work beautifully together, and because the overall scheme is fairly timeless, I’ll have plenty of flexibility to switch things up in the future without having to redo the entire room.
