Get the Look for Less: A Push-the-Envelope Bedroom

When I start putting a room together, my instinct is to push the envelope, pull back, then push the envelope some more until I'm dialed in on that perfect balance. It's a great way to stretch your decorating boundaries, and the way I see it, until you slap glue on it or hand over a credit card, no decision is permanent. So I love the decorating abandon of this bedroom from Southern Living's "Idea House" in Texas.

I'm a huge fan of graphic wallpaper, but with such bold patterns, I find that papering one wall is sufficient. That's the bling in the room, and from there on out, decorate around the wallpaper and decorate to balance. The simple neutral upholstered headboard and cement-colored table lamps bring the volume down. The colorful bed linens are a nice quiet tie-in to the wall, while the pastel matelasse quilt brings in a gentle hint of color. For me, this room wouldn't be as enticing without the bench. Wood will bring in soul no matter what the décor. Now, push the envelope again. This room features a dark barnwood frame (seemingly out of nowhere, somewhat out of proportion) that displays a painting that doesn't fit. Perfect. Check out our tips to get the look for less.


See this entire "Idea House" and more of this master bedroom at Southern Living.