Did you see my post about our snowbird home in Arizona where we’re wintering? Find a few of our plans for the bedrooms here today along with bits of progress. If you’re a fan of ideas for neutral, European country inspired bedroom retreats, check out my mood boards with resources and links to exact design elements I chose.
Snowbird Sanctuary: Ebony and Ivory Bedrooms
Ivory With Black Accent Inspiration
It’s not common for me to think about using black accents. So why is that happening in this home? I’m listening to what this house wants to be. Also, you can’t miss the black appliances in the kitchen since it is an open floorplan, and I am definitely not a fan of black appliances! Since they are like new, I’ll live with them for now and try to help them make sense.
Black can be awfully austere so for me, it is about easing into the idea.
Do you like black with crisp whites or is it easier on your eye when the white is more ivory?
One thing I became aware of is how I prefer white marble vanity tops over darker tops.
The space with which we have to work is basically a blank slate with lots of light and no closet or architectural anything.
Blank Slate BEFORE Primary Bedroom
Our bedroom has lovely Western exposure and is a decent size for this smallish house. The existing LVP flooring is newer and actually looks better in person. Here’s the before:
My favorite feature of the primary bedroom is the wide window welcoming a view of mountains and lush green trees.
For now, we’re living with the existing custom fabric vertical blinds, although we did raise them closer to the ceiling for balance.
Our goal is to keep everything minimal and neutral, and we’re getting there. A performance velvet headboard from Pottery Barn provides the softness and ivory color that blends quietly with Sherwin-Williams Natural Choice painted walls.
Creative Repurposing & Layering Whites
Always the relentless DIYer, to customize our plain bed frame, I added a large white Belgian linen cushion from RH as a footboard (above). Here’s my plan with resources provided:
I envisioned all white bedding including a waffle-textured duvet cover and large Belgian linen accent pillow. If you’re shy about mixing warm and cool whites, try it!
The black console table I found for the space is not too deep…just enough space to get a little work done with a laptop or plop extra pillows. It looks balanced with the television above it, and the height allowed for cozy upholstered counter height stools.
Nightstand Woes
Nightstand shopping wasn’t the easiest. I was after a minimal look that wouldn’t feel too modern. We settled on a pair with white marble tops and a shelf below the drawer. Will I be able to live with all the black? Time will tell.
The lamps were a lucky local find and add needed texture to the mix. This one is very similar:
I brought the black framed mirror from my dressing room in Illinois to continue the ebony love, and the slipcovered barrel chair is an old Ikea find more comfortable than you might imagine.
The Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock fabric is one I seem to never tire of. I’m unsure whether I’ll use the blush color or ivory background for an accent pillow.
While the Cire Trudon wax in my glass holders burned away long ago, I found the pretty glass receptacles for a song and simply refill with wax. Do you do this too? Have you heard of this French candle maker? If you consider it absolutely off the bougz (crazy, insane) to pay such a price for a single luxury candle, I hear you!
Bougie Luxe Candles
A little history…Cire Trudon is the oldest candle manufacturer, founded in Paris in 1643 by Claude Trudon. Trudon was a grocer and evolved to become the official wax supplier to French royalty, including King Louis XIV at Versailles, and later Napoleon! There’s good reason folks like me love to re-use the glass holder. Known for high-quality, historical craftsmanship, Trudon candles are hand-poured with vegetable wax in hand-blown glass. Such beautiful work. You’ll find recurring markings such as “Deo Regique laborant” (They work for God and King). Not surprisingly, Cire Trudon supplies luxury scents to modern design houses like Dior and Hermès.
DIY Progress on Guest Bedroom
For the guest bedroom in our snowbird home, I was able to re-use a number of pieces new and old from our prior home. Here’s how things looked after we ripped out carpet:
As you see above, there was no source of light for this room to speak of besides outlets for lamps!
Not ideal for hard work like this.
New white oak-look waterproof flooring added instant character and age.
So gratifying to see this replace soiled wall to wall carpet!
Buh-bye, smelly fuzzy wuzzy. And hello new electrical for the ceiling!
The empire style chandelier is a style I have used in a number of rooms which lack architectural interest. Since the moldings in this home are builder-grade, such details matter. Newish matching twin linen headboards and an old marble topped dresser fit perfectly.
I painted the dresser Farrow & Ball Railings. The 1930s grain sacks from France were sewn into simple pillow slips, and a king-sized stripe pillow is the perfect width for a twin. I found lightweight white comforters locally, and the plaid chenille throws have served us well for nearly two decades.
These chairs above fit nicely in the bedroom, and we’ll pull them into service for dining when we need them. I like the spare feel on a daily basis with the open floorplan. Their modern silhouette provides unexpected, pleasant tension with the neoclassical dining table.
Wallpaper or a stencil design may elevate the pretty plain white wall…stay tuned. Psst. I have been enjoying these Lavanila healthy candles on the board above. With a heightened sensitivity to fragrance, I breathe easy with these gourmand-lovely gems. As for the guest bath, it didn’t start out very gem-like. Changing out the faucet, painting the vanity, and adding hardware helped:
Periwinkle matelasse curtain panels are hung with a shower curtain to brighten up the space for now.
Thanks for taking a peek at our recent DIYs! We’re getting there. Plenty more to come, and I’ll be sharing a proper reveal when they’re ready.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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