Guest bedrooms often are called upon to fill many roles, and Emily R.’s is no exception. In addition to housing out-of-town guests, it provides overflow storage for Emily and her husband. Its central location, on the way to the powder room and primary bedroom, also means it’s highly visible – for better or worse.
While comfortable, the bedroom lacked cohesion, and didn’t reflect the couple’s transitional leanings. After trying out a few ideas on her own, Emily reached out for complimentary help from a Frontgate Design Services specialist. Working together, they created a space that perfectly balances transitional style’s contemporary and traditional influences – and feels welcoming to all.
Bold navy accents and an eye-catching pendant keyed the guest bedroom’s transformation.
Navy and geometrics
Bold geometric patterns have become favorites of transitional style because they utilize traditional designs yet present them in fresh ways. So the large-format pattern on the Dorado Hide Area Rug was a perfect starting point for this makeover. A simple ladder stitch on the Resort Bedding and quilting on the Rumi Velvet Quilt continue the clean lines, while the carved drawer fronts of the bedside chestst – similar to our Hugo Chests – echo the curves.
The designer likewise recommended navy as the star color of the space because it feels fresh yet traditional. Pairing it with velvet fabric enhanced the shade’s warmth and gave it a rich sheen.
Dorado Hide Area Rug
Resort Ladder Stitch Bedding Collection
Rumi Velvet Quilt
Contemporary accessories
With this base in place, Emily and the designer introduced some contemporary elements – led by the eye-catching Kimora Pendant. Clean-lined accessories including Cambria Table Lamps and frameless Alessia Wall Mirrors allow visual space for soft accents, like faux floral arrangements, and unexpected details, like an ikat print pillow.
Kimora Pendant
Alessia Wall Mirror
Cambria Table Lamp
A touch of tradition
In true transitional style, these contemporary elements are balanced by the traditional. A shelter-style headboard becomes all the more classic with nailhead trim, which is repeated on the velvet stools. Brass escutcheons and beveled corners bring a traditional tone to the bedside chests.
Substantial, functional furnishings
Scale was an important consideration for all of these furniture selections – and an influential factor in the final aesthetic. The designer encouraged the couple to opt for furnishings that were larger and felt more substantial than their existing pieces, which included a double bed and an accent stool that functioned as a nightstand.
“They helped me pick fewer but larger pieces so the room flowed and didn’t feel cluttered,” Emily says. “They also helped me decide on larger bedside chests instead of tables so that my husband and I would have additional storage.”
With the transformation complete, Emily and her husband can now admire their efforts every time they walk past this guest suite… and can’t help but compare it to their bedroom.
“We want to stay in our guest room more than our own bedroom,” Emily says.
Of course, they’re not the only ones. “My in-laws already want to come and stay in the room, and we just finished the design!” she says.
Learn more about the free assistance our Design Services team can provide on any project, indoors or out.
