TEEN DREAMS: DARK FAIRYTALE BEDROOM

Please welcome Genny, a 16 year old writer with an eye for design. We asked her to create her dream room on a budget. -FM

Every teenager has their ideal room – a sanctuary where the mind is cleansed and the body is at ease. A bedroom is more than just a place to rest, it reflects an individual’s personality. Being a teenager myself, it’s important for me to have a place to unleash my creativity and explore my artistic capabilities. So, it’s no surprise that my room is filled with collages and all sorts of crazy things that my mind can muster up. Unfortunately, being a teenager has its limitations and so does my bedroom. In this piece, I will create my dream room with 5 items that I feel portray me best. Enjoy.

My dream room would be a whimsical place; very “fairy tale–esque,” but with dark tones. My first item of choice is this velvet head board, which sets the mood for my dream room.

Velvet Tufted Headboard in Pewter, $349

Another item that goes perfectly with my dark fairy tale theme is this haunting tapestry of grey birch trees- it reminds me of a dark, enchanted forest.

Birch Trees Tapestry, $38

For storing books and knick-knacks, I like this floral side table. It goes well with the tapestry and stays true to my color scheme.

Flourish Storage Side Table, $49

I would also add this Alice in Wonderland Pillowcase set. You can’t get more ‘enchanted fairytale’ than Alice in Wonderland.

Alice Tea Party Pillowcase Set, $34

To top it all off, I would add a bird cage lamp. Nothing feels more whimsical than waking up to beautiful birds hanging from the ceiling.

Birdcage Hanging Lamp, $98

Even though for some it may not come easily, being creative can be pretty effortless. Staying true to your style is one of the most natural things in this world and what better way to do so then to get started on the room of your dreams! Hopefully these few paragraphs have ignited your imagination. I wish all who have read this best of luck in their artful journeys.

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GET THE LOOK: THE COZY BEDROOM

 

Like a cocoon, a cozy bedroom is perfect for hiding away in—especially if you live somewhere where it’s often cold or wet out. Cozy bedrooms tend to be heavy on fabric and neutrals, and light on metal and dark colors. Keeping the big pieces relatively neutral, and incorporating bolder colors on the bedspread or accents, makes it easy (and relatively inexpensive) to change things up down the road. This look can be had for $1,631.93.

This West Elm bed is one to bedeck in fluffy bedding, crawl into and hibernate in. $679 for a full.

Slipcovered Bed Set, $679

Grandmotherly quilts are making a comeback and remain just as cozy as you remember. $79.99 for a full from Laura Ashley.

Laura Ashley Full/Queen Quilt Set, $79.99

This cotton jersey shag rug is perfect for next to the bed and would feel great underfoot. $165 (2’8” x 4’8”) through Layla Grayce.

Shaggy Raggy Cafe au Lait Cotton Jersey Shag Rug, $165

The Midrise Floor Lamp from CB2 has a soft linen shade. $99.95.

midrise floor lamp, $99.95

A twist on a classic—the IKEA Poang as a rocker and covered in plush sheepskin. $299 from IKEA (in lockarp white).

POÄNG Rocking chair, $299.00

The Parsons bookshelf has a softening effect in light green. $249. (green)

Parsons Bookshelf, $249

A Mucha poster to finish it off. $59.99 for 18” x 24”.

Savonnerie de Bagnolet by Alphonse Mucha, $59.99

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GET THE LOOK: A JOHN ROBSHAW INSPIRED BED

I’ve coveted John Robshaw’s luxurious, eclectic bedding for years–his patterns and colors are easily mixed for a fun bohemian look. Unfortunately, Robshaw is a bit pricey. Luckily it’s easy to create the look for a lot less.

A John Robshaw Bed

 

This scrumptious bed is typical of the John Robshaw style–notice the layers of texture and pattern used to create this little piece of golden heaven.  I styled our “look for less” using this as my inspiration and turning to West Elm, which has loads of options in their bedding department right now. Remember: Always mix pattern with texture, and be sure to vary the scale of your prints and textures–layering adds depth.

The circle duvet is a great choice for its pattern scale and dark gold coloring.

Organic Carved Circles Duvet Cover, $69-99

The ikat sheet set is fun and organic. The small scale of the pattern is a nice contrast to the larger scale on the duvet. You could also use a plain white sheet set here if you’re feeling a little less adventurous.

Organic Ikat-Stripe Sheet Set, $79-119

These embroidered shams are beautiful and delicate, bringing texture and a feminine touch to our design. The silver and grey hues are a nice compliment to the ikat sheets.

maroc embroidered shams, $29-34

This swirl pillow is amazing, it adds another layer of texture but remains subtle since it is all white.

deconstructed swirl pillow cover, $44

Finally, this lovely white textured quilt helps ground all of the patterns.

Lexington Quilt, on sale $79.99-119.99

Throw in another colorful pillow of your choice and there you have it, a John Robshaw inspired bed. The biggest plus of designing your own bedding ensemble is that you can change it up easily.  Simply add or remove pillows, put the duvet over the quilt, the quilt over the duvet or just remove one.  Fluctuating between patterned sheets and crisp white sheets is also nice.  It’s OK to clash when going for this eclectic look, so if you are feeling pink and orange, then go for it!


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STORE PROFILE: JAY EAST ANTIQUES IN DUMBO…CLOSING SALE

Inside Jay East Dumbo, photo by DumboNYC

Yesterday I passed by Jay East, this incredible Asian antiques store, and sadly found out that they’re going out of business. The good news is the already affordable antiques store has majorly slashed their prices to liquidate. If you’re interested, don’t put it off cause they could be closing any day now.

 

This red birdcage comes ready to hang, $45.

Hanging Red Birdcage, $45

You’ll never find an antique Buddha head statue this cheap! It’s been marked down to $75 from $160.

 

Antique Buddha Sculpture, $75. Click here to see it in action.

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More zen action for even less. The wear and tear on this Kwan Yin sitting statue gives it a special antique-y vibe.

Buddha Statue, $50

Have an egg party with these majestic porcelain eggs*

Porcelain Eggs, $10-15. *Eggs look way more majestic in person.

Try something different for a change on your walls, like these carved wood panels.

Carved Wood Panels, $10

Jay East, Antique Asian furniture, collectibles, home goods, gifts
67 Jay Street (between Water and Front Streets). Brooklyn, NY
Take the F to York Street or A to High Street
11 – 6pm, daily
P: 718-237-8430
www.JayEast.com

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TISSUE BOXES

Everyone has inexplicable pet peeves; one of mine happens to be Kleenex boxes that completely clash with their general surroundings. A very plain, monotone box surely does no harm, but tissue companies seem gung ho on getting a colorful cornucopia of flowers, zigzags and curlicues into our homes, and this must be dealt with. Luckily, these tissue boxes cleverly circumnavigate the garish Kleenex box problem:

 

The suave stainless steel SÄVERN from IKEA is like a little lockbox for your tissues—and a bargain, at $11.99.

SÄVERN Tissue box, $11.99

This is probably the only thing from Jonathan “The King of Lacquer” Adler we can afford. $38.

Jonathan Adler lacquer tissue box, $38

This boutique box nicely pairs stainless steel and bamboo. Perfect for the bathroom, kitchen, office or wherever else you might want it. $16.49.

Formbu® Stainless Steel Boutique Box, $16.49

With the transparent holder, you’ll never be caught unawares when your Kleenex is running low. $14.99.

Crystal Clear Flat Tissue Box, $14.99

Should you happen to have $45 laying around explicitly for a tissue box, we wholeheartedly recommend this stunning Japanese Hinoki cypress model from Design Within Reach. $45.

Hinoki Tissue Box, $45

 

For those itching to ditch a box altogether (and don’t live in a dust factory), we present the Bridge holder from CB2. $14.95.

CB2 Bridge Tissue Holder, $14.95

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STORE PROFILE: THE ALLEY IN PALM SPRINGS

If you’re anywhere near Palm Springs, California, then you know all about the wonders of The Alley. It’s like an entire store devoted to the back of T.J. Maxx – those few aisles of home goods where you know you can always find a diamond in the rough.

There aren’t enough retro piggy banks priced at $4.99 in the world. It seems like they all exist in The Alley. Or, try a duck bank for the same price.

Retro Piggy Banks, $4.99

These fancy antique classics scream “rich genius,” but really they’re storage boxes in disguise. $14.99-$25.99 each.

"Antique" Books, $14.99-$25.99 each

Display your literary collection with these darling bulldog statue bookends.

Bulldog Statue Bookends, $21.99

With pottery priced to move, you can afford to display a handful of them on that lonely dresser of yours.

Pottery, $4.99

This jumbo red melamine tray will accommodate several martinis.

Melaimine Serving Tray, $16.99

Anything covered in wood grain brings me back to the 70’s, and that’s a good thing. Get your wood grain fix with this tray.

Wood Grain tray, $19.99

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