One glaring feature overpowered Kim Stevens’ southeast Ocala bedroom — a rustic, cypress paneled wall. To make matters worse, the wood-covered wall was also coupled with a blue-carpeted border, creating an outdated 1970s design flashback. This room was in serious need of a makeover. Kim wanted to change her room, but was overwhelmed by the prospect. Patti Albrecht, Owner/Decorator of Patti’s Interiors, Inc., knew just what to do… and you can guess what was instantly eliminated.
Goodbye, cypress and carpet, hello, elegant oasis!
“A master bedroom should be a serene and relaxing place with calm colors,” says Patti, “and Kim’s room was just the opposite. The carpet and cypress wall had to go.”
Dave Blumberg, Patti’s talented carpenter, went to work and refinished the wall, even managing to salvage some of the existing sheetrock. After stripping the wall of wood and carpet, Dave applied a textured drywall along with a fresh coat of khaki paint.
“That wall was a 9-1-1 call for help!” laughs Dave.
Yet, rather than remove the wall as the room’s focal point, Patti dressed it up in tropical flair with glass beads and bamboo, creating an eye-appealing headboard for Kim’s bed. Neutral-colored bedding, pillows, and bed skirt complete the master suite’s bed, now commanding a stylish center stage.
“I knew the headboard would be the first thing Kim sees when she walks in the room, so it had to be unique and attractive,” adds Patti.
The floor and ceiling also begged for Patti’s design attention. Dave installed new honey oak wood laminate floors and painted the ceiling a complementary beige color. Palm fronds were added to the ceiling fan as other tropical elements were introduced in the room including a simple, but effective, palm leaf wall art design.
“Sometimes, the most interesting design element is the simplest,” says Patti, referring to her tropical-inspired wall art that took all of five minutes to create and install.
Fabrics softened the room as Patti enlisted the help of Christian Pedersen of V2K Window Decor & More. Christian draped the windows with a shimmery gauze treatment over bamboo rods. Sliding glass doors leading to the home’s pool and patio also received a similar window treatment, allowing a visually appealing flow from indoors to out.
“It’s important to maintain a visual continuity between the windows and the rest of the room,” adds Christian.
New furniture was brought in to accommodate Kim’s needs for more storage. Patti added some fun accessories, including a monkey figurine as a playful nod to the island oasis theme. New lamps were strategically placed throughout the room to create a serene setting.
“I think I love the soft lighting the best,” says Kim.
Even a plain built-in television nook got a fresh look with new crown molding — built by Dave — creating a framed vignette for the media space.
Kim says her bedroom is now her favorite place to escape, which is exactly what Patti was hoping for.
“This is amazing,” says Kim. “Patti and her team re-designed this room into something I could never have done myself.”
And she doesn’t miss the cypress and blue carpet either.
Straight from the Decorator
“I like to emphasize the homeowner’s personality in a room to incorporate his or her style.”
Patti Albrecht, Owner/Decorator, Patti’s Interiors
Tips for decorating your bedroom
1. Less is more. Don’t over accessorize or you’ll wind up with clutter.
2. Pick a theme that reflects your personality.
3. Use serene colors including on the ceiling, giving this space more height and softness.
