California Style Bedroom ~ Home Furniture Insider

California Style Bedroom

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

What's the first thing you do when you walk through your front door after a long day? Getting greeted by a dog as precious as Lola the mini Australian Shepard social media starlet wouldn't hurt, but until that becomes my reality, I'll continue to unwind by kicking off my shoes and changing into a robe so I can land softly into my bed. Admittedly, transforming a bedroom into a sanctuary that inspires rest, relaxation, and cheer is a true art form.

This is especially true if you're a fashion blogger who needs her space to be Instagram-ready at any given moment or a graphic designer who appreciates aesthetics. But when you get it right, you get it right, and Kimberly Lapides's bedroom makeover is all the proof we need. As the fashion-savvy founder of Eat/Sleep/Wear, it's no surprise that she was able to live up to the task of creating a dreamy primary bedroom, with expert guidance from interior design mastermind Anne Sage.

The term "Primary Bedroom" is now widely used to describe the largest bedroom in the home, as it better reflects the space's purpose. Many realtors, architects, interior designers, and the Real Estate Standards Association have recognized the potentially discriminatory connotations in the term "Master." Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.

"I wanted Kim to feel like she couldn't wait to return home at the end of a long day. I've seen firsthand how hard that girl works. Yet at the same time, Kim's home is very much a part of her online brand, so whatever we did had to function as a backdrop for her impeccable fashion and style sensibilities. We've created a room where she can rest and rejuvenate but also call into service for a last-minute lifestyle shoot if need be," explains Sage. Even if you're not in the market for a full-blown primary bedroom makeover, if you need a fresh batch of design inspiration, or you're looking for some expert tips on how to create a covetable oasis, you'll learn a plethora of design lessons from this stylish duo as you scroll through the images and tips below.

Texture Scapes Over Color Schemes

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

This bedroom proves that you don't need to use a ton of bright colors to keep things bright and cheerful. If you prefer neutral tones, you may not have to spend as much time developing a color palette. "I'd call this less of a color scheme and more of a texture scape," Sage says. Lapides goes on to explain that "if you look in [her] closet, it's filled with all black, white, and neutrals. And it's so true that if you look at your personal style, a lot of that is reflected back into your living space." So instead of consulting a color wheel, Sage says, "the focus was on layering multiple textures to create depth and dynamic interest."

Also, "Kim lives near the beach, so natural elements like the raw wood bench, tactile linen bed upholstery, and matte marble tabletops have a certain eroded earthiness to them, but then Kim loves a clean, modern look too, so the blackened steel of the mirror, sconces, and chair frame provides a contemporary industrial touch. And then, of course, it's a bedroom," she explains, so creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere is essential. It's as simple as incorporating "plenty of cozy textiles for the whole family to sink into. That sheepskin throw at the foot of the bed is all it takes."

Think Like a Problem-Solver

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

The size and shape of the bedroom presented some small challenges. Specifically, "Kim knew she wanted a king-size bed, but that didn't leave much space for end tables before the wall angled inward on either side." To make things work, they "settled on two petite marble accent tables that are just the right size for a glass of water and a pair of eyeglasses before bed. And because the tables are so small, we installed wall sconces flanking the bed so that Kim and Blake can still have reading lights without taking up valuable tabletop space." And of course, the beautiful bed wouldn't be complete without that cozy Rough Linen duvet to cuddle up under.

Choose Meaningful Décor

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

If you're giving your primary bedroom a makeover, the actual bed should be eye-catching and cozy. "It's a bedroom, so obviously the first thing we chose was the bed," Sage explains. "This low, sleek upholstered frame is from a Belgian company called Verellen. Its proportions are utterly divine, and it has that 'fancy hotel' vibe yet is laid-back and unassuming."

Then, when it comes to the decorative items and artwork, make sure you choose pieces that really speak to you. Lapides describes how much she adores the artwork above her bed, which can make a huge aesthetic difference while also being mood-lifting. "The feather prints feel like you could almost touch the feathers."

Create a Cozy Nook

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

"I've been known to agonize over every decision until I'm sure I've seen all possible options. So I guess you could call my style 'type A chic,'" Sage jokes. So every design decision in this room was made with some attention to function too, which is a testament to her expertise as a designer. For example, as she describes, "Kim's four pets are full of love but also full of mischief. They've been known to make their mark on upholstered furniture. We solved the problem by using Crypton Home Fabric on all upholstered pieces in the room. It has a repel and release technology that makes it impervious to stains, but it has an incredibly soft feel just like any other luxe interiors fabric would. You'd never know that elegant linen bed and velvet chair are covered in performance fabric."

The lesson? If you have enough space to create a warm reading nook, take advantage of the opportunity, and don't let anything get in the way.

Give It a Sense of Place

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

"The best part of our primary suite is that it's very spacious and gives us a lot of room to be creative and use white space wisely," Lapides says. "And that doesn't mean that tech devices and entertainment systems are off limits." The wall-mounted television makes that case for us, but one of the biggest challenges in this section of the room was finding the right storage solutions for all her essentials. And as we mentioned earlier, Lapides values texture and dimension, which can make online shopping tricky.

As she explains, "I think a big challenge for designing the space was not being able to touch and feel all the pieces before we got them. Especially when working with different wood tones, I have to say working with texture and color samples are key to make sure you get the right look and feel you are going for."

Don't Forget the Details

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

As Lapides says, "it's all about the little details to finish off a space." And they introduce more character as well an authentic, lived-in vibe. "Some of my favorite elements are the coffee table books in the room. The surf shack book is a favorite to browse through while enjoying a cup of coffee in my armchair."

"I also love having fresh florals around, so it was important to find some gorgeous vases to place throughout the space." These details complement Lapides's eye love for all things "crisp, modern, and clean," but they also make it feel like an even more inviting space. Another great detail is the hide over the bench at the end of the bed. "This is one of those styling pieces that pull the space together. The mix of wood and furry textures is the perfect combo for that place in the room. It also makes for a warm spot to change my shoes while getting ready in the morning," she says.

Monica Wang ; DESIGN: Anne Sage

"I love how this space feels when you walk into it. There's a breeziness to it and a perfect balance of restraint and retreat. This is a room where you can clear your mind and feel present—exactly what a bedroom should be," Sage says. But more than that, it was also designed with a strong sense of place. Since Lapides lives by the beach in a California-style ranch, there are certain elements (like the natural wood grains, casual and layered textures, and artwork) that open up the room and make it feel cool without feeling too much like a vacation home. We especially love this collection of throw pillows Sage and Lapides sourced from The Little Market.

Lighting also has a lot to with it. The couple keeps their windows open often, so renovating them was the first project for the bedroom. "We put in normal sliding windows with screens, and it has already helped the bedroom feel more like home for us," Lapides says.