DECORATING

indoors

t

1 O UT OF LINE

N e u tra l sta n c e

A small guest room lets you make a showcase piece

out of the bed. Keep the walls and carpet neutral, then layer patterns (in similar

color tones for unity) with bedding in stripes, florals, and animal prints. Framed

toile fabric replaces a pricey upholstered headboard and gives the room a subtle

French touch. Turquoise blue runs through the room in the coverlet, headboard,

painted desk, and bench at the end of the bed.

The homeowner varied

the width of the walls’

painted stripes by using

different size sponge

rollers to freehand the

border. The imperfect

look lends charm.

2 FRAM ED

3 BO XED OUT

Boxy slipcovers in

checkered fabric hide

cardboard bedside

tables. Mirrored lamps

rest on glass tops.

4 W INDO W SEAT

A window marks the

spot for a small desk.

Bamboo shades can

be drawn for privacy;

the valance is a piece

of linen with a rod

pocket at the top and

turquoise trim sewn to

the bottom.

batting and 2

V2

yards of

fabric. The headboard

is hung from large

eye hooks.

Inexpensive decorative

molding, painted and

distressed, frames a

piece of plywood

covered with cotton

6 8 OCTOBER

2008

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

PHOTOS: JOHN REED FORSMAN; PRODUCED BY RONNIE BROTEN