Topping my list of most-loved design projects is the bedroom…

…it’s the one place in your home where you can recharge, ignite your creativity and rest…

…it’s your sanctuary where you can release all of the day’s stresses and relax into your skin.

So when Deborah Duncan of CBS’ Great Day Houston challenged us to create a bedroom design using an antique bed, painted transformations and antique furnishings – I was in!

But this was going to be no easy task since finding the right sizes and matching pairs is practically impossible when working with antiques. So I had to tackle each part of the challenge one-by-one.

Here’s what I did:

Making The Antique Bed Comfortable

Starting off with an antique bed imported from France was especially difficult because European bed sizes are different than American beds. But being unwilling to sacrifice comfort for style, I found a mattress maker in my city who whipped up the perfect sized luxurious mattress tailor-made for the bed.

After chalking that up to a success, I was on to the next task…

Choosing The Right Finishes

Once I found the right mattress, it was time to choose the right finishes and colors. But it was certainly going to be a challenge since I started out with a project full of mismatched pieces that didn’t blend well, conflicted in style and reflected outdated color trends.

Because we wanted to create a space that inspires creativity and rest, we knew we wanted to opt for warm and soothing colors. So we chose a gorgeous gray and creamy toned end palette.

Achieving this palette was a breeze when armed with Amitha Verma Chalk Finish Paint. Because the paint gives me the freedom to source tons of different finishes, styles and eras which allowed me to create a cohesive, elegant stylish palette with no effort at all.

With that goal in mind, it was time to paint the pieces…

Transforming The Furniture

Paint. Because the paint gives me the freedom to source tons of different finishes, styles and eras which allowed me to create a cohesive, elegant stylish palette with no effort at all.

The bed is the biggest focal point of any room. So we knew that we first needed to transform the bed from outdated to outstanding with an Amitha Verma Chalk Finish Paint makeover

To start, we painted it with French Gray. Once that first coat was dry, I highlighted some of the details with Belgian Blue. This seemingly simple touch immediately brought out the gorgeous French carvings that went unnoticed before!

You can leave your painted piece just like this or go on to add our Amitha Verma Protect Clear Sealer to lock in the gorgeous color. And if you want to take the finish up to the next level, you can go ahead and add our stylish Amitha Verma Enhance Antiquing Glazes. The decision is yours!

Next, I needed to look for nightstands…

Finding The Right Nightstands

When it comes to nightstands, my favorite pieces to use are antique commodes or chest of drawers. Their perfect size, storage and unique look is simply unbeatable.

But if you’ve ever looked for a matching pair of commodes, you’ll know that it is near impossible to find.

So to create the designer look we wanted, we found these two commodes that are similar in height:

Recreating this look is easy! Simply paint your piece with Amitha Verma Chalk Finish Paint in French Gray and use Chantilly White on the details. Seal it with AV Protect sealer, and antique with Amitha Verma Enhance Antiquing Glaze in brown.

Love this nightstand?

Get the same look by painting the body with Amitha Verma Latte Beige and Noir Black on the top.

Then, go ahead and seal in your color with Amitha Verma Protect sealer. Finally, get the antique look with Amitha Verma Enhance Antiquing Glaze in Gray. Once I was done with the bed and nightstands, I moved on to the next task…

Creating a Stunning Focal Wall

To make an impactful focal wall, I added a few of my signature design statements:

-Shutters to create texture on blank walls

-Layers of lighting with crystal and gilt sconces

-And of course, I needed a great piece of artwork.

Every time I travel, I’m on the lookout for one-of-a-kind art that I can use in my design projects and in my own home. So when a piece I picked up in France depicting a Parisian scene and the Seine river fit perfectly with the design and space, I was elated!

To create a bit of elegance we added this delightful Paris inspired chandelier:

To take the space up a notch, I brought in this antique-style Oushak rug to ground the design as well as a few art pieces to direct the color palette and add even more warmth and coziness:

And of course, the project wouldn’t be complete without my signature design touch: Adding a one-of-a-kind chair.

Ready for the big reveal?

Here’s the “before”:

…and here is the room after the transformation:

To create this sophisticated design, we used a huge variety of painted finishes from simply painted, to distressed finishes where some paint was removed to achieve the antique look, decorative detailed painted motifs and much more.

The best part is that the finishes don’t have to be complicated. Just check out how this barely painted finish turned out on this bench by using a simple dry brush technique:

From beginning to end, this project was a major adventure in design that we managed to pull off in record time. And it was all thanks to repurposing furniture with Amitha Verma Chalk Finish Paint using antiques to create a one of a kind home and creating an inspiring, relaxing respite for the heart and soul.

Now I want to hear from you:

What do you think of how this project turned out?

Would you try any of these techniques and projects in your bedroom?

Leave a comment and let us know! Have a friend that would love to see this stunning before and after? Do me a favor and share this with 2 friends today!

Till the next time we meet, rock on with your amazing design gifts – they are in there!

With love,

Amitha

p.s. Did you miss our invitation to our latest Amitha Verma workshops?

Reserving your seat to this workshop is a powerful step forward in making your home vision for 2017 a reality.

Register for the Free Deminar February 25th, and learn the 3-step Transform system thousands of people just like you are now using to makeover old and unloved furniture and décor.

Want a more hands-on experience? Register for our Beginner’s Hands-On Workshop on March 18th and try the 3-Step Transform makeover process with the expert guidance of a certified Amitha Verma teacher.

If you want to take your paint skills to the next level, the Advanced Hands-On workshop on March 18th is perfect for you.

I can’t think of many things more enjoyable than learning how to paint while sipping French wine in the presence of good company – can you? If that also sounds like your idea of a fun time,  join our Happy Hour Workshop hosted on March 11th or March 24th.

Still have some questions? Give us a call at 713-468-3931 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions!