Today on the blog I’m sharing the design mood board I’ve been working on for our guest bedroom.
Creating a mood board for our guest bedroom
If you’ve been following along the past few months then you probably know that I’m hoping to makeover one of our guest bedrooms. We made some minor updates to the room a few years ago, but we’re looking to completely redesign the space and give it a fresh new look.
To see what our guest bedroom currently looks like and the updates and goals we have for the space click here.
To help me visualize the design for the guest bedroom I’m creating a mood board. Today, I’m sharing a look at the mood board I’ve been working on, my thoughts on the design, and what I still need to figure out.
Mood boards
First, let’s talk about what a mood board is and how it can help you when designing and planning your project. There are multiple uses for mood/design boards. For our purposes today though we’re referring to how interior designers use them in their projects.
A mood board is a collection of images that helps the designer and the clients visualize the design. It’s created to help get an idea of how colors, patterns, and key design items will look together. Making sure everything works and the design is cohesive.
Mood boards are a great way to “test” out a look without having to make a commitment. You can play around with different colors, patterns, and furniture pieces. Getting a feel for what the space will look like. Helping you to create a design that’s cohesive and aesthetically pleasing.
Guest bedroom mood board
Gathering iNspiration
When approaching the design for our guest bedroom, I had a general idea of how I want the space to look and feel. I want to create a room that is warm and cozy with lots of charm and character.
With that in mind, I needed to define what that looked like to me. And to me, that meant combining the look of a bespoke London hotel and mixing it with the charm and character of a bedroom you’d find in an English countryside cottage.
So what does that look like?
Well, there were two images that really spoke to me early on that had the vibes I was going for. Mark D Sikes’ Sleeping Beauty room for the Kips Bay Design Showhouse and Hannah Cecil Gurney’s London Flat Bedroom.
These two images really got the design wheels turning in my head. I love the use of color and the way patterns are mixed within both spaces. I also love that the rooms feel traditional but also modern and fresh at the same time.
These images helped me to see the key elements to focus on to achieve the look I was after. To see all the images inspiring me and to hear my thoughts and plans for the design, you can follow along here on the blog and in my Instagram stories.
The Design so far
So, with inspiration in hand and key design elements identified, I set out to source the actual pieces for the room.
Without further ado, here is the mood board I created for our guest bedroom. It isn’t complete, and there are still some things I’m working through, but I’m loving the direction it’s going so far.
Key elements in the design
So, let’s talk about the design, shall we?
After identifying how I wanted the bedroom to look and feel, I honed in on the important design elements. These key elements are the things I feel are important for executing the design and evoking the look and feel that I want. Those key design elements include the color pallet, pattern mixing, and architectural interest.
color pallet
Right away, I honed in on the color pallet I wanted to use in the space.
I knew I wanted a softer mid-tone color pallet to bring in those cozy, warm vibes I’m after. For me, that’s mossy green, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and brass. To keep it modern and fresh though I’ll add touches of blue and black throughout.
I’ve always been drawn to the color green for this room and it was hard to see it any other way. I’ll add shades of green through the use of wallpaper and paint. Mustard yellow, burnt orange, and brass will be supporting colors in the space and will show up in the fabrics and accessories selected for the room. As will pops of blue and black.
Pattern Mixing
Pattern mixing is also an important aspect of my design. Mixing more traditional and classic patterns will help to add the character and charm I want in the space. Evoking the classic English country cottages I love so much.
To do this I started sourcing wallpaper for the room. All the rooms that I was drawn to when looking for inspiration had these beautiful hand-painted chinoiserie walls. They are STUNNING but also way out of our budget for the room. I couldn’t find anything similar that I loved, so I pivoted.
I fell in love with this floral print titled Emperors Garden by G P & J Baker. The inspiration for this pattern was the Chinese hand-painted wallpapers I had fallen in love with but at a price point I could stomach. The shade of green and scale of the print is perfect and I think it will be gorgeous in the room.
Other classic patterns I’m looking to incorporate include stripes and gingham along with some more modern prints like animal and geometric. I’m still working out the right mix and exactly how they will be incorporated. Some ideas I have include the bedding, throw pillows, side chair, and ceiling.
Architectural interest
Another way, and one of my favorite ways to add character to a room, is through moulding and trim.
To see some of my favorite wall moulding styles and get design ideas for use in your own home, check out my blog post here.
A few years ago we added board and batten to one of the walls in the room. Creating a focal point in an otherwise awkward little niche. I want to add some additional trim pieces to finish the design and paint it all a gorgeous mossy green. I’ll use the wallpaper as a guide when sourcing the exact color.
We also previously updated the baseboards but didn’t add any crown. I’m thinking about adding some to the room to elevate the space and also help with the transition between the wallpaper on the walls and the pattern I’m thinking of adding to the ceiling.
Other architectural details include updating the bedroom and closet doors to something more traditional looking in design to keep the look cohesive.
WHAT I’M STILL FIGURING OUT
I love the direction the design is going so far but I don’t have everything figured out yet. There are still some things I need to work out. These design decisions, while important, I have some flexibility on and options to choose from.
One of the design elements that I’m still working on is the bed and bedding. A few years ago we found an antique metal full-size bed at the Springfield flea market.
If you want my tips and tricks for shopping the Springfield Flea you can find the blog post here.
Originally the bed was red and I spray painted it a bright blue. I love the color but I’m not 100% sure it will stay that color in the end. I want pops of blue in the room since it is the unifying color throughout our whole home but I’m not sure I want this exact shade.
I’m also still working on the bedding. It’s an opportunity for me to introduce more patterns into the space but, I’m also considering keeping it simple by going all white.
Another area I’m still working on is the exact mix of furniture pieces I want in the room. Currently, the pieces we have include the bed, a nightstand, a tall dresser, and a side chair.
The bed is the only existing piece that I will be reusing in the room. I also know that I want a nightstand but I prefer something antique. A mid-tone wooden one vs the newer painted existing one we have. Adding to the character and charm I’m after.
I’m trying to figure out the other key pieces I want in the bedroom. Adding another type of dresser and chair makes sense for the room and our guests but I want to keep an open mind in case I stumble upon another cool piece. Like a secretary desk or credenza that could also work.
Something I haven’t given much thought to is the flooring. We have hardwood floors in there now but want to add carpet at some point. We love our floors but they need to be refinished and are no help in reducing or muffling sound.
When guests come to stay sound bounces off all the hard surfaces and travels throughout the house. Adding carpet and maybe a rug would help to control the noice and add some additional privacy for us and our guests.
Design mood board for our guest bedroom
There you have it. A look at the mood board and design direction for our guest bedroom.
There are still decisions to be made and details to be ironed out, but the overall look feels pretty solid. I’m excited to get going on this project and I’m hoping we can do so in the next few weeks.
I’ll continue to share updates here and on Instagram so make sure to check back!
What’s your favorite design element in the room?
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