Ask A Designer: Dramatic Principal Bedroom

Q. I’ve created a feature wall in our bedroom using Osborne & Little’s Du Barry collection wallpaper in black and taupe, but now I’m stuck as to what to do for bedding and drapes. The other walls are painted Wheat Bread (720C-3) by Behr. Any other suggestions are welcome!

— L.H., Waterloo, Ont. (To submit your own question, see our Ask A Designer™ page.)

A. Fantastic job on the wallpaper! That great trellis pattern will certainly create a focal point in your bedroom. Our inspiration shot shows a perfect way you could proceed with your makeover — with patterned walls, it’s best to stick with simple white bedding and tone-on-tone fabrics for drapes so that neither competes with the wallpaper.

To add drama, use an upholstered headboard with a clean-lined but sculptural silhouette, like the Ornate headboard (shown) from DwellStudio. Choose their Herringbone Charcoal fabric (shown); it’s a mini-herringbone print, so it’ll read as a solid, which will stand out more against the patterned wallpaper. Set a bench, like the 9378-90 cocktail ottoman (shown) from Lee Industries, at the foot of the bed to give it a sense of containment.

A current favourite table of mine is Bernhardt’s Weston nightstand (shown). It’s covered in cream linen and has classic nailhead detailing. Use one on either side of your bed for symmetry and storage.

I love the textural look of the lamps in the inspiration shot. Set cast-resin Clyde table lamps (shown) from Oly Studio — which are slightly more pared back — on each side table to achieve a similar effect. Their fresh white finish will look extra bright against the wallpaper.

Finally, a touch of gold will suit the space well and add a hit of glam. Work it in through artwork with simple gold frames hung above each bedside table. The Cropped Sepia Botanicals IV and V (shown, from left) from Celadon have a graphic quality. They’ll add another layer of pattern to the room, and their sepia finish will complement the tones of the wallpaper.

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1. Headboard in Herringbone Charcoal fabric, DwellStudio. 2.Botanical prints, Celadon. 3. Cocktail ottoman, Lee Industries. 4. Nightstand, Bernhardt. 5. Table lamp, Oly Studio.