| Like any other room in our home, we want our | | | | really audacious, purchase several panels, and use the |
| bedrooms to be put-together and stylish. But we also | | | | fabric to make a bed skirt and several pillows or |
| want our bedrooms to be a real heaven, very | | | | shams. This might be a bit too advanced for a local |
| comfortable and cozy - after all it's the first and last | | | | cleaner and you'll have to find a seamstress. |
| thing we see every day. | | | | 4. Purchase an extra panel and use it as a throw at |
| Your bedding is what I call your 'anchor' in the room - | | | | the foot of the bed. While there is nothing wrong with |
| the largest piece of fabric and the most important | | | | mixing patterns, it will be easier for you to use a solid |
| pattern in the room. If you want a coordinating, | | | | throw on a patterned comforter (and the other way |
| put-together room, you need to make sure your | | | | around). |
| window treatments compliment (they may or may not | | | | Custom work. |
| match) your bedding. You CAN bring your room | | | | As with anything with custom, the sky is the limit, but |
| together whether you're buying 'ready-mades' or | | | | here are your basic considerations: |
| 'custom'. | | | | 1. Be sure to select the fabric for your bedding first. It is |
| For the DYI'er. | | | | your anchor and all other elements are derived from it. |
| 1. If you're in the process of shopping for new bedding, I | | | | As such, make sure you really love it! |
| would strongly suggest that you purchase the | | | | 2. It's best when your comforter fabric and window |
| coordinating window treatments as well. Most often, | | | | treatments fabric do not match. That's right, I said do |
| the retail stores do carry coordinating accessories with | | | | not. Because both will use such a large amount of |
| their assortment of bedding - so if you've already | | | | fabric, seeing the same pattern in 75% of your room |
| found the pattern that you like, it's easy to just | | | | will just be too much of the same thing. Of course, |
| purchase the whole set. You can always get more | | | | having said it, some of design is subjective and |
| information on ready-made curtains at | | | | personal - if you really love it, go for it! |
| 2. If you're happy with the bedding, but unhappy with | | | | 3. Choose at lease three patterns: one main one and |
| the type of the window treatments available, you can | | | | two secondary. If you love high pattern and not afraid |
| always purchase them anyway, and then just use the | | | | to try, go for five or six. |
| fabric to make up any other window treatment you | | | | 4. It will be easier for you to select a solid comforter |
| like (you will be getting into some custom work here) | | | | fabric and use various patterns for pillows and shams. |
| 3. If you're happy with your current bedding and are | | | | 5. Custom bedrooms look best when completed with |
| looking for just the window treatments here are a | | | | a bench at the foot of the bed. |
| couple of tips:a. Be sure to match the main color pallet | | | | If you're completing your bedroom through a retail |
| from both the bedding and the treatment. Not all colors | | | | store, there are some simple steps you can take to |
| have to match, but the most prevalent one does.b. If | | | | make your bedroom beautiful, put-together, and on the |
| your bedding is highly patterned, it's easier to select | | | | budget. If you're making custom treatments, decide |
| solid drapes (this works the other way around too).c. | | | | how much risk you're willing to take with your patterns |
| Purchase an extra panel and make up a pillow - even | | | | and what feel you want to accomplish. The designer |
| a little touch like this can make a difference. Your local | | | | will help you with selecting the right fabrics. |
| cleaner can make one up for you.d. If you want to be | | | | |