The bedroom has stopped being this sanctuary, isolated from the rest of the house, where no one dares to enter. Today, inspired by luxury hotels, owners are redefining it as a friendly environment that can almost be used as a second salon, in the spirit of the business suite but with extra soul. As a response to rather cold current architectural tendencies, interior design focuses on warmth and comfort, with voluptuous, cosy armchairs and couches.
However, the dimensions of a classical bedroom don’t always allow for the creation of a proper « suite », so this new concept sometimes means a redistribution of space within the house. Usually, a former children’s room allows for this adaptation, but sometimes the second bathroom is disposed of, proof that well-being can be sacrificed for the sake of comfort.
The bedroom is thus divided into several spaces where one can read, rest, and even chat like in a proper salon.
The contemporary bedroom now has couches, where straight and pure lines are softened by round angles. This search for softness is echoed in the choice of fabrics: velvets, kilims or very soft waxed leather for the ultimate sensuous feel.
The heads of the beds are of generous proportions and padded, for a cosier feel, or simply made of a very smooth material. The most fashion-forward style is the head with integrated lights. Some Hi-Tech elements are also to be found in the suite space of the room, as for example the mythical Tam-Tam stool, revisited as a iTam-Tam with an integrated loudspeaker for the iPod or iPhone.
The boudoir atmosphere is still “in”
The colour palette remains rather classical, with natural overtones of white, off-white, beige, grey or taupe. Some stronger hues sometimes appear in a pop art spirit, in an enveloping armchair or in a small minimalist couch of an orange colour. Even though it remains cautious with colours, the contemporary style is not fully immune against the landslide of vibrant shades coming from China, India or the Middle East. Raspberry-red, cobalt-blue and most of all sunflower-yellow – sometimes reinterpreted as a spicy-curry-yellow – have made their entry. New finishings are also to be seen, as wenge is supplanted by black or white lacquer and chestnut-wood.
The boudoir bedroom is still very popular, with almost baroque silk-covered sofas, next to high and extremely soft beds, such as can be found in Anglo-Saxon hotels. Space is turned into a warm cocoon. Couches grow lower, meridiennes and reading-chairs come back to the forefront in a modern inspiration while large, deep or firm poufs become indispensable.
In a related note, luxury, and even high-luxury bedding is taking over the bedroom. Linen and cotton sheets, cashmere or lame spreads, lace, ergonomic pillows… colours remain neutral, with a dominant white, sometimes associated to a golden beige, earthy tones or pale, almost powdered khaki. Plain is preferred, even though prints, especially vegetal, are attempting a takeover.
Natacha Dumur
