Colin and Justin: Nantucket inspired bedroom
June 5, 2010
Colin and Justin
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Nantucket. Count us in. We absolutely love the chic Massachusetts destination and, although we’ve only been twice (once on a travel jolly for a U.K. broadsheet, and once on a stag do with a barrister pal who ended up buying a pad there), it resonates loudly each time we reminisce. Based as we are, for much of each year in Toronto, Nantucket is fairly accessible, so we plan popping back soon for a spot of much needed R and R. We’ve another buddy Hazel, an ex-stylist for U.K. design bible Livingetc, who runs a ceramic business on the tiny island and we know she has space for guests. So, all going well, we’ll descend upon her this summer.
Until then, however, we’ll satisfy ourselves with memories. And boy, what memories they are. We recall clear blue skies and cool crystalline waters lapping gently in the breeze. Hey, the recollection of golden sand blowing between our city-hardened toes is enough to send us into raptures. Grey tiled white framed homes bordered by meticulously clipped lawns? Check. Snowy white picket fences? Check. A friendly community with warmth sufficient to rival The Waltons? Check, mate. It really is a magical destination and, all things considered, one of America’s best kept secrets.
Nearer to home — on the outskirts of Toronto, to be precise — we employed the Nantucket idyll to fashion a comfy master bedroom in a space that, when we stumbled upon it, could best be described as frat house. But it was spotlessly clean and displayed elements that suggested our client hoped to create a fun environment. Just look, for example, at his massive cockerel, a paint on corrugated metal extravaganza found, 10 years past, in a local art sale. Our chicken-loving pal explained he wanted it to stay — if we saw fit — as part of his brand new look. In short, he hoped for a scheme that would hint at the beach, but in a much more adult manner.
And so our waves of inspiration started gathering momentum. With minimum fuss and only a modicum of upheaval, we’d banish bad taste faster than fritters shifting in a fat farm. Against a crisp white backdrop we’d imprint confident blue detailing to deliver sleeping quarters fit for Neptune. But the collection of surfboards that would have rendered the Beach Boys dizzy and begging for mercy would have to go. For us, you see, good design is about honing — sometimes taming — our client decorating ideals so they can grow and mature within their own taste parameters.
Surveying the space, we began unravelling our plans. We chattered effusively and our client answered succinctly, calmed into monosyllable, we imagine, by our pneumatic decorating zeal. “D’you fancy a wee touch of island inspired nautical as part of your new look?” Dramatic pause, then: “Cool.” So far so good. “And a smattering of The Hamptons?” Cue wide eyes, then: “Yeah!” Hoorah — we were getting somewhere. “A little Ralph Lauren balanced with a pinch of Miami hotel chic?” Much nodding of the head, slight glazing of the eyes . . . but then: “Nice”.
Assured we were at least on the right track, we shuffled our paint charts with the digital dexterity of a Monte Carlo croupier until settling on a saturated navy tone. “What d’you think?” we chimed, noting a concerned look settling again on our style deprivee’s face. “Hmm,” he protested. “It’s a little dark.” Dramatic pause. Eyes to the ground. His, not ours. “We’d prefer to use the word ‘bold’ and, anyhow, we’re proposing this as an accent only.” Dramatic pause number two. Then, reluctantly: “I’m really not an accent wall type of guy. They can look a little plain.” To which we replied, eyebrows raised: “Yeah, but our, sorry, your accent wall will have an accent detail of its own to enliven it in a jaunty, unexpected manner.” Cue dramatic pause number three before our chap (a massive smile by now stretching across his face) whispered; “You know what guys? I’ve got a good feeling about this. I just want it to feel mature. I guess kinda grown up? And remember, the chicken stays.” Finally, we’d brokered another designer deal. Time to move on . . .
Paint
Alternating between crisp white and deep blue proffers extra visual dimension.
Tip: This look wouldn’t be anywhere nearly as sharp had we played cream walls against blue. The timeless contrast between navy and white is a classic nautical pairing and works really well to help elicit a coastal vibe. It’s also a great starting point to dress in natural timber detailing further into the scheme.
Paint detailing
This little trick couldn’t be any easier or, for that matter, more effective. One doesn’t need, after all, a degree in interior design to apply low tack decorators tape. To achieve precise results, we masked out one-inch bands and then pressed the tape firmly at the edges to avoid ‘bleed.’ This done, we applied the opposing colour to each of our blue and white walls.
Tip: Use a spirit level for a job like this or it will appear you’d hit the shandy before starting work.
Flooring
“Pickled” timber flooring provides atmospheric results and the hard wearing lacquer finish will endure for years. Pickled timber has a more weather beaten appearance than standard varnished lumber and, as such, adds interesting extra dimension. Seagrass, wall to wall, would also have worked nicely although it should be noted that natural carpeting can be a little hard underfoot for full floor specification. Rugs, like the ones we installed here (taped in blue to compliment our striped wall detail) are the perfect way to fuse both options.
Window blinds
Every bad room deserves a ticking off. Or, as was the case here, a ticking on. We specified this classic striped fabric to add window detailing and, due to its stout construction, it baffles daylight when closed. If you select less substantial material, you’ll only live to regret it and will doubtless find yourself torn from your slumbers, vampire fashion, as each day dawns.
Bed dressing
Picking up on our banding motif, this high gauge cotton linen is fresh and inviting. To add interest, we specified two square cushions in ticking fabric and placed these behind Oxford edged pillowcases. Comfy layers in the bedroom are always good news but, while some designers go overboard and dress with a mountain of pillows, we prefer to leave breathing space so our clients can actually get into bed without facing the hassle of a pillow fight as they prepare to nod off.
Headboard
Is it a headboard? Well it wasn’t, certainly, in its original incarnation. When we found it on CraigsList, it was a faux leather screen possessed of a rather wishy-washy pallor. Looking for all the world like a slab of uncooked pork, we bagged it for just $20. Primed, however, and lavished with a coat of white satin, it came immediately to life. And dressed behind our divan, we were suddenly in Ralph Lauren territory . . . without the associated costs.
Night stands, blanket box and credenza
For a design like this, chunky lines make a lot of sense. Think travel trunks and days gone by. Think elegant coastal hotels and comfy old world values. If you want to keep costs down, plunder consignment stores and sale rooms. Unify mismatched pieces by stripping variously toned varnish and tie everything together by changing knobs and hardware. A little work, we’d counsel, goes a long, long way. And after all isn’t it satisfying to see your efforts coming to life?
Fowl play
This pastoral artwork was actually dangerous, courtesy of its jagged metal edges. To problem solve — and make more of the lovely rooster — we cropped the corrugated steel and then fashioned a frame from white painted timber. This done, we secured the farmyard fellow in place and hung him proudly over our focal point credenza. Sure, he’s an unlikely sparring partner for the rest of our design, but he’s possessed of a quirky quality that our client, and we, rather like.
Next week: We turn a laundry cupboard into an adorable pastel painted nursery. Stop by, read our simple guide and find out how to make the best of your little angel’s space!
Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV’s Colin & Justin’s Home Heist (Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m.) and the authors of Colin & Justin’s Home Heist Style Guide, published by Penguin Group (Canada). Follow them on twitter @colinjustin or on Facebook. Contact them through their website, www.colinandjustin.tv.
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