Spaces Designed for Rest
We are forever intrigued by how interior designers intentionally curate their bedrooms for rest; achieving the perfect alchemy of crisp linens, minimal clutter and a calming palette. This week on the journal, we revisit the homes of a few stylish subjects to uncover how we can all have a better night's sleep.
1. Emily Gillis, Carlton North
Behind a tangle of Boston ivy lies Emily’s charming Victorian Terrace, an extension of her timeless style and signature deft touch is a home with an inviting sense of the serene. Despite her urban surroundings, Emliy’s home has an air of the French countryside: a calming oasis tucked discreetly behind the lively Rathdowne Village.
Keeping with the theme of the house, the bedroom is very minimal.
Her bedroom is intentionally simple, with only the essentials - warm, tactile furnishings and objects that serve a purpose. “Keeping with the theme of the house, the bedroom is very minimal” says Emily. ”It only houses a bed, bedside tables and lamps, and a chest of drawers for our linens. We use our bedroom solely for resting so you won’t find anything else in there.”
2. Brahman Perera, West Melbourne
Striking a balance of sentimentality and intent, beauty and functionality, Brahman’s body of work speaks for itself. Unswayed by trends, his projects convey a deep sense of connection to people and place. At home, his bedroom is the ultimate sanctuary; a rich viridescent wall colour complements an ornate floor rug that instantly pulls together such a generous space.
The master bedroom is one of large propositions, and to combat this and introduce some intimacy we painted the room a deep verdant green.
In his words; “The master bedroom is one of large propositions, and to combat this and introduce some intimacy we painted the room a deep verdant green, and introduced overscaled lighting to add some drama to fill the space. I love the soft fabric moon shaped pendant against the deep green when I’m lying on the bed; crisp white linen curtains billow and the entire room is filled with movement and life.”
3. Thea Kiel, North Bondi
Like many of the interior designers we’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years, Thea is a firm believer in the power of lighting in home spaces. Her favourite nightly ritual is switching on a cherished Akari floor lamp, a transition in pace as day fades into evening.
A bedroom to me is all about finding a space of stillness and rest, and the palette is one way to engage this sense of calm.
Life on the coast often spells a laid-back way of living, and that extends to Thea’s tranquil bedroom; “A bedroom to me is all about finding a space of stillness and rest, and the palette is one way to engage this sense of calm. I generally like to keep the bedding scheme quite neutral and play with a moment of colour through a contrasting pillowcase or flat sheet. Shades of terracotta, pink and blue are my go-to.”
4. Jessica d’Abadie, Mullumbimby
One half of the design studio We are Triibe and IN BED collaborator, it is little wonder Jessica’s home & studio is a highly considered space. Every corner holds a story, from the bed she made as a child (and still sleeps in) to artworks Jessica herself, or local artists have created. It is hard to imagine how the dwellings of someone brimming with such creativity holds focus, but it is family that lays at the heart of this abode: “ultimately, we wanted to keep the furnishing really welcoming and timeless” says Jessica.
We built the bedroom to be really spacious with a big louvred window looking out onto the greenery, but kept the interior really simple.
And reflecting on the bedroom: “We built the bedroom to be really spacious with a big louvred window looking out onto the greenery, but kept the interior really simple. When I was a kid, my brothers, along with a friend and I hand-milled and built the bed not far from here at our friends property. Since then it’s come with me everywhere I have lived, so that’s a pretty special piece to me.”
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