In my last blog I addressed personalizing decorating. This week I’m going to illustrate this with an example, redecorating my own bedroom. A step by step process to personalizing.

What many people don’t realize for some, (and that is most) designers, it is very difficult to decorate or design for themselves. I am definitely one of those designers. I mention this only because I don’t want you to judge me on the ‘before’ version of my bedroom but instead judge me on the ‘after’, the results of my work. You can also view more of my work on my website, www.clwentworth.com please find a moment and take a look, and I welcome your comments.
Ok, let’s get started on my bedroom. Let me begin by telling you a little about me and some of my interests. To formulate a successful concept you need to understand the room’s function, and the interests of the room’s parent.

I was a young child during the 50’s, at that time TV was the new ‘big thing’. To keep me occupied my grandmother would put me in front of the TV. I would watch all the old movies, seeing the great ladies of the screen with their grace and style, and the most beautiful set designs. I remember one movie, although not the title, starring Barbara Stanwyck. The movie begins with our leading lady in her bedroom. She is dressed in a beautiful silk nightgown and a chiffon and silk bed jacket. On her finger is a canary diamond and she is talking on the most elaborate telephone you ever saw. Well I fell in love. I have collected things from that era for years, clothes, jewelry and furniture, and finally after all this time I have achieved ‘my style’. I have also collected high thread count sheets, these make a beautiful bed as well as being wonderful to sleep on. Another collection of mine is head shots of African American movie stars of that era (if you know of the whereabouts of any please blog me), along with head shots of all those great ladies. So with all this in mind, I decided to create a room from that era with a modern twist. You can follow the process with the pictures. The first pictures shows the starting point, my bedroom thrown together, bearing in mind I had all these collectibles. The first step was to establish the atmosphere of that era, in this case the 40’s. This begins with paint color and a decorating plan that says restful, peaceful glamour. In the second stage I had my faux painter apply a special treatment on the back walls, you can see this in the pictures. Finally the first almost completed ‘after’ picture, this is just the beginning of completion. Keep checking back for updated pictures as the finishing touches are added and the project is finalized.
Let me have your comments on this room, I’d appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to answer any questions you may have.