The Art of Design Issue 37 2019 | Page 39

39 It is also good to use lots of block colour, for example on the bed, sofa and curtains, which has a balancing effect on the pattern. Don’t forget that photographs are deceptive. When you stand in the room, your eye is drawn to the rug, or the wall or ceiling, you would rarely be able take in all three patterns at once. People often think that space needs to be filled, but negative space (if you have enough square footage for it!) can be very luxurious. The blue and cream rug by Martin Lawrence Bullard is so beautiful with its blue singing silk that I wanted to allow it its own floor space, as you would give a painting its own wall space. It has become one of the main focal points of the room. Keeping the rug clear of furniture also makes the bedroom feel even more expansive and spacious. This room also has 11 foot high ceilings and the amazing original plasterwork on the ceiling dates back to the 1750s. The adjoining master bathroom and closet, is as large as the master bedroom so it was a great space to work with. I wanted to keep it very open and airy. One thing to remember with a bathroom is that just because it is a functional space does not mean it has to be devoid of character. Here a shabby chic Georgian chair gives this room an instant sense of comfort. Good lighting is crucial too, so always make sure you have well lit mirrors, preferably lit from both left and right, and sufficient ceiling lighting.