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Hello to all,
My son is turning 30 in a few weeks and I have promised him a bedroom makeover and I need all the help/ opinions I can get. For starters I have been all over the place when it comes to a scheme. My original plan was to paint the west facing room with 2 35" windows a medium gray and upholster his headboard with black leather like fabric to match his black curtains of like fabric that frame the windows. I purchased a white down comforter and a nice abstract framed print with gold frame (planned to paint black)black matting and the center of the painting has deep cranberry, taupe, black & white. I thought of getting some black pillows and taupe bedding with a black bedskirt. I also planned to repurpose his furniture by painting the furniture black with silver pulls and silver lamps with white shades.

Well I happpend to find some brown leather like fabric to cover the headboard and for one that's not great at decorating it's through me off. In my original idea brown was not incuded - now it is as it's more cost effective since I will now be replacing the mattresses and all the bedding.

I hope I haven't confused you too much but could someone please help me pull all this together. Would it be too odd to have the brown headboard with the black curtains? Now that I have the brown headboard with all the black do I have to introduce more brown? Also, do you suggest I still use gray and if so what undertones should I consider or should I go with a different color all together? Should the bedskirt be black/ brown or another color?

Thanks in advance.

If the brown's your pick for the headboard, then find a print that pulls the brown/black and white together. Often an animal print will do the trick, but I wonder how your adult son feels about that idea. If not, a geometric, a multistripe, a plaid, an abstract or nature inspired print..even a paisley featuring these colors will pull all the neutrals together. If you use the brown on the headboard, yes you should repeat it elsewhere. The same goes for the black. Don't let the design plan become to dark for his space. DO encourage his imput as it is afterall his space. Let the print dictate whether to include gray or not. Begin w/ the all important print and go from there.

Re. a bedskirt, is it necessary? Most men his age dislike them prefering a more contemporary look that's sleek and understated. If you need one or it's his preference, opt for a box pleated one or one w/ pleats only at the corners.

Sit down and discuss his likes and dislikes. Involve hime in the process from concept to hands on. If he's living at home, factor in how long he intends to remain there before you invest in a lot of money, labor and time making this bedroom to his liking.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

Froo Froo,
Thank you. He has his own condo and I did share the wall color with him and you are right- he didn't want to go too dark with the wall color but he was open with everything else.

As for the bedskirt I agree and would rather do without one but the metal rails will show.

Maybe I'm too frugal but I got the brown faux leather at a great price but I'm open to going black if it would work better.

He's not fond of animal prints - tried it before. But I will look for some pillows to pull the colors together.

My problem is seeing it all together ( in my mind)before it comes together.

BDenise, have patience and perseverance as I'm sure a masculine print comforter in a black/brown and perhaps gray is out there. Draw scheme inspiration from it for walls, windows, rugs, accessories, etc.

Examples I found on a quick google...
http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-B...edding/dp/B002C57DM4


Notice how the brown/black/white is repeated around the room tho the bedding itself is brown and white, the headboard, mirror and bedskirt is black.
http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=1440


Black and gray comforter set. You can always introduce the brown via sheets/pillows, skirt but I personally like the black headboard with this.

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-B...iveASIN%3DB004W9BL3K


Black w/ shades of brown:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...ativeASIN=B004S64K1W


Several options on this pg.(enlarge thumbnails):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...ativeASIN=B004V23HIU

Have you considered a platform bed for the room? They're more masculine and contemporary, IMHO. They often include under-bed storage. Bedding is simply tucked under the mattress, for a very tailored look.

Photos would be helpful and you might receive many more responses, if you added them. Is the artwork the inspiration piece for the room? Do you plan to introduce cranberry as an accent color to break up the brown/black/grey, heavy, masculine neutrals?

From your description, the room sounds a little dark. How about lightening it up with some light grey/silvery paint? Or, if you're really set on that brown h/b, you could select a light, brownish taupe.

WRT the headboard, don't know where you purchased the faux leather but many colors are usually available at reasonable prices in fabric stores. If you go with a platform bed, you might consider doing an extremely tall h/b, using padded squares to incorporate some or all of your various colors.

Great suggestions from Froo. Yes, you do need to repeat the elements/colors in the room. To keep things light, why not paint only 1 piece of furniture in a high gloss black? How many other pieces do you have?

Personally, I would visit the fabric store (or home store for bedding) and search for a print fabric incorporating all of the colors, including accents. (I would actually take the artwork/print along on my shopping trip.)

If he doesn't care for cranberry, you can make another accent color selection. Would a different inspiration piece help? Something else you're using in the room, perhaps?

Are the black curtains existing? Could simple panels be substituted? Or, you might consider panels made (or accented) with your selected print fabric.

Best of luck with your son's new room! All of the above is JMHO.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: blueday,