A few months ago, this image stopped me in my tracks.
Obviously, the first thing I noticed was that beautiful wallpaper but the more I looked at the image the more I realized that it was actually the deliberate contrasts between all of the objects in the room that got me excited. On paper, that striped red Hudson’s Bay or Pendleton blanket should not work. If I were to say to you as a designer, I have a great idea for you master bedroom. We’re going to paper the walls in the most delicate, pink Chinese wallpaper and then we’re going to use a traditional nailhead detailed headboard flanked by two rose-coloured, pleated shades and then to finish it all off we’re going to make the bed with a red camping blanket you would probably send me packing. But it works, it actually makes the whole room much more interesting and how nice is it to see what is traditionally considered a rustic blanket in a much more luxurious setting.
Seeing this all the time gets a little boring…
Last Christmas, I received a new Hudson’s Bay blanket as a present. It is something which I have always wanted. These blankets are treated like heirlooms in Canada and often passed down through generations. In recent years, I’ve moved away from sleeping under a duvet at night preferring the weight and feel of a wool blanket instead. As luck would have it, many of the colours that already exist in our bedroom work well with the characteristic red, green, yellow, and indigo stripes of the Hudson’s Bay blanket.
Hands down, this is the most colourful room in our house! And while I’m still thinking of moving towards an overall more serene bedroom
(all this would take is a few hard days of painting) I’m quite happy with our bright and sunny bedroom, especially during the grey days of winter.
21 Comments
Absolutely gorgeous. I love your bedroom just the way it is. x, Abbey
That blanket caught my eye too (it was a great story in a great issue, too). I’m sure any changes you’ll make will be beautiful but I LOVE your bedroom in its current state.
Yes, you are so right, never in a million years would you expect the blanket to work in that setting, but it does! Your blanket also looks fabulous in your room. I really think the contrasts make the blankets more beautiful. Your collage of “tired” pictures make the blankets look rather ho hum while that is the setting you would normally picture them in.
I so admire your eye for design!
Wow..i have been using this photo as a design inspiration for my daughter’s room…headboard is down…now i have to think of bedding…maybe I should consider the blanket? decisions.
Your bedroom is gorgeous and a brilliant display of contrasting colours and patterns. Wouldn’t change an ounce
You know how much I like the Hudson blanket
I’ve always loved pairing Red with Pink; somehow it just works. The girls’ bedroom is grey, however punctuated with red/hot pink/neon orange–most of it inspired by the large Keith Haring Print hanging above Milla’s headboard–the rest fell into place after that. It’s fun without being obnoxious (If you can believe that!). Cheers! xo.speck
I love to be rugged up in a blanket when camping in the cold sitting near the fire. I love the tradition of the blankets in Canada – and must admit these blankets look amazing!!! never heard of them until now.
There are so many unique and fun details to that first room. Its very fun and so very girly!
love the blankets especially in your room!
I recently swapped my son’s duvet for a blanket and not only does it sit much more smoothly on the bed {which I like but of course he couldn’t care less!} but he is also sleeping much better. Perhaps when we all decided blankets were old-fashioned we were much too hasty??? I love your chinoiserie image.
I have a similar dilemma…wanting to create calm neutral color spaces, but am so drawn to color and pattern! woe is me.
I love HBC blankets as well. We bought one almost 30 years ago now when we were first married and lived in northern Ontario one summer. It is a white blanket with blue stripes. I haven’t seen it around the stores recently so I don’t think they make it anymore. It is very warm so we can only use it in the deepest darkest part of the winter.
A Hudson’s Bay blanket = FAB!
Victoria
I received a Hudson Bay blanket this past Christmas and I’m beyond excited. I’m going to redo our bedroom to tie it in better. I’m thinking industrial – black wall where our bed is, exposed light bulbs hanging over our bedside tables etc.
My grandparents had a Hudson Bay Blanket that was locked away in a cedar chest and never saw the light of day. It was one of the precious things damaged in the fire, not destroyed, but enough smoke and fire damage that it can’t be used in it’s splendor, but it’s out in the apartment nonetheless. They are such timeless pieces, too bad it was never used.
@Sarah – Such a great lesson to use the things you love. I went through a period where I didn’t use the things that were precious to me for fear of “ruining” them. Then I realized that they were being ruined by not being used. I would much rather use and really enjoy something rather than keep it pristine. It’s about the experience and enjoyment of the object not the object itself.
Love the room as is!!
Btw, where is the yellow quilt from?? It’s fab!
Hi Jessica – the yellow quilt is from Frette. We picked it up when we were in Italy. (Frette is way more affordable there!)
Could you please tell the paint color of the grey bedroom! Looks great and I have been to pick a grey for our living room….
@ cathy pinter – The grey paint is Steel Wool by Benjamin Moore.
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