Put Together a Gorgeous Guestroom

Southern Living, Jun 2004 by Sandner, Julie Feagin

Creative furniture arrangement and a few fun accents are all it takes to make this space extra special.

Deciding where to place furniture isn't always an easy task, especially in a guestroom when you factor in windows, a side table, and twin beds. Designer Lori Flanders Cook of St. Simons Island, Georgia, took this puzzle and solved it by positioning the headboards in front of the windows, giving this cheerful room a well-balanced look.

One concern when placing beds in front of large windows is how they will look from the outside. After all, who wants to see the unattractive back of a headboard from the street? In this room, the shutters mask the headboards from the outside making them barely noticeable. If shutters aren't your style, a soft shade on the window would also do the trick.

Festive Fabrics

Toile draperies and pillow shams determine the room's color scheme. Soft apple green walls provide a backdrop to the black accents, such as the headboards, lampshades, and drapery hardware.

Coordinating fabrics include a coral gingham on the bolsters and bed skirts and a soft green stria on the bedspread. (A stria is a thin-striped pattern usually found in tone-on-tone shades.)

Window Magic

Using a styling trick that makes windows appear larger, Lori mounted the draperies just outside and about 8 inches above the window frames. When paired with plantation shutters the draperies can remain open, beautifully framing the beds and adding even more symmetry to the room.

Table for Two

If there's not room for two nightstands, let your guests share one. This wicker console is a perfect fit between the beds. A pair of handsome lamps spotlights an oil painting hanging above.

JULIE FEAGIN SANDNER