Bedroom Inspired by the Outdoors

Southern Living, Oct 2004

This couple designed a one-of-a-kind space with objects they picked up on their travels.

Kioxville homeowners Kim and Mike McClamroch love traveling, collecting, and the great outdoors. So when they set out to create a restful master bedroom, it was only natural that they started with an earthy mix of furniture and artwork. Their efforts resulted in a tranquil getaway.

Exotic Finds

The McClamrochs hung a handcrafted sundial and an old fishing boat bow, purchased on one of their trips, on the wall where the headboard rests. The sundial and boat bow, along with a contemporary painting placed above an adjacent desk, provide the natural color palette that characterizes the room. Hints of brown, yellow, orange, and red echo the woodsy colors that permeate this space. Even the bed linens and pillows reflect these hues.

The couple's fourposter bed injects a sculptural quality into the room. Framing the sundial and boat bow, the carved posts spiral upward like trees. "Most everything in their home has a special story or meaning attached," says designer Paula Eriksson who, with designer Bryon Valentine, worked on the bedroom.

Texture's the Trick

When earthy colors run the risk of becoming muddled, different textures add a lively dimension. As demonstrated in this bedroom, a muted sea grass rug anchors the bed, separating it from the adjacent desk and Regency chair. Likewise, the rug helps to soften the oak flooring. A distressed chest beside the bed displays a streaked finish, which encompasses all of the room's tan and brown shades. (For sources turn to page 184.)

Page 147: Interior design by Paula Eriksson and Bryon Valentine, Bennett Galleries, Knoxville, (865) 584-6791; artwork by Patsy Gilbert, Knoxville.