Edwardian Master Bedroom Renovation in West Dulwich
This was a complete refurbishment of an Edwardian master bedroom in West Dulwich, including furniture, lighting and soft furnishings. The aim was to create a cosy and timeless space to relax in, whilst incorporating colour, texture and vintage pieces wherever possible.
Several 1930s pieces were incorporated into the scheme, including a pair of oak chests of drawers and two tub chairs that were reupholstered and refurbished. Existing wardrobes were refreshed rather than replaced, allowing them to become part of the overall design.
The Brief
The objective was to create a cosy and timeless bedroom that felt relaxing whilst still embracing colour, texture and vintage furniture.
The room already contained several features that informed the design, including a fireplace with blue, green and brown tiles, existing built-in wardrobes and a pair of heirloom 1930s tub chairs. The clients also read regularly in bed, making task lighting an important consideration within the scheme.
The Design Challenge
The differing alcove sizes made furniture sourcing more complicated, whilst the room layout meant it was not possible to accommodate conventional bedside tables.
The existing wardrobes also needed refreshing, and the 1930s tub chairs were in desperate need of reupholstery. Any new additions needed to sit comfortably alongside the period features of the room and work within the overall scheme.
Our Approach
The design scheme began with the fireplace, whose blue, green and brown tiles became the basis for the room palette.
The walls were painted in Farrow & Ball London Stone, with the ceiling in Oxford Stone to create a natural and cosy feel. The wardrobe and mantelpiece were both painted in Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue, providing contrast and bringing additional depth to the space.
To maximise storage within the uneven alcoves, a pair of 1930s oak chests of drawers were sourced from antique dealers. Their simple and elegant carpentry works beautifully within the Edwardian setting.
A Victorian ebony shop mirror was chosen to complement the period of the room, whilst its black finish helps ground the scheme and connects with the knurled wardrobe handles and the black and silver Chanel print above the bed, inspired by the client's signature fragrance.
As the clients read each night in bed, copper wall lights were installed and fitted with bespoke switches positioned on the cabinet bases below, allowing each light to be operated independently.
Because there was no room for bedside tables, two bespoke wall-mounted cabinets were designed to store books and were incorporated into the panelling behind the bed, creating a feature wall as well as practical storage.
Bespoke Roman blinds and cushions were commissioned and finished with Samuel & Sons piping for a more formal appearance, whilst polished brass blind pulls from MG&CO provided a finishing touch.
The clients' 1930s tub chairs were extensively refurbished by The Chair Sanctuary to improve comfort whilst retaining their period character. A vibrant Romo fabric was used on the backs of the chairs, paired with a plain velvet seat fabric and finished with Flora Soames cushions.
The Result
The completed bedroom combines colour, texture, antique furniture and bespoke detailing to create a cosy and timeless space.
Drawing inspiration from the original fireplace and incorporating a mix of existing features, sourced antiques and restored heirloom pieces, the finished scheme retains a strong connection to the period of the property whilst providing practical storage, considered lighting and a comfortable place to relax.
Services Provided
Bedroom Interior Design + Furniture Sourcing + Antique Furniture Sourcing + Colour Consultancy + Lighting Design + Bespoke Storage Design + Furniture Restoration + Reupholstery Coordination + Bespoke Soft Furnishings + Interior Styling
