My rental bedroom transformation

With sources!

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Bell!

Wow, it has taken months to get this post out, considering I finished our bedroom redecoration last summer.

In case you’re new here, I live in a rental apartment in a townhouse in Boston’s South End, and once in a while I like to share how I’ve made my home my own even though it isn’t officially… my own.

When you don’t own the place you live, but the aesthetics and *vibes* of your home are deeply important to you, it’s a tricky situation. I’ve lived in rentals my entire adult life so far, and I’ve acquired some tips and tricks along the way.

Read about my kitchen transformation, plus my philosophy on personalizing rentals:

Read about my living/dining room transformation:

Challenges

• Small and awkward shape

  It’s long and narrow, ending in a bay window. There isn’t an ideal place to put a queen size bed where there’s plenty of space to walk around it, and so the headboard doesn’t block the window.

• Limited storage and wanting it to look tidy

  There’s only one closet, so my husband has his closet in the office/workout room. I also don’t like to store things on the floor under the bed without a bed skirt because, to me, that makes a room feel very cluttered. I made an exception for my big Tupperware full of wrapping paper and ribbon that absolutely doesn’t fit anywhere else.

The bedroom, before

Wood floors, yay. Venetian blinds, nay.

I’m not into exposed brick walls. We got permission from the landlord to paint it. The awkward slanted wall has given us many headaches, especially when we bang our heads on it.

Terrible wall color that’s neither yellow nor white.

The bedroom, after

Color scheme

Serene! Soft blues and greens with pops of goldenrod and burgundy create a peaceful environment that doesn't fight with the northeast-facing light. Even on summer mornings, it’s never super bright in this bedroom, but it gets a low, soft, indirect light all day. The pattern on the curtains and duvet bring the outside in.

How we live in it day to day

Now that we have a baby, a room that used to just be for sleeping is now a place where we hang out all the time! My daughter and I lay on the bed and read books all the time. Or, I set her on the bed while I fold laundry or tidy up, for the home ec portion of her education. I actually set about redecorating it in anticipation that we would spend a ton more time in there once we had a baby.

The paint looks totally different on different walls and in different lights. See the angled wall next to the bricks. That’s the same color. A hallmark quality of Farrow & Ball paint.

Our tv is in here instead of the living room. I have become a bedroom tv apologist! It was tough to make use of the bay window nook, but it’s just the right spot for a comfy reading chair. I also love the way the Schoolhouse pendant cord drapes. Please don’t mind the pile of stuff on the floor.

Sources

Bed: Antique from Facebook Marketplace

Rug: Morris & Co for Ruggable

TV: Samsung, The Frame

Wall paint: Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball

Trim paint: Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball, Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball

Curtains: Rhode for West Elm

Curtain rod: The Home Depot

Curtain tiebacks: Etsy

Linen slipcover chair: Sixpenny Home

Full-length mirror and pine bedside dresser: From family

Pendant lamp: IKEA

Pendant plug-in cord: Schoolhouse

Bedding: Rhode for West Elm: Sheets and pillows; Duvet cover and shams; Throw pillow

Duvet and pillows: Scandia

---

That’s it! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.

And talk to you Friday with this week’s recs!

xx Jane

This newsletter includes a few affiliate links. I like to shop small and don’t exclusively feature brands that are part of an affiliate program, so not all links will earn me a commission. But some will! If you plan to buy something featured in this newsletter, using my link will help support the time and love I put into writing these for you. I appreciate your support so much!