10 Chic Bedrooms and Decorative Rugs that Promote Nourishing Sleep
Posted by Abid Ilahi on Wed, May 23, 2012 @ 11:41 PM
Many of us think that the best place to sleep is where the sun would not stream in and wake us up. This view ignores ignores our body's natural biological rhythms. Humans have evolved in natural harmony with the cycles of the sun. When our sleeping patterns drift away from the sun's cycles, our sleep becomes disturbed and our physical and emotional functioning is impaired.
Research at the San Francisco Medical School suggests that the quality of our sleep affects how we feel all day. If we go to bed early and wake up naturally with the morning sun we feel nourished and ready to take on the day.
The bed should be placed so one can see the morning light coming in from the window. This light should fall indirectly and gently nudge us to awaken. We do not want the shaft of light to fall directly on the bed, or we will wake up hot and uncomfortable.
4 tips for designing bedrooms with decorative rugs to promote nourishing sleep:
1. Design the bedrooms with windows facing east.
2. Place the bed so the light from the window falls indirectly on the bed.
3. Choose a decorative rug that has calming colors and pattern.
4. Create a bedroom seating area defined by the same or another decorative rug.
These 10 beautiful bedrooms illustrate the four decorating tips.
1. Phoebe Howard chose a decorative rug in soothing color palette of soft green, beige and white for this East Hampton home. The light falls indirectly on the bed. The seating area has good light for reading. Image courtesy Phoebe Howard.
2. Mona Hajj Interiors chose a decorative in rich red and blue for this art filled bedroom. Note the placement of the decorative rug-about a two-thirds of the bed is on the rug, but the dresssers are off the rug. Light comes in from two sides of the room, but does not fall directly on the bed. Image courtesy Mona Hajj Interiors.
3. Bunny Williams created this beautiful bedroom and seating area on a grey decorative rug. The seating by the window allows you to enjoy the view or read in natural light. Image courtesy Bunny Williams.
4. Steven Gambre chose a cream, gold and blue oushak rug for this beautiful bedroom with blue fabrics and pale blue walls. There are windows on three sides of this bedroom so the light feels gentle and even. Image courtesy House Beautiful.
4A. Steven Gambrel. A view of the seating area of the bedroom above with the light coming in gently behind and to the left of the chair and ottoman. This is a perfect place for nestling with a book. Note that the bed and all the furniture, except for the dresser, is fully on the decorative rug. The colors of the decorative rug can be seen more clearly here- cream, blue and pale gold. Image courtesy House Beautiful.
5. David Easton chose a blue decorative rug that covers the entire room. The window seating has light coming from behind. Image courtesy Architectural Digest
6. Suzanne Tucker designed floor to ceiling windows on two sides of this bedroom to enjoy the spectacular views. The tall headboard provide some shelter from the light coming from behind. The cool grey decorative rug balances the warm gold fabrics. Image courtesy Tucker and Marks.
7. Ferguson & Shamamian spectacular master bedroom in Westport, Connecticut opens into a private balcony. A very large decorative rug holds the bed and the three seating areas. Note that there is about 2 feet of wood floor showing on the side nearest to the fireplace. The color palette is exquisite and should be studied closely. Image courtesy Ferguson & Shamamian.
8. Elizabeth Dinkel allows the light to filter in gently into this cheerful bedroom with two canopy beds placed fully on a large decorative rug. Beautiful sea green, blue and yellow fabrics are balanced by the cream and beige geometric pattern of the decorative rug. Image courtesy of the kristenlaird blog.
9. Mary Mcdonald desigend this exotic bedroom for a Hollywood mogul around an Asmara needlepoint rug in cream and pommegranite red. Note the placement of the bed and bench on the needlepoint rug. Image courtesy House Beautiful.
10. Stephen Sills chose a large Aubusson rug in cream and blue to define the sleeping area of this grand master bedroom in a North Shore estate. Windows on three sides filter the light gently into the bedroom. The window alcove seating area is particularly beautiful. Image courtesy Stephen Sills.