It is observation time! Here are some ideas to jump start the conversation, but feel free to share on anything about the room:
- How would you describe this style?
- Describe the personality of people who might live in a room like this?
- What are the main things you notice when you first look at this photo?
- What are some subtle features that you notice when you look more closely?
- Notice things like the shapes, the textures, the colors, the proportions, patterns, etc.
- What is something you can learn from this style or how the room is put together?
- What role does the architecture play in this room?
- If someone wanted to create a room like this, what are some of the significant things they should incorporate?
Enjoy observing, and don’t forget to share with us what you noticed.
“Observation” is a new series of posts where we will all share our observations on the day’s photo. There is no expected, right or wrong comment. Just share what you see, what you notice, what is unique, what you love, what strikes you, or what is something you might have learned about design from this photo.
You don’t have to love the room to observe things about it. We’ll study all kinds of rooms (don’t worry, we’ll do other posts too, not only these!)
This exercise is both to stretch our own creativity and to help ourselves and others see from a new perspective.
Need more help with what to look for? Read the explanation post here. Have fun observing!
Photo: Traditional Home, interior designer Gerald Pomeroy
Melissa, I love toile no matter what color. However, I am not a big fan of black and white in my decorating, but I would find a way to use the black and white toile mixed with some warmer colors. I would put it in the mix of buttery yellows and warm, rich reds with possibly some accent pieces in black. Lovely room, though.
Blessings,
Christi
It looks to me as if someone obsessively tidy lives here. Someone so tidy they don’t toss those messy colors around all willy-nilly. But, then…there are unusual ways of hanging things on the walls….or bookcase facing, in one case. I guess that’s their concession to “wild and crazy.” I think I would have stuck with one round mirror above the bed – probably the solid black one. Not my favorite room.
I love the bedding, but that is about it. While I love to read in bed, and have a mountain of books on my nightstand and next to the bed- the bookshelves full of books makes the room feel unrestful. I wouldn’t be able to relax in here to go to sleep, it isn’t serene and peaceful.
The matchy/matchy of the nightstands is driving me a little crazy- it is too perfect. Not lived in and full of life.
I do like the bed under the windows, that is where mine has been for years. My husband and I love falling asleep to moonlight and waking up to the sunlight.
I love black and white toile! I would love to go through those books, grab several, and curl up in that bed to read. What a great idea. I would have never thought of a wall of books in the bedroom.
Hugs,
Cathie
Love the wall paper, hate the bed frame ..and what is with the saggy mattress?? Love the shutters and the books – only because I adore books. I hate the picture hung too low in the center of the book shelves. I love the black and white combo – but like it more when red is infused into the design.
…i love love the room…and i want to be adopted by pamela’s couple…
I can tell a man designed this room. The only thing that looks a little feminine is the wallpaper…and I can’t tell much about it. The room is perfect. Perfect lines, perfect books, perfect bench…maybe a little too perfect. I get the sense a General lives here. Or a ship’s Captain.
that room is perfect! love the book idea – like getting lost in books and love in the master bedroom sanctuary! yes…
what a way to celebrate 21 years of marriage…thanks for the hello over at my place. blessings…
For me this room is too busy…so much going on here that the good parts loose interest. The bed is very narrow…so either its a very small or a very loving couple, or it could be a single woman maybe. I think they are in their 60′s and quite intellectual judging from the many books… Also they are quite well off, and enjoy comfort. Love the two mirrors, and the painting on the bookshelf is a much needed piece of unexpected fun. Somehow though I don’t think the blac mirror looks quite right, too much contrast in one place…but that could be different in real life rather than in the photo… And those two windows….it looks strange with that bed in the middle…again too much going on with everything architecture, furniture, decor… Quite an interesting room to analyse though
Tasteful and traditional. BUT…do not like the idea of bringing leisure activity (library, TV, mini bar, etc.
into the bedroom so could do without the wall-to-ceiling bookshelves. Plus I’m very suspect of anyone with that many books. I read a LOT and own only about 30 books. So I can’t help but think they’re just trying to show off. 
Funny comments about the bed sloping in the center. See, I didn’t observe that! (and read the comments after formulating my own so I wouldn’t cheat!)
If someone wanted to create a room like this, what are some of the significant things they should incorporate?
Pattern, bookshelves, bench on end of bed.
I noticed the toile and the book shelves.
The personality of the people who live there… Classy.
I notice that bench at the foot of the bed, and know my husband would LUV that! He’s always campaigning for a chair and I say…. any sitting place in the bedroom will accumulate stuff hung/tossed on it.
But nothing is left on that bedroom bench, because like I said… the people are classy.
))))
Miss Mari-Nanci
Smilnsigh
Photos-City-Mine
When Twilight Embraces
OK … I’m not going to read any other comments until I write this
I love the straight lines in it all over. Straight without being hard-edged. Soft, but still formal. And I love the picture at that low comfy angle *over* the bookshelves – that is just a fabulous touch! Seems like a masculine room. If I had to give it a name, it would be “Charleston sanctuary”.
Ok.. now I get to read!
…… Wow! What interesting and different things everyone says!
This is only tangentially related , but I’m reading the book “Snoop”. Have you heard of it? I thought of that book when I was reading the post title and the observational exercise you put together.
Love the toile bedskirt and the wallpaper. This room is wonderful. Formal in a way but still comfortable looking.
Hmmm, perhaps the person who sleeps here is well-traveled, well-rounded and well-read. I could be wrong-lol, but that’s what the style suggests to me.
Fun observation questions.
Hello! I am hoping your weekend went off beautifully!
Waaa! I am off your blog list!
This toile bedroom is sooo me. I have often dreamt of having bookshelves in our bedroom but my husband couldn’t relate… now he might be willing!
I am going to be working on my dining room this fall… wanting a new look. I’ll let you know when I post pictures!
May I make up a style name? “Simple Presidential” comes to mind! The toile wallpaper, the floor-to-ceiling bookcase, the bench, the symmetry all remind me of a colonial suite. Of course, it may not actually be grand enough for a President, but it’s elegant enough for me!