Pam and Joe Pruess of Fountain Hills don’t have to go far to find a romantic retreat. All they have to do is head into their lush 16-by-30-foot master bedroom. “It’s our favorite room. It feels cozy,” says Pam Pruess of the expansive space she and her husband use for more than just a place to sleep.

The couple, who moved into their Santa Barbara-style home in November, wanted a private sanctuary to escape to after an arduous day — “and during visits from our five grown children and young grandchildren,” jokes Pruess. So they added a table, plush sofa and brown leather bomber chair to their traditional bedroom furnishings. “There’s the idea now of the bedroom being a nest or getaway for couples,” says Claire Liston, project manager of Ethan Allen in Chandler. Comfort is key. So is romance, which design experts say is an easy look to achieve, no matter the budget. The best part, says designer Sharon Faircloth, co-owner of Paradise Interiors in Scottsdale, is that there aren’t any rules. The bedroom doesn’t have to be crimson to be romantic. Satin sheets are not de rigueur. And there needn’t be a small mountain of decorative pillows. That is, unless you want that. “The style doesn’t matter,” says Faircloth. “It’s whatever makes your heart sing.”

TRANQUIL TRANSFORMATIONS

With its sweeping 16-foot ceiling and distinctive Gothic arches, creating an intimate setting in such a large space was overwhelming to the Pruesses, who had a smaller bedroom in their previous home in Fountain Hills.

“The contractors would joke about putting up a basketball hoop in here,” says Pruess, who hired Faircloth to help transform the room, which was not only large, but also encased in a sea of beige.

Pruess said she didn’t have a distinct vision in mind. “I knew I didn’t want it to be stuffy or formal.” The couple opted to buy espresso-colored furniture, adding the sofa, chair and table to fill out and better utilize the space.

To warm up the room, the couple hired a faux finisher, at Faircloth’s suggestion, to give the cream-colored walls a perception of texture and depth. Burgundy, with bits of embroidered gold, were the colors of choice for the window treatments, with eye-catching earth tones of burnt orange and sage pop for the tapestry sofa and bed’s comforter.

Faircloth advises her clients to not be afraid of using color. But the choice, from the paint on the walls to the sheets on the bed, must reflect a person’s personality, she says.

Looking for extra oomph? Faircloth says drapes are a must. “Drapes are equivalent to putting red lipstick on. They add an element of romance and drama,” says Faircloth, whether they are store-bought or custom-made. The faux-silk window treatments in the Pruess’ bedroom soften the Gothic arches, without sacrificing character.

“We drink coffee here and read the paper,” says Pruess, adding that when night falls, their bedroom is at its most romantic.

Sitting on their sofa, the couple often gaze out their large windows that overlook a mountain vista.

“In the evening we see the city lights,” she says. “It’s amazing.”

Staging the mood
With a few strategically placed accessories, any bedroom can become a veritable love nest. The key is to find items that will engage all the senses.

The following touches can help create an amorous ambience:

Buy special sheets: Don your bed in satin or soft, highthread-count cotton for an extra cozy feel.

Add flowers: A brightly colored floral arrangement bedside is uplifting. So are fresh rose petals scattered atop the mattress.

Adjust the lighting: Install a dimmer switch to intensify the mood. Substitute a chandelier for a ceiling fan. Looking for a quick fix? Try candles.

Spray sweet scents: Spritz linen or aromatherapy mists (throughout the room and even on the light bulbs) that will calm or excite, depending on the feeling you’re looking to create. Don’t forget the sheets. Try spraying your favorite perfume on his pillowcase to make him think of you.

Add a tray of goodies:
Speaking of all things sweet, have a tray on a stand nearby filled with mood-enhancing essentials like chocolatecovered strawberries and a bottle of champagne. The tray can also come in handy the morning after for breakfast in bed.

Source: Kelly Turner and Lucy Urlacher, interior designers at Ethan Allen in Chandler.

via : www.eastvalleytribune.com