ASK ADAM: WHAT'S UP WITH MY GUEST BEDROOM?

Hi guys,

I got a question a little while ago, from someone needing advice on their guest bedroom. The lady had invested in a good re-production of a Brett Whiteley painting in his ‘On The Balcony’ series from the mid-1970’s, but in every other way the room was falling flat.

In 1991, when I was 17, I had a high school crush on my tortured mentor from afar, Brett Whitely. Brett was an avant-garde ‘artiste rockstar’ [in my opinion] who lived life on the edge and unfortunately succumbed to his addictions a year later in 1992. I loved the figurative expressionist quality to his art, and it was great to see a piece from Brett hung as a central focal point in this guest bedroom.

What wasn’t so great, was how the rest of the room was relating to the painting. I had some fun ideas on how to inject life through colour and additional textures. See our Q&A below.

Question

"Dear Adam

I'm attaching an image of our guest bedroom and I'd love your feedback on how to lift it. We love the Brett Whitely reproduction, but just can't seem to get this room feeling any sort of inspiration. Please help Adam!

Thank you, Snez”

ABOVE: The room had a wonderful re-production of one of Australian artist Brett Whiteley’s ‘On The Balcony’ series.

Answer

'Dear Snez,

Thanks for the question and image. I love Brett Whitely and that artwork really is a fabulous one! The first thing that jumps out is the opportunity to align the rest of the furnishings in the room, with the colours in the painting. There is a fabulous deep sea blue and splashes of leafy green and orange that really pop in the artwork. So I would introduce those colours onto the walls and bedding, adding texture and greater detail to each piece. Check out my comments next to the mock up I have created for you, showing you my vision for how I see your guest bedroom after some investment in additional colour and texture to make this room really shine.

I hope you love my ideas! Let me know your feedback will you?

Adam x

Above: My mock up shows how colour and texture [all aligned with what’s happening in the painting] produce a much more appealing approach.

1. Porters Paint’s ‘Navy’ Seagrass wallpaper would be an excellent wall covering for this guest bedroom. www.porterspaints.com

2. This Kelly Wearstler ‘Channels’ pillow [times two] would be great as a star set to add real character to the bedding www.kellywearstler.com

3. The Kelly Wearstler ‘Senso’ large table lamp [at 84cm height ] would stand nice n’ tall next to Brett’s expressive work. www.bloomingdales.com.au

Need help decorating your guest bedroom? Schedule a complimentary, no obligation chat by emailing info@adamscougall.com

AS