Ask the Designer – help me decide on a bedspread!

Its time to help out a customer with an Ask the Designer post.

One of our customers, Lucy, fell in love with this room – pic below – and is trying to recreate the look in her bedroom. In her own words:

This is a photo of a room that I wanted to copy, in Charleston UK where a group of painters and authors enjoyed each others company starting in 1904 and continuing for 60 years.

And now here are the pictures of her room after painting the furniture and making curtains. She is happy with it but wants a bedspread to match. As she says:

The one in the picture is pale.  I know you probably don’t have this exact bedspread pictured above, but do you have one that compliments the room?

What a pretty bedroom, so feminine and romantic. Its hard to miss the subtle pastel blue and yellow notes in the wall color, the painted furniture and the curtains. She has successfully copied the original room but yet managed to add her own distinct spin and personality to the room.

Option 1: Morning Dew

With the lovely yellow and blue colors that dominate the room, my first choice would be Morning Dew. Patterned in similar colors, Morning Dew has beautiful large motifs in royal blue and teal on a pale yellow ground. Though not as pale as the bedspread on the original image, its pastel colors will lighten the room with a fresh, airy appeal. With tiny flecks of citrus hues, Morning Dew has an exotic vibe, and the brilliance and fastness of color of imported Asian textiles, which were a big attraction for European consumers at the turn of the century and likely the inspiration for the Charleston room.

Here is a quick glance at how a Morning Dew bedspread will complement your room beautifully.

Option 2: Chasing Butterflies

Another option that would work well is Chasing Butterflies. With more of a cheery, happy vibe as opposed to Morning Dew’s elegant feel, this print has the same sky blue and ocher colors that your room is styled after. The milky white ground is paler and whiter than Morning Dew, and the melon and raspberry accents will keep it from looking too pale. A definite contender that will highlight the cozy, cottag-y feel you are trying to create.

Here is how a Chasing Butterflies bedspread could look:

Lucy, do let us know what you decide to pick. We would love to see “after” pictures too.

(Update: Since this post appeared, Lucy took all of our suggestions and made her decision. Read below, past the survey, to see her lovely new room).

We would love to know what you, the reader thinks. Do fill out our survey.

Here are recent pics of Lucy’s English inspired bedroom! What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.

Lucy – its not often that we get “after” pictures! Thank you for these.