DIY Network

Modern Bedroom: Wall Finish A neutral wall color helps unify her taste (warm tones) and his (cool tones). From "Fresh Coat" episode DFCT-203

Homeowners Tasha, a furniture designer, and David, an animator, love spending time together in their cozy apartment. When it comes to decorating their bedroom, however, they can't see eye to eye. The room itself is big and open, with great lighting (figure A), but it serves too many functions for one room; functioning as both bedroom (figure B) and office space for two people has overwhelmed the room (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

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When it comes to colors for the room, Tasha and David have different tastes: she loves bold orange reds and he prefers calming, restful shades of blue. The soft green paint, already on the walls, is fine with him, but Tasha hates the color. They both agree, however, that they'd like a new finish on the raw wood sectional bookcases, and a separation between the bedroom and bathroom is definitely needed.

For decorative painter and host Shannon Kaye, the goal is to change the room from its current chaotic look into a soothing oasis using the couple's favorite colors and the furnishings they already have. Existing decorative wall squares, painted shades of gray and orange, will make a unique headboard; the gray color will act as a neutral for the orange-red colors in the room, helping the bold red shades pop out in the environment.

Soft blue rectangular panels painted on either side of the bed will add serenity to the space while adding height to the room. Shelves, designed by Tasha, will hang on the lower portion of the panels and function as nightstands. A simple painted curtain, with a pattern corresponding to the headboard art, will separate the bedroom from the bath.

	Figure D
	Figure E

And finally, the bookshelves will be stained a dark brown. The stain inside the bookcase will help define the wood grain; the stain on the outside will be combed to add texture and depth to the wood (figure D).

1. Before painting the walls, heavy rosin paper, available at most home-improvement centers, is rolled out over the floors and taped in place. The paper will protect the floors from accidental paint drips and is not as slippery as a drop cloth.

2. Painter's tape is taped along moldings and windows and a thin coat of varnish is painted along the tape edges to prevent paint from seeping underneath.

3. The walls are primed with a creamy white primer before being painted Monterey White. The creamy shade is more inviting than a stark white and provides a fresh canvas for the bright colors that will follow (figure E).