Interiors

How This Interior Decorator Transformed Her Bedroom Into A Luxe, Hotel-Like Retreat

When interior decorator and stylist Alessandra Smith (of Alessandra Smith Design) and her family moved into their Northcote townhouse, the bedroom was painted white — much like every other room in the house.

But it didn’t take long for Alessandra to put her signature creative touch on the interiors, adding more colour, vintage pieces and modern flair to create a layered, more eclectic space.

The petite bedroom is an especially moody retreat, with deep grey walls, marble bedside tables and Abode Living bed linen — selected to tie in perfectly with a beautiful still-life painting by artist Sam Michelle!

Written
by
Christina Karras
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Annie Portelli

|
Art direction
by

Lucy Feagins

supported by Abode Living

Inside Alessandra’s bedroom. Abode Living Nova Sateen Flat Sheet in Nude. Abode Living Nova Sateen Pillowcase in Nude and Brio. Abode Living Nova Sateen Quilt Cover in Brio. Abode Living Soleil Throw. Artwork by Sam Michelle. Bedside tables from Abode, both vintage lamps from Aesthetiker.

Alessandra sourced the vintage Italian bedside lamps from Aesthetiker. Abode Living Nova Sateen Flat Sheet in Nude. Abode Living Nova Sateen Pillowcase in Nude and Brio. Abode Living Nova Sateen Quilt Cover in Brio. Bedside table from Abode.

The Abode Living Nova Sateen Flat Sheet and Abode Living Nova Sateen Pillowcases have been customised with rust embroidery.

Linen sheer curtains contrast the lustrous bedding. Artwork on left painted by Alesandra’s Mum, Tina Sammassimo.

‘The gorgeous still life painting by Sam Michelle served as the inspiration behind the room’s colour palette which continued through to the choice of bedding,’ Alessandra says.

Alessandra runs Alessandra Smith Design from an office in her Northcote family home. Artwork by Keith Nichol.

Samples from Abode Living’s showroom.

Writer
Christina Karras
Photography
Editorial styling

Annie Portelli

Art direction

Lucy Feagins

12th of April 2024

Melbourne-based interior decorator Alessandra Smith wanted each of the rooms in her family home to have their own ‘distinct personality’.

In the main bedroom, this meant creating a calming sanctuary, imbued with a sense of luxury. The space is only 12 square metres, but the moody colour palette sets the tone for the sophisticated retreat from the moment you step inside.

Doing away with the original stark white walls, Alessandra says the deep, dark grey paint colour is what makes the room feel instantly conducive to a restful night’s sleep.

‘Our bedroom is very small and due to its orientation, it doesn’t receive much natural light,’ Alessandra says. ‘Rather than choosing a colour to brighten the room and attempt to make it feel bigger, I chose to embrace its petite size and lean into the darkness. It has the effect of cocooning you within the space.’

The muted walls also serve as a cosy backdrop for a collection of textures and contrasting shades — most of which were inspired by a floral still-life painting by local artist Sam Michelle.

‘The painting has these beautiful autumnal tones which pop against the dark wall colour, making it a real focal point in the room,’ Alessandra adds.

An upholstered bedhead in a rust-coloured, boucle-like fabric nods to the painting and its warm timber frame, styled beside the 1950s Italian lamps that also feature similar brass tones. It’s a colour story that Alessandra was eager to continue with her selection of bed linen from Abode Living.

‘I was immediately drawn to Abode’s sateen fabrics, which felt like a real departure from the linen bedding that I was previously accustomed to sleeping in,’ she says. ‘The subtle sheen in the fabric of the Nova Quilt Cover helps to bounce light around whilst adding a level of sophistication and hotel-like luxury to the space.’

She also made use of Abode Living’s custom embroidery services, to personalise the pillowcases and flat sheet with perfect rows of rust-coloured stitching.

‘These little details all come together to tell a story and create a space that feels thoughtful and unique,’ Alessandra says. ‘It’s the perfect place to retreat to at the end of a long day.’

Visit the Abode Living website to explore their product range and contact their dedicated trade representative to find out how Abode can enhance your client projects.

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