Bedrooms often become the forgotten spaces in our homes, filled with the essentials but lacking personality. Designer Heidi Woodman offers a fresh approach to inject a bit of attitude and character into your primary bedroom, starting with one bold feature: the walls.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Designer: Heidi Woodman
Textiles: Hunter-Douglas, Fabricut, Lissoy
Furniture: Four Hands, Pascal Verbena
Location: Hudson Valley
Wallcovering: Farrow & Ball
Decor: Serena & Lily, Zak + Fox
Shade: Trane Thermostat
Antiques: Round Top Antiques Fair
Woodman begins her design journey with a natural grasscloth wallcovering. Its subtle burlap texture, with a small repeating pattern, serves as the perfect backdrop—distinctive, yet not overpowering. It complements rather than competes with the other elements she plans to incorporate. ‘When you get a pattern that’s larger, sometimes it overwhelms a space, and that’s all you can see,’ Woodman explains.
Her attention to detail extends to the trim, painted in a deep chocolate brown using Farrow & Ball’s rich palette, creating a seamless transition between the walls and windows. The dual-fabric draperies—hand-stitched, with patchwork details—work in harmony with motorized woven wood shades by Hunter-Douglas, balancing craftsmanship with functionality.
A standout piece in Woodman’s design is the vintage quilt-turned-lumbar pillow, a testament to her ability to repurpose found objects into the room’s focal point. ‘I found it during a trip to Hudson Valley,’ she recalls. ‘I didn’t know what I’d do with it at the time, but it was perfect for this project.’ This quilt, along with pigment-dyed sheets and blankets from French company Lissoy, adds layers of warmth and texture to the bed.
Even the smallest details are thoughtfully curated. Woodman tackles an often-overlooked element: lampshades. Instead of settling for standard white shades, she opts for striped, skirted custom versions to add a playful touch. ‘Who doesn’t look cuter in a skirt?’ she jokes.
The design’s tactile details continue with a mohair and alpaca weave covering a Four Hands bench placed at the foot of the bed, offering both comfort and cohesion to the entire setup.
One of Woodman’s biggest challenges was addressing an awkward niche in the room. Rather than the predictable choice of a custom console, fate stepped in. She discovered a sculptural storage piece by artist Pascal Verbena, which fit perfectly into the space. ‘It completed the room,’ she says. ‘I feel like it wouldn’t be as cool without it.’
Woodman’s design reflects her philosophy of balancing neutrality with statement pieces, allowing each item to speak without overshadowing the others. Her work results in a bedroom that is calm, yet full of personality—a space that feels both lived-in and curated.
If you’re inspired to refresh your bedroom, consider starting with a single feature—like textured walls or unique, repurposed textiles—that will set the tone for the rest of your design. Remember, the smallest details can greatly impact the overall mood and functionality of your space.
