When student Ella moved back home after university – just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit – one thing she really wanted for her time at home was a new-look bedroom. It needed to be a nicer place for her to spend more time in, plus have room for study. Her parents hired interior designer Jen Morton at Jen Morton Interiors to create the new space and the results are –quite frankly – stun-ning. The statement headboard, the dressing table/work from home spot, the gorgeous colours… I’ll let Jen tell you about how the design came together, shall I…?

Tell us about the bedroom…

It was Ella’s childhood bedroom, so still had all of her old things in it and was very tired. As a north-facing room in the house, it was in danger of feeling dull and cold, so one of the key things was to brighten it up. Ella wanted a relaxing, grown-up room where she could work too, with plenty of storage.

What was the idea for the new look?

Ella asked for the design to reflect her love of travel – in particular the turquoise seas and sandy beaches of her trips to Australia and the Pacific – but in a way that was in keeping with the style of the rest of the house. Inspiration came from a beautiful photograph of a seascape – a Christmas present from Ella’s mum.

And did this inspire the beautiful headboard?

I mean this really is a bedroom with a statement headboard, isn’t it? Early on, I found a Matthew Williamson fabric from Osborne & Little that I thought would be absolutely perfect, with an intricate pattern with blues, golds, sandy neutrals, and a shot of hot pink. I decided a large headboard would be the focal point of the room, making it feel nice and sophisticated and adding much needed pattern and colour. The divan bed was already in the bedroom, but by updating the headboard, it seems like a totally new design.

The headboard really adds wow factor and anchors the room, and forms the base for the whole colour scheme. I suggested Little Greene’s Aquamarine behind the headboard wall and China Clay – a cream shade with a hint of pink – on the other walls and on the wardrobe. The colours add a cosy feel to the room.

Was storage an important of the brief?

Definitely. I designed made-to-measure fitted solutions to make the most of the space available – two large wardrobes and a dressing table. The wardrobe has drawers within it at the bottom, as well as hanging and shelf space. The hanging rails pull down to make them easier to reach.

The bespoke dressing table can also be used as a home office, which I think is perfect for when Ella works from home. It has deep drawers which have ample space for toiletries and a hair dryer, but could also store files and stationery.

And what about the lighting? The brass fitting really add a lovely finishing touch, right?

Yes, a task light above the mirror is good for working or for putting on make-up, but looks nice too as a decorative feature. This complements the two bedside lights either side of the bed. By keeping the shape of the shade the same, there’s a sense of flow to the scheme. Plus, the colour of the brass is actually picked up from the fabric on the headboard.

One touch I really like to include is lighting within a wardrobe, so when the doors open, the lights come on automatically. It’s an easy thing to add but creates a luxurious feel – plus it’s super practical.

I’m sure Ella is really pleased with her new bedroom?

Oh yes, she loves it. It’s now a lighter, brighter room that is a sophisticated live/work area where she can happily spend time in for herself.

Photography: Chris Snook

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