Photos by Liane Curtis
Local designer Mary Z. Brendler transforms a master bedroom in Westchester County into a mix of eclectic and modern elements.
As part of a renovation to a home in Katonah, the roof was raised to add height in this upstairs master bedroom. (There are two masters in this home.) White oak beams were added for warmth, and a transom window was added over the bed, to bring in extra light. “We decided to add a custom board-and-batten feature wall that would creep out over the top of the bed but give some wall space before the trim to the transom,” says designer Mary Z. Brendler, owner of Indigo Z Home. “We knew we wanted a dark, moody color that would add some beautiful contrast to the woven bed and white oak nightstands with leather detailing.”
Design Inspiration
“The design inspiration for this room was the pairing of the beautiful blue-gray color on the accent wall with the large-scale, geometric, black-and-white, oak-framed pieces of art,” says Brendler. “I loved the color combo and the mix of warm and cool tones, and we sprung from there.”
Feature Wall
“I knew I wanted it to peek out over the top of the bed but land below the transom, with some room to spare,” says Brendler about the feature wall behind the bed. “Our talented team of carpenters at Indigo Z Home built it, and the color we used for the accent wall is Benjamin Moore’s Nocturnal Gray.”
Mixing Materials
“I think the key to mixing materials and finishes is to find the balance between mixing things up and not overdoing it,” suggests Brendler. “Don’t go overboard in any one direction; don’t be afraid to mix things up and be intentional in placement, to keep your eye moving around the room.”
Favorite Part
“It’s all of the little, and sometimes unexpected, details that add up to a big impact, whether it’s the unusual leather strap on the nightstands, the little bit of brass on the chandelier, the pairing of the clean profile of the linen sofa with the weathered, gray bench, the striking but simple artwork, or the beautiful color and craftsmanship of the feature wall,” says Brendler.
Every Bedroom Should Have…
“In my opinion, every bedroom should have at least one beautiful pillow on the bed and ideally a bench at the foot of the bed or, in this case, a sofa where you can place that decorative pillow (or five!) when climbing into bed,” adds Brendler.
