Focus on Florals

Decoupaged botanical prints make a pair of closets into a beautiful and practical focal point for this light and airy room. The prints were snipped from books, glued to the doors, then framed with painted, mitered wood trim hung to look like panels.

 

The vertical arrangement of the prints is just part of what lends this room the illusion of height. On the walls, alternating broad stripes of flat and satin-finish paint subtly suggest verticality. And at the windows, vertical weaves in the blinds and in the soft folds of the sheers underscore the room's dynamic vertical theme.

 

Keeping the color scheme soft -- dove grays and creams punctuated with the occasional piece of dark-stained furniture -- sets a serene mood. If the overnighters assigned to this room are late coming down to dinner, there's no need to wonder why. No doubt they're resting comfortably.

 

Whether you snip a single zinnia from the garden or bring home a clutch of lilies to grace your guests' room, flowers make a welcoming statement. Cut flowers last longer if they're kept away from bright sunlight and given a fresh cut and clean water every couple of days. Blooms with little or no fragrance, such as those listed below, are excellent choices for a guest room because they're not likely to set off allergies.

 

• Carnations
• Cosmos
• Freesia
• Heliotrope
• Sweet pea
• Lilies of the valley
• Stock
• Roses

Resources: Like what you see in this story? As of 2005, the items featured in this story were available from these manufacturers. Bedding, accent pillows, window seat cover - Andrews Bedspreads, National City, California. Bench at foot of bed custom - Gilbert Orozco & Sons, San Diego. Fabrication of closet doors, window seat - Green and St. John Construction, La Mesa, California; 619-464-3600. Light fixtures - La Jolla Lighting, La Jolla, California; 858-459-2651. Natural-fiber window blinds - Castec Window Shading, North Hollywood. California; 818-503-8300.