Floral designer Sybil Sylvester lives in color—the color of flowers. Her arrangements are often vibrant medleys of pinks, oranges, purples, and greens that work beautifully together but beg to be examined closely for their little nuances. Interior designer Rebecca Hawkins channeled this design approach when she helped Sybil and husband Bill transform their bedroom into a retreat they both could enjoy.
“When I first saw the room, it was dark—not like Sybil at all” Rebecca says. “The ceiling was low, and heavy curtains blocked the windows.” To lighten it up, Rebecca worked with Francis Bryant Construction to vault the ceiling and finish it in white oak. Walls were painted Wythe Blue (Benjamin Moore), and hardwood floors were updated with a custom bright blue.
For the rest of the room, Rebecca chose spirited colors spread across floral prints, embellished bed linens, graphic artwork, and cheerful accessories with fanciful flourishes—the same defining details that underscore Sybil’s happy arrangements.
Color Connection
When it comes to living in full color, designer Rebecca Hawkins is a real pro. “Sybil, Bill, and I all LOVE color!” she says. Here, she offers tips for making color and pattern work in any space.
REST YOUR EYES
One key to a colorful room is incorporating some white so that the eye has a place to rest. “Since there was so much color in the fabrics, I kept the headboard and coverlet white so everything else would pop,” Rebecca says.
REPEAT PATTERN
A smattering of pillows dresses the bed in coordinated colors, with anchor patterns in the Roman shade and side chair. “I repeated the print from the shade on the bed and then played off the colors in both prints,” she says.
GO BOLD
Rebecca wanted to add something bold to the bedroom. “I knew Bill loved the color orange, so I figured why not include a leather TV cabinet in that color?” she says. The hue of the custom piece is echoed in artwork and fabrics. The cabinet’s nailhead trim gives it a distinctive look.
DON’T FORGET BLACK
“Every room needs a touch of black,”Rebecca says. “I especially love anything lacquered in the color.” Nightstands that flank the bed with style and storage fit both bills.
