Decorating and Design - How do I recreate a place that never was?

I want to overhaul a bedroom measuring approximately 10x10. This room nestles within an apartment, so major modifications are out of the question. In addition to aesthetic appeal, I need to “cool” this room. No matter what I do, the room seems to maintain a temperature just short of 100°F. Another concern I have is noise, I would like to restrict noise leaving my room as much as possible.

Have any of you read JRR Tolkien’s supplemental texts to Lord of the Rings, such as the Silmarillon or the Books of Lost Tales? If so, then my vision may be clearer for you. I want to recreate Ilmarin. For those unfamiliar, Ilmarin is home to Manwë, Lord of the winds, air, clouds, and birds, and Varda, Snow-White Lady of light and stars.

For this, I believe an appropriate template would be blue, white, and silver, which happen to be my favorite colors. How can I best use these colors to achieve my goals? Should I paint the walls an icy white? Should I use light-inhibiting shades to soften the brightness of the room? Should I treat my windows with very sheer white and blue curtains and my walls with delicate tapestries?

Unfortunately, I am stuck with a rather bland, tan carpet from wall to wall. How can I dress this up without cluttering the room? I also have rather dark trim and doors, should I strip these and restain them a lighter color?

One idea I had that I would like opinions on is finding simple Greek columns to put in corners of the room on which to stand vases or pots filled with lush greenery and fragrant white, blue, and silver flowers.

I would also like advice on wooden furniture in delicate designs inspired by nature. I want a cool, silvery wood, but the only thing I have found is silver birch, which upon further research, leaves me unsure as to whether it is durable or suitable enough for bedroom furniture. And finding nature-inspired designs is another problem.

I am interested in hiding modern day conveniences, like my computer, stereo, and multiple box fans.

Lighting is another concern. I am sure someone will suggest blue, white, and silver candles; what about light by which to read and study? I like the idea of creating constellations on my ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars, except that by day, they are an ugly greenish-yellow.

Most of all, I would like to avoid ornate and gaudy décor, relying instead upon clean, simple lines and developing a fresh, airy, spacious feeling. It is also important to note that, for the most part, these things will need to be durable enough to test time and move with me when I finally have my own home.

Thanks in advance for any help I may receive. I think I am in over my head here!

My! You are inspired! I was picturing the room as you described it and it sounded fantastic. Since the room is 10x10, I would keep it light on the walls. White would be a good palatte to throw your blues onto. You mentioned sheer blue and white curtains and delicate tapestries...do you have them already? I think those curtains would be great for tying in colour and adding "airiness" and suggestion of more space. For funiture, Ikea has simple lines, multi-task pieces, lots of light coloured wood and silver trim. They even have silver desks lamps for studying. A screen could serve well as a temporary visual block, provide privacy and still be mobile enough to easily spread out during study time. I see your favourite posters in this theme on the wall or even a mural of Gelwin the Magician (was it? LOL!) astride his white horse with mane and beard flowing in the wind. I see a delicate piece of driftwood painted white and light thrown on it to splash on the walls. Oh brother! Now you've got me going! LOLOL!

I am sure someone will suggest blue, white, and silver candles; what about light by which to read and study? I like the idea of creating constellations on my ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars, except that by day, they are an ugly greenish-yellow
I'd consider the silver track lighting that's bendable, or the one that comes in a curvy line, they've got small pinpoint type lights that you can focus around your room. It can give you accent lighting on a particular item (ie: wall art) and task lighting (ie: desk) all on one single track. And the track lighting of today isn't your parents track lighting from the 70's! It's quite lovely, comes in all sorts of styles, and is very affordable.

I would definitely NOT use the stick-on stars, because they look very childish. From your description, you're going for a more adult room.

I'm unfamiliar with the LOTR books you're talking about, but AM familiar with the 'regular' series, and with the films. I can picture what you're describing, and think that it would be quite lovely! You seem to have some very specific ideas as to how to fulfill this vision, and I'd go with those! As missyclare said, www.ikea.com is a great place for inexpensive furniture with clean lines, and light wood tones.

BTW, missyclare, I think you mean 'Gandalf'!!! And, I'm quite proud of myself for knowing that! ;) :rolleyes:

Yes! That's it! Gandalf, thankyou! None of the kids were around to ask at the time, lol!
I think that's a great idea with the track lighting. Definitely multitask. I also agree with you about the stars. They do look flat in the daylight and when we did my daughter's room, they all started falling one by one over the next few months too! I also see white wicker furniture also.....hmmm.

Thank you, Missy and Carly, for taking the time to respond. I was afraid my request was too restrictive or too weird for people to help!

Missy, I agree about keeping the walls light. I am going to go with a very icy white. My inspiration for the curtains is here - http://************/bwjyb - though I have not yet decided on my blue palette. If I get the curtains long enough, they can puddle on the floor a bit for a luxurious, romantic feel. I have not yet purchased tapestries – I cannot seem to find any that fit my idea of what the view would look like from a window or balcony of Ilmarin. I plan to purchase these items over time and am willing to wait for just the right pieces since I plan to decorate my entire house in this manner eventually. Per your suggestion, I did look at IKEA, but I did not find anything I liked. I think I am looking for something a little more sinuous and inspired by nature. What do you think of a four-poster with ivy creeping up the posts?

Carly, you are right about the youth of stick-on stars. Do you think poking tiny holes in the form of constellations into construction paper, then brushing over the paper with glow-in-the-dark paint? Those might be closer to reality, since when we look into the sky, all we see are tiny points of light. As for the focus of my ideas, I am definitely open to suggestions!

If either of you think of anything else, please do not hesitate to drop me a note! I really appreciate the thought you have put into this. I will try to post photos of the room as it is now so that you can get a better feel for what I am working with.

Thanks!

What do you think poking tiny holes in the form of constellations into construction paper, then brushing over the paper with glow-in-the-dark paint?
Sure, this might work. Except that I wouldn't use construction paper because it might bleed through & then you've got a mess on your hands (and on your ceiling)! Instead, purchase the type of plastic that's used for stenciling. You should be able to purchase that at any craft supply store. And use a stiff brush, as dry as possible, so that you won't get dripping or bleeding. Have you done any stenciling? You'll know what I'm talking about if you have!