Blackboard and chalk bedrooms

Today it's back to school for most kids in the Western Cape. Among the (very far off) memories of my own school years, I most vividly recall the eye candy of a box full of new rainbow-bright crayons and the delightful smell of brand new books,  my leather satchel ... and dusty white chalk!

And so to the bedroom ...

Using blackboard paint on a wall in a kiddies' bedroom is by no means a new idea, but still a great one. It is a practical way to allow the little budding artists to scribble and re-scribble to their hearts' content without their creative expressions doing any harm to bedroom walls. 

Source: 1. stylefiles 2: myhomerocks

Mum and dad might pitch in to create the wall art ...

Source: 1: seejaneblog 2: shelterness

But blackboard paint and chalk can be used to great effect in bedrooms other than the toddler's room. Black walls are perfect to offset bright, bold or multi-coloured bed linens, as is perfectly illustrated in this photo shoot for Anthropology.

Source: 1 and 2: Anthropolgie

Clearly, blackboard and chalk won't be at home in a setting intended to be formal, sophisticated or glamorous. However, it is a great way to give expression to one's creativity on a shoestring budget, adding an element of tongue-in-the-cheek fun. Perfect for the young and the young-at-heart. Cover an entire wall, or just a section and chalk away ...

Source: 1. cococozy.com  2. lili.fi

I love these poster-like creations! 

Source: 1. myhomerocks.com 2. myidealhome.tumblr.com

Source: shelterness.com

Here, chalkboards act as headboards.
Worried that the chalk dust will rub off and ruin your precious bed linens? Spray over with pastel fixative, and voila!

Source: houzz.com

Source: 1 and 2: homeedit.com 3: curbly.com

Even furniture can be adorned with blackboard paint

Source: 1 and 2: apartmentherapy.com

Source: homestoriesatoz.com

And although not in the bedroom, this one is my favourite. I love a mirror that tells me just what I want to hear!!

Source: shelterness.com

Silver for seconds

Still inspired by the Olympic Games, here's a look at a few ideas for using silver in your bedroom.

Silver is a really easy colour to add to any interior, as it coordinates easily with just about any other colour. It works particularly well in a very contemporary or minimalist setting, but as you'll see from some of the rooms below, it can be at home in a more traditional room and opulent as well.

Silver leaf headboard with ornate detail:

Source: beingbrazen.com

Source:floatproject.org

Gleaming and minimalistic:

Source:home-decoration-centre-blogspot.com

Add some sparkle with silver bedlinen: over the top shine or the subtle sheen of indulgent silk: 

Source: thestylepaathome.com; exclusiveboutique.co.uk

If you are - like me - not brave enough to go for an all out silver look, just stick to the small details. Pretty and practical!

Going for gold!

Wow - what else can we talk about today other than gold! We are so proud of swimmer Cameron van den Burgh for bagging South Africa's first Olympic gold medal for 2012, and doing so at a world record pace. Congrats, Cameron!

If you want to treat yourself to the colour of champions in your bedroom, here are a few suggestions:

Go all out with layer upon layer of soft, subtle shades of gold in wallpaper, headboard, bedding and accessories, and vary the scale of the pattern.

Source: www.masterbedroomideas.com

Here the gold wallpaper is offset by the warm brown wardrobe and neutral walls.

Source: www.decorpad.com

Limit the gold to headboard and lampshade:



Source: www.narratives.co.uk

Just a touch of gold in the lighting goes a long way to adding glamour:

Source: 1. www.stylishhomes.com 2: www.bedroomdecorideas.com

Or stick to a bit of gilding in the accessories:

Source: 1. www.javaindo.com  2: www.anurbancottageblogsspot.com

London sleeping

With the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games just hours away, the enthusiasm for all things British and Olympic has reached fever pitch. We browsed around to see how people have interpreted this in bedroom settings.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com

Love the faded blue and red quilt.

Source: theinspiredroom.net

Source: housetohome.net