In a beautiful neighbourhood in the west end of Ottawa, we created a laidback coastal bedroom for a growing teen. The design feels timeless yet modern, showcasing a balance of beautiful textures with a simple colour palette.

I recently read that memories are deeper and stronger when you can make decisions about your environment as a kid, and I couldn't agree more! Defining your sense of self is an integral part of growing up. It was such a fun experience to build upon a specific aesthetic that was shared with me by my 14 year old client. The brief was simple: a navy and white modern design that feels cool and feminine (but without ruffles). I wanted to give this room a sense of excitement and purpose, and create the perfect haven for hanging out with friends while listening to music and getting ready.

We started off by wallpapering the ceiling in a beautiful faux grasscloth wallpaper and added a delicate rattan ceiling light — it’s a subtle touch that adds so much texture to the room while drawing the eye up! The walls were painted in one of my favourite colours, Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore. I paired a beautiful blue bedding set with denim and floral throw pillows for an elegant and mature look. My client wanted shelving somewhere in the room to display plants and picture frames, so we added a floating shelf above the bed and it fills out the wall so beautifully. We even sourced a nightstand that has integrated charging! These little details really matter.

To maximize the open floor space, we positioned the bed and nightstand along the side wall, added a seating nook near the window with a swivel chair, wood side table and brass wall sconce, and incorporated a vanity desk with an oversized Tudor arch mirror. I opted for a blue ottoman that could be tucked underneath the vanity in lieu of a chair and grounded the space with a cozy wool rug. I’m truly so happy with the end result; the room now feels mature, bright and delicate and will be enjoyed for many years to come!