In the midst of all the craziness going on right now, one fact has never been more true—there’s no place like home. We haven’t slowed down our efforts to create cozy, beautiful spaces and despite an uncertain future, we’ll continue to share ideas and inspiration for your own safe haven.
If there’s one room at The Riverside Retreat that was designed for a long staycation, it’s the Tropical Oasis master bedroom. But it didn’t start out that way…
It was a big ol’ boring white box.
After installing new laminate flooring, we changed the layout by stealing a couple feet from the back wall to create our Blue Lagoon master bathroom and build a new closet from scratch.
The doors and hardware were replaced, the sagging plaster ceiling fixed, every inch painted (ceiling, walls, windows and trim) and finally the fun part—furnishings and accessories!
Welcome to the oasis…
Couldn’t you just spend all day relaxing in this canopy bed? I spent months narrowing down bed options, and after seeing it in person, there’s a good chance I’ll be getting one of these for our own master as well.
I also found an inexpensive solution to pricey canopy scarves—$36 of cotton gauze by the yard that I cut into two panels (I ended up with a little extra, too). They make all the difference!
And then there’s the rich green velvet drapes…
I doubled up on the width (using 11′ on each side of the window) to make them extra full and luxurious. These were a better price and quality than anything else I could find available in custom sizes—I believe the code LC15 is still active for 15% off.
Two vintage trunks I already owned were used for the nightstands (fun fact: the one below was passed down from Lucas’ grandmother!) along with a jute rug pulled from storage.
These cool textured lamps are from Lamps Plus a couple years ago, and the faux palm leaves are from Afloral.
I used my favorite plush gel-infused memory foam mattress, and the same highly rated bed sheets, comforter, pillows and duvet cover set I used in our In the Clouds bedroom. The quilt is from The Company Store.
One of the most important features we added to the room are the woven blackout roman shades. I partnered with Blinds Galore and chose the ‘Hana Garden’ style from their Natural Bamboo shades line.
We opted for an outside mount install to give the illusion of a larger window—making each shade a massive 76″ wide and 68″ tall. It operates smoothly on a continuous cord pulley system so we don’t have to worry about it being too heavy. Replacing the original single pane windows isn’t in the budget right now, so the thick blackout liner helps block out heat and sound as well. It’s a complete cave in this room with the blinds down so our guests should sleep well!
One of my favorite features is the oversized gallery wall. Every room needs a little pattern, and we had a large empty wall begging for something fun. My first choice would usually be a wall mural/wallpaper, but the wall was super textured so that was not an option. Instead, I came up with the idea to cut a wall mural into panels and frame them, using inexpensive Ikea Ribba frames. I reached out to Rocky Mountain Decals (who I partnered with for our nursery mural) and they sent me 4 sheets of their Botanical Bliss 24×60″ panels which I cut in half to make 8 prints (the width was already precut and the perfect size for these frames!)
Hard to beat a statement gallery wall for around $350! It almost feels like you’re looking outside a window to a dense jungle.
A peek inside the closet (you can see all the details in this post):
I love how each room has a completely different vibe in this house—there’s something for everyone.
I think I’d have to claim this room if I was staying here.
What about you?
Sources
Walls: Sherwin Williams Pure White
Trim + doors: Sherwin Williams Loggia
Ceiling: Sherwin Williams Loggia at 50%
Curtains (use code LC15 for 15% off)
Bamboo roman shades (in Hana Garden)
Trunks: vintage
Next up from the Riverside Retreat — a backyard makeover (round 2!)
Elly Coressel says
This room is so gorgeous. I love everything, but I think my favorite part is the velvet curtains. They make the room so luxurious. You’ve definitely sparked a love for green with this home. 😍
Jenna Sue says
Those were definitely the inspiration for this room! Can’t go wrong with green velvet.
Kathleen Harris says
Jenna, this bedroom is truly amazing! The wall prints are spectacular! The bed! The curtains! The closet&doors! Can’t say enough!
Jenna Sue says
<3 <3
Pat says
Beautiful!! Your talent never ceases to amaze me. The framing of the mural is fabulous…and every single detail!!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Pat, so glad you enjoyed this reveal!
Shauna says
Sumptuous. Almost a safari feel. The chests are also such a nice touch.
Combination of breezy/ summery/ tropical and delicate elegance. I woul love confinement in such a room.
Bravo, Jenna.
Jenna Sue says
Yes — you nailed the vibe I was going for! We hope our guests feel that way too <3
sharon says
Wow this space is so fresh and luxurious! It makes me think of a key west style — but leaning towards the jungle. I love the bed!
Sharon @houseonheatherfield
Jenna Sue says
Me too! Such a fun vibe to bring to this house.
Gina says
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous!!
Julie Gleason says
If those are steel windows, do NOT replace them. See if you can work with a local window company to replace the single panes with dual pane low-e glass lites. We did that in our 1930’s house and the results are amazing. It takes a little creativity on the part of the window company but it is so worth it.
Jenna Sue says
I’m not entirely sure of the construction, but the metal is in pretty bad shape, especially on the exterior. It has been filled with some sort of putty that’s crumbling, so it would need a lotttt of work in order to keep it! We’ll definitely explore our options when the time comes to replace them. I love the way they look and would want to keep the divided lites for sure!
Sara S. says
Lovely! Do you paint your doors the same color on both sides?
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Sara! It really depends on the room, but for this room both doors are the same color on both sides.
Kimberly says
WOW, this room is so luxe. I’ve loved every thing that you’ve shown so far but this may be my favorite. Truly feels like an escape. Great job. The combination of the velvet drapes with the woven blinds is stunning. The bed itself is spectacular but the addition of the gauze, which looks SO much more expensive than it is, takes it over the top.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks for the sweet words Kimberly! Velvet drapes and gauze really add so much luxury, it’s amazing what a bit of fabric can do!
Lisa E says
As usual, your vision is so on point and beautifully executed! 👌👏😍
Rebecca says
Wow! This transformation is incredible! Great job making it look fantastic!
Becky says
Wowza! Tropical lush, beach vintage… Love every single detail!
Janice says
You never cease to amaze!
I love that you share your sources! And you find amazing deals…green is my favorite color!
You’ve made the velvet curtains a natural choice for elegant design and fresh style!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Janice! <3
Shannon says
I love every room in this home. I live in Orlando and I really want to stay there once you start renting.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Shannon! We’d love to host you <3
Janice Sisson says
Jenna, when you said the ceiling paint was 50% what does that mean? Do you dilute it with water?
Jenna Sue says
Hi Janice, we don’t mix it with anything — they would add only 50% of the coloring (strength) to the paint can at the store. It’s essentially 50% lighter than the full color.
Mary from Life at Bella Terra says
Jenna,
Wow! This is the first time I’ve been to your blog and this bedroom is just dreamy. Those curtains!! I expected them to be VERY expensive and then clicked on the link. Is the quality as gorgeous as the look?
Fabulous and creative. Just LOVE it! Thanks for sharing.
Tori says
Jenna, I’m curious about how you hung the curtains. The curtains offered on the link are rod pocket but it looks like you have hung yours with rings. I prefer the look of pleats like yours. Please share. ☺️
Jenna Sue says
Hi Tori, I just used curtain rings with clips and clipped onto the back of the fabric 🙂
Annie says
What flooring did you use?
Jenna Sue says
Hi Annie, it’s linked under Sources at the bottom of the post 🙂
Susanna says
Are the curtains 11 FEET or 11 INCHES on the return?
Jenna Sue says
The total width is 11′.
Stephanie says
Love this space! How did you change the rod pocket tops to be hung with curtain rings? Would love that tutorial!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Stephanie! I just used the little clips that came with the rings and clipped onto the back of the fabric.