Date: January 5, 2021 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Lauren Cerrato |
Before & After: Designer Marianna O’Dea marries masculine and feminine, comfortable and chic in a Little Rock master bedroom
When Emily and Anthony Johnson hired Marianna O’Dea to reimagine their newly purchased residence, the master bedroom quickly emerged as a priority in the larger picture. “It sounds crazy, but one of the reasons this moved to the top of the list is because it lacked window treatments. It was extremely bright, and they needed to get some sleep,” the designer laughs. To remedy this, she quickly had drapes made from a contemporary abstract-print fabric by Lindsay Cowles. “Emily has always been a fan of this line and particularly loved this pattern. It was the first thing we chose for the entire house,” Marianna says.
Playing off of the print, a clear scheme of masculine and feminine elements began to develop, all the while keeping comfort and the couple’s personal aesthetic top of mind. “They are very adventurous, are not scared of color, and like pieces that make a statement,” Marianna says. While the bed was a piece they brought from their previous residence, the designer selected all of the other furnishings and accessories to complement this study in contrast. “Throughout the room, the pink is balanced with black, so the palette doesn’t become too girly,” she says, pointing to the bedding, side tables, and nightstands in particular.
In addition, there’s an undeniable chic whimsy seen in pieces from the light fixture to the abstract art. “They are work hard, play hard people,” Marianna says. “They want to be able to relax and have fun when they come home, but they are also very intentional. There are no place fillers in this house; they wait until they find pieces they truly love.”
Room for a Crowd
“One of the things I love about this family is no room is off limits to the kids,” Marianna says. For this reason, the designer selected oversized chairs that act more as chaises to frame the fireplace, allowing the couple and their three girls to snuggle together and read books.
“They wanted quality pieces that would stand the test of time but also a more whimsical, not-so-serious look.”
—Marianna O’Dea, designer
Full Circle
Overhead, a ceiling fan was replaced with an orb light fixture in a mix of silver and clear finishes that play off the mirrored bed frame and the glass floor lamps.
Layered Look
The charcoal-colored duvet and shams were selected for durability and can be laundered, while a fur throw and velvet bolster pillow bring in a mix of textures as well as lighter hues.
Botanical Balance
The marriage of masculine and feminine is easily detectable in the nightstands, where a clean-lined silhouette and rich black finish are accented with delicate gold flower decorative hardware.
Sweet & Soft
Based on the fabric selections, Little Rock artist Ashley Saer created a quartet of watercolors to bring softness to the space. These stand in contrast to the impactful pair of black-and-white paintings, which she also painted, on the opposite side of the room.
Design Resources
Interior design Marianna O’Dea, O’Dea Studios Accessories, carpet, fabrics, furniture and lighting O’Dea Studios Art Ashley Saer Framing M2 Gallery
