Date: March 18, 2021 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Steph Smith |
Before & After: Inspired by grandmillennial design trends, Heather Krijt updates a Little Rock bedroom
When Elizabeth and Mike Johnson decided to update one of their home’s guest rooms, they turned to Heather Krijt, owner of HK Designs. Wanting to create a space perfectly suited for their daughter, Kate, to enjoy when she visits, they sought to blend classic with contemporary. “The rest of the house is traditional, so we wanted to give this room a bit of a grandmillenial feel with fringe, toile, and a monochromatic palette,” Heather says, referring to the design trend inspiring millennials to embrace traditional styles.
The update was meant not only to give the room character, but also to make it feel larger. “The room is very big, but a dark brown accent wall and ceiling made it feel confining,” Heather says. A coat of white paint on the ceiling and light blue for the walls and trim remedied this. While wallpaper was considered for both the entire space and as an accent wall, the designer and her client opted for two large panels, which feel more like artwork.
As for the furnishings, Heather chose a mix of new pieces and antiques to achieve a layered look. “Liz’s house is a treasure trove, and she let me walk through to find just the right things for this room,” Heather says pointing to a small side chair, which they recovered, and a full-length bamboo mirror. A new custom headboard with a matching bedskirt was paired with coordinating bamboo nightstands, while a contemporary swirl pattern flows from the bedside lamps to throw pillows and a pair of ‘X’ benches to keep the look current.
This framed artwork once belonged to Elizabeth’s mother and holds sentimental value.
“This is not your grandmother’s traditional. Changing just a few things and keeping the color palette fresh can make a huge difference in a space.”
—Heather Krijt, designer
Tailored Toile
Now in her 20s, Kate has loved toile since she was a little girl, so it was a no-brainer to incorporate it here. Two panels of Schumacher’s “Persian Lancers” pattern in Porcelain were framed with paneling to create a custom look that is also budget friendly.
Pillow Picks
Pillows in three fabrics—including a fretwork pattern, a contemporary swirl, and a velvet trimmed in grosgrain to match the bedskirt—bring an inviting yet chic look to the bed and nearby window seat.
All the Trimmings
Rather than start from scratch, Heather updated the room’s existing neutral drapes with a blue trim. “The details really make the room, and this makes the drapes feel very custom,” she says.
Chinoiserie Chic
From the scene on the toile to the frame of the nightstands and full-length mirror, the space has a chinoiserie influence that carries throughout many of the pieces for cohesiveness.
Design Resources
Interior design Heather Krijt, HK Designs Accessories, art, fabrics, furniture, and rugs HK Designs Framing Louie’s Unique Framing & Gallery Millwork Tony Carmack Painting Color Me Bad Upholstery Brockington Upholstery and Interior Creations Wallpaper Designer Effects
