Space of the Week: A YouTuber Trades in Her Bold Style to Create a Serene Bedroom

When home decor YouTuber Alexandra Gater was planning to upgrade the bedroom she shares with her partner, Noah, she surprised herself. "​​It needed to have a neutral color palette, which isn't my usual go-to," she says. Although Gater is known for integrating bright colors into a budget-friendly design, she didn't think that approach would be best in the space where she would arguably spend the most time. "I really wanted a calm, cozy, and zen retreat," she adds.

Gater and her partner chose to live in this Toronto apartment for its historic details, and they particularly liked the not-quite-perfect quality of their bedroom's existing floor. It was scuffed and scratched, but it also had warm wood tones that became the backdrop for the entire palette. "I would ordinarily be all over a large Moroccan rug, but we left the floor completely bare because we loved the look," she says. The white walls would also stay as is, except for one. Gater sought to heighten the softness of the space, not create starkness, so she opted for a DIY project that would accomplish this feel.

"Doing a traditional accent wall with one tone of paint would have been too harsh, which is why I chose a lime wash," she says. "It's basically a paint made from minerals, and almost has a velvet finish. I applied it in a criss-cross pattern on the wall to give it a textured look, and kept the color minimal."

Gater placed a white oak bed from Article against this wall, and layered a wood art piece from Katie Gong overhead. A round pendant light made of rice paper fits the relaxed mood, while glow lights on custom side tables match its shape and sentiment. "What sold us on this bed is the rolling storage underneath. Because we only have two wardrobes, we needed drawers for linens and other items," she says. "Noah and I also use one drawer each as additional 'side tables.' That might sound strange, but we knew that this room was too small to fit standard side tables on either side of the bed. The drawers hide all of our cables and are a great place to keep books."

Now that the room is complete, the only thing that's surprising Gater these days is how soothing it continues to feel. "I honestly love the vibe of this room every time I step in it, and I've learned that bold colors and lots of patterns aren't always the solution," she says. "I really loved playing with different materials to keep the space feeling styled and interesting, and the result is truly a sanctuary."

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