Space of the Week: Orlando Soria's L.A. Bedroom Contains a Clever Window Treatment Trick
Orlando Soria
Designer Orlando Soria was ready to get back into the swing of Los Angeles. "I've spent a lot of time away from the city recently—I bought a cabin at Yosemite and spent most of the last two years there—so I wanted a place that would be right in the middle of the action," he says.
He rented a home on a tree-lined street full of Spanish bungalows that's not too far from his favorite places, which was ideal considering he planned on hosting loved ones from out of town often. "I live here with my dog Satie, my boyfriend Joey, who also has his own place down the street, and normally a guest or two," he says. His small bedroom was a blank slate, and it also happened to be exactly what he was hoping for: It was compact enough to not be overwhelming, considering the cabin had been a large undertaking, and it didn't require construction. Once the old existing drapes were removed, he could start imagining what it could be for this fresh chapter in his life.
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"I used to hate beige and neutrals but they've really grown on me, particularly ones with gray undertones," he says. "Bedrooms are meant to be relaxing, so they're a great place to experiment with using a pared back or monochromatic color palette."
His landlord had already created some character, including cladding the ceiling, refinishing the floors, and replacing the windows. Soria knew a neutral palette would work well with these features, and felt that it would also make it easier to mix traditional and modern furnishings. "My inspiration was my love for older homes," he notes. "My ideal home would be a Parisian flat with interesting millwork on the walls, intricate architectural details, and sculptural contemporary furniture. I love the contrast of a historic space with modern, edgy furniture in it."
He chose a low-slung oak wood bed with matching nightstands to give the appearance of a taller ceiling, and slightly contrasted them with a dresser and armoire in a lighter finish. "I brought in as much storage as I could," Soria says. "This place has tiny closets." His bedding was picked to heighten relaxation—in fact, the names for the sheets, duvet, and blanket are "sand," "cloud," and "fog,"—while the gold mirror and faux shearling side chair add luxury. But the most impactful design choice was installing wraparound drapery, which envelops the whole room in dramatic comfort.
"I decided to do the wraparound drapery rods to accentuate the architecture and to avoid a bunch of awkward interactions with the furniture," he says. "I knew I wanted to add an armoire and a dresser, so having drapes on both sides of each window would get busy."
Soria is still putting his finishing touches on the bedroom, but he's proud of how it's come together so far. "The simplest answer is usually the best," he says. "I didn't overcomplicate this design. It's white drapery, modern furniture, a few hits of texture, and a nod to the home's Spanish architecture with the black drapery rods."
Get the Look:
Tuft and Needle
If your bedroom doesn't boast high ceilings, a low bed frame can give the illusion that the room is taller than it is. Choose from either oak or walnut to match the design of your room.
To Buy: Wood Frame, $1,495, tuftandneedle.com.
Annie Selke
Take a page from Soria's design book and envelope your bedroom in curtains. This oil-rubbed bronze drapery rod adds contrast in a room full of beige and soft gray tones.
To buy: Stockbridge Oil-Rubbed Bronze Curtain Rod, from $94, annieselke.com.
Anthropologie
The gold frame introduces a hint of metallic shine to the space, while the delicately curved shape attracts attention.
To buy: Evey Shelved Mirror, $534, anthropologie.com.
Bludot
Clapboard-like drawer fronts in whitewashed maple create a dresser that's simultaneously minimal and textural. The flared legs lend some personality to the piece.
To buy: Lap Tall 4-Drawer Dresser, $2,395, bludot.com.
