Earlier this week I contributed a guest post to Satori Design for Living. If you missed that post, I’m sharing the same content here because I accidentally scheduled it to publish on my own site today. While completing Shaunna’s design challenge, I also learned to use Olioboard and wrote about that experience on my blog. Have a wonderful Saturday!
Design Challenge: Choosing a Headboard
Shaunna’s design challenge was a delightful exercise in creativity. She presented three distinct headboards and invited contributors to choose one and design a bedroom around it. The three options were:
- The Alta Headboard by Serena & Lily
- A scrolled and tufted headboard found at Decorator Tag Sale
- The Pavilion Headboard by Zinc Door
My Choice: The Alta Headboard
I chose the Alta Headboard by Serena & Lily. The classic silhouette with nailhead trim immediately appealed to me, and the variety of fabric and pattern options made it easy to envision a number of different looks. For this challenge I designed the bedroom I’d love if budget were not a concern: a classic, warm, and slightly rustic retreat with a touch of glamour. Because I imagine this room sitting above a shoreline with wide windows and ocean views, I called the concept “Beach Cottage Bling.”
Design Elements and Styling
In this design, the wheat-linen Alta headboard serves as the focal point. I paired it with plush white bedding and relaxed, striped sheets for a layered, lived-in look that still feels refined. The linen texture of the headboard provides a warm, tactile backdrop to the bright linens and subtle patterning of the sheets.
To introduce a hint of glamour, I imagined a simple, sparkly chandelier suspended above the bed. A chandelier like this balances the room’s rustic elements with a refined touch, drawing the eye upward and adding soft, flattering light.
Seating is essential to a restful bedroom, so I included an oversized, comfortable chair that invites afternoon reading and quiet time. A soft throw draped over the chair completes the vignette and enhances the cozy, welcoming feeling of the space.
Walls, Texture, and Color
Wallpaper with a subtle metallic or pearlescent sheen adds dimension and quiet pattern to the walls without being overwhelming; it’s a modern alternative to paint that gives room character. If wallpaper is not desired, a repeating stencil can achieve a similar look more affordably and still provide texture and interest.
Accents in deep chocolate and black bring warmth and visual weight, grounding the softer linens and light headboard. Pops of aqua blue in the rug, pillows, and throws introduce a coastal note—this splash of color reinforces the beach cottage theme and keeps the palette fresh and bright.
Finishing Touches
Layered textures—linen, wool, hand-tufted rugs, and a soft throw—create contrast and comfort. Nailhead trim on the headboard, a polished chandelier, and carefully chosen accent pieces add a little “bling” without overpowering the calm, relaxed mood of the room.
For a complete breakdown of the sources used in the mood board and to see the curated items together, view the project on my Olioboard board.
Thank you, Shaunna, for hosting a fun and inspiring design challenge. It was a pleasure to translate a favorite headboard into a cohesive bedroom concept and to imagine a seaside retreat that feels both elegant and comfortable.