The winner of the Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur-Designed Bedroom is Anne S. Holtermann of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Holtermann's project was chosen as a finalist by guest judge Gael Towey, who said that she likes "the overall summery feeling of the room—the tile floor and bright informal accessories, and the large windows that let in lots of light. The unmatching dressers that double as side tables are an excellent use of space and give the room style and personality. My favorite feature is the picture rail above the bed that echoes the rough beam overhead—it's like a drawing on the wall."
Take a look at Holtermann's design and hear what she has to say about her hardest-learned lesson, travertine floors, and where she splurged and where she saved.
N.B.: This is one of a series of posts spotlighting the winners of the Remodelista Considered Design Awards. We'll be featuring one winning project each weekday for the next two weeks. Go to the 2014 Considered Design Awards to see all the entries, finalists, and winners. And have a look at the winners of the Gardenista Considered Design Awards, too.
Anne S. Holtermann's Design Statement: This is a little maisonette that I refurbished from top to bottom using local materials, found materials, old materials, and my own wits. I love a good mixture of color and calm, clean but interesting, and a design that can easily be changed with the smallest amount of effort—just move a vase or add a new bright pillow and change a room! I wanted the space to be quiet and romantic for a couple or perfectly peaceful for one. True calm.
Q: Where do you live?
A: At present I spend my time between South Dartmouth, New York City, and the South of France. My place that I submitted to the competition is a small, short-term rental property that was a total shambles when I bought it. I wanted to create a stylish and practical environment for my guests.
Q: What was your biggest splurge?
A: The bed! It's an emperor-size DUX bed with a goose-down topper, and I bought outrageously expensive linens! My guests always thank me.
Q: What were the hardest lessons you learned along the way?
A: Spell out exactly what people who are working for you are supposed to do. Leave nothing to chance, such as bathroom tile pattern installation. Not everyone knows to stagger a subway tile!
Q: Did you cut any corners?
A: Almost all of the furniture was stuff I'd had in storage for years. Some of it needed a bit of work—cleaning, repainting, etc.—but I was very happy that it all just kind of worked. I really didn't have to purchase any new pieces.
Q: What is your favorite feature of the project?
A: I'm very happy with the cathedral travertine floors that actually ended up being slightly less expensive than the wooden floors I was initially going to put in. They look as though they've always been there, plus they're lovely to walk on and easy to take care of.
Q: What is your day job?
A: I'm an artist—large-scale abstract/color field paintings.
Q: What is your best secret design source?
A: I love architectural salvage places all over the world. I also can never pass up a beautiful piece of driftwood, an interesting stick or branch, or a smooth lovely stone. I've carted rocks many miles! Nature is truly one of my greatest design sources.
Q: What projects would you tackle if you had an unlimited budget?
A: I'd love to take on a large-scale project; a small hotel would be ideal. I'm also addicted to textiles of all sorts, old and new, so it would be nice to have a project to use them all in.
Q: Which architects or designers do you admire?
A: Axel Vervoordt—who doesn't?
Congratulations to Anne S. Holtermann! See all winners of the 2014 Remodelista Considered Design Awards here:
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