Hello! For my Five Faves today with Annie and Cindy, I want to share the finishing touches to our new traditional bedroom. Elements that make it feel fresh and welcoming such a soft rug, textures, plants, and pretty pillows.
The key to a serene bedroom is uncluttered simplicity. Whether decorated in neutrals or more colorful, like ours, make sure to keep it picked up and make the bed. It always feels better come nighttime (when you really want to relax), to crawl into a nicely made bed.
The first thing we did to our bedroom was to freshen it by painting the walls Benjamin Moore Super White. We have never had such a large bedroom, so the next steps were to make it welcoming…

1. A Soft Rug By Your Bed
I shopped around for a large, good-quality, soft wool rug that was somewhat affordable. Finally, I found this colorful, handmade, reasonably priced rug on Etsy from The Rug Decor. I studied the photos, and the great reviews and decided to order it without seeing it in person. I’m so glad I did!
What I like about it:
It’s hand-tied and made by artisans in India by The Rug Decor. It ships directly from India (saving you money on the middleman). The rug’s oriental design is traditional but the colors make it feel fresh and modern. It’s soft! When our grandbaby, Louisa was here, we played with her on the rug.
There are lots of patterns and colors available here: A Rug Online. These are my favorites.
The rug shed a little the first two weeks (small fluffs of wool) but was fine after vacuuming. I like our bedroom rug so much, I purchased this lovely washed denim-colored wool runner for by our French doors leading the porch.
2. Plants
Greenery, real ones like these, or faux and some life.

3. Pretty Textiles

The Pottery Barn striped lined curtains have a nice textured finish. The embroidered pillows on the chairs are from Etsy, and the long narrow pillow on the bench is by PillowFever. The knit blanket is from Pottery Barn.
The blue and white bedding is from Serena and Lily. The quilts have really held up well with regular washing. Great quality!
The Ballard upholstered is in Sandberg Ivory Inside/out performance fabric.
Shop Our Bedding:
4. Texture With End Of Bed Bench And Rattan Round Mirror

We love the new Serena and Lily bench (on sale now) as it’s nice to use when putting on your shoes, fills up our rather large space a bit and Chief loves it (makes it easier to hop on the bed as he’s 70 in dog years!). The round rattan mirror is from World Market.
Those are the finishing touches to our new traditional bedroom…feels like home!
5. What To Cook
Easy Mediterranean Fish Soup
Howard made this dish with red snapper (or you could use another moderately firm fish fillet such as halibut, cod, or sea bass). It was amazing!
Perfect on a cold evening with warm, crusty French bread.

On Thursday, I’m sharing a main dish salad that’s great for two or a crowd along with some other hostesses’ best soup and salad recipes.
And soon, I will be highlighting the best new things that we did in Paris last week. But in the meantime, here’s my updated round-up of Paris posts. Start planning!
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
Shop the post:
Thank you for sharing a rug link and too sharing one you purchased though it. I love oushak rugs and I am looking for one in beige muted colors. I was told not to get a rug with lots of design and colors because I could only use solid bedding. Hope you share more rug and bedding designs. Love your blog!
Beautiful bedroom! Love all your selections. You always inspire me!
Hi Mary Ann,
Your room is amazing. I love the rug! The bedding and furniture create such a wonderful space. I think you’ve done such a beautiful job in your new home. Magazine worthy to be sure. 😊
Karen B.
You are doing a great job!
I found this very informative and literally you’re doing great.
Keep it up.
MA, your bedroom is a sanctuary. And I love the new rug. What a find. I’m going to bookmark the site on Etsy. Your new home is coming together so beautifully! xo
Thank you for sharing that intimate space with your readers. The rug seems quite unusual with the pattern and colors. I shall be studying your Paris tips before a trip in the fall. I was there in June but am going back to more of France in Sept. and will finish up with about 6 days in September. I haven’t kept up lately with restaurants or shops so will appreciate your tips.
I love your bedroom, it is stylish, peaceful and serene. I need to work on that, my bedside table looks like the “return cart” at the library. I have way to many “to be read”, “in the process of reading” and “I love this book” on piles.
The soup looks good, although I do not eat fish I might make this for my husband.
Have a wonderful week Mary Ann.
Hi Mary Ann,
I love your bedroom! It’s huge, and so is that rug! You really made the space feel warm and inviting. That bench 😍
Yes to keeping things in the bedroom calm,and the bed made! I love climbing in on fresh sheets.
Glad you had a nice trip. Can’t wait to get back to Paris. I’m hoping for my 65th. Which is scary and soon. We’ll see.
XO Heidi
Oh wow Mary Ann, you created such a beautiful master bedroom. You always create beauty.
Your room is gorgeous. Is your bed a king size? And may I ask the size rug you ordered? Everything you have done to your new home is so pretty. I love it all.Thank you for sharing all your beautiful ideas.
Thanks, Maria. Yes it is a king sized bed and we ordered the 12 x 15 rug.
Thank you
I love your bedroom! Could you tell me where you found your bedside tables? Love them!
Thanks, Pat. They are from GJ Styles…you could try to Google it.
Really lovely bedroom, Mary Ann. Your new rug warms the space and adds cozy to the airy Coastal feel (love the blue and green). After shopping in-person and coming up empty-handed, I bought a Turkish wool rug from a web retailer for our living room: very successful purchase, but the ‘online search’ was exhausting! Sounds like you did a similar search for the ‘perfect rug’!
Yes…so glad yours worked out too, Joan!
Love your bedroom! Everything goes together so nicely. You have such inspirational talent and filled up that big room to make it very cozy and inviting. Love that the Serena & Lily bench gives Chief easier access to “his” bed.
Thanks, Deanna! Chief loves that bench…and the rug!
Oh my gosh….I love your bedroom! That rug is stunning and everything looks amazing! Congratulations!
Thanks, Sherry! The room is next to the Ladies Loft…that’s expecting a visit from you.
Mary Ann your bedroom looks fantastic! Just the right amount of coastal decor so it looks classic and casual! That soup sounds fantastic! I am going to make it this week!
You will like the soup, Cindy.
Mary Ann! Love your new coastal bedroom. It. Must be large to accommodate a pair of chairs and a bench! I have that same Shore bench from Serena & Lily in our entryway. The textiles are all so beautiful with the bedding….I can see why it feels soooo good!
Xo
Annie
It’s big for us!!