Bedroom Decorating Secrets

Crisp and Modern

"Color is exciting. You don't need that in the bedroom. A bedroom should be quiet and serene," says D.C. designer Frank Babb Randolph. This master bedroom he designed in a Georgetown home is a study in quiet, with pale grays and a whisper of robin's-egg blue.

What Makes It Work
• Calm color. The overall palette is soothing, with soft taupes and grays in the linens and other accents and a pale grayed blue on the walls.

• A glass-and-silver side table. It lends hints of shimmer to the muted tones.

• Minimal art. A few personal touches can do the job.

• Natural illumination during the day. Bedside lamps provide light for reading at night.

Bedroom Basics: The clean, tailored look is increasingly popular as homeowners look to the bedroom to provide a place for serenity. Two sets of pillows on the bed, with bolsters or square cushions, and monochromatic linens help create a calm atmosphere.