My journey to transform our master bedroom into a serene and stylish sanctuary led me straight to one of my all-time favorite home brands: Serena & Lily. Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with their talented team at the Lincoln Park store to design the master bedroom of my dreams. Ever since we finalized the offer on our new home, my vision has been clear: I wanted to recreate the effortlessly chic and calming ambiance of a Serena & Lily store right here at home. Achieving this for our master bedroom feels like a dream unfolding! There’s nothing quite like starting each day in a space that feels both tranquil and inspiring – an atmosphere Serena & Lily consistently masters.
In this post, I’m excited to share the evolution of our master bedroom design, focusing particularly on the luxurious details that will truly elevate the space. We’ll explore everything from the initial state of the room to the key Serena & Lily pieces we’re incorporating, with a special spotlight on the transformative power of 2 Westport Euro Shams With Inserts. Join me as I recount our design consultation at the Lincoln Park store, unveil our curated options, and ultimately, bring you along on the exciting journey of creating a master bedroom retreat.
Master Bedroom Before Design with Serena & Lily
Preppy Charm of Our Chicago Home
Existing Room Features Before Redesign
Pre-Design Bedroom View
The “Before” Canvas
Let’s take a peek at the “before” state of our master bedroom. These photos, originally from our home tour and some snapshots from my phone, capture the room’s inherent beauty. I genuinely adore this space! As I’ve mentioned before, the previous homeowners clearly poured love and care into this house, which was a huge draw for us. We were eager to avoid major renovations while navigating life with two young children. In fact, the only structural update we’re undertaking in the master is the addition of elegant white shiplap to the ceiling, thanks to the talented Kira. We believe this subtle architectural detail will infuse even more character into the room. This lovely enhancement is scheduled for completion next week, and I can’t wait to see the finished result!
What We’re Bringing In: Serena & Lily Elegance
When it comes to furnishing our new home, it’s been a delightful dance of repurposing and rearranging. We’ve managed to seamlessly integrate much of our existing furniture, minimizing the need for excessive new purchases. However, with the master bedroom being more spacious in this home, we embraced the opportunity to upgrade our sleeping arrangements. Our queen-sized bed has found a new purpose in Lucy’s room, doubling as a comfortable guest bed. For our master, we invested in Serena & Lily’s Harbour Cane Bed in king size. Inspired by my friend Danielle who adores the daybed version, I’ve long admired its beauty. Sleeping in a king-sized bed is an absolute luxury we are thoroughly enjoying!
Our existing nightstands and my dresser, which I share with Mitch, are perfectly suited to the space and will remain. (Mitch’s dresser transitioned to Lucy’s room, fitting better with the dormer ceilings there.) We are also fortunate that our current lamps, jute rug, and floor mirror harmonize beautifully within the room’s aesthetic. It’s incredibly satisfying when existing pieces find new life in a new space!
Elevating Comfort with Serena & Lily Bedding and 2 Westport Euro Shams with Inserts
Our Serena & Lily focus for the master bedroom centers around creating a luxurious and inviting bedding ensemble and adding the perfect wallpaper. Currently, our bedding situation is quite basic: a king duvet insert, a mix of mismatched pillow covers, and a simple sheet set from HomeGoods – a quick fix from the night before our move. This is where Serena & Lily’s exquisite bedding collection comes into play, and I am particularly excited about incorporating 2 Westport Euro Shams with Inserts.
King-sized Bedding: We are envisioning a complete bedding refresh, starting with a beautiful duvet cover and high-quality sheets. But the element I’m most thrilled about are the Westport Euro Shams. Euro shams are those large, square pillows that lean against the headboard, adding height and a touch of European elegance to the bed. Choosing 2 Westport Euro Shams with Inserts is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about creating a truly plush and inviting bed. The inserts are crucial for achieving that perfect, full shape that makes euro shams so visually appealing and comfortable for lounging against while reading or relaxing in bed. We are considering the Westport collection for its classic design and luxurious feel, ensuring our master bed becomes the ultimate relaxation zone.
Wallpaper: As many know, I have a deep affection for wallpaper and a mission to adorn as many walls in our home as possible! (I understand wallpaper isn’t everyone’s preference, but growing up in a wallpapered home instilled in me a love for its warmth and inviting character. Yes, I wholeheartedly blame my mother! 😜) My previous home office featured Serena & Lily’s Priano wallpaper, and I did feel a pang of sadness leaving it behind. The prospect of having Serena & Lily wallpaper grace our new home, especially in the master bedroom alongside our 2 Westport Euro Shams with Inserts, is incredibly exciting. The combination of beautiful wallpaper and luxurious bedding will truly define the room’s sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere.
Serena & Lily Bedding Inspiration
Exploring Fabric Swatches for Bedding
Considering Patterns and Textures for Euro Shams
Selecting the Perfect Euro Shams and Inserts
Visualizing the Complete Bedding Set
Texture and Detail in Bedding Choices
Serena & Lily Store Visit for Design Inspiration
Lucy's Input on Master Bedroom Design
Exploring Color Palettes for Bedding and Shams
Considering Scale and Proportion in Bedding
Master Bedroom Design Session at Serena & Lily
Design Day at Serena & Lily Lincoln Park
To make the design process seamless, we chose a weekday morning visit to the Lincoln Park Serena & Lily store, while Emma was at peewee – a strategic move for smoother decision-making! 😉 We had the pleasure of working with Taylor Markgraf, one of Serena & Lily’s exceptional Designer Advisors at the Lincoln Park location.
Important Note: Did you know Serena & Lily offers complimentary design services? They have two convenient options. Option 1: Schedule an in-person appointment at a design shop, just as I did. The designers encourage you to bring in any inspirational materials like blueprints and photos. (Though it’s absolutely not required!) Option 2: If visiting a store isn’t feasible, you can utilize their online design services. It’s truly an amazing resource.
Taylor was absolutely fantastic! If you plan a visit to the Lincoln Park store, I highly recommend asking for her. She expertly guided us through the design shop, helping us select textiles and wallpaper swatches. Initially, I was leaning towards stripes, but Taylor broadened my horizons, showcasing the incredible variety Serena & Lily offers. And let’s be honest, I could definitely benefit from stepping slightly outside my usual comfort zone, haha! (Not that I don’t adore stripes – just look at this wallpaper. Scroll down to see it styled in a bedroom. SO stunning.)
Once we had a collection of swatches, narrowing down the choices felt overwhelming – I loved everything! Taylor then suggested I select my top three favorites in each category. She skillfully created MOOD BOARDS to help me visualize the complete look. This was incredibly helpful. In the past, I’ve often ordered items I liked individually, hoping they would harmonize in the room. Sometimes it worked beautifully, but other times, not so much. The result was often discouragement and the hassle of returns (especially with furniture!). Taylor’s mood boards brought the entire vision to life. She even incorporated our bed style and a rug similar to ours in the master bedroom! It was a truly wonderful and clarifying experience.
Leveraging Serena & Lily’s Online Tools
In addition to the in-store consultation, we also explored some helpful features on the Serena & Lily website, which you can easily access too. These tools, combined with the expert advice, made the design process incredibly efficient and enjoyable.
After about 90 minutes at the store, we had to dash off to pick up Emma from peewee! 😂 Knowing I needed more time to carefully consider all the options, I decided to share the mood boards with you all. Your opinions are invaluable as I finalize these exciting design decisions!
Unveiling the Mood Boards
Created by the talented Taylor Markgraf, Serena & Lily Designer Advisor
Mood Board #1 for Master Bedroom Design
Mood Board #1:
Acadia Stripe Wallpaper, Westport Duvet Cover, Westport Shams, Sutter Quilt, Sutter Euro Shams, Beach Club Sheet Set, Topanga Pillow Cover, Harbour Cane Bed, Samara Abaca Rug, Blake Raffia Nightstand and Morris Table Lamp
Mood Board #1 Details
Mood Board #2:
Fairfax Wallpaper, Westport Duvet Cover, Westport Euro Shams, Fairfax Shams, Oyster Bay Sheet Set, Tassel Pillow, Harbour Cane Bed, Samara Abaca Rug, Blake Raffia Nightstand and Morris Table Lamp
Mood Board #2 Breakdown
Mood Board #3:
Priano Wallpaper, Solana Sheet Set, Savoy Embroidered Euro Shams, Savoy Embroidered Duvet Cover, Pickstitch Matelassé Coverlet, Pickstitch Shams, Olympia Pillow Cover, Harbour Cane Bed, Samara Abaca Rug, Blake Raffia Nightstand and Morris Table Lamp
Your Opinion Matters!
This is an anonymous poll, and I would truly appreciate your input! If you have a moment, please cast your vote for your favorite mood board. Your feedback is a valuable part of this design journey.
Voting Time for Master Bedroom Design
Community Input on Design Choices
What’s Next?
Construction: As mentioned earlier, Kira is installing shiplap on the dormer ceiling, anticipated to be completed next week. It’s already transformed my office beautifully, so my excitement is high to see it in the master bedroom as well!
Wallpaper + Bedding Selection: The final decision on wallpaper and bedding is still pending! I’m eager to see your poll results and factor in your preferences. While wallpaper installation will take a few weeks, I promise to keep you updated on the voting outcomes and our final selections before the “final reveal” on the blog. Eeee! For real-time updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses, follow along on Instagram Stories and IG.
Finishing Touches: I plan to replace the current sconces with brass fixtures and update the curtains to a neutral tone. These should be relatively straightforward updates. Further down the line, I’d love to add a valance above the window over the bed, but that’s a project for another time.
A Heartfelt Thank You
While this post isn’t sponsored, Serena & Lily is generously providing the wallpaper and bedding to help bring this vision to life! This collaboration is truly a “pinch me” moment, and I am incredibly grateful to both Serena & Lily and to YOU for making it possible!
