How to Design a Desert Glam Bedroom

Pinterest influencer and stylist Alexandra Evjen did not vibe with the outdated, mint bedroom of her new home in Phoenix suburb Chandler. Immediately after receiving the keys to her house, she replaced the old carpeting and painted the walls white. With a blank slate, it was time to find a partner in design through the online home decor service Decorist. Alexandra filled out a questionnaire discussing her goals for the space, prefered retailers, and inspiration. She matched with California-based designer Jessica McCarthy. “I felt like Jessica would really understand my style and my desires for the space,” Alexandra says. “I also felt like she was going to push me to another level and really elevate my dreams for the space.”

After receiving photos of the existing space and the floorplan, Jessica and Alexandra began communicating about the plans online. “The process was so much fun because I am in California and Alex is in Arizona,” Jessica says. “We did everything virtually, from design to execution to styling, all through our Decorist online messaging platform. Obviously, this is very different from traditional design, as I never stepped foot in the space.”

Alexandra wanted a modern bohemian retreat to get away from it all. The duo took inspiration from the Arizona desert mixed with 1970s vintage glam. “I really let Jessica run with the initial design, and then when it came to the styling she let me have fun putting my own personal touch on things,” Alexandra says. “We would text a lot back and forth as I shopped for the decorative accents agreeing on every detail. It was really fun! It felt like shopping with a friend.”

Alexandra decided the bedroom should be gender neutral to accommodate all occupants. This posed a unique challenge for the design. “Alex's inspiration was very bohemian, so we had to figure out how to create a more masculine bohemian vibe, which we accomplished by pulling inspiration from the Arizona desert to create something unique from the typical girly bohemian aesthetic,” Jessica says.

To achieve gender neutrality, Jessica and Alexandra combined more masculine elements like neutral colors, deep tones, and natural materials with fur, feathers, and metallics. They also brought in whimsical elements such as a hanging chair, furry ottomans, and a curved rattan bed. Here, the brass chandelier draws the eye up emphasizing the airy space.

The bedroom’s bones lacked interesting structural elements, posing a challenge for the design process. “The space had very little architectural elements, so we had to add visual interest in other ways,” Jessica says. They brought in a really unique bed to solve the problem. A curving headboard creates a canopy-like effect while not being too feminine.

The space started as a big white blank box. To add depth and visual interest, Jessica suggested a dark turquoise accent wall behind the bed. They considered wallpaper but felt paint was more timeless. The dramatic hue serves as a bold backdrop for the incredible bed. White bedding and a beige juju hat provide a satisfying contrast.

Alexandra gave Jessica two important requests: a comfortable king size bed and two cozy reading chairs. An upgraded bed, however, left little space for her literary nook. The solution pleasantly surprised Alexandra. To accommodate both cost and space, they installed a dreamy hanging chair.

Most of the features in Alexandra’s bedroom can be purchased on her Decorist shopping board. But the gorgeous emerald bench is all hers (sorry!). “Any space I design, I love an element that is unique to the client that cannot be imitated,” Jessica says. “For this space, we worked hard to find the perfect vintage piece which is the tufted leather bench at the end of the bed. It is unique to only Alex's space, and I love the individuality it adds and the history behind it.”

To cozy up the reading nook, Jessica layered a cowhide partially on top of the larger area rug. She felt the corner under the hanging chair was missing something, and the layered rugs made all the difference.

A rose gold candle holder adds an element of glamour to the bedside table. Get the look by searching for himmeli-shaped accessories.

A pair of bedside lamps double as artwork and light source. The painted metal shade grounded by a marble base belongs in a modern art museum. Echoing the brass chandelier, the curved pole contributes another metallic element.

Each nightstand features two pulls that look like tiny wrapped notes. The mid-century tables resemble iconic ‘50s and ‘60s silhouettes with slim legs.

On one nightstand, an agate serves as a trendy bookend. Notice how Alexandra faces her books pages-out, taking advantage of the neutral shades of aging paper. A wooden tray makes for a sculptural catch-all.

Three different plants bring a natural element into the airy bedroom. The broad green leaves contribute to the bohemian aesthetic.