greyed out 001: big girl bed

I’ll be honest—this design is to showcase my developing ability as a designer for a certain prospective employer ;).

UPDATE: They never got back to me but I’m making a series out of this, as having a depressingly grey place is an issue for many. Rejection is redirection as they say.

Based on the job description, I tried to put myself into the role and think about what issues a West Elm customer might have. To narrow it down further, I imagined a young professional who just moved to the city and rented a new build apartment. Tall ceilings, big windows, great views—but grey. Oh, so grey. It’s an issue many renters face with these cookie-cutter apartments: how to make the gray vinyl floor, overhead lighting, and stark white walls feel cozy and homey.

With that in mind, I headed to the new arrivals section of West Elm.

The first piece that caught my eye was the Stuart Sling Chair—or as I like to call him, Slinky Stuart. Warm-toned leather, metal details, and a slim profile make him the perfect bridge between a cold gray floor and the warmth I plan to add to the space. Naturally, my first instinct was to put him in the living room or study, given his slightly formal vibe. But I resisted. Let’s put him somewhere unexpected, where he won’t get much use. Bedroom it is.

Balancing Textures

Logically, the next piece was the bed. To juxtapose Slinky Stuart, I needed something chunkier, more substantial—something that felt sturdy and safe. Enter the Giorgia Low Profile Bed. In theory, I liked the combo, but visually, it was leaning too beige. So, I softened the space with more beige, but these linen curtains do add texture without overwhelming the palette.

To break up the beige (just slightly), I brought in dark wood parquet nightstands. And to tie in Slinky Stuart’s metal legs, I chose the Cleo Table Lamp.

The Big Impact Piece

Now, the rug. The one thing that makes the biggest impact—and gives the biggest headache. Looking at the overall design, it was feeling a little too plain and monotone. The solution? Contrast. A rug with bold colors and patterns to shake things up. The Mirta Rug in deep red was perfect, as it also ties into the lamps.

Bringing the Eye Up

Now we need a pause. Look back.

Turns out… I hated the bed. Something about the solid fabric frame wasn’t working. I swapped it out for the Moyock Bed, which had a bit more of low profile but definitely more character.

Something was missing vertically. The space needed height. The Draped Figure Study was the answer—striking, yet soft, with colors that blended seamlessly into the overall vibe. Now the wall was also feeling too symmetrical, so I doubled the artwork for added impact, pairing the Draped Figure with Morning Dunes. The soft curves of the dunes complemented the figure next door—don’t they?

Finishing Touches

To inject some playfulness, I added plants on a funky, modern plant stand—an unexpected element. Then, a few final layers: a silk stripe bolster pillow for the bed and a cozy throw draped over Mr. Slinky Stuart. The final product is a bedroom that feels intimate yet inviting, refined yet playful.

That was my thought process in designing this space. There are obvious room for improvement, and that can only come with time, practice and exposure. West Elm, give me one chance.