Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: Transform Your Bedroom: Expert Interior Design Tricks

Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Bennett (A), Suzanne Hall (B), and Contributor (C)

Overview

In this episode of "Dear Alice," Jessica and Suzanne pull back the curtain on the art of transforming bedrooms. Building on their Transform series, the duo dives deep into real-life design projects, sharing foundational principles, their own personal remodels, and actionable tricks to create restful, beautiful bedroom spaces. The tone is lively, real, and packed with approachable expertise—punctuated by memorable personal confessions, wit, and their signature encouragement to make the bedroom your ultimate reward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Bedrooms Matter

• Bedrooms Are Often Overlooked:
  • Many clients prioritize public spaces first; primary bedrooms are "the last to get addressed" ([00:23] B).
• Personal Sanctuary & Reward:
  • Jessica describes the bedroom as "my reward after a hard day" ([00:49] A), a personal retreat where nothing is expected of you, emphasizing the importance of creating beauty for yourself.

Defining Bedroom "Must-Haves"

• Depth of Color vs. Neutrality:
  • Suzanne reflects on living five years in a neutral-toned bedroom and discovering she "hates it" ([03:12] B).
  • Messiness is accentuated in light, neutral rooms because "everything feels messy all the time" ([03:12] B).
• Color Psychology in Bedrooms:
  • Deeper wall colors psychologically aid relaxation and sleep:
    • "When you use a deeper color in a bedroom, it allows you to focus on the task at hand, which is sleep" ([03:32] B).
    • Inspired by a client who cited sleeping best in a black-walled Capri bedroom ([03:50] B).

Notable Quote

"When you use a deeper color in a bedroom, it allows you to focus on the task at hand, which is sleep."
– Suzanne Hall ([03:32])

• Organizational Reality:
  • Nightstands inevitably gather "embarrassing" amounts of stuff; colored walls help them look less cluttered ([05:20] A).

Real-Life Bedroom Remodel: Suzanne's Personal Project

• Color Story:
  • From living in neutral, Suzanne is switching to a deep "Mexican chocolate" cinnamon brown, with faux silk coral drapes and dark walnut nightstands ([05:49-07:02]).
• Products & Pairings:
  • Brooklyn nightstands, Miles dresser in "cloud," "Tera kit" bed, slipper sconces with Lulu light pink glass ([06:14-07:22]).
  • Emphasizes continuity among bedroom, bathroom, and art for a "melting" effect ([06:36] B).
• Lighting and Window Treatments:
  • Blackout shades/"living like a vampire," but now adding lush draperies for softness ([07:37] B).

Notable Quote

"That's what you kind of want for your bedroom. You just want to melt into that scene."
– Suzanne Hall ([07:01])

Transforming Client Bedrooms: Project Case Studies

1. Sugar House Bedroom

• Before:
  • Historic, small home, white walls, dark contrast with messy visually jumpy effect ([09:26-10:25]).
  • Functional Roman shades are a pain to adjust and can let in light even when closed ([11:08-12:26]).
• Key Teaching:
  • Use non-functional, decorative Romans for aesthetics; blackout roller shades for real sleep ([11:08-12:26]).
• After:
  • Taupe (darkened) wall color for "restful and cozy" vibe.
  • Drapes tonal with the walls; colored headboard for definition.
  • Art and drapery panels go up to the crown, making the room feel grander ([14:37-16:43]).
  • Tip: Larger rugs, art, and panels make small rooms feel bigger and more sophisticated ([16:18] A).

2. Hidden Springs Manor: His & Hers Bedrooms

• Her Room:

  • Muted mauve walls ("Cougar Brown"), four poster bed creates "a room within a room" ([18:47-20:48]).
  • Applied molding on ceiling for subtle romance and classicism ([21:01-21:33]).
  • Feminine Touches: Gauzy "Chloe" coverlet, crystal lamps, serpentine drawer fronts.
  • Laughs about never feeling more relaxed: "It's the gauzy bedding, guys. There's something there." ([23:21] B)

• His Room:

  • Handsome, flannel-like medium gray wall covering—ceiling and tray for soft enveloping effect ([25:01] A).
  • Velvet bed with leather straps, art placed to elongate the space, alcove used for a petite dresser, masculine and practical ([25:01-26:31]).

Notable Quote

"I think a lot of small things make it nervous. And so by doing something that is, like, more generous in scale, just makes the space feel so much more grand."
– Suzanne Hall ([22:03] B)

Core Principles for Bedroom Transformation

• Color:
  • Match to personal preference for depth and mood; even medium saturation has an effect ([26:31-26:54]).
• Lighting Layers:
  • Combine multiple sources—overhead on dimmers, bedside lamps, art lights, floor lamps—to tailor the mood (mainly using lamps at night) ([27:33-29:32]).
• Personal Comforts:
  • Bedding is deeply personal and should evolve with your sleep preferences ([29:32] A).
• Scent & Ritual:
  • Light a candle to welcome yourself home and create a sense of relaxation ([30:06-30:51]).
• Soft Upholstery:
  • If space allows, chairs or a love seat give another vantage from bed and complete the look ([31:18-31:52]).
• Routine Matters:
  • Know your rituals (e.g. which lights you turn on/off) to guide how your space should be designed ([30:53-31:18]).

Notable Quote

"You can't have a bad day if you like... your routines. Like, at night, you have just your lamps on. In the morning... just open up one of the shades, sunrise, and allow me to adjust my eyes."
– Suzanne Hall ([30:51-30:53])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-01:19: Why bedrooms are often the last priority but most important for personal satisfaction.
• 02:20-03:12: Must-have lists—color, contrast, and personal satisfaction.
• 03:32-04:41: The importance and psychology of deep color in bedroom spaces.
• 05:41-06:14: How colored walls help "clean up" clutter-prone nightstands.
• 07:20-08:10: Suzanne’s personal bedroom transformation details.
• 09:26-10:25: Sugar House project—messiness of light spaces.
• 11:08-12:26: Roman shades, blackout shades, and window covering strategies.
• 14:37-16:43: Sugar House "after" and the magic of big art and panels.
• 17:40-21:49: Hidden Springs Manor—designing for couples who sleep apart; "his" and "her" aesthetics.
• 22:03-23:27: Gauzy bedding and tailored small-scale furnishings for personal comfort.
• 24:17-26:31: His Room—blending wall coverings, fixing odd nooks, and male-focused luxury.
• 26:31-31:52: Core transformation principles—color, light, layering, routines, soft upholstery, and scent.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On living in a neutral space for years:
  "I hate it. I hate my bedroom. I'm like, I'd rather sleep in a twin bed in my son's room and sleep in my own bedroom."
  – Suzanne Hall ([03:12])

• On color psychology:
  "When you experience depth on your walls, it psychologically changes how you perform in that space, how you sleep in that space."
  – Suzanne Hall ([03:32])

• On room feeling 'messy':
  "Rooms look messy when there's a light room and there's contrast and you just see every little thing that's leaning or not perfect intentionally."
  – Jessica Bennett ([04:50])

• On bedding and ritual:
  "You just want to wrap yourself up in a blanket and no one does it better than Cozy Earth. The bubble cuddle is my absolute favorite."
  – Suzanne Hall ([16:47])

• Design tip:
  "When you can use larger art, larger rugs, your spaces are going to feel so much bigger."
  – Jessica Bennett ([16:18])

• On lighting:
  "Bedrooms almost more than anything need lots of layers of light..."
  – Jessica Bennett ([27:33])

• On making your room a haven:
  "Scent, like the bedding... You can't have a bad day if you like... your routines."
  – Suzanne Hall ([30:08-31:18])

Actionable Takeaways

• Go beyond white walls: Use mid-to-deep tones to evoke rest and diminish visual clutter.
• Plan lighting in layers: Lamps, sconces, art lights, and overhead on dimmers create calm and flexibility.
• Invest in blackout window coverings—but pair them with decorative drapes or romans for style.
• Use large-scale furniture and art (even in small rooms) to maximize perceived space and luxury.
• Personalize bedding, and don't overlook scent—ritualize comfort as a design element.
• Follow your routines when designing, so your bedroom supports real-life needs (waking, winding down, storage).

For Further Inspiration

• View projects mentioned ("Sugar House", "Hidden Springs Manor") and product specifics on alicelanehome.com
• Watch for Suzanne’s upcoming bedroom reveal and the lighting launch, especially as their principles are shown in newly shot spaces

Perfect for January, the episode encourages listeners to prioritize themselves and make their bedroom a serene, rewarding haven.