'It's a haven from the chaos of family life': Samantha shares her bedroom inspired by Parisian luxury

EACH WEEK, WE ask an Irish person with a passion for interiors to share one photo of their favourite spot in their home.

Samantha and her husband Chris moved into a three-bed semi-detached property in Rathfarnham, south Dublin with their son in 2012.

“We’ve spent the last few years decorating room by room, trying to add as much character and personality as possible to an otherwise ordinary house,” she says.

I consciously embrace the fact that you don’t need to live in a period home or spend a huge amount of money to create something special.

This week, private client lawyer Samantha (@at_home_in_the_meadows) filled us in on her favourite place in her home: her bedroom.

A20AF481-27B4-47C3-89CB-B5D7C7345AA9 (1) Samantha Holton Samantha Holton

What do you love most about this part of your home?

As a bedroom I needed the room to be a calm, restful space so I opted for Ammonite by Farrow and Ball, which is a light, neutral paint that can appear both grey or stone-coloured depending on the light.

I have deliberately kept the walls free of pictures or art and have a strict ‘no television in the bedroom’ rule. It feels uncluttered and the blank walls promote the feeling of calm. Our bedroom is a haven, a retreat from the chaos of family life and a room devoid of the detritus of childhood.

What was your inspiration when you were putting the space together?

We love to travel and love nothing more than staying in luxurious hotels. Paris is my favourite city in the world and I knew I wanted to add a little Parisian style and hotel room chic when creating our master bedroom.

I remember hearing the saying “spend your money where you spend your time” and I try to keep to this rule when it comes to bed linen. You can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep.

Talk us through some of the objects in the photo.

The minute I saw the tall, studded navy velvet headboard I fell in love with it and knew this would be the focal point of the room. Panelling was an obvious choice for adding depth and interest to the feature wall behind the bed. Continuing the French theme, I added an empire-style crystal chandelier and some mirrored bedside tables.

Despite my husband’s protestations, the bed is decorated with lots of pillows and throws. My favourite accessories are candles and fresh flowers and so I have included both here. Although a neutral room, I couldn’t resist adding a bit of colour and the blush pink chair and cushions fit the brief.

How well does this photo reflect the rest of your home?

The contemporary classic aesthetic complements the decor in the house.

Be honest: how much tidying did you do before taking this photo?

Given that I have kept the room relatively simple, it is easy to keep tidy. All furniture choices were made with storage in mind. From the bed divan, which has four very deep drawers, to the bedside tables which have drawers rather than open shelves. The real untidiness comes at bedtime when the excess pillows and cushions are removed.

Do you have a spot in your home that you’re particularly proud of? Do you enjoy styling the different rooms in your house? Are you always adding and changing little things to make your space stand out? If so, we want to hear from you! Email amy@thejournal.ie with a few lines about yourself and your home for a chance to feature in My Home in One Photo.