When her mum Julia decided to renovate the family home, 18-year-old Maya’s bedroom had a much-needed overhaul to give it a new, laid-back look
BEDROOM MAKEOVER
Growing up, Maya James always had the smallest bedroom in the house, and she was craving more storage space and a quiet place to study. In January 2022, though, her parents knocked down walls upstairs and created bigger bedrooms for everyone, including Maya.
After a year of building work the room was ready to be decorated and, with the help of her mum, Julia, who runs Jasmine Interiors (@jasmine_interiors), Maya set about creating a space that reflects her interior style.
THE PROJECT
Maya’s new room was a blank canvas with freshly plastered walls. ‘My previous bedroom had been decorated with a tropical theme, with lots of palm prints and jungle vibes that I had outgrown. This time I wanted my room to have a grown-up look,’ she explains. ‘I started a Pinterest board of decorating ideas, which featured lots of oranges, rusts and peachy colours, organic shapes, and natural textures. With the help of my mum, who is an interior designer, we decorated my bedroom inspired by these colours.’
As part of the design process, Maya and her mum planned a trip to London to gather ideas for her room. ‘We went to some of my favourite stores like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie and headed straight to the homeware departments. This is where I first discovered the bohemian trend, and I fell in love with so many accessories!’ she says. ‘For my birthday, Mum treated me to the curved shelving unit, textured throw and tapestry cushions to finish off the look of my room.’
WHAT WE DID
As Maya had been so inspired by colour, the first step was to paint the walls in neutral tones, then a burnt-orange textured wallpaper was hung on a chimney breast to create a feature behind the bed. The previous bedroom lacked storage space, so a key part of the design was to have fitted wardrobes that run the length of the room. ‘Mum managed the decorator, deliveries, and timescales while I focused on organising my room, says Maya. ‘I have so many clothes, bags and shoes that can easily take over, so the built-in cupboards keep my clutter under control and help me feel more organised.’
Next, Maya and her mum positioned the furniture, with
