EPISODE FOUR
A small room that needed a big transformation.
Matthew & Orlando were in a long-distance relationship and wanted me to create a personal space they could enjoy together, a room where they could really connect and explore their alternative lifestyle.
However, how does one design a sex room where the walls, floor and ceiling are all concrete,
along with a Homeowners Association that has strict rules and regulations?
This is, of course, part of the joy of interior design: every room is different, they all present unique challenges. The fun is finding solutions.
Matthew & Orlando were in a long-distance relationship and wanted me to create a personal space they could enjoy together, a room where they could really connect and explore their alternative lifestyle.
However, how does one design a sex room where the walls, floor and ceiling are all concrete,
along with a Homeowners Association that has strict rules and regulations?
This is, of course, part of the joy of interior design: every room is different, they all present unique challenges. The fun is finding solutions.
The building was designed by the famed architect I.M. Pei. He is well known for The Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. to name but a few. However, his incredible architecture in this building presented a few challenges. It was made entirely of concrete.
Lighting is key in any room, but when designing a sex room, it becomes even more important. Under normal circumstances, I would have recessed cans on dimmers in the ceiling and added wall sconces. But that was not an option because of the solid concrete walls and ceiling. So, I was faced with using only what was already in place: an electrical box in the ceiling and four outlets around the room. Clearly not a lot to play with for someone who likes – no, loves – light fixtures! At the far end of the room, the floor to ceiling windows allowed light to flood in during the day, and the view was spectacular. However, when night drew in, the sparkling lights needed to disappear. Automated shades easily solved that problem.
Knowing the existing closet with gold frame was staying, black with gold and brass accents became the foundation for this design. Black can make a small space seem ever smaller. So, to keep this black room interesting, I decided to bring in lots of black textures, and because it was small, I decided to split the space into two areas and use the center as the connection point. As you walked into the room, the left-hand side would be the sensual, sexy, glamorous space, and in contrast, the right-hand side would be the rough, naughty, bondage area.
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I covered the walls in a luxury faux crocodile textured wallpaper from Graham and Brown which added the opulence I wanted.
Sconces were a must, but the concrete walls were a problem, given that I was unable to bury an outlet into the wall at the specific height I needed. So, thinking outside the box, I came up with a plan. |
The electrician mounted the two sconces and I attached a heavy black chain to the light fixture. I then ran the black electrical cord from the sconce through the chain, to the existing lower outlet. Problem solved!
In keeping with the luxury look I was going for, I brought in a modern black semi backless sofa. Because of its depth, it also functioned as a daybed. I added some sexy, fun cushions and a throw from Jonathan Adler. At the end of the sofa, near the window, I place a unique gold side table with a black and gold tall accent lamp to add additional movement and richness to the room.
In keeping with the luxury look I was going for, I brought in a modern black semi backless sofa. Because of its depth, it also functioned as a daybed. I added some sexy, fun cushions and a throw from Jonathan Adler. At the end of the sofa, near the window, I place a unique gold side table with a black and gold tall accent lamp to add additional movement and richness to the room.
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Here, I covered the wall in a rough black sisal wallpaper from Schumacher.
A full-length mirror added depth and dimension. From the ceiling, and in front of the mirror a few feet away, I added a black suspension bar which could also be swapped out for a sex swing. This allowed Matthew & Orlando to enjoy being restrained, while watching themselves at play. |
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A discreet webcam atop the mirror ensured they could perform for one other from long distance.
The museum display cabinet was home to all the sex toys. However, I did not want it to look like a cabinet just stacked with objects, I wanted it to be a journey, a delight for the eyes, so I added other items such as candles, sculptures, golden boxes, art displays, all of which related to each other. Near the window, where a portion of the wall protruded, was a perfect location to add the neon Yes, Sir sign. I’m often asked why I included that. It is a favorite saying of Matthew’s and every room I design is unique and personal to the clients. Just underneath the sign, I added my favorite penis hooks for a visual statement.
The museum display cabinet was home to all the sex toys. However, I did not want it to look like a cabinet just stacked with objects, I wanted it to be a journey, a delight for the eyes, so I added other items such as candles, sculptures, golden boxes, art displays, all of which related to each other. Near the window, where a portion of the wall protruded, was a perfect location to add the neon Yes, Sir sign. I’m often asked why I included that. It is a favorite saying of Matthew’s and every room I design is unique and personal to the clients. Just underneath the sign, I added my favorite penis hooks for a visual statement.
To unite the two areas, I opted for a textured 8ft by 10ft area rug in black, a modern adaptation on the classic herringbone pattern.
I bought in a glass top coffee table with a marble shelf and gold/brass accents.
A deep comfy leather chair near the windows added another opportunity for the clients to watch one, and a large free standing gold articulating lamp added more ambient lighting.
The ceiling was painted a soft, velvet black and the ceiling fixture, which had gold on the inside, gave off a warm amber glow.
I bought in a glass top coffee table with a marble shelf and gold/brass accents.
A deep comfy leather chair near the windows added another opportunity for the clients to watch one, and a large free standing gold articulating lamp added more ambient lighting.
The ceiling was painted a soft, velvet black and the ceiling fixture, which had gold on the inside, gave off a warm amber glow.
Matthew & Orlando had never had professional photographs of each other done before. Since I wanted to personalize this space further, a boudoir photography session was just the thing. They both had amazing bodies and looked even more astounding when dressed in the leather outfits I purchased for them.
To ease them into the session, I had them photographed separately. Then, when they were comfortable with the process and started to have fun with it, I had them photographed together. I really wanted to capture that moment of closeness and create a new memory.
The final shot I had in my mind was a classic pose in honor of the artist, Touko Valio Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland. I thought it would be the perfect addition to the room. They both loved the Tom of Finland look and once it was framed along with the other photos, it really brought the design together.
There were a lot of toys in this room, including a lot of leather, so the smell was really intoxicating, in a good way. Given the nature of their long-distance relationship, I wanted them both to be able to connect sexually, so couples toys were really important. I bought them the very latest in long-distance remote controlled prostate massagers to help spice up their relationship. With an adjustable head and base the We-Vibe Vector can target both the prostate and perineum. The beauty is that it can be controlled from anywhere in the world.
Leather riding crops, paddles, floggers, jock straps, torso harnesses also added to the inventory of toys they could play with. Nearly all of the toys for this room I purchased from The Stockroom.
Leather riding crops, paddles, floggers, jock straps, torso harnesses also added to the inventory of toys they could play with. Nearly all of the toys for this room I purchased from The Stockroom.
Black absorbs light, so choosing good lighting is paramount.
Lighting in general. Use dimmers so you can create ambient lighting.
Wallpaper – Look at the different textures, colors and styles. There is a lot of choice out there. If you are not sure, buy a sample patch. Pin it to the wall and live with it a few days before making your final decision.
Include mirrors. They can make a small room look larger and you can use them to heighten your sexual activity.
Area rugs. If you can’t change out the flooring, then add a large enough area rug to cover most of the room.
Accent tables. Choose something unusual that evokes the design your are going for.
Ceilings. Don’t forget the ceiling! Most people do, paint it, or consider wallpaper.
Lighting in general. Use dimmers so you can create ambient lighting.
Wallpaper – Look at the different textures, colors and styles. There is a lot of choice out there. If you are not sure, buy a sample patch. Pin it to the wall and live with it a few days before making your final decision.
Include mirrors. They can make a small room look larger and you can use them to heighten your sexual activity.
Area rugs. If you can’t change out the flooring, then add a large enough area rug to cover most of the room.
Accent tables. Choose something unusual that evokes the design your are going for.
Ceilings. Don’t forget the ceiling! Most people do, paint it, or consider wallpaper.
