What do you call the biggest bedroom in your home?  If you’re like me, you’ve always called it the “Master Bedroom”.   Most of us use that label probably without even knowing how or when it became the go-to designation.

According to an article in the New York Times, “The first recorded usage of “master bedroom” seems to have been in a 1926 Modern Homes catalog by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The pamphlet offered potential buyers a kit they could use to build their own homes. A “master’s bedroom” was referenced in the second-floor description of the most expensive home in the catalog, but not in the floor plan itself. Before this reference, most floor plans used the word “chamber” when referring to bedrooms.”

As you might’ve heard, there’s been a lot of discussion of late, in both real estate and decorating circles, about the use of the term “Master” as it refers to the biggest bedroom in a home.  Some feel the term “Master” has racist and/or sexist undertones and is, therefore, no longer appropriate.

So, the search is on for a more politically-correct term which respects those views.  Some have chosen “Primary Bedroom” as the replacement.  Others have opted for “Owner’s Bedroom”.  Personally, I’m not convinced all the hubbub is necessary; especially since there’s no absolute correlation between the word “master” (in a pejorative sense) and its use to describe this space in a home.

However, as the writer Maya Angelou famously observed, “Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.”   I’m sure time will tell whether this everyday label endures or evolves.

Kitty Approved

Speaking of “knowing better” and “doing better”, we wanted to share a few pictures of a Whatever-We’re-Going-To-Call-It Bedroom transformation we just finished in Woodstock.  Over the last 10 years, we’ve done numerous projects in this home.  From a new living room to a restyled family room, a new kitchen eating area to new light fixtures, flooring and more, we’ve helped update and keep the home stylish & current, all except for the biggest bedroom.

It’s actually funny how many homes we visit where most everything is relatively updated except for the Owner’s suite.  Why?  Since we spend almost a third of our lives in bed, it would stand to reason we’d want nice bedrooms.  Of course, some might say, if your eyes are closed, it doesn’t matter.  To that, we’d argue, at some point, you’re going to wake up!  What view do you want when you open your eyes every day?

Over the years, we’ve gently coaxed this particular client into letting us get our hands on the Primary Bedroom.  Finally, last Fall, we were given the go-ahead to work our magic on one of the last, untouched areas of the home.  Needless to say, dated, oak furniture had to go as did the pink & purple walls.  New carpet and paint provided a neutral, updated canvas for new furniture, window panels, artwork, lighting and accessories.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Now, this Master/Primary/Owner’s Bedroom isn’t just updated, but is also a great reflection on its owner AND something he’s happy to see first thing, every morning, when he wakes up.

So, regardless of what words we use to label the biggest bedroom in our homes, let’s all agree that words themselves are simply words.  Actions always speak louder than words.  And when we know better, we do better.  In this case, our satisfied client and his faithful cat, knew better enough to finally give this bedroom the love and attention it deserved.  And we’re happy they let us help in the process.

If you’ve overlooked your Biggest Bedroom for far too long, give us a call.  Happy ” ? ” Bedroom Decorating from Decor Designs.  815-245-2433