The Goal for This Bedroom Makeover? The Opposite of a “White Box”

Sarah EverettHome Projects Editor
Sarah EverettHome Projects Editor
I organize the Before & After series and cover DIY and design. I joined AT in October 2020 as a production assistant. I have an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in Journalism from Belmont University. Past editorial stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and local magazines in my hometown, Columbia, Missouri.
published Sep 4, 2025
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Having good sleep hygiene (aka not using your laptop or phone in bed) might, in fact, begin with bedroom design. One of homeowner Amanda Mactas’ (@manhattantwist) biggest goals in her bedroom redo was “not to work in bed,” she says. And to create a relaxing space, she gave her bedroom a dark, dramatic, “boudoir” feel.

She worked with Kim Liptak Design on transforming her entire New York City apartment — including the bedroom. “My bedroom actually had a cool accent wall that was all wood, and it was oriented completely differently prior to redesigning it,” Amanda describes.

 “I really liked it, but it just didn’t feel like me, and we decided that if we oriented the room a bit differently, we could utilize more of the space,” she says. Adding space for books was another priority.

Credit: Erin Kestenbaum

The headboard moved to a different wall. 

There’s a new bed with an oversized bouclé headboard from Lulu & Georgia, and a new loveseat that fits with the headboard now rotated counterclockwise to where it once was. 

There are lavender nightstands, and there’s also a new Pooky chandelier that helps give the bedroom the boudoir feel Amanda was after. 

Credit: Erin Kestenbaum

The bedroom got a dark new color scheme.

Mostly, though, the biggest difference-maker is the moody new color palette. “It’s hard to find an apartment in New York City that doesn’t look like a white box these days,” Amanda told AT in her house tour — and her goal was to create a space that stood out. (“Also I’m way too messy for all the white,” she says. 

There’s nary a white detail in sight in the bedroom “after.” There’s a dark black crocodile wallpaper from Graham & Brown on all the walls, the ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Dark Walnut, and there’s jewel-toned red drapery to match. 

Fun fact: The colors and textures were actually inspired by a lamp Amanda and Kim saw that sold out when they went to buy it, but the design came together nonetheless.  “It’s moody and sensual, but not too over the top,” Amanda says.