the feminine, yet masculine, bedroom

Alas, if it were totally up to me our bedroom would look like this:

or maybe even this, which would make me feel like a very cool person:

(I think maybe I will implement the swing idea someday when we're no longer in a rental house! )

Or maybe I would even give it a Bohemian flair like this:

But, as it stands, it is not totally up to me. It's a subject that Husband has opinions about.

So,

Our bedroom is a major work in progress.

Partly due to the fact that I can't make up my mind what it should look like; partly due to the fact that when I do, Husband says, "Absolutely not." And proceeds to give me a list of very good reasons that I can't argue with.

Therefore, "we're" trying to achieve:

Not too masculine. Not too feminine.

A feel of tranquility and harmony (for Husband) but some color, too (for me).

Then yesterday,

I found this photo in Canadian House and Home. I have to share it with Husband first, but I'm thinking this is a perfect inspiration launch pad. It's rustic yet soft. Tranquil yet there's a punch of color in the throw pillows.

And,

can you see the white pillow shams with the aqua border stripe? We have those. And the duvet cover that matches. How fitting! I love the tall headboard. I think I could find something at a thrift store or flea market to recreate that look and Husband could figure out how to connect it to our bed frame... or to the wall like they do in hotels.

It may be 10 more years before I/we really figure it out. But this is a good start, I think!