How to harness golden hour in your bedroom

From earthy shades to nostalgic texture, channel the magic of a gently setting sun in your sleep space.

Few things compare to sitting outdoors, glass in hand, as the afternoon draws in.

Whether you are overlooking the countryside as galahs make their way across a sky of powdery orange; on a balcony above bustling streets as rays of scorched amber peer between buildings or looking out to crashing waves and a sky awash in sorbet shades as a warm ball of light tucks itself into the horizon — no matter where you find yourself at sunset, there is something about Golden Hour in Australia. 

And it’s why this magical, Midas-touch moment of Mother Nature has influenced our latest design.

Reflecting our rich heritage and commitment to Australian craftsmanship, our curved bed head called the Luna bed head is a homage to where it all began for Heatherly: in Australian nature.

“We never want the sun to set on our celebration of home,” says Heatherly Founder Georgie Leckey.

“When designing our Luna bed head, we wanted to find a way that we could mirror nature in a very nostalgic, distinctive way, and it’s hard to top the innate beauty of the show our Australian sky puts on for us at sunset.”

“We wanted to make the feeling of hopping into bed just as magical as golden hour.”

To celebrate our new Golden Hour-inspired design  — we are sharing some of our favourite ways to bring the serenity of dusk into a nurturing bedroom.

 

EMBRACE THE TONES OF TWILIGHT HOUR

From dusky tones of rose pink and muted coral to rustic hues of saffron and amber, embracing sunset is all about creating a warm and inviting environment.

Whether you live in the country or you’re a city dweller, it’s easy to bring the outdoors in by mirroring nature’s palette in your furniture, cushions, rugs and artwork. With shades of golden-brown on the rise in interiors, we also looked to sand, ochre and burnt gold for our inspiration for our Luna bed head, which is wrapped in a sumptuous shade of oh-so-strokable camel velvet. The rich shade ensures that our first curved, deep-button design sets the scene for a bedroom sanctuary and offers a super soft landing at day’s end.

Luna curved deep buttoning velvet

GIVE A NOD TO NOSTALGIA 

We might be on the other side of the winter solstice, but as summertime sentimentalists here at Heatherly, honouring golden hour ensures the nostalgia of long, lazy days spent in nature are always within reach.

The palette and texture of Luna — combined with our Errol footstool, which features a retro houndstooth print, tan piping and chubby wooden legs — also evokes a nostalgic vibe, infusing interiors with the light-hearted simplicity of a 1970s summer. Conjuring images of childhood summer vacations, the golden hour trend is also a reminder to take refuge in the memory of sun-kissed, simpler times. Even a lampshade with a shell-like scalloped edging can create a subtle coastal undercurrent by the bed.

curved ottoman footstool timber leg piped edge upholstered in herringbone fabric. Custom made australian designed ottoman

TURN UP THE TACTILITY

As well as adding dimension with an upholstered ottoman at the end of the bed, you can also layer up your look with soft furnishings and natural fibre to usher in the gentle rhythm of golden hour.

We started with dreamy cream linen and burnt ginger bolster cushion styled against our burnished Luna bed head — almost like the sun is setting across the bedroom wall.

Textured accents such as a flat-woven rug or textural artwork by your bed create a tactile feature and help build a bedroom a haven where you can rest and recharge.

Even a contrast bed valance in a natural linen fibre can help bring an unpolished touch to the space. 

luna curved velvet bedhead deep buttoning vintage style

CAST A GENTLE GLOW

To achieve a homely, warm golden glow, swap out any white globes in your light fittings and lamps and replace them with warm-white globes. Dimmers can also help to create ambience and mimic the setting sun.

 

BUY AUSTRALIAN MADE 

You can’t possibly honour the Australian landscape without also supporting local skills, craftsmanship and industry.  Every Heatherly piece is handcrafted and made to order in our Melbourne workshops by our team of talented craftsmen who have spent years honing their skills. With meticulous attention to detail, our designs also bring a lasting personal touch to any bedroom space or style. 

curved ottoman footstool timber leg piped edge herringbone

 

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The Heatherly Goodnight Series: with Chyka Keebaugh

For Chyka Keebaugh, no two days ever look the same. But the savvy (and seriously stylish) businesswoman and co-founder of The Big Group has found a daily winddown routine that works for her.

As well as running a successful hospitality business, the popular media personality has also recently launched her first homewares collection with retailer Harris Scarf. Featuring more than 600 items including a covetable Christmas range, kitchenware and luxurious bed linens, the collection has been carefully curated by Chyka to reflect her bold style. 

Despite her busy schedule, Chyka says the past 24 months have made her reassess her work life balance.

“Brucey and I probably go out three times a week, but we have loved being at home. The pace has changed in that evening time, and it was what I needed,” she says.

“There were times my life felt completely out of control, and I was always saying yes, whereas now I am just enjoying being at home with Bruce, having a negroni at 6pm and talking about out day.”

“Our home is something that is very sacred to me. I love taking care of things, moving plants around, watering the garden, putting flowers in a vase, lighting candles, fluffing cushions and being a domestic goddess. Creating a special space that feels happy to us brings me as much joy as you could possibly imagine.”

 

chyka keebaugh on Heatherly Design bed custom made

Empire bed head in Boston Oatmeal linen paired with our higher footend bed base. Bed linen by Harris Scarf.

Chyka also says she has taken up a new hobby to help her unwind from the hustle and bustle of her day-to-day.

“Watercolour has become my obsession and I’m trying to practice for at least an hour a day if I can. Particularly over the last year I have found I have needed that outlet.”

With a distinctive eye for design and bold décor, we are thrilled to have collaborated with Chyka on several bed head designs for both her Melbourne Penthouse and Mornington Peninsula property in Maine Ridge, including the wing backed Hamptons bed and the dramatic Empire bed. 

“I absolutely love working with Heatherly. They are the best. We have four of their beds at Main Ridge and another two in Melbourne. The Empire silhouette adds such a focal point to any wall,” she says.

“Working with Heatherly Design has been the most beautiful experience. I have recommended them to so many friends because the service is so seamless.”

Here, Chyka shares the chic ways she slows things down before bed. 

What is your relationship like with sleep?

I have to say I am not an early riser. I prefer to go to bed late and rise late than go to bed early and rise early, which is what my husband likes. 

I have always been an amazing sleeper, although the last 12 months haven’t been the greatest —but that’s due to a lot of stress and kids living overseas. 

For both Bruce and I the bedroom must be really dark at night time. And I have a few non-negotiables: a shower before bed, turning off my phone, and no tv in the bedroom.

Hampton Bed head in Boston Oatmeal linen

Hampton Bed head in Boston Oatmeal linen, bed linen by Harris Scarf

How have you made your bedroom your personal sanctuary?

Much like our life, our home is colourful and eclectic, but I have kept our bedrooms both in town and at Main Ridge very neutral, calm and tonal. The bedroom is sacred. I love it to be tidy and clean and I love making a bed and making it perfect like its ready for a photo shoot every single day. I never have clutter.

 Our sheets are just always crisp white because then I do everything else in different fabrics and patterns. And I always have beautiful orchids and candles. 

At Main Ridge, we have a bath, a fireplace and full windows in the bedroom, so when 

its pouring with rain, there is nothing better than sitting in the bath, with the fire on, watching it all happen with a glass of wine — I couldn’t be happier!

In Melbourne our view looks back towards the MCG and city skyline. To see the balloons in the morning is my favourite sight, but at Main Ridge it’s all about the rosellas and the kookaburras and the kangaroos in the paddock next door. It’s the best of both worlds.

Do you have a wind down routine that helps you unwind?

I always have to have a shower before bed and wash the day off. Then I get into my favourite pyjamas from Blue Illusion, which feature a print by French artist Nathalie Lété.

I always read for 45 minutes in bed every night. I’m a massive reader. I’m currently reading The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester (who I am obsessed with). Her books are all based on true stories. 

I’ve been married to Bruce for 29 years and for 29 years that man has complained about my light being on to read. He has bought me every kind of night light and reading light you can think of — because I have to have a book not a kindle — and the topic of my reading in bed has been the conversation that is most consistent in our whole marriage.

Hampton curved wingback bed head in linen

Hampton bed head in Boston Oatmeal linen, bed linen by Harris Scarf

 

Any other rituals that help you switch off?

I am obsessed with candles and have different ones for every room. For instance, my gold room is all about amber scents while the pink room is all about roses. In our bedroom at the moment I have the most exquisite Gucci violet candle. It’s like walking through a field of violets. I like things that evoke emotion and for me, violet is my grandmother because I used to pick violets in her garden.

I am obsessed with skincare, particularly at night time and I only use Liberty Belle. I swear by their products. For Mother’s Day last year, Bruce also got me one of those LED masks, and I do that a couple of times a week. 

Before bed, I also like to be organised for the next day, so if I’m going to the gym and then an appointment and then something that evening, I will lay my clothes out for everything the night before.

And I always have a peppermint tea before bed.

 

Curved edge bed head in linen beige oatmeal

Empire bed head in Boston Oatmeal linen paired with our higher footend bed base. Bed linen by Harris Scarf.

Images are credited to Marcel Aucar/ @marcelaucar

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An Afternoon With Chyka Keebaugh