You just completed a trip to Vermont where you saw more interesting interior design than what is in your Chicago condo. Just because you live in a high rise, does not mean you are restricted to contemporary or modern decor. You slept really well while you were in Vermont, and want to recreate a little piece of that calm and peacefulness into your bedroom.

Birch Bark is a great background to use on your walls because it is light in color, which will brighten your room. At the same time, you can accessorize with a darker wooden, four-poster bed, with finials that would reflect the Vermont touch you are looking for. Toss in some red accent pillows, a red lampshade and already your bedroom is looking great.

Sound fun? How about this: change the lighting in your bedroom to a "stick" lighting fixture. If your ceiling permits, maybe even a chandelier! You can find stick furniture or accent pieces just by going on line. They are not hugely expensive and will really bring your room together.

Now for the flooring. Since there will be so much wood in the room, you may want to go with a woolen rug that has birch bark coloration. If your room is small and you want to make it look larger, purchase a rug with stripes in it to be laid in the proper direction to make the room "bigger".

Now the most important part: the bedding. Vermont is all about being cozy during those cold winter months -- just like where you live. A nice down comforter would be great. But what kind? Both baffle box and box stitch construction secure down in separate compartments, which will keep the down evenly distributed between the two pieces of material. Baffle box construction and box construction both provide you with the warmth you are looking for, but the look is different. The box stitch comforter gives a more fluffy look because each square is pulled together at its edges, which provides a "mounded" look, and conforms to the shape of your body better. Baffle box makes each square look more box-like and it makes the top of the comforter look flat, almost looking like another mattress. The internal walls of the baffle box also maximize expansion of each plumule to attach to each other, at the same time holding the down in place.

Also very important, a duvet for your comforter. Comforters are not meant to be used without a cover, which is the duvet. There are a multitude of choices on line that you could go with. For your Vermont decor, I would suggest something off white, with an earth tone pattern. This would complement the birch bark, your rug, and the darker furniture pieces you have incorporated into your room.

Welcome to a piece of Vermont!