Sometimes it takes a trip far from home to discover your "inner bedroom" style.

For years designer Elaine Ryan has traveled the world, exploring colors and textures to create customized bedrooms for her clients. In her recent book Color Your Life: How to Design Your Home with Colors from the Heart, she even supplies tear-out color bars which can help you discover your own favorite combinations.  Check out her  take on seven sensuous bedroom styles below, including the Benjamin Moore colors that reflect them.

ORIENTAL

"When Katherine, one of my clients, accompanied her husband to Japan on a business trip, she spent many hours eating exotic foods, touring museums, strolling through gardens, and “falling totally in love with the most gorgeous fabrics in Kyoto.” She returned home with yards and yards of exquisite material, and as she unrolled them for me, I immediately began to envision how lovely they would look in her home, but most especially in her master bedroom. The deep jewel tones made me think of the powerful energies found in the ancient art of Feng Shui-- ruby reds symbolizing warmth and prosperity, emerald greens representing optimism, rich blacks symbolizing allure and strength, and finch yellows aligning harmony and balance with happiness. Such a sensuous bedroom this would be!  And Katherine saw it too. Today this couple’s favorite room is their romantic, gorgeous oriental bedroom."

Benjamin Moore Colors
 
Rose Quartz #2002-30
Dark Salmon #2009-30
Adobe Orange #2171-30   
Jade Green  #2037-20
Yellow Finch #2024-40

TRADITIONAL SENSUOUS

"The traditional sensuous bedroom originated in the 1930s when powerful, dominating divas like Joan Crawford and Jean Harlow ruled the silver screen. I love this look because it’s so Arte Deco.  So self-indulgent.  And so unlike the life most of us can live these days.  But, where else except in our bedrooms can you indulge your most intimate fantasies? 
 
"The Traditional Sensuous Bedroom is best realized using only one dominating color such as ivory, peach, rose, apricot or gray. All other colors are accessories. Keep the hues soft and light: to help you make appropriate choices, imagine what a color might feel like if it could brush against your skin. Keep the carpet plush and the draperies flowing. And indulge in your favorite sensuous fabrics: satins, lace, velvets are all glorious here. What can feel more delicious than poufy peach satin pillows trimmed in wide, soft lace on a satin duvet?"

Benjamin Moore Colors

Apricot Ice #2015-70
Salmon Peach #2013-50
Chantilly Lace  #OC-65
Pure White #OC-64
Dusty Mauve #2174-40

SECRET GARDEN
 
"This sensuous bedroom takes its cue from those turn-of-the-century romantic heroines who longed to meet their lovers in secret places. This bedroom is pristine and whimsical, nostalgic and romantic. Keep the main colors ivory or white, and team with any two medium-toned hues. To create that fresh, secret-garden ambience, pile on the  gauzy fabrics and soft cottons; once you add wood or wicker furniture painted white, the room will begin to take on its form. Dress the bed with a gathered dust ruffle of gauzy fabric overlayed with soft cotton and add a matching duvet. You’ll feel like you’re lying in a cloud."
 
Benjamin Moore Colors

Florida Keys Blue #2050-40
Hazy Lilac  #2070-50
Begonia #2116-40
Pearly Pink  #2171-50
Fresh Mint  #2037-70 

CONTEMPORARY SENSUOUS

"The contemporary sensuous bedroom is sleek. There’s a controlled headiness to the room, with an undertone that’s both subdued and exciting. The draperies hang in straight panels, like a sleek Armani gown; the bed, with crisp, clean sheets, is pristinely made, but keep the comforter soft and downy. Place the mattress on a colorful platform and keep the quilting pattern on the comforter wavy instead of a traditional pattern. This is a room for people who feel at home in an understated environment yet want their bedroom to be warm and cozy. "

Benjamin Moore Colors
 
Peach Sorbet  #2015-40
Coral Gables  #2010-40
Shadow Gray  #2125-40
Toffee Orange #2167-40
White Ice #OC-58

COUNTRY FRENCH

"Enjoy the fantasy of feeling like you’re lying in a field of blooming flowers? Rich jewel tones.are at the center of this style that recalls the lush meadows of the south of France. With the help of floral patterns and Toile de Jouy (often called ‘toile’, the French country scenes printed on cotton), it’s easy to create the sensation of being immersed in a lush expanse of iris, periwinkle, peonies, lavender and violets. Add a full or partial canopy bed and upholster the sofa or chair in a matching toile or velvet. And heap the bed with patterned pillows. The combination of velvets and soft cotton will complete the delightful, spontaneous feel."
 
Benjamin Moore Colors
 
Purple Hyacinth #2073-40
Vine Green  #2034-30
Passion Plum #2073-30
Patriot Blue  #2064-20
Pink Starburst #2004-40

FRENCH ROMANTIC
 
"This French romantic style has a delicious, languid feeling. No single color dominates; instead, colors, appearing with spontaneous abandon, are used together, ranging from medium tones  to deep pastels and pastel tints, evoking the fields of lavender tinged with the pinks and greens of Provence.” Allow the draperies to puddle onto the floor and be generous with pillows, covering some in soft lace, others in the softest velvet.  The bed can be partially canopied and/or placed on a carpeted platform.  And the sofa can be covered in any soft fabrics, especially velvet. Lace in abundance always finds a home in this style."

Benjamin Moore Colors

African Violet  #2116-50
Hazy Lilac #2116-40
Precious Pink #2084-40
Peacock Blue #2049-40
Golden Nugget  #2019-20 

VICTORIAN 

"This is one of the most sensuous bedrooms you can create, with an opulent and ardent quality that inspires the heart. Deep red is a must here.  So is velvet. The jewel-toned colors mingle with black (an all-important color in this style) to create a passionate feeling. The piece de resistance would be an intricately carved wooden bed dominating the room. Make sure your fabrics are luxurious and that tufted upholstery is found on at least one chair or sofa. Keep the bed covering in jewel tones of velvet, damask or heavy satin. "

Benjamin Moore Colors

Burnt Peanut Red #2081-10
Dollar Bill Green  #2050-20
Hale Navy #HC-154
Buttercup  #2154-30
New London Burgundy #HC-61
Jet Black #2120-10