Close Comfort

Cubbies from West Elm conceal alarm clocks, etc.—and keep the eye moving upward (the design equivalent of wearing a bright neck scarf).

Bedside tables are optional. Eric built an extra-wide white headboard, allowing just enough room for the essentials: books and a glass of water.

"Sometimes it's more economical to find pre-made things and use them for something different," says Eric. "Besides, all the captain's beds we saw were knotty pine." Their modern take sits on Ikea drawers. "My wedding dress and things we don't need but don't want to get rid of" live under the bed, Lauren adds.