The Weekend Sleepovers: Under The Covers with Love Poploskie

Image Credit: @lovepoploskie
(left: Beth poploskie, right: tasmin love)

Welcome to the first instalment of our blog series, The Weekend Sleepovers — your exclusive backstage pass into the dreamy retreats of influential creative minds. In this debut feature, meet the dynamic duo Tasmin Love from the picturesque landscapes of South Africa and Beth Poploskie from the sun-kissed shores of California—partners at Love Poploskie, a female-owned London and LA-based interior design studio celebrated for its sophisticated touch and specialisation in high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial design.

Join us as we uncover the secrets behind their signature blend of sophistication and serenity in bedroom design. Tasmin and Beth generously share insights, taking you under the covers (figuratively and literally) to explore not only their own sleep sanctuaries but also the meticulously crafted bedrooms of their privileged clients.

Let's dive into your expertise as interior designers. Can you share the overarching theme of your bedroom design and how it reflects your distinctive taste?

Generally, my overall bedroom theme is minimal, calm and muted. This is partially a result of the architecture in my apartment and partially a result of our design style at Love Poploskie. The bedroom is meant to be a place where you can unwind and escape, so we try not to overcomplicate things. Neutral, cosy, welcoming - that's what makes for a nice place to rest.

shop now: La GRÂCE Bed (teddy) by Studio Gabrielle

Tell us about the magic in your bedroom – what elements did you weave in to make it a haven for relaxation, especially on those laid-back weekends?

Textures and lighting are very important. The way you keep a neutral colour palette from being boring is to utilise a variety of textures. In my bedroom, I have a mix of fluffy throws, soft headboards and simple accent cushions.  And of course, lighting makes or breaks a room. Keep the big light off and make use of lamps, sconces- anything that will create glowy, soft light.

Shop now: Hybrid Bamboo Mattress by Panda London

Moving on to the foundation of comfort. What type of mattress did you choose, and what was your secret for finding the perfect one?

A mattress is everything! We often get our clients to test out their potential beds in the stores themselves to really get a feel for them. I personally chose a mattress which isn’t super fancy but instead focused on looking for something of quality, made in the UK (supporting local businesses is important to us) and it has to be relatively firm. 

Image Credit: @lovepoploskie

Image Credit: @lovepoploskie

Shop now: Opaline Glass Cone Sconce on 1stdibs

Let's shed light on a bedroom's illuminating masterpiece. How do you finesse lighting design to enhance that serene and restful ambience?

It’s the most important element in a bedroom (after the bed of course) At the end of a long day, you probably wouldn’t want to wind down in a space lit up like a Tesco supermarket. Lighting should always be dimmable in a bedroom to allow full control of the brightness. As the evening moves on, so the lighting should dim. Think of it as mimicking the setting of the sun in your bedroom. Next, ensure that your lights have warm white bulbs to create that softness which is also integral to any comfy bedroom scheme. Lastly, mixing a few different light sources will create a balanced ambience - floor lamps, wall sconces and table lamps - these all add up to a cosy room.

Shop Now: Comfort & Support Pillow Pair by The White Company

Delving into the realm of bedtime essentials, how do you approach selecting the perfect pillows and bedding to ensure a restful night's sleep?

Pillows are so personal. Over the years I’ve bought and rejected numerous pillows. Some are too hard, or soft, some too high or too skinny. It’s a Goldilocks exercise. My advice is: once you’ve found your pillow, buy spares.

With duvets, it’s all about the temperature. Different togs for different seasons and different fillings can also be quite personal. We usually specify a silky soft hypoallergenic duvet with a mid-level tog but it’s increasingly more common that the client will advise on their preference. In terms of brands, we love The white Company as we can always rely on them to have spares for the client in the future. We also have some local suppliers who make sheets in our custom sizes and colour code the linen so the clients know which linen goes on which bed and create designs to suit the bedroom scheme.

What's your go-to colour palette for creating those tranquil bedroom vibes? Are there specific shades that resonate with serenity for you?

It’s no secret that muted colours with warmer undertones are more calming, so we usually go for soft creams and whites, and then bring in colour accents at the rugs, curtains or cushions. Design always follows function, and that certainly applies to colour palettes. My advice is to stay away from anything too jarring, for example, a red wall is not conducive to sleep so Stick with what feels most relaxed to you. 

Image Credit: @lovepoploskie

Both in your own sleep sanctuaries and with your clients, how do you use art and decor to bring warmth and character to a bedroom?

We usually tend to incorporate art and decor belonging to our clients that showcase their particular character. But again, when selecting art for this space, keep that mantra of "will I want to sleep in here?" in mind. Nature motifs are really nice options in the bedroom. In my own room, art and books are king and they play a really important part in my daily life. 

Let's talk technology in the bedroom. How do you strike that perfect balance to transform the space into a relaxation haven during the weekends?

No TV in the bedroom. No more rules are required.

Every sanctuary has its essentials. What's that one must-have item you can't imagine your bedroom without?

Probably my books. I have a small pile of books I’ve not read and I only keep books I’ve read and loved on my shelves. So it’s a passion collection. 

Shop Now: 6G Mixed Switch (Polished Nickel) by Corston

Wrapping up with a touch of magic – if you could enhance your bedroom for better sleep, what dreamy tweak or addition would you introduce?

My apartment came with loads of non-dimmable downlights. Basically, design is in its laziest form. Just changing that would create a much more comforting and sleep-enhancing environment. 

What Love Poploskie
are loving…

Top to bottom, left to right: @tasminlove, Hybrid Bamboo Mattress, Pelican Lounge Chair, La GRÂCE Bed, Solid oak cube table, @synchrodogs_official