I can hardly imagine a place more versatile than my bedroom. It’s a place of rest, sleep, mental recharge; a place for reading, writing, lazy mornings, cuddles, and so much more. Photographer Barbara Peacock recognizes the intimacy and meaning of one’s bedroom, so she started a project that’s all about it. For the past six years, she has traveled all over the US capturing the essence of people and their bedrooms in a stunning series of photos she named American Bedroom.
Barbara has been interested into photography since she has been a young girl, which is when she first picked it up. And the passion for telling stories through her lens has never left her. The idea of taking photos of people in their rooms dates back to 2016, and it came to her mind on a seemingly regular morning.
“I woke up early one morning and looked out my bedroom window to look at my garden. When I turned around I saw my husband wrapped up in blankets, bathed in beautiful golden light with his snore mask on,” the photographer said in an interview with Bored Panda. “I had to chuckle at the dichotomy of beauty and humor. Then I thought about how I would complete the scene. It was then I realized that what we have on our side tables and around the room tells a distinct and personal story.”
The idea for the project was born, and Barb started small. She first photographed some friends of hers in their bedrooms. Then, she extended it to the interesting people she met. And then, she began searching for more of those who would be interested in posing for her. To her surprise, there were many of those who were up for it, despite the project revealing their private space personal and stories.
Taylor & Shannon, ages 25 & 26: “All we ever wanted was a love that didn’t remind us of pain. We were never hard to love, we just asked the wrong people to try.”
American bedroom has become an integral part of Barbara’s travels, and vice versa. Whenever she plans a trip to a place in the US, she announces it on her Instagram and Facebook. People who are willing to participate then reach out to her, or they recommend her someone they know who’d like to become a part of the project. And she never rejects anyone. She photographs all the folks who reach out to her, and it ends not only with some stunning shots, but often with some very powerful emotions and memories.
Barbara has traveled to many places so far, big and small. She met and photographed all kinds of people of all ages, heard their stories, and made them an integral part of their portraits. The series shows not only an intimate place in our homes, but also shows just how different we all are. There are so many different lifestyles, emotions, fears, desires that we all go through between the four walls of our bedrooms. It shows in Barbara’s photos, which is what makes this series so special and so moving.
Laura and Spencer: “My heart lies within me but my home lies within so many other’s hearts. My journey to find my home will never end until I find my way back to myself.” Spencer (He/Him) Age 23 – “I’ve had this car as a comfortable and consistent place longer than I’ve lived in any room as an adult so far.” Laura (she/her) Age 23, Portland, Oregon
Take a look at more photos and stories below, and make sure to follow Barb’s work on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Thor age 6 ‘I like jumping on my Mom’s bed ‘cause my bed is in a closet.’ Westbrook, Maine
Doris age 97 “My life has been dramatic! My three children are wonderful. My life couldn’t be better.” Overland Park, Kansas.
Layla age 14 ‘I have only one loss on my record and I intend to keep it that way.
Megan age 6 ‘I’m a unicorn and a fairy.’ Little Rock, Arkansas.
Joshua age 24 ‘ I’m a dad now.’ Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Anna and Ruby. Portland, Oregon. ‘As I move through each era of myself, I fall increasingly in love with the new version. Loving myself aggressively and completely is the most radical thing I’ve ever done .’ –
Anna age 21
‘I am fulfilled by the concept that love is a spectrum, whether romantic, platonic or somewhere in between. After a lonely childhood I have finally found my place in this new chapter of life that gives me comfort and joy that I have never experienced before.’ Ruby age 22
Matt age 44 ‘ My Bedroom is a conventional space where I melt away the assumptions of how I am supposed to be. Here I step into another world becoming an animated piece of artwork.’ Mount Vernon, Washington.
Christina, Dylan and Pnut – ‘We made it out but now our struggle gets real.’ Chico, California.
Amanda age 38 ‘Being a mother to these three powerful beings is such a blessing. I feel like they have raised me! We love each other & we support one another. The wisdom & strength we share is a gift.’ Shiloh age 19,Chloe age 18 & Virtue age 9. Lake Worth , Florida.
Becky & Dave ages 65. ‘We felt the weight of responsibility for our children for decades. Now we are on our own. Our empty nest has reawakened the joy of freedom we had as youths.’ Madrid, New Mexico 2018
Dale age 48 “I never wanted to be a girl, I just wanted to be a cowboy with red lipstick. Now, far away from Texas and all the religious repression of my youth, I feel powerful and finally free.” East Village, New York.
Navajo Family – Kayenta, AZ – ‘Its dangerous here, we need to protect the girls We have basic dreams, a home with running water and electricity but mostly a safe place for the girls to grow up.’ Virgil 49, Tawnya 43, Rachael 9, Aeriyna 4
Camille, Age 32 And Ashley, Age 31, Portland, Oregon: Camille: “People have this idea that dreams are for the young, but my biggest dreams have only begun to come true now, in my third decade. It’s as though I finally gave myself permission to chase everything unabashedly, from what I believe family looks like to the sounds I want to share with the world. The world is opening up to me more every day.”
Ashley: “If you told me 5 years ago that I would be a touring musician, married to my amazing and beautiful wife, and living happily in Portland, I would have cried tears of happiness. Never give up the fight for your version of happiness in this life. You won’t know the treasures that lie ahead until you’re there living them. With our powers combined, we can do anything.”
Buddhaman -age 69 ‘It’s a place of broken toys and misfits but you can heal here. This is Paradise and fuck! Life ain’t no dress rehearsal.’ Slab City, California
Jeanine, Age 64, “Life is good. Paradise will rise from the ashes and I will be part of that.”
Paradise, California.
Andrew, Age 31: “Since I left traditional society I have never been happier. I just live one day at a time and don’t worry about punching a time clock 9-5.”
Slab City, California
FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!