Yesi asked me for some ideas to take her bedroom from blah to beautiful a few months back. I took my time and tried to think up a room that would be really feminine and make her feel like a princess – a grown up princess of course! Here’s the inspiration board I created for her:
Let’s talk about the bed first. Yesi just bought a brand new mattress, so she’s already got a great foundation. I’m suggesting a white quilted coverlet like this one. It’s 69.99 at Overstock, but Marshalls carries these all the time for about $30. Peeking out underneath the quilt is a light gray bedskirt, and soft white sheets. Go for the best quality you can afford, and it will be a treat every night to get into bed. Pretty up the plain pillowcases by adding some ruffles on the edges, and trimming them with a satin ribbon. These ruffled pillowcases are from Anthropologie, but are an easy DIY project! Pick up a second set of pillowcases and add extra ruffles to that set for some variation.
Yesi wants a new headboard, and likes the thought of making one herself. There are lots of tutorials for simple upholstered headboards like the one pictured, and it would be even simpler to make a rectangular one. Covering the headboard in a soft linen would add a little texture, and Yesi could make the headboard tufted for a bit of extra luxe factor.
Then, for the ultimate girly touch, hang a bed canopy like this one over the bed. The curtains could run down behind the headboard and around the edges to make the bed feel like the perfect retreat. And a chunky throw in a neutral color will add the last little bit of cozy to the bed.
Next to the bed, we need a table! I’d suggest finding a fun little wooden one second hand (try craigslist) and painting it a soft creamy color. A little distressing would add the perfect shabby chic touch. Add a fun mercury glass lamp (again, Marshalls has lots of options for around $20) with a white shade, and a few sparkly frames with some inspirational quotes or verses inside will look great on the table.
Next up, walls and windows. Try Benjamin Moore’s French Lilac (that’s the background color of the board) on the walls, and a fresh coat of white on the ceiling. The lilac has soothing blue undertones, and it will be just the soft wash of color the room needs. These fun ruffled curtains (another DIY project if Yesi wants) hanging from simple curtain rods with crystal finials will glam up the windows. Hang the curtains up as high above the windows as possible, and wide enough that the curtains just overlap the window frame when opened. Yesi has a beautiful antique wooden dresser that she can use in her new room, and I’d love to see this fun mirror project hung above it. She can start with this frameless mirror set from Target, and hang the whole grouping above the dresser.
What’s a girly, glamorous room without a vanity? The one pictured is a splurge from Pier 1 Imports, but there are lots of simpler options. Refinish a vanity from Craigslist, make one with some glass topped plywood and furniture legs, or build a simple wooden frame and cover it with fabric.
I love this ornate mirror from IKEA for over the vanity. But I’d paint it glossy white. Then I’d hang fabric covered bulletin boards on either side of the mirror and use them for jewelry display/storage. Yesi can even add some pretty hooks (from Anthropologie or Hobby Lobby) screwed directly into the wall for added display.
On top of the vanity, Yesi can put one of these lovely mirrored jewelry boxes for her more special jewelry, and a couple of sparkly vanity trays to corral even more items. Mercury glass cups can corral makeup brushes, and a few more decorative boxes can hold makeup, scarves, and anything else she needs to store.
The last corner of the room is the ‘reading corner’. Yesi can search for a thrifted cozy chair or chaise lounge, or go with a streamlined version like this chair and ottoman from Target. A plug-in chandelier (this one is only $40 at Ikea!) can hang over the sweet little wooden end table Yesi already has. Some more sparkly or mirrored frames on top of the table, along with a pitcher of fresh or faux flowers and some new reading material will top off the table. Yesi can also hang a few pictures with large mats above the chair – maybe some elegant black and white shots of Paris? The key here will be simple, streamlined frames and nice chunky white mats to give the prints lots of class and presence.
I’m a sucker for little details, so a few more fun ideas are to replace her three doorknobs in the room with crystal doorknobs like these, a fun sweater throw pillow for the bed or chair, and a big woven basket to hold magazines are fun little touches that will really finish off the room.
So there you have it. A girly, glamorously feminine room for my sweet friend!
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