10/04/12 - 0 Comments
Queen of Your Castle: How to Make a Bedroom Fit for an Urban Princess
We all know that there’s a little bit of a princess in each of us, so why not show it off? Yep, it’s time to channel a bit of that diva and become queen of your castle. No, we’re not suggesting that you wear a tiara around your apartment (that’s a tad Miss Havisham, don’t you think?). Instead, why not decorate your bedroom so that it’s fit for your royal personality? Forget the pink pastels and the lacy curtains that you had when you were a child. This week, we thought we’d go for a more mature look with some bold colors, fine linens and just a pinch of fairy godmother magic to make a bedroom fit for an urban princess. Trust us, you’ll love the results.
Step 1: Give Your Walls a Makeover
Okay, ladies, we’re going to start by doing the unthinkable—we’re going to paint our walls all the colors that our mothers would never allow in the house. No beige, pale pinks or sea-foam greens allowed. Princesses, after all, are anything but neutral.
Instead, go bold with your colors, and be sure to make room for a statement wall—a space that will really pop (i.e., not the wall that you’ve covered with a row of bookshelves). Think stripes or cool wall decals. Another idea we love is choosing a beautiful wallpaper pattern. If this sounds like a lot, no worries. Wallpaper has become laughably easy to put on your walls with the new self-adhesive patterns that pull paste and water completely out of the equation. Contact paper will even do in a pinch—just remember, if you’re living in a rental, contact paper takes some serious TLC and a hairdryer to remove.
Step 2: Choose Some Luxurious Linens
Any girl who’s ever read The Princess and the Pea knows that a properly put-together bed is a sign of true royalty. So, of course, step number two is to go out and buy some sheets. Some advice to live by—thread counts can be deceptive. So, unless you’re a linens expert, we suggest buying sheets based on the fabric they’re made from.
To help, here’s a quick breakdown of the three basic types of cloth: Egyptian cotton is good because it breathes (cliche, but too true), pima cotton is very durable and organic cotton is, well, organic. Whatever fabric you choose, we suggest going with something simple. Forget the patterns (though we adore damask stripes) and go with a style that’s a little more neutral since it will act as a nice accent to whatever comforter you pick out. Remember, ladies, match your comforter pattern to your accent wall to give your room a cohesive feel.
Finally, our last tip for redoing your bed—pillows, pillows, pillows in every texture and every size. Variety is, after all, the spice of life—and spice is just what we want in the bedroom, so don’t skimp!
Step 3: Decorate Your Walls
So you’re probably asking why we have this step in here again. Ladies, let us assure you that this is not the same as step one. This time, we’re talking clocks, mirrors and picture frames—and plenty of them! We know, putting up pictures on your walls is something you’ve been doing since grade school. Now, however, you’re mature enough to put the posters in a frame. Vintage frames are great, and they’re really easy to find at any thrift store or flea market.
When choosing your wall art, remember that it’s okay if all the frames don’t match. In fact, an eclectic aesthetic is exactly what we’re going for. Go ahead and mix the golds with the silvers and the browns with the blacks. Square, round and rectangular installations are all welcome additions. Less is not more, in this case, and don’t forget the ceiling. As Amy Foster of The Heatley Cliff puts it, “There is always room for a chandelier. Always.” Well, we completely agree.
Step 4: The Finishing Touches
This is, actually, the easiest part of the process, since this step is all about making this new princess room your own. Go ahead and fill it with your books (just remember to choose some cool vintage bookends), your knickknacks and all of the little things that make this room your home. Don’t be afraid to put your things on display either—you’ll love the look of all of your scarves draped around the room instead of hung up in a closet, and hooks filled with necklaces, it turns out, make some pretty trendy wall art. Decorate your end table with a lamp complete with a unique vintage lamp shade. Also don’t forget to add flowers, even in the winter.
And there you have it. Four easy steps to make your bedroom fit for you, the princess. Mosquito net canopies have their place, but not in this room. Nope, today we’re making a space fit for the urban princess that you are. Yes, some painting, hanging and hammering will be required. But, honestly, what are boyfriends—excuse us, Prince Charmings—for if not helping out a damsel in redecorating distress?
Photo credit: Nina Vintage, Purple Bedroom Ideas
