Boudoir Bedroom DIY | Adding colour, decoration & cozy vibes
Staying in (is just as good as going out)
My home is my sanctuary. I don’t know about you, but I’m not one of those people that minds staying in. It helps that I’m an introvert at heart, but I’m convinced anyone can make their home so lovingly beautiful and cozy that staying in, is just as good as going out. Decorating your home doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or cost a fortune either. I believe the magic is in the details - little treasure troves, trinkets and personal keepsakes is what make your space unlike any other. As the ultimate mood setter, production designer Jon Hutman’s accounts designing Meg Ryan’s cozy apartment in You’ve got Mail. In a way the coziness, the shabby chicness of the decor, filled with memorabilia and personal touches, feels like some kind of antidote to the overconsumption of our modern age.
A dream closet
Carrie Bradshaw’s New York city brown stone apartment was my first introduction to a walk-in closet. A grey-green closet of dreams. In many ways the versatility of Carrie’s character makes her perfect for spirit animal projections. However, I’ll break the spell upfront: I do not have a walk-in closet. I would say, you don’t need one! I will take you through my little closet make-over adventure and perhaps it will, to my delight, inspire you in some way.
First, a glimpse of my moodboard:
In terms of paint I went with the bold color Arsenic by Farrow & Ball. Even though the name suggests otherwise, I find the mint green very refreshing and whimsical.
The process (before and after, and cats)
My closet is very old, but in good condition. The wood was painted white once, and never since. I did get ahead of myself and thought one day would be enough to finish painting. I was wrong. The process took several days. From cleaning everything out in some orderly fashion, to painting once, twice, thrice, to organizing and putting everything back in. This was the process and end-result (disclaimer, the color is more bold and green in real life):
I painted more closets this past year, the hall closet in rectory red, and another clothing-closet in railings (it was such an ugly violet, but I saw the potential for beauty when buying it):
A moment of reflection
Preparation is important, but planning for enough time (more than you think) is key. Don’t judge yourself too harshly if you have some down moments during the process. Also, keep faith that the end result will deliver. Trust that it will. If the feeling of happiness and enjoyment from the end-result is not immediate, don’t worry and take a few days - it will come. I love my new closet, it feels totally new and I have more oversight on the clothes and accessories that I own - making dressing up even more enjoyable.
Leisurely things: a personal selection
Aside from a fresh color of paint, there are many ways to add to the boudoir bedroom vibes:
Chinoiserie home deco’s pieces are unbelievably stunning, so much for DIY, this is artistry.
The site of Chicago based design firm Summer Thornton is stunning and I want to live there.
Nothing beats good sleepwear, Sissel Edelbo makes great pyjamas, and I love the Terry collection by Bernadette Antwerp.
A Considered Space by design-writer Eleanor Cording-Booth is an amazingly inspiring substack newsletter.
Caroline Winkler makes the best, most funny and cozy interior design videos, period.
Whimsy Dawn for trinkets, stellar hooks and blue dreams.
Bedcovers should not be overlooked, Bonsoirs makes gorgeous designs.
For the scent lover, Santa Maria Novella has the best wax tablets.
A pouf, I love these by Palais.
These lamps by Club Carlotta are the cutest!
Read Allison Bornsteins recent newsletter for simple tips for vintage shopping and exploring Etsy.
My interpretation of the walk-in closet reflects both my inner introvert - who likes nothing better than staying cozily at home - and my inner Carrie who loves to dress up, go out for a Cosmopolitan and chase after those Big dreams. This process inspired me for many more DIY projects, from dinner hosting ideas, to wall art design to decorating for the holidays.
What is your passion project? I hope you found some inspiration and feel excited to start (or finish) your own project. With love always!