Bedroom Update: creating a calming space to sleep in

I started writing this in August and cannot believe it’s been nearly two months since I’ve returned. Admittedly I did publish my book, Practising Parisienne during this time, but still, I don’t know where the time has gone, do you? Also in a very kismet way, I picked this article back up yesterday, just as Instagram and WhatsApp went down. I have maintained for a long time that if you are a writer, photographer, creator, sharer of any sort and/or if your job and business involves you sharing what you create, having a platform; your own corner of the internet so to speak, is very important. Yesterday’s blackout reaffirmed this. So here I am with a new article - the first of more regular scheduling! I hope you will continue to check in, read my blog and I will endeavour (now that my book is nearly out of the way) to publish and update this space more consistently. Do leave some suggestions in the comment section below if there’s something in particular you’d like to see more of. I am always open to suggestions, in fact I love them! So don’t be shy.

Now back to the subject of interiors and how the design of my bedroom has evolved…

My taste and design process has evolved exponentially over the past few years and it’s something I write about in the Interiors & Home section in my book. Although I’ve always had a keen interest in art, aesthetics and interiors, living in Paris has certainly honed my eye for them and my current space is a good example of my taste coming to life. When designing my bedroom, I knew I wanted it to be in muted, calming tones with a mix of vintage, marble and natural materials. I wanted my bedroom to be a calming sanctuary, where I can read and then fall asleep in peace, so I didn’t want it to be too cluttered besides the books on the wall as I have no other space for them. I also wanted to find unique pieces that I love and would have for a long time. Before designing and furnishing a space, I always start with hunting for inspiration in interiors magazines such as World of Interiors and House & Garden and on Pinterest. I have a huge interiors board, with sections on my Pinterest page so do follow me over there to see my inspiration for each space. But the rest of the process has been more instinctual - sometimes I just spot pieces I love, without having planned for them, such as the second sun mirror that I bought on a bit of a whim.

I currently live in a rental apartment in the 18ème in Paris, so can’t do much to it other than a few cosmetic changes. But luckily as with most homes housed inside a 19th century Haussmann building, this one comes with some lovely bones: wooden floors, large windows and a fireplace in the living room. My bedroom is a decent size, but besides one shelved built-in wardrobe it doesn’t have any storage, so I started with the purchase of a huge five door Pax wardrobe system from Ikea soon after moving in, which literally changed my life and allowed me to create a calmer, more minimal bedroom space. I also moved in with my lit coffre (a lift up bed), which is also a lifesaver as it has quite a lot of storage underneath. And although I’d like to change the headboard for something lighter in colour, it’s a good option for now and help gives my room a hotel vibe. Top tip, if you’re looking to create a calming bedroom that makes you feel like you’re staying in a five start hotel room, invest in a good bed with a comfortable upholstered headboard - it’s a game changer.

The rest of the furniture and items I’ve sourced over the past year. The bench is based on a design by Pierre Jeanneret and comes from Srelle (as does the Easy Lounge chair in my living room) and fits perfectly under the window. The bedside tables are vintage (here’s similar), as are the matching marble table lamps (I just added the lampshades). The large paper lampshade is by &Tradition Formakami and here’s the white bedding and wool blanket. The striped cushions are by Zara Home, but here’s a similar design, here and here. And below I’ve linked some similar options to make your searching easier, but let me know if you have any questions!