SWEETPEA AND WILLOW STYLE TIPS NO.1

This month I’ve been creating a Boudoir for my good friend Betty. Betty is a super stylish woman with a very busy life style, she wanted a space where she could go to unwind and pamper herself.

I happen to know that Betty has a secret passion for old Hollywood movies so I’ve given her the perfect space to unleash her inner Greta Garbo!

We decided to take a section of her bedroom and style it as a Hollywood era Boudoir. Betty adores the Sweetpea and Willow website so putting the look together couldn’t have been easier. Take a look at the huge choice of exuberantly carved rococo style dressing tables, Louis chairs, white painted mirrors and ornate glass chandeliers and start creating your own piece of boudoir heaven.

The first point that you need to consider is location. Have you got room in your bathroom for a dressing table and chair? If like Betty, your bedroom is big enough can you screen off an area just for you? Do you have a box room that could be converted into a dressing room?

Remember, this space is for "me time" - a space to unwind and relax, you deserve it!

Once you have your space you need to consider the placing of your furniture.

Ideally your dressing table and mirror will go close to a window for natural light. Also consider having a sidelight on the table itself.

We love our New Colonial style dressing table which comes in a cream painted finish with an under lying sage green tone.

Your chair should be comfortable as well as stylish; if you click on “view complimentary pieces” you will see some absolutely gorgeous chairs to match. A particular favourite is the white upholstered bedroom chair. This could easily be recovered in your choice of fabric. How about sumptuous pink velvet or self stripe metallic silver silk?

Now position your screen. This needs to be placed for maximum allure! We put ours across the corner of the room with a strategically positioned floor mirror to one side. For ideas see “mirrors” and scroll down to Colonial cheval mirror and cream French mirrored screen.

If you have room for a chaise longue - lucky you! You can really indulge with the perfect place to read or listen to your favourite music. (See our classic white chaise longue now only £515).

Now select your lighting. This is essential, you need lighting to create mood and lighting for doing make up. We used Roman glass table lights with silk effect cream shade (see lighting Side lamps) and the completely stunning “black rain” chandelier for maximum impact and boudoir chic.

So now you have your furniture selected you are ready to accessorise!

This is my favourite thing! You can raid your house for lots of sumptuous and girly things….How about a feather boa draped over your screen , a peignoir pinned to the wall, pearls hung on your dressing table, a display of little glass dishes with chocolates, a bowl of peaches…the choices are endless. It’s all up to you to let your imagination run riot and above all have fun!!!

Ta Ta For Now, Doris (don’t forget to check sweetpea and willow for more style tips next month!)