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Look for Less: Sophisticated Princess Bedroom

Feb 08, 2010

Last week I posted some inspiring images of little girls' princess-themed bedrooms that Mom and Dad can live with. While it's cheap enough to go buy a gallon of Pepto-pink paint and an Ariel bed-in-a-bag, you'll be re-doing the room in a couple of years when your daughter's interests start to mature. Instead, how about doing some creative bargain shopping and DIY projects that will satisfy Her Royal Highness now, and easily adapt to a more mature look later?

I've chosen my favorite from the rooms I posted last Wednesday and scoured the net for stuff to give you a similar look for less. Here's the inspiration room:

PHOTOS: decorpad.com

And here's how to do it for real, with a little bargain-hunting and some DIY ingenuity. Plan on buying the bed and bureau/side table from thrift stores. This white painted look couldn't be easier to create from found pieces. The rest, find here:

The SHOPPING LIST

PAINT: Cover walls and trim in Sherwin-Williams Snowbound, a pure white with a very subtle pink undertone.

VOILE DRAPES FOR THE CANOPY: These simple tab-tops in white are only $8 each from Brylane home.

BEDSIDE LAMPS: Find a pair of figural lamps at a thrift store, like the one shown above. The gaudier, the better! They don't need to match, but the scale should be similar. Don't worry about color— just cover them in a few light coats of white spray paint. For the shades (DIY below), Rose Damask by Ava Rose from Sew, Mama Sew. On sale for $6.65 a yard. One yard should be plenty to cover two lamp shades.

SUNBURST MIRROR: This gilded accent piece is a steal at $25!

BENCH: The Ikea Bjursta has the simple lines of the bench in the photo for $90.

FLOOR LAMP: This satin-nickel lamp adds a touch of glam. At $143, it's not cheap, but it's an investment piece that will work well in any room of the house.

RUG: How about this princess-worthy 7x9 wool scalloped rug for $250? Or place the smaller version bedside for only $75. Wool is worth the investment. Here's why.

SOFA: In the realm of affordability, it's hard to beat Ikea sofas. Pick up a Karlstad in white for $379, then add a dusty rose Panama cotton slipcover from Bemz.

MONOGRAM DECAL: I like the simlicity and power of a single letter. Try this one from Etsy seller circlelinestudio, available in many colors for $24.

The DIY Projects

CANOPY: Using PVC piping and elbows, make a rectangular frame that's just a bit smaller than the bed. Buy flat black or bronze-look metallic spray paint for plastic and paint the frame. Slide the drapery on to cover the corner elbows, and suspend it from the ceiling with durable fishing line or decorative chain found in a lighting store.

BEDSIDE LAMP SHADES: Purchase two inexpensive lamp shades that are the same size and shape. Using a fusible tacky backing (such as Wonder Under) apply pink-and-white fabric to the lamp shades. Finish edges with grosgrain ribbon.

BEDDING: If you can't afford hotel-style embroidered bedding, do what I did several years ago when I wanted this look in my guest room. Buy a plain white duvet set (like this one from Overstock.com for $30) and attach grosgrain ribbon with fabric glue. Most duvets have two vertical seams at the perfect placement for the ribbon, so you have a built-in guideline.

BUREAU/SIDE TABLE: Brush white paint onto a curvy bureau, table, or sideboard. Cover the surface with fabric according to instructions here. Apply fancy monogram decal (above) or, if you're good at lettering, freehand it. Make it large enough to have an impact from a distance.

Getting the Royal Look on a Budget

• Shop secondhand and forget about finishes. It's all about curvy lines and ornate detailing. Paint is cheap.
• Establish a flexible color scheme. This increases your options for bedding and accessories.
• Avoid children's furniture if possible. Invest in solid adult-sized pieces that won't need to be replaced in a few years.
• Large-scaled, antique-looking art like the framed floral in the inspiration photo is unexpected in a child's room and instantly gives it importance.
• Invest in storage so the room isn't constantly littered with toys.
• A few glam touches go a long way, so there's no need to buy a lot of fancy accessories.

Want a complete design plan for your kid's room? I can show you exactly what to buy, give you hints for saving money with DIY projects, and help you turn your child's favorite interests into the room of his or her dreams. eDecor Plans for kids' rooms are $500 and include a space plan, 3D Views so you can visualize the finished room, an Inspiration Board with all of the furniture and accessories and links for buying them online, a To-Do List that takes you step by step through the process, and 14 days of unlimited consultation after delivery. Just email me, I can help! —Diane

TAGS: interior design decorating princess room little girl's bedroom sophisticated upscale on a budget diy pink white canopy fantasy room design plan moodboard

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