Not sure if this is the right place but does anyone want to give me some ideas on a dressing room?

[navyeyelasH]

My partner and I have spilt up and I'm reclaiming what was the study and turning it into a really girly dressing room.

I don't have loads of money to spend but I want it to look good; any tips on what I can put in there? I'm thinking a boudoir theme!?

Also does anyone know if you can buy light bulbs that recreate natural light/lightbulbs that are designed for putting on makeup etc?

The room is fairly small maybe 3m x 3.5m and it has white shelving going all around it at the top which I've decided to put my shoes on. There is already a white high gloss desk in there which I'd like to use too. Just need to find cheap ways to funk it up.

Any tips!?

Harlequin do this wallpaper, which I've always fancied for a dressing room. Maybe just on one wall, if budget is tight?

www.johnlewis.com/230575116/Product.aspx

Ikea do strips of lights that would look like an old-style Hollywood dressing room if placed around a mirror. Annoyingly, can't find on teh website, but they def. do them.

Alternatively, for a bit more ££, you could get one of these. I'd LOVE one!

www.lancelynoxford.co.uk/products/star-dressing-room-mirror-drmr

Thanks Plumsykes, not keen on the wallpaper (it reminds me of little girls for some reason), but the mirror is fab.

I'm trying to find a nice roller blind/curtains too in my head I have rick sumptuous colours and materials but can't find anything I like. Also can't find a light shade.

But have found some amazing wall art things. I think I'm going for more of a boudoir / burlesque theme .

Oh, okay, will think some more. A chandelier would be good-max glamour impact, without taking up floor space.

There are a few ways you can funk up a room. You were saying the room was a bit small, one way of giving depth to a room is to paint it light colors or put mirrors in the room.

It may be worth having a look at some mirrors here. Also sometimes all a room needs is a feature piece you may be able to find here.

Hope this helps!
Liz

This is a good website for wall sticker art www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/bird-cage-wall-stickers-2515-p.asp

You can get this light up mirror direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-6596.aspx. Which is a cheap alternative to a big wall one.

Laura Ashley always has lovely stuff nice for a dressing room setting - and I'm always getting emails saying they have 25-50% most weekends! (Reckon they must be struggling).
Do you reckon a gloss white desk is in keeping with burlesque?

My interior designer friend has started using (inexpensive) beaded evening type bags as make up bags - they' look good on display. Maybe TK Maxx?

Thanks for all the brill suggestions! I'm going to see if I can find a small chandelier, I already have a gorgeous mirror from these guys.

I think a wall sticker would be good too, one wall I'm going to fill with art so am thinking a coat stand wall sticker on that wall and I can artfully place scarves and things on it!

Just had a browse on Laura Ashley too and some nice trinkety bits there. The white gloss desk will look a bit naff but it will cost too much to replace right now . I also love these wallpapers here, here and here the walls are currently a really light grey so I just need to be careful not to make it too dark.

No idea what to do around the window area though!!?

tears hair out in desperation

I think ricn dark red velvet curtains would work well with teh wallpapaers that you like. A bit gothic, very feminine, sumptuous and indulgent.

Hmm - I would do either the wallpaper or the art - but not both - too busy? Or just a couple of black and white arts.

I'd do the black paper on the wall behind your desk with the mirror on it and a coat stand sticker on the facing wall.

Do you need just privacy at the window - or heavier to keep light out too?

You could get some stickers for the desk too - just to take the 'whiteness' off it.

Liking the sound of red velvet curtains, but I want it to look drapey if that makes sense? A bit like this maybe but the window is probably too small!?

I don't really need anything to keep like out, it's more for privacy.

I think you're right about the art and the wall paper, I'll prob just stick to coat stand and a tin print I have that says something like "street girls bring sailors into hotel must pay for room in advance". It's B&W.

Thanks for all the advice I'm so rubbish at this! Any more suggestions very welcome!

Velvet curtains would look fantastic, maybe with a contrast of white?

If you want a room to be striking the use of bright white, deep reds and black provides the most contrast.

This being said you have to be careful not to put too much in the room and find it just looks cramped.

There is an article here that may keep you from making the room look small.

Liz

NEL I am rubbish at soft furnishings (forces child, brought up with magnolia walls and brown lino so my default button is set to BORING) but I am so sorry to hear that you have split up

I have a dressing room. One thing which I love is I bought rows of painted white metal pegs and use these to hang all my necklaces and braclets from. I've put up two rows. It's good storage, amkes the room look girly and dressy uppy and I can see what I have.

I also use open shlevels for my shoes, and love being able to see them all.

Storage shelves and hanging for bags and scarves also imporatne for me as I used to never have anywhere to put these.

I also went for shelves for jumpers/tops etc rather than drawers as againyou can see what you have more easily.

I haven't gone on for much styling the room. Just white, a big floor miror, chnadelier. All the shoes, neckalces etc give it that dressing room feel.

I love it.

the kids still call it 'the old playroom' and I insist 'it's mummies dressing room.' Indulgent nonsense, maybe, but lovely.

How about covering the desk with a gorgeous sumptuous throw and buy really nice baskets to store accessories and make-up.Beautiful handbags and shoes would look lovely displayed.

I was just going to say to cover your desk - if you could get someone to make a cover in the same material as your curtains - or maybe even an elasticated 'skirt' to leave the surface 'smooth' iykwim.

or as Brideshead suggested - embrace the white gloss and go for all white - glammed up with a eff off chandalier and loads of necklaces. I have this one -
www.monsoon.co.uk/Statement-Jewellery/Fable-Multi-Necklace/invt/68260270&bklist=icat,5,shop,accessor ize,accessorizejewellery,accessorizenecklaces hanging on the corner of my mirror - which was a decorative frenchy style one - which I painted the frame of a pale chalky pink. Then go for creamy voiles on the windows.

You could even pick up a few necklaces etc in the sales - just for the decor - even if you won't wear them.

Make sure your lighting is good - I have a lovely dressing area in my bedroom - but come down to the office to do my makeup as the light is better here. And the lighting is crap for me to see my clothes and get fed up rumaging in the half light.

Thanks everyone for the brilliant ideas - I suspect the table will be so covered in crap it wont matter!

I've just found these really cool purple sort of bed side table things on ebay which I'm planning to out under the desk so am thinking some sort of plum colours on the windows now too. Can't wait till it's done now, was in the room this morning the natural light is amazing so am thinking of just making the curtains more of a drapey decorative thing?!

wow does anyone know what these style of curtains are? here

Might try good housekeeping too!

I'd say they come under the category of swags and tails.

www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Platinum-Voile-Sheer-Rod-Pocket-Curtain-Panel-84-in.-x-60-in./2255055/ product.html?cid=133635

Something like these?

You should have a bit of a look around before committing to a certain look.

It may be worth having a look at some bedside tables here if you're looking for a bit of variety.

Liz

Navy, Can I pick yr brains, please?

I remember your many kitchen threads a while back, and am now having many of same dilemmas. You went for the Wickes Inverness, didn't you? Can you remember how much you paid for the actual kitchen?-I think yours is about same size as mine They have a half price sale on at the moment, which is making me keen to get it ordered.

Plum, well remembered Umm I can't remember how much we paid possibly in the region of £3k? That was in a 50% off sale though and included some appliances, taps but not the worktop. Does that sound right? I can dig out the paperwork tomorrow.

Kitchen is still going strong a year on and looks amazing!