For the past year Sophie has been lamenting that she has a "child's room." She's been wanting something more grown up, and something a little less pink. She wanted a French theme, and everything that goes along with it – the Eiffel Tower, French poodles, and anything that says "Paris" on it.
When you peruse the aisles of your local stores, you may notice that many American retailers' idea of a French theme generally means black-and-white, with a little pink thrown in. I doubt real French women decorate everything in black and white, but it seems to be a very popular idea around these parts. Just check your local Hobby Lobby store – there's a whole aisle dedicated to everything French/black-and-white/a little pink thrown in. And don't forget all the "Ooh-la-la!" signs.
As far as Sophie's new room idea went, I wasn't sure the Americanized French theme would work, bc she chose a bedspread full of colorful medallions, insisting it was the one bedspread in the world meant just for her. I told her I'd do what I could with it… (in the meantime, Mike was planning a super fun trip to Kansas City for spring break, and invited all of us to go. Sophie's request to me was this: "Mom, do you think you could stay behind and re-do my room and surprise me with it when we get back?" Sweet child.)(I actually granted her request, bc I thought the quiet time would be excellent for a project like this.)
You may remember that Sophie's room used to look like this:
I wasn't sure she was going to get more of a grown-up look, considering that very colorful new bedspread – full of bright medallions - I was telling you about.. I kept thinking I'd need to decorate her room with lime green or orange accents and force her to completely abandon her ideas of a more Parisian-like theme. But the more I scoured the aisles, searching for ideas, the more I started realizing that I was getting tired of limiting myself to the colors of that crazy bedspread.
I had a cart full of things that certainly did NOT go together… everything from bright green feathers to dog cartoon posters. Then I spotted the most gorgeous black-and-white prints of 2 French models. (They had to be French, bc it said so on the back sticker. So there.) And then I decided what her theme would be (I knew she'd approve, of course): Hodgepodge Couture! I'd ignore all the bright colors in that bedspread and go with her original idea of some black-and-white French-y accessories, and then add a little fashion in the mix!
This was her room halfway through the project… I was pretty hyped up on paint fumes and gensing tea, which made me able to move large furniture pieces in a single bound…
The one thing I did have going for me was that Sophie chose WHITE as her paint color. White? What ten-year-old chooses white? (And may I say that I was more than thrilled, as I'm one of those who loves white walls?)
Here is one angle of her finished room, taken at night:
Here's a little bit to the right of the bed…
Don't all French women have black bejewelled candelabras stuck to their walls? (Lili, please say it's so! LOL)
I don't know what's supposed to be French about this hook, but it was in the French aisle, so I bought it for her to hang her scarves on…
And look at these awesome prints! I really did love these. They're from the March and April 1956 issues of Couture...
I was going to take a close-up of the French model prints, but the glare from the glass was awful, no matter what time of day I tried. Trust me though, they're gorgeous! As all French women are. 🙂
There you have it: Sophie's new almost-Parisian, hodgepodge-couture, mixed-up but less-pink room.
And she loved it.
23 Comments
Tanya
What a lucky girl — turned out fabulous!!!
Tanya
Yvonne
WOW! It’s perfect! It is truly a grown-up girl’s room. I know she is happy with the results!
-Yvonne
Sheryl
you did a fantastic job. Hope she was totally surprised and greatful.
Sheryl
Marjorie
Wow. VAST improvement over the original if you ask me.
Katrina
OMG, I completely love, love, love what you did with Sophie’s room and it’s very grown-up :-).
TeresaB
No wonder she loved it! I love it! I think you should get some sort of “best decorating mom of the year” award.
joann tx
i LOVE it too!!!!
will you come see me and do my whole house?????
PLEASE????????
LLLY!!!
connie
It is wonderful. I have a daughter who loves everything French. And yes, I know exactly what you are talking about at Hobby Lobby. She also loves pink. (good thing)Sophie is growning up right before our eyes. What a wonderful young woman she is becoming and now her room fits. Good job Mom.
Sharon
Paulette, it looks fantastic!
Jessi
You can come redecorate my room anytime!
Eleanor
Now there is a 10 year old with advanced taste!!
Margaret
Very nice! I commend both mother and daughter. (I think the hook is French because of the fleur de lis? :D) Love the new digs!
Laurie in Iowa
Wow… Sophie’s room looks fabulous. She’s one lucky girl.
Anja
Paulette, you are the best mami, the room is beautiful. You did a wonderful job.
Sophie, Paris is a very nice theme, do you plan a trip to go there ?
When I was 16, I was in Paris. In the hotel the elevator was not in order were I met a 29years old fascinating frenchman and fell in love with him . It was sooo romantic.
14 days later, he was on an IBM business trip to Germany and suddenly he stood in front of my parents door to visit me. Oh, my parents were so excited(!!!) because I was too young.
So, Sophie, when you are in Paris, look who enters your elevator. The city is love on every corner.
Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland von Eurer
Anja
Sophie
It’s kind of funny because in France right now we have a lot of black and white poster of street of New York, the Brooklyn bridge, etc ! like this : http://www.castorama.fr/store/Toile-et-Image-encadree-cat_id_969.htm?trail=10002%3Acat_id_969&pageNum=2
Anyway, you did a great job with your daughter’s room, and I have to admit I like her bedspread a lot !!!
Sophie (from France ;o) )
Valie
I love the way the Americans revisit France… Perception, perception. Now, to make you feel good, candelabras have been all the rage in decoration stores over the past couple of years, and so has been black and white. Hope the yound Mademoiselle is happy with her room so lovingly redecorated by her fantastic Mom.
Tracey
It looks awesome!! I love all the prints!
Wendy
Paulette,
Have you seen the cute Paris chart at the Online Needlework Show?? It’s at the Passion des Croix site. http://www.needleworkshow.com/cgi-bin/detailc.pl?567-pdcJ14-10
Cute cute.. and it’s screaming Sophie’s name!
Carolyn
What a fantastic bedroom re-do! Unique, pretty, and sophisticated, but not overly so. I LOVE, LOVE Sophie’s new comforter.
Carolyn
Claire
I have lived in France for 25 years and my bedroom is no way near as glamorous lol. Saying that – it’s gorgeous ^^ The black & white DO give a very French feel and I love the pictures you’ve chosen.
Martine
It’s very funny to see the French decoration in the American style!
Friendships!
Martine of Paris/France
Sophie
Hehe! I LOVE MY ROOM MAMACITA! 🙂
Sophie <3
lilicouette
very good job as usual!!!! of course it’s a french theme 😀 well my bedroom walls are not recover with jewels BUT it’s all with black white and touch of grey things :))) we’re not too far 🙂 gros bisous!
ah oui! I thought of you last week end, I was in Paris, and passed a long time in Starbuck 🙂 i’ve drunk so much coffee that I didn’t remember my name 🙂