So when I last left you, I told you about some of the really ugly messy work that went into getting this room into some kind of shape ready for the fun part of making the room pretty. Let me warn you now, there are a lot of pictures! I got a bit snap happy, what can I say.
Once the lining paper went up, I was able to move everything back into the room but bear in mind this is not the done deal. Oh no, not at all. I’ll be sharing what’s to come in another post soon because this one just got that bit too long. Oops. Told ya I got snap happy.
The first thing you’ll notice as you walk into the room is the Billy Bookcase filled with shoes, bags and some other bits and pieces, a far far better storage solution than what had been there before.
There’s actually two of them as you step farther into the room, flanking the window on each side. I painted the backs of the bookcases in the same paint as I painted the dresser – a soft turquoise colour. I love that the items pop much better than if the backs had been left white.
I realised that I needed some additional lighting in the room and while I battered around a few ideas including installing spotlights in the ceiling, I decided on a much simpler and inexpensive idea. To get a couple of cute ‘clip lights’ from B&Q and attach to the top of each shelving unit. The light can be directed to what’s on the shelves or on me! Happy Days.
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| Excuse the trailing wire. I still need to extend the wire to reach the plug socket so I can tuck it along the side of the shelving unit, outta site. |
A couple of detail shots because those are always fun…
Fragrances are grouped together. My current favourite is Mark Jacob’s Daisy which is the flower shaped one at the back…
And all my bangles have been coralled into a little square dish I stole from the kitchen… The pink and orange block heels and orange clutch bag (only just seen behind the shoes) are favourites.
Emily, the plaster bust from Rockette St George looks on, wishing she had arms to wear the bangles too. Alas, Emily, you can only wear necklaces. I’m so sorry. But the necklace, a vintage leaf choker from my lovely friend Michele‘s etsy shop Hello Lovely Inc, is rather pretty and another favourite so at least there’s that.
In another little zebra print bowl are my other bracelets.
On the shelf above, a gold topped pot which used to hold body butter, now holds hair clips, bobby pins and safety pins. The white frame holds a sample of Ferm Living Wilderness Wallpaper in white and metallic gold. I thought it was pretty enough to frame!
I don’t have loads of gorgeous shoes but the shelving has allowed me to showcase a couple of my favourite pairs like these ones from Irregular Choice…
And sexy FMB’s I bought a couple years ago from eBay :) The orange flowery bag holds all my ‘everyday’ makeup.
The other side of the room hasn’t changed too much but this is the wall that I’d tore down the plaster so now, there’s a nice lovely wall in it’s place!
I have, however, added a little HELMER metal storage cabinet from Ikea which I love because it stores SO MUCH, I couldn’t believe all the bits and pieces I was able to hide out of site.
At some point, I may change out the handles. I might even see if W can take it to work and spray paint it in a different colour (for the uninitiated, he works as a car sprayer so I’m a lucky girl having access to these things). One thing at a time though…
The drawers hold all my other makeup and toiletries. I’ve always loved the look of the clear acrylic holders and having it all on display but I just know it would get filthy and not look very pretty for long. So this unit definitely does the trick.
Coming full circle, you can see the wall that’s to your left as you enter the room. The full length mirror was there previously but I’ve also added a few little metal cherry blossom hooks (purchased as well with my ‘winnings’ from the Rockett St George competition) to hold my necklaces. I’m aware this wall needs a bit of help (I would love love love a big huge leaning mirror for instance) but I’m just making do with what I have at the moment.
I also spray painted the little metal corners that hold the mirror (no idea what they are called) and the metal earring holder, both of which used to be silver.
I decided after I did this little exercise of taking pictures that I seriously need some new jewellery. I have to wear a lanyard at work so rarely wear necklaces but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t update my collection, right?
And new shoes. Hello Scuffy McScuffferson, such a pleasure to meet you! As you can see, I have a bit of a penchant for platform sandles from New Look (what can I say, they are cute and cheap, exactly my sorta thing) and knee high boots (not as cheap but I live in a Northern European country where winter is not to be dismissed lightly). The shelves are adjustable so everything fits nicely.
So there’s where the room currently stands. I’m quite pleased with the progress so far and it’s inching ever closer to the clean, tidy, a-place-for-everything-dressing-room I had envisioned when we first moved in. As much as I would have loved to fill the walls with expensive built ins ala Maria Carey, it was important that I didn’t spend a ridiculous amount of money when we had so many other things to do in the house. Plus, that means more money to spend on more shoes and jewellery. Win-win.
Obviously, this is not a done deal. My next post I shall be sharing with you some of the plans I have for the room so be sure to stop back again! In the meantime, I’ll just be having a little lie down after all that work. Whew.
Absolutely fantastic!!! I'm so jealous! London prices mean that an extra room just dedicated to my clothes etc. is unfortunately not an option. <br /><br />Love all the little details like the turquoise back in the shelving and the pink mirror corners (no, I don't know what they're called either) and earring display. <br /><br />Hope you're having a sunny week too xo
Move up North, lots more room for your money than in London ;) Just bring your brolly! Thanks lovely, we are for once! xxx
so jealous, i love it!
Thank you :) xxx
How jel am I? It's fab. I'd have to have a lock on the door to prevent the teenage daughters getting in and helping themselves but apart from that pretty much perfect. <br />You have Emily and I have Edith. Same lady but mine is shiny and I bought her in France. <br />I really like the handles on the little metal cabinet and I really like the little slots to put the card in. (There is
Your closet looks WONDERFUL. Seriously it epitomizes you and everything has space to breathe and look pretty!
Awww I love love love that you said it 'epitomizes' me! Yay! So important that our interiors reflect who we are :) Thank you so much! xxx
I want all of your shoes each and every single pair! you have done such a great job on renovating the dressing room Its the cosmetic part of decorating that us girls like putting it all together simply pretty. Tracy
I never thought I had an enviable shoe collection lol Thanks so much xxx
it's incredible! i'm saving some of your images if that's ok to show off your closet a little more on the blog!<br /><br />you are inspiring a lot of ladies in blogdom, red. the pops of color and your mix of chic is awesome badawesome.<br /><br />the turquoise and touches of pink! those lights! genius!<br /><br />throw a party to celebrate this feat. i will come barefoot because i
Crazy woman, it's not done yet! lol But thank you my lovely and thank you for gracing Emily with such pretties from your shop! xxx
Your dressing room is like an exciting girlie treasure trove!! <br /><br />I love the lovely turquoise backdrop on the shelves, it really makes all the difference in showing off your pretties. <br /><br />Beautiful job so far and I can't wait to see more! <br /><br />Meera xx
Thanks so much hun, it's moving in the right direction finally :) xxx
Oh I love it SO SO much! Emily is totally stealing the show, but every detail is perfection! Can I PLEASE live in your closet?
Thanks so much :) I love Emily as well! If you don't mind sleeping on the floor, you're more than welcome!! xxx
That's it, I'm booking my flight and moving in. See you Monday. It's fantastic. For reals. <br /><br />Xx. Patience
Hahaha! YAY! See you then chicken! xxx
It looks great! I've always liked the colour or your dresser and painting the backs of the bookcases the same colour is a great idea. The little metal storage cabinet is really useful too. I see so many lovely bangles but I have such skinny wrists I can't wear them.