Bedroom: dreams... and decisions?

The bedroom is the first area that is going to need a makeover because i really don't want to have to do it after we move in! I love the colours that the previous owners have painted it, and so had decided not to change it. Until we moved in that is, when after looking at the room in its bare state, JL decided that he found the colours unbearably girlish. So what now?

Looking at these images makes me really sad - i love the colours so much! -Of course if i change it I will forever have the physical reminder of my thoughtfulness. Which i do like.. 

A couple of other problems need to be addressed in the room. Were going to have to go for the built in wardrobes option if we want any useful storage at all. I don't like built in wardrobes normally, but the place is too small for free-standing units if we want to actually hang up our clothes. The other is that the room is very small, and we have a very large bed. Bed size is non-negotiable, or we'd end up tired and fractious in the summer months when there's the obligatory man heat to contend with. Unfortunately we can't place the bed with its head against the wall (facing the built over fireplace) as there's no room to open/shut the door, or walk around the bed. We can't place the bed facing the windows because the bathroom is behind that wall and the noise will be an issue (i also need to look into soundproofing). So that means were going to have to place the bed with the headboard in front of the windows. I'm not keen on this idea because i was brought up to believe in drafts and sore necks. But that's what's going to have to happen..

Because the room is so bloody small I've perversely decided to try and make it feel even smaller with my decorating choices. I'm hoping this will give it a welcoming and cosy, rather than horribly oppressive quality. Fingers crossed..

So colour wise I'm looking at deep blues, teal, peacock and stormy colours as current wall paint options:

But do i keep the walls a simple block of colour or go for a chinoiserie pattern? Obviously i can't afford De Gournay or Fromental wallpaper, but i do own a paintbrush. Having said that, i am quite lazy and rubbish at getting my craft on, so it's highly unlikely this would ever happen. I'm not telling JL this idea. He would probably have a panic attack.

I'm also really into the idea of using floorboards as ceiling cladding. JL hates this idea. In fact he hates the idea of doing anything to ceilings other than painting them white. This issue is deeply embedded in his psyche. The thought of messing with a ceiling? -Sacrilegious! Too bad for him, as i want to cover all my ceilings in things that are most definitely not white paint. But just look at Oppenheim's La Muna Aspen ski chalet. If its good enough for them.. right?

Regarding the windows, I think i want to place one long curtain rail across the wall, with one large richly coloured velvet curtain that runs along the length of it. In front of the windows themselves I'm torn between the usual things - dark lace curtains, sudare (otherwise known as misu - those bamboo blinds with a fabric hem)  or chinese window shutters. Hmmmmm..

These italian deco bizarro night tables from caviar 20 would be the dream if only they were still for sale. How i crave them!

As for lighting, I'm torn between a large central chandelier or two small lights hung down low from the ceiling on either side of the bed, above the bedside cabinets.

Wardrobes? i'm torn between upcycling deco wardrobe doors and hanging them on the front of the built in wardrobe, or Rajasthani screens. I'm leaning towards the deco doors as if i go with most of the other ideas, the screens are going to be overkill.

Not sure about the bed/headboard just yet. Tufted? Lacquer panel? 70s rattan???? And I refuse to even consider the flooring yet as everything else is so up in the air!

One thing is becoming clear - after years of renting and never actually owning my own place, my method of decorating has been to take the opposite approach from pre-planning, simply wafting about and buying shit i like. Turns out planning stuff is actually quite tricky. Also slightly overwhelming as i'm beginning to realise that even the simplest of rooms comes with overheads! Laying it all out in a blog is quite useful though. Makes it easy to see that I have a lot of competing ideas. No, I won't be using them all as i want my bedroom to be relaxing. Definitely time to dial it back.. Thoughts? Anyone?!

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