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My girlie reading room

9 years ago

As a mom of three boys- I never got to decorate a "girl room," so I knew this little cozy room off our master would be perfect- something classy, glam, girlie and a little fun. i love my great great grandmother's vanity table (ideas on refinishing? Black maybe?). I love my new Ballard bookcases and am still playing with pieces to accessorize- like the hat boxes I was thinking if covering or painting. I have two questions I can't make up mind about or find the perfect pieces

main dilemmas:

1. A new light fixture - want pretty and glam!

2. The unfinished corner - was picturing a place for some of my prettier jewelry to display, or maybe a pretty table, cart or lingerie chest? Just not sure what would best complete the room.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!


Comments (22)

  • 9 years ago

    Perhaps a feather chandelier ? Sheepskin ( faux ) stool for vanity.

    nmsg thanked Mark
  • 9 years ago

    More books would really give the room substance. You could get those books that say Chanel, Vogue, Louis Vuitton or is that too cliché...

    nmsg thanked Tems
  • 9 years ago

    There are a million glam light fixtures these days, so it's just finding the right fit with your vision and other components.



    Inca-Flush Mount · More Info


    Bazz Lighting C00154G Glam Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture · More Info

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    Minka Lavery 4847-276 Flush Mounts 4Lt Flush Mount, Florentine Silver · More Info

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    Troy Lighting Sausalito Deep Bronze Three-Light Semi-Flush Mount Light · More Info

    I really like that capiz with your bookcases, but many of these could work, and I didn't really look at size as I went...

    nmsg thanked acm
  • 9 years ago
    The bookcases look a little too close to the vanity. I'd move them a little to the left and the right, respectively. I'd probably put a large plant in that corner, but if you want a space to display jewelry, maybe an antique dress form?
  • 9 years ago

    What fun! The vanity table looks like typical 1930s which wasn't great furniture. I wouldn't hesitate to paint it but I would go with something like a distressed off-white or even a gold. Anything dark will just stand out like a sore thumb. You want the entire wall to flow with one light color palette.

    The shelves need more weight to them which, of course, means books (laid horizontally, perhaps) as well as some heavier decorative pieces. I would assemble all the jewelry displays to one or two shelves. Some greenery is also needed to make the wall come alive.


  • 9 years ago

    Girlie glam is my jam.

    1. Paint vanity white- not black.

    2. Definitely go with one of the chandeliers mentioned above. I'm partial to that Minka one- 7 down.

    3. I agree with PPs about moving the etageres a couple inches away from vanity and adding more large scale objects to accessories. Too many little things going on there.

    4. Add an upholstered seat for vanity with a pretty print on it.

    5. The current rug reads more boho cheap than girlie glam.

    6. Are you into fashion? If so, you could use that corner to display a mannequin with a favorite dress as a statement piece.

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    What a fun, great project! Paint table pearly white and then touch edges with gold. Get a feathery bench top in white. A cute chandelier, i will post a few ideas, is a must. Style shelves with weight "visually" on lowest shelves. Remove all items from top shelves. It distracts eye from the beautiful shape of the shelving units. Mix items on shelves in mirror image. So for example, on middle shelf,left side put med size sculpture of Greek goddess. On right unit, reverse position place a sculpture of different look like piece like architectural chunk of Roman column. These will ground the piece and provide "bookends" to that shelf. Then on each shelf repeat that basic approach changing look with books and interesting metal pieces. Mix metals, stone, glass and soft looks.
    While i like the dress form concept somehow i like the idea of a "hat rack" in corner with perhaps a collection of fun hats or vintage hats! Create a "warm, fun, relaxing" spot for your dream reading nook. Back in a bit with some photos.
    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Gala 2-Light Semi-Flush Mount in Argent Silver · More Info
    Not sure of your ceiling height, but this little semi-flush would glam it up!

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    If you have a bit of ceiling height you can do a small chandy to fit the "glam" look.

    Worlds Away Small Clear Star Chandelier ACS110 · More Info
    this probably couldn't give enough light, but since you are creating a "reading room" you need "task" light near your chair for reading! So this is all about "zen" in the room!

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Artemis Cement Bust · More Info

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Aristotle And Homer Bust Bookends Greek Philosophy · More Info

  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Victorian Female Bust · More Info

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Uttermost Aram Bird Sculptures, Set of 2 · More Info

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    All kinds of interesting ideas. Shop in your house first!! Mix some light with darker pieces so everything isn't "light". Need that contrast for "depth" and "dimension". So fun. Have a ball. Great chair. The rocker, swivel chairs with a fun ottoman would be great!

  • PRO
    9 years ago


    French Imperial 5-Light French Gold Golden Teak Crystal Chandelier, Clear Crysta · More Info
    If you want something with some "French Flair" this is cute and glitzy. I looked again at your photo of the room and it looks like you have 9' ceiling? Also with the arched window, you have a benefit of lines of sight from outside.

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Versailles Flemish Brass Ten-Light Chandelier · More Info
    If you need some balance to the other metals and lighter looks, you could go darker on the chandelier. This is interesting one.

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • 9 years ago

    No suggestions, but wanted to say I love your room. Enjoy!

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    You also need to "repeat" the color of the chaise in a couple of places in your room to tie it into the look. Could be a Vintage hat with plum of feather in that color, or a blue piece for your shelving, or a small wall hanging with a matt of that color.

    nmsg thanked Flo Mangan
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    They sell these very cool wire mannequins that are so unique and very reasonably priced too. It would be a fab addition to the corner to display your scarves, favourite jewelry or even vintage dresses, etc. .....:) https://www.mannequinmadness.com/products/female-wire-dress-form-mannequin-1-white

    nmsg thanked Mark
  • 9 years ago

    I'm going to jump back in to second (or third) the idea of a dress form as a consideration. If you actually sew, double win, but I have seen some non-functional ones that add an element of dimension and are intended for decor that would fit in the schemes/styles that we've seen in your decor. If there is intent do display or store jewelry, you may want to look at pieces that can double for that, though, to add another level of function.

    There was a good point made about drawing the color of the chase lounge into other decor. I would also agree with this-- if not the stool as I noted, maybe into art on the wall or books as another had pointed out. I would maybe hesitate towards the Greek busts recommended above, in my opinion, as that may be too cliche to the space... but I think there some good suggestions made above.

    I wonder, perhaps, if you could maybe let us know what are some styles or colors you are drawn to in particular? How do you describe "glam", what colors are you drawn to? There are quite a few options as you can see just from the comments and posts you've gotten over the course of the day.

    nmsg thanked User
  • PRO
    9 years ago
    Has anyone mentioned the mirror needs to be lowerered about 2-3".
  • 9 years ago

    Lucky you!

    Have you tried the chaise in the empty corner, to give you a bite out of the French doors instead of the wall? I would go a different direction with whichever corner ends up empty. That would house my well-stocked bar cart!

    I love the look of dress forms but I would jump everytime I caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye.

    nmsg thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
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