Finally, here is the Boudoir Style inspiration I was looking for. The chosen items to create the set design magically emerge from their shelves, the dance of colors begins, and I feel like I’m transported back to the Roaring Twenties, between the pages of a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, perhaps in Daisy’s boudoir, the heroine of The Great Gatsby?

To achieve an intriguing Boudoir Style atmosphere, I start by placing a stunning border of French wallpaper from the 1920s, painted using the ‘A la gouache’ technique, featuring oval medallions depicting landscapes in soft pastel shades, surrounded by Art Deco-style yellow flower motifs. The background of the border is a beautiful shade of sky blue. For the backdrop, I choose to position a lovely handmade linen curtain in ecru, dating back to the early 1900s, to simulate a drapery. And from my treasure troves, I find a beautiful silk velvet ribbon in an incredible shade of violet, which is perfect! The background is now ready to showcase the foreground objects!

I decide to place my items on a beautiful tulle centerpiece with a pastel-colored basket of flowers embroidery. I arrange a stunning fan-shaped cushion from the 1920s, made of embroidered and hand-painted silk organza in pastel shades. What could be more authentically Boudoir Style? On top, I position an Edwardian-era evening purse, all chain-stitched, with an old French basket tied with a romantic pink silk ribbon and a small bunch of violets. And then, some delightful vanities, undoubtedly an essential part of an authentic flapper’s boudoir! So, I have an old American perfume bottle from the early 1900s with a beautiful floral label, a French compact powder box decorated with beads and violet chain-stitched embroidery, a 1920s talcum powder box by Richard Hudnut, and a stunning French enamelware toilet bucket, fading from pink to green, with a bamboo handle and hand-painted flower decoration in shades of lilac, ocher, and almond green.

Antique french ribbonwork pillow

To complete the scene at the bottom, I place on a base, perfect for the seat of an armchair, a splendid round cushion made of very light purple silk with two ecru lace ruffles and a central ribbonwork decoration with silk ribbon flowers, from France in the 1920s-1930s. I also position a small jewel-encrusted German alarm clock in perfect Hollywood style.

Just arrived

In the center, there’s a delightful French ‘Vitrine de Mariée’ from the Napoleon III period. This is a small chest or display case lined with pink velvet and silk, which contains a bridal tiara and a bouquet made of wax orange blossoms, serving as a keepsake for the bride. Next to it, there’s an old Little Fairy soapbox from the 1910s, still intact, a glass powder box painted with roses, and a 1900s American wedding album with a beautifully illustrated bride’s week, featuring delicate chromolithographs.

Antique french vitrine de Marieé

Now I am satisfied, it seems to me that my quest for harmony between the colors and the antique objects I have used can truly evoke the atmosphere of the 1920s boudoir, which attracts me so much!