A Study in French Elegance: The Bedroom Restoration - Le Manoir de l’Aube (Part 4)
There is a quiet, restorative joy in completing a room within the chateau. For the primary bedroom, the goal was to transcend the original molded-plastic architecture and create a sanctuary that feels lived-in, curated, and timeless.
The Foundation: An Architectural Canvas
The transformation began by neutralizing the original vibrant yellow walls with several coats of white chalk paint. This provided a clean, matte slate for the room's European-inspired textures.
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The Walls: Navigating the "architecture" of a pre-molded mansion requires precision. I created custom templates using printer paper to trace the intricate window bays and corners before cutting the final patterned wallpaper.
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The Floors: I replaced the plastic base with a custom-crafted wood floor, providing a grounding, organic warmth to the cool white walls.
Bespoke Appointments
In this room, every piece of furniture is a deliberate artistic choice rather than a simple accessory.
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The Secretary: Hand-built from chipboard and finished in an off-white acrylic, this piece serves as the room’s intellectual heart. It is filled with handmade miniature inkwells, envelopes, a tiny pocket watch, and leather-bound books.
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The Reupholstered Bergère: The original red seat was silenced with chalk paint, then layered with pink colored pencil to create a soft, distressed patina. The back was finished with a remnant of the room's wallpaper to create visual harmony.
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The Sculptural Dress Form: Eschewing the traditional corner plant, I placed a hand-molded paper clay dress on a wire stand—a white-on-white textural element that offers a moment of calm against the patterned walls.
Memories in Miniature
The bed is where the narrative becomes personal. I 3D-printed the frame and nightstands, applying a finish that mimics peeling gold leaf over centuries-old wood.
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Textiles: The linens were embellished with delicate lace, but the true soul of the bed lies in the measuring tape tucked into the scene—a vintage memento that belonged to my grandmother.
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Scale and Contrast: To emphasize the "tiny" nature of these objects, I photographed the nightstands atop a silver baby spoon that belonged to my children. It is a reminder that these small worlds are built from big memories.
Le Manoir de l'Aube (Manor of Dawn) – Suggests a fresh start for an old piece.
This is the 4th post in the series - Click here to view more
From Plastic to Palladian: The exterior Restoration of le Manoir de l'Aube - Part 1
The Art of the Patina Mansion Terrace Renovation- Part 3
A Study in French Elegance - The Bedroom Restoration - Part 4
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2 comments
Thank you Sally!
So creative and lovely!