A Study in French Elegance: The Bedroom Restoration - Le Manoir de l’Aube (Part 4)

Enzie Shahmiri
2022-10-22T19:10:08-07:00

Step inside a masterfully restored French miniature bedroom. From bespoke chipboard furniture to 3D-printed heirloom beds, discover the art of small-scale interior design.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Maid's Quarter - Part 2

The Art of the Patina Mansion Terrace Renovation- Part 3

A Study in French Elegance - The Bedroom Restoration - Part 4

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