The Princess Fantasy All Grown Up
I'll admit it: When I was a little girl, I was all about the princess stuff. Oh, maybe not the way girls today are (Disney just didn't make as much merchandise back then)—but I was into it. I had a pink room full of pink and white flowery, flouncy accessories.
I didn't only want to grow up to be a princess, though —I had other dreams—and that might explain how I grew out of the desire to live in a castle and grew into an eclectic sort of minimalist approach to design. Every now and then, though, I like to relive the princess fantasy, even if it's just by looking at pictures.
These days, I'm drawn to majestic spaces that are more fit for a queen than a little girl princess. Spaces that are perfect for a princess, when she's all grown up:
I didn't only want to grow up to be a princess, though —I had other dreams—and that might explain how I grew out of the desire to live in a castle and grew into an eclectic sort of minimalist approach to design. Every now and then, though, I like to relive the princess fantasy, even if it's just by looking at pictures.
These days, I'm drawn to majestic spaces that are more fit for a queen than a little girl princess. Spaces that are perfect for a princess, when she's all grown up:
I love everything about this space, from the grand scale to the fine architectural detail. The bits of pink certainly help with my princess fantasy, too.
No, it's not a traditional castle, but this lovely Victorian is as elaborate as any 5-year-old princess's birthday cake.
I love this sweeping, dramatic stairway and how it works with a very traditional baby grand piano.
But I also love the way a dramatic stairway works with more modern trappings, like the wall artwork and chunky wood table.
This fireplace reminds me of something that might be found in a bedroom at a castle—complete with sunburst artwork.
This room took my breath away—it's like a jade green version of Billy Baldwin and Diana Vreeland's "Garden in Hell." The walls make such a strong statement that only someone with a queen-like personality could host a dinner in there.
When I think modern-day castle, I often think of black and white checkerboard floors. They're so sophisticated and timeless. For the updated castle, though, I like these funky painted wooden floors. Like the girly bedroom overseen by Janis above, these floors give the space just a little hipster edge.