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Parisian-Inspired Bedroom Sources: Everything I Used to Create the Look
- Missy Carlin
- Jul 27
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 30
A look at the pieces that came together to create a petite Paris in my own home
After sharing the transformation of our primary bedroom, I wanted to follow up with a deeper look at the details—the pieces that brought the vision to life and made the space feel truly ours.
The vibe: Parisian cottage retreat
My inspiration was simple: create a space that channeled the airiness and elegance of a Parisian apartment, balanced with the cozy, layered feel of a lived-in cottage. Why add the cottage-y part? Dark walnut furniture and closet doors that were staying in the space and needed to be integrated into the space. Think: tall windows and moldings meets warm textures, vintage-inspired details, and a bit of soul.
The color palette: blank cream canvas with a touch of earthy
The color palette for the room was primarily cream with accents of earthy greens, blues, and walnut brown and a touch here and there of terracotta orange and brass. My formula for a room color palette is to have one main color that serves as the canvas (in this case, the cream), and then medium accents add depth (blue, green, brown) and pops of another color and the hardware finish add intriguing details and contrast (terracotta and brass).
We color drenched the room in creamy-colored Butter Pecan paint by Benjanmin Moore to keep the space feeling light and serene. It creates so much warmth in the room, especially with morning sunlight reflecting on it. The undertone isn’t yellow which was a requirement for me–it has a very subtle peach undertone which I prefer. Any cream will have an undertone of some color - whether it’s green, yellow, or pink- and different undertones come out in different lighting.
I love how the colors combine together – the blues, greens, browns, and terracotta layer beautifully together onto the cream to create a pleasing warmth to the room.
The details: all the pieces that make the room
Below are the key pieces that helped create the vibe. Where I found them, why I chose them, and how they work together to create our little escape just down the hall.
Bed & Bedding
This bed from Joss & Main was the spark that set the whole makeover in motion–not because it’s a statement piece but because I found it during a Cyber Monday sale and it led to me rethinking our whole room. I loved its soft curves and subtly vintage shape. It felt like something you’d see in a Paris apartment—elegant but not fussy. I went with an upholstered style in a neutral tone because I didn’t want it to be matchy-matchy with the walnut furniture in the room. PSA: You don’t need to match all your furniture to each other!
The bedding is a green linen duvet cover on a simple duvet we’ve had for awhile. The deep color helped blend the dark walnut wood furniture with the light cream a bit better.I love having printed bedsheets for a little pop of playfulness and pattern – I got my favorite ones from Anthropologie with the terracotta color mixed in. I also added patterned & colored throw pillows from Loloi x Magnolia and Lulu & Georgia to add more color and more coziness to the bed. I don’t like having a lot of pillows on the bed since they mainly just take up space so I kept it simple!
Anthropologie Organic Cotton Percale Printed Sheet Set (my print is no longer available but this blue floral one is lovely!
Loloi Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Liv Collection Lumbar Pillow in Rust
Lighting
If you ever want to make a big impact in your home with a small investment, millwork is a great way to do so–whether with picture frame molding, crown molding, or what I used to create a beautiful statement in our bedroom - a ceiling medallion. Millwork is also very on-brand for the Parisian aesthetic - Hausmannian architecture is known for lovely, ornate moldings. I chose this ceiling medallion to pair with a sleek, contemporary light to offset the ornate detail in the medallion. I chose this globe pendant with brass finish. It’s large so creates volume in the room while giving a warm glow with the opaque glass shades. I painted the ceiling medallion in the same Butter Pecan color as the rest of the room and trim.
For our bedside lamps I ended up with these Pierce & Ward lamps from West Elm. I loved the wood lamp’s interesting form and pleated shade.
Window Treatments
To mimic those tall windows in French apartments, I used light-filtering curtains in a soft cream. I wanted something that would feel breezy and elegant, but still provide privacy. The curtain rods and decorative finials are a little detail I didn’t want to overlook—they have a warm brass finish that ties in with the lighting and other hardware and their design pairs beautifully with the ornate mirrors.
Art & Decor
Art & Decor may seem to be an afterthought or more simple decisions to make, however, this is where most of the detail comes in! I don’t like having a lot of clutter on my room surfaces or walls, so my goal was to add character while keeping the room airy and without too much stuff taking up every single square inch.
Mirrors
The two ornate, gold mirrors in the room really create a statement and accomplish the Parisian feel I wanted. They are both from Anthropologie, but the peacock one was a lucky find on Facebook Marketplace at a lower price!
Art prints & frames
Above the bed, I went for a contemporary floral art print in a classic Louis-style gold frame—a nod to the mix of old and new styles you often see in Paris homes. The print is a simple one from Etsy - the frame making most of the statement there. The other piece of art I have in the room is next to my dresser– an art print by Janet Hill. I love it, which is the number one requirement for choosing an art piece! I love the color and texture of this lady’s dress as well – the terracotta color ties in with the other accents in the room. She adds a bit of playfulness and intrigue to the space. I put her in a simple gold frame.
Rug
I wanted a rug in the space to add some pattern and color while protecting part of our hardwood floor. I love this rug! It has the perfect blue floral print with stripe detail and is just the right size to place in front of the large floor mirror. It adds contemporary cottage charm to the room.
Accessories
On the dresser and shelves, I layered in small boxes for storage, plants, small vintage finds, and simple, voluminous greenery in ceramic vases. I love how these tall green stems create a sense of grandeur in the room with their size and these wispy wisteria stems add a bit of whimsy garden. I don’t love faux florals as they are more likely to look fake vs. faux greenery- there are some great lifelike options out there like the ones I used!
The wall shelf is from Magnolia. I loved the wood carving detail on the shelf but didn’t want the pop of color from the wood so I painted it Butter Pecan like the walls.
This ottoman inspired the pops of rust / terracotta color throughout the room. I just loved the depth of the color combined with the velvet fabric, and it has storage inside! Something we always need more of. I put this marble tray on top of it so I can put my hair straightener there while I’m getting ready.
Blue vase - Home Goods
Ivory vase - Vintage
Wooden box - Vintage
Inspired to Start Your Own Refresh?
Since redesigning our bedroom I’ve experienced the shift that happens when a space truly feels like me. I hope you find something here that helps your space feel more like you, too! Whether you’re dreaming of your own Parisian-inspired escape or just looking for a few cozy upgrades, I hope this post gave you some ideas to bring more beauty and intention into your space. These pieces came together slowly, but the result is a room that finally feels like us, and maybe a little like a vacation, without leaving home.
If you have any questions about sources or styling, feel free to leave a comment!
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