Storybook Living

STORYBOOK INSPIRATION:

Wicked Queen Illustration by Jennie Harbour

The Queen's Room, from Angela Barrett's Snow White Illustrations

The Wicked Queen Illustration by Trina Schart Hyman in "Snow White"

COLORS:

THEME:

Think dark, gothic, twisted, spiky, ornate, baroque, Rococo, curvy, with spirals. Decorate with heavy black carved furniture, velvets, wood, silver, iron but no gold. Keep the lights low, and keep burning incense wafting through the home. Decadence and a bit of haughty dark eccentrism should prevail. Avoid cheesy skulls and dragons decor, go for regal elegance.

STORYBOOK FURNITURE:

Seating:

Glamour Boy Throne, at The French Bedroom Company

Royal Armchair, at Modani

Enzo Armchair, at Modani

Louis Black Armchair, at Modani

Royal Bench, at Modani

Blofield Black Chair, at The French Bedroom Company

Chesterfield Sofa, at Velvet

Vera Sofa, at Liv Chic

Stephanie Chair, at Haute House

Figeac Armchair, at FrenchTouchDeco

French Silver 2 Leaf Renaissance Chair, at The Furniture Market

French Noir Dressing Table Stool, at The Furniture Market

Port Chaise, at Horchow

Beds:

French Gothic Iron Bed, at Victorian Trading Company

French Noir Carved Bed, at The Furniture Market

Moulin Noir Carved Bed, at Osborne and Brown

Letizia Bed, at Liv Chic

Gabriella Bed, at Liv Chic

New Orleans Bed, at Fine Iron Beds

Tables:

Sassy Boo Black Console Table, at Dooley's Furniture

Philippe Black Dining Table, at Modani

Moulin Noir Dressing Table, at Osborne and Brown

Chairside Table, at Century Furniture

Armoires and Bookcases:

Sassy Boo Bookcase, at Dooley's Furniture

Moulin Noir Mirrored Armoire, at Osborne and Brown

Chandeliers and Lighting:

Mischief Chandelier, at A.F. Lighting

Spellbound Chandelier, at A.F. Lighting

Crystal Teardrop Lamp, at A.F. Lighting

Mystic Chandelier, at A.F. Lighting

Molten Chandelier, at The French Bedroom Company

Candle Holder, at Modani

Boudoir Feather Table Lamp, at Velvet

STORYBOOK INSPIRATION:

Anne Anderson "The Three Feathers"

Fairy Princess wearing gladiator-style sandals. Illustration by Johnny Gruelle from "Raggedy Anne and Andy and the Camel With the Wrinkled Knees

Snow White, wearing white-ribboned shoes, Walt Disney's Golden Book, 1952

Twelve Dancing Princesses, by Kay Nielsen

Cendrillon's bejewelled slippers, Illustration by C. Barnes, 1965

Fruit the Fairies Steal Away Never Comes Again, by Florence Harrison

Snow White, wearing gladiator sandals, Trina Schart Hyman illustration

12 Dancing Princesses Illustration, by Ruth Sanderson

THEME:

Shoes in fairy tales and storybooks often follow the medieval or Renaissance style. They have pointed toes, or toes that curl up; sometimes they are fanciful and whimsical, sometimes just plain. There are a lot of sandals in fairy tale illustrations, and ladies' shoes often are shown bedecked with buckles, bows or rosettes. There are of course lots of slippers, not counting Cinderella's famous shoe of glass or fur.

You can easily add some fairy tale style to your life with shoes like these. Dance when you wear them; flit happily; smile and float.

FAIRY TALE SHOES: