Elegant Bedroom Decor and French Style

 I'm dissatisfied with my townhouse bedroom.  I cannot seem to get it right somehow.  I want an elegant look and am wondering if that is possible in such a small space.  Yet, in some of the elegant bedrooms I see here, the small rooms do not seem to matter - or through the magic of photography the so-called "small" bedrooms are really much larger than they look! 
   I'm very fond of the elegant bedroom, above, with its touches of peach and those wonderful mirror-fronted closets on either side (I have windows where those closets are). The color scheme is wonderful, but my bedroom ends about 4 feet from the end of the bed while the one above goes on long enough to have a settee and chair in it. The tray ceiling is also quite high, while the ceiling in my bedroom is not high and does not have a tray.
   Again, this bedroom looks small, but it goes quite a way up.  I love the bed crown: it's especially effective with those ceilings. But again, the room is much longer past the end of the bed.

 While it's certainly not a little bedroom, I love the one below and keep it for inspiration.  The color is fantastic, as are the canopy, curtains, and mirror.

 Although I like the deep cream of this bedroom, I just don't know if I can do without color.  But the white and cream here may be perfect for a tiny space.

 Above, another color scheme I love. 
  Below, a bedroom with windows on either side of the bed, just like mine.  I also have windows to the right - my bedroom has an eastern and northern exposure and is full of light almost every time of day.

 Other than having high ceilings, this bedroom is quite like mine - at least the part we can see.  I just can't go with a taupe, however.  I love the balloon shades on either side of the bed with full-length curtains on the larger windows.

 Below, this bedroom just looks so comfortable, I had to keep it for inspiration. Also, I love the double-layered dust ruffle.

 Above, another half-canopy treatment that I think is wonderful  the dust ruffle I have now looks very much like this one.
Below, an elegant bedroom although I am not fond of green.

 Below, a wonderful headboard and a soft color scheme when combined with a chandelier always says either "French style" or elegance.

 Above, a bedroom in Paris.  This is French style.  Look at the vibrant color of those curtains!
Below, I like the monochrome look.

 Below, and here is my bedroom.  The color looks much brighter in these pictures than it actually is. You can see the lack of space here. There is no room for a desk or dresser and the bed is a queen. To the left are 2 doors, one to the walk-in closet, the other to the master bath.  
So now, what do I do?!

Bedroom Decorating: The Latest Incarnation

Though I am still not finished with the little master bedroom, here is an update. The headboard is a lighter cream colour (I'm still not sure if I will replace it) and still needs to be higher.  Eventually we will have nightstands that are now in our Arkansas house.

I have had the painting over the bed for almost 30 years; I still like it.   Above, the plaster icon is one that I bought on the Greek island of Patmos several years ago.
Outside the bedroom is a print that features a lot of peach, a cat, goldfish, and my favorite peonies.

English Decorating II

Whether contemporary or traditional, English style has certain common traits.  Above, the contemporary looking dining set is in a traditional style flat (c. 1820).  Look at that wonderful ceiling! Curtains are in a floral pattern and you can see the books to the lower left.  In the English style, books find a place all over the home, not just in a designated library.

Below, a living room full of books with the painting attached, English style, to the bookcase.

Above,the English are known for their beautiful draperies.  These curtains are layered and embellished with fringe and fringed tiebacks.  The ruffles at the top are both feminine and formal although the room, with its books stacked on a bench, flowers and patterned wallpaper, is very cosy and welcoming.
Above, a standout coral colour  is echoed in the Persian rugs and pillows.  Multiple pictures are on the wall, shelves are full of books, and a cosy throw lies over the arm of the sofa. Crystal light fixtures add a grand touch.

Below, look at the molding! This room gets a special dollop of style from symmetrical arrangements: the mirrours, the chairs on either side of the fireplace, the mantle elements, even the arrangement on the coffee table.  Look at the far left for the touch of crystal.

Dining rooms are a must in the English home.  They may serve a dual purpose, but there is almost always a separate room with a table that will seat at least 6 for dinner.   Whatever the colour scheme, there are often books around somewhere, crystal lighting in some form, and chairs with cushions that are comfortable for sitting around the table long after dinner is over.

Below, a beautiful Murano candelabra is the centerpiece for the round table. Note the comfortable looking cushions.

Above,  no matter what style, some things remain the same: books, comfortable seating, overhead chandelier.

Below, the most comfortable bedrooms in the world may be in the English style.  You will almost always see a chaise or a bench at the end of the bed.  If a bench, it is often stacked with reading material. A chaise almost always has a comfy throw for a quick nap.

More bedrooms:look at that gorgeous headboard!  Good lighting, wallpaper, and layered linens make this room apetitizing.

Above,the canopy bed is elaborately dressed with cottons, silk, and matelasse. The curtains have two layers as well as fabric shade.  Blue and white is a colour the English use often.

Below, another English favorite bedroom colour is yellow (probably because of all those grey English days).  This time the bed has a half tester which matches the curtains.  A padded headboard has a matching dust ruffle. Both bed curtains and window curtains have a heavy fringe.

Another yellow bedroom an added rope cord used to emphasize the lines of the room.  Plenty of pictures, pillows, family photos, and layered bed linens add to the warmth of the room.