An interior designer, who describes herself as a ‘former rich person’, has revealed the ideal colour to paint your bedroom if you’re aiming for an ‘old money’ aesthetic on a shoestring budget – and it’s not the white or blue that many might assume.
The ‘old money’ aesthetic, which mimics the appearance of inherited wealth spanning generations, has seen a surge in popularity within the realm of home design in recent years, with many finding inspiration in popular TV shows like Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. Kiki Astor, a romance novelist and interior designer with a deep understanding of the ‘old money’ style, has imparted wisdom gleaned from her time residing in the sought-after district of Montecito, California – also home to Prince Harry and Meghan.
She recently provided advice on the most opulent colour to transform your bedroom into an ‘old money’ haven without exhausting your design budget.
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“There’s only one appropriate colour to paint your bedroom in the old money aesthetic. Some of you won’t like it, so go ahead and prove me wrong,” she declared in a TikTok video.
She continued: “Oh, I know that psychologists say, ‘Oh, you should have a blue bedroom, it promotes sleep, it’s so restful’ – what do they know about style?”
However, she pointed out that for those adamant about having a blue bedroom, it’s crucial to offset the colour with thoughtfully selected décor such as artwork, Persian rugs, and brown furniture.
“If you don’t do that, it’s going to look like a nursery. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she explained, before proceeding to advise that green ought to be avoided in the bedroom as well.
“I know that I’ve said that green is the most old money colour to paint most rooms in your house, but not your bedroom,” she clarified, suggesting that green walls might cast an unflattering appearance when changing.
Kiki went on to share her bold opinions on bedroom colour palettes, insisting that white is absolutely ruled out because, in her words, a bedroom isn’t an art gallery.
Her forthright perspectives continued: “Not red, that awakens passions. Do not paint it grey, people used to know how to use grey appropriately, that knowledge has been lost.”
Best colour to paint bedroom walls
“The only appropriate colour to paint a bedroom is pink,” she proclaimed. “Not bubblegum pink, not hot pink. No, you paint it the sort of neutral pink that you can tell your husband is beige.
“He’ll believe you. I promise he believes everything you say,” she quipped.
Her audience appeared to support her stance, with numerous individuals recounting their experiences of selecting the perfect paint shades for their own sleeping quarters.
One viewer endorsed Kiki’s argument, commenting: “As a lady with a pink bedroom who told her husband it’s beige… yes,” while another concurred: “This is true y’all it’s the cosiest possible colour.”
A thankful remark came from an individual who had been considering green but had a change of heart: “My primary room was going to be green. I am yellow toned. Thank you for saving me from myself.”
However, not all were enamoured with Kiki’s pink haven, with one commentator asserting: “Old money here! We actually wallpaper our walls.”
On the other hand, another commenter shared their financial pragmatism with a touch of humour: “I’m no money and my bedroom is the landlord special.”