Boudoir

A (; ) is a woman's private sitting room or salon in a furnished residence, usually between the dining room and the bedroom, but can also refer to a woman's private bedroom. The term derives from the French verb ''bouder'' (to sulk or pout) or adjective ''boudeur'' (sulking)—the room was originally a space to withdraw to.

Architecture

A cognate of the English "bower", historically, the ''boudoir'' formed part of the private suite of rooms of a "lady" or upper-class woman, for bathing and dressing, adjacent to her bedchamber, being the female equivalent of the male cabinet. In later periods, the ''boudoir'' was used as a private drawing room, and was used for other activities, such as embroidery or spending time with one's husband.

English-language usage varies between countries, and is now largely historical. In the United Kingdom, in the period when the term was most often used (Victorian era and early 20th century), a ''boudoir'' was a lady's evening sitting room, and was separate from her morning room, and her dressing room. As this multiplicity of rooms with overlapping functions suggests, ''boudoirs'' were generally found only in grand houses. In the United States, in the same era, ''boudoir'' was an alternative term for dressing room, favored by those who felt that French terms conferred more prestige.

In Caribbean English, a ''boudoir'' is the front room of the house where women entertain family and friends.

Furnishing

Recently, the term ''boudoir'' has come to denote a style of furnishing for the bedroom that is traditionally described as ornate or busy. The plethora of links available on the Internet to furnishing sites using the term ''boudoir'' tend to focus on Renaissance and French inspired bedroom styles. In recent times, they have also been used to describe the 'country cottage' style with whitewashed-style walls, large and heavy bed furniture, and deep bedding.

Gallery

File:Boudoir Hôtel de Besenval Paris II.jpg, Boudoir at the Hôtel de Besenval in Paris
File:Boudoir.jpg, Boudoir of Marie Antoinette in Fontainebleau Palace, France
File:A Boudoir (Louis XVI. Period).jpg, Illustration of a boudoir, in the style at the time of Louis XVI, by Frederick Litchfield, from ''Illustrated History of Furniture, From the Earliest to the Present Time'' (1893)
File:Boudoir Marija Alexandrowna.JPG, Boudoir of Empress Maria Alexandrovna in the Winter Palace at the State Hermitage (Saint Petersburg)

See also

* Boudoir cap
* Harem
* Ladyfinger (biscuit), which translates as ''boudoirs'' in French

References

{{Authority control

Rooms
Women's quarters