Friday, May 7, 2010
On My Mind...Upholstered Beds
I have a horrible habit of always being one or two projects ahead of myself. Even though I'm currently focusing on pulling together the living room (specifically, window treatments and built-ins -- update to come, I promise!), I can't help but find myself obsessing over my next project: the master bedroom. Once we complete the living room, I'll be tacking our master bedroom, the size and shape of which is so drastically different from our old master bedroom as to require almost an entirely new approach. While we're currently making do with a queen bed I bought in law school, the first item on my wish list is for a king sized mattress -- and an upholstered bed (or at least headboard) to go with it.
I've long been a fan of upholstered beds for their comfort as well as for the opportunity they create to bring in more pattern and color. Enough with the heavy, dark wood furniture suites; let's bring in some softness and color with fabric...and maybe a little sparkle with some fabulous nailhead trim! The bedroom above, designed by Christina Murphy, is a great example of the feeling I hope to crate in my master bedroom redesign. The room is luxurious and glamorous, but still comfortable and restful. The colors and patterns are interesting, without overwhelming the space. I particularly love how Christina pulled the orange and robin's egg blue from the fabric used on the headboard and bedskirt (and I love it when those match!) and use repeated them in the bedding's trim.
Melissa Rufty of MMR Interiors
The art deco shape of this headboard is extremely sophisticated, especially for a young girl's room. But its shape and neutral color ensures that it will transition easily from young girl's room to preteen to teen and beyond. Just swap out the curtain fabric, accent wall and bedding and you've got a whole new look with just a few simple changes.
This might just be the perfect summer bed. I absolutely love the coral bedding with the neutral, textured grasscloth bed. The nailhead trim and sophisticated shape ensure that the bed looks like it belongs more in a Bahamanian plantation home rather than a humble beach shack. Note too the fabulous Baker Studio Marrakech side table with the coral underside: be still my beating heart.
This room reminds me of nothing so much as a modern take on the roaring '20s. There's just something about the lilac velvet and the fur paired with the dark blue walls and gilt frames that makes me think a flapper should be sleeping there. The bed's tufting and sloped arms feel like the bed version of a fainting couch.
While the shape of this headboard is fairly simple, the gorgeously patterned fabric (which looks like a cross between a suzani print and traditional chintz) completely makes up for it -- as does the coronet bed drapes. Sure, it's a lot of look (and a lot of fabric) but it would definitely satisfy any childhood fantasy about a princess bed -- albeit in a more sophisticated manner.
Love the shape of this headboard -- it's subtle, but really beautiful. The chalky gray is so rich with the lilac side table and soft blues on the bed.
Another great shape in another all-purpose color. The contrast piping really helps pick out the details in the headboard, the curvaceousness of which is mimicked beautifully in the trim on the shams. I also love that Lindsey didn't go matchy-matchy here as the predominate colors in the bedding are black, white and rust while the headboard is the lovely chocolate brown.
The more angular lines, brown fabric and brass hardware on this headboard feel much more masculine to me than most of the rest of these headboards, which is great for couples. My favorite bit about this room though is the fantastic trim on the coral euro shams. I think if I had seen that trim on its on in a fabric store, I would have dismissed it as '70s-tastic. And yet, Melissa Warner makes it look so fresh and modern in this room. It just goes to show you that it's often more about context than the thing itself.
Another beautiful bedroom from Melissa Warner at Massucco Warner Miller. The shape of this bed reminds me of those large, overscaled leather beds from Restoration Hardware. The sort of armchair-turned-bed look that can so often read as heavy and masculine. Here though, Warner keeps it light with a buttery ivory leather and it looks magnificent against the metallic golden wallpaper and the coral accents.
This silvery grey cotton velvet looks so absolutely delicious on this upholstered sleigh bed. The kind of fabric you just can't keep your hands off of. The velvet's texture is also beautifully countered with the silk duvet and pillows. Velvet and silk together sounds positively decadent, and it is, but the tailored, paired back styling keeps the bedroom from drifting into the boudoir. Besides, if there's any place in a home more appropriate than a bed for pure, tactile pleasure, I don't know where that is.
Even a solid-colored headboard can make a tremendous statement against a high contrast wall. The higher the headboard, the better in my opinion. This room is also a great example of how black walls can actually make a room look bigger and brighter than it really is.
Like everyone else in blogland, I went ga-ga over Mary McDonald's pagoda headboard in her guest house (featured in domino back in 2008). My only criticism is that the moon on the wall looks rather like an off-centered moon atop the headboard itself -- and I find it distracting. I think Mary would've been best advised to scrap the wall art altogether (or keep it to the figures on either side of the bed). That said though, this still ranks high on my all-time favorite bedrooms.
I went ga-ga for the shape of this headboard when I first saw it last year. Perhaps my favorite element though is that this bed is both upholstered and spare and architectural. Truly the best of both worlds.
So here's a shot of my absolute favorite upholstered bed. It's Annie Selke's Salado bed and the headboard version is available through Horchow. Of course, I'm not too keen on the price (especially for just the headboard and that you can't pick the fabric!) so I think I'm going to try and have the shape copied in the fabric of my choice. Right now, I'm leaning towards Windsor Smith's crisp, fresh seersucker.
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29 comments:
Wow what gorgeous images Averill! I can't wait to come back and actually READ this post! I just had to pop over and say YES to getting together in July! Can't wait! Lunch or dinner - just email me with dates and we'll work something out -- sooo excited!!!
Absolutely stunning collection! I'd have to say Annie Selke's Salado bed is my favorite of the bunch too!
Your favorite is mine as well Averill. Also the very first image and the overall Courtney Giles room.
Karena
Art by Karena
Love a good upholstered bed! Happy weekend!
sometimes it's like you read my mind before posting. i'm bookmarking this post immediately — perfect inspiration for my new bedroom! thank you and have a wonderful weekend my dear :)
Some of the best images out there, Averill! I'll take either by Massucco Warner Miller. Or the Courtney Giles. Stunning. Another incredible post, Averill!!
wow. oh so blissful. that gray ruthie sommers room is oh so heavenly. i need that bed stat!
happy mothers day weekend sugar.
xo
Averill we creative types can't help ourselves. The mind keeps going and going and going. I love an upholstered headboard The Melissa Miller bedroom with the coral curtains and that beautiufl wallpaper was my favorite. I am not a coral fan but the elements in that room are so inviting to me. Keep us posted even in the dreaming and thinking phase it is always fun to see how your designing mind is working,Kathysue
Once again, loving the same thing as you! My headboard is upholstered, very neutral nubby fabric with some solid nailhead trim to give it some oomph. Had I seen some of these crazy cool dramatic ones back in the day, I'd like to think I would have done it up Maxi-style! Can't wait for you to sort out your own bed and post it, sounds amazing!
I am thinking grasscloth and nailheads defines my style, eventhough I don't own anything with grasscloth on it. One more item added to my want list. Have an awesome weekend.
Beautiful images! I am also obsessing over upholstered headboards as of recently. So many options! I'm new to your blog - but I'm completely enamored!
I've been obsessed with upholstered headboards since I started watching Mad Men. I love the look of the headboard in the main character's bedroom. These are all so stunning; I can't pick a favorite.
I've always loved upholstered headboards, just so comfy-looking & welcoming. I designed my bedroom around 2 mirrored side chests, all pale grays & blues and put an upholstered ottoman at the end of the bed. Bliss. Just total bliss, and it is beautiful to look at. Great post !!
Don't fret about the projects, I know exactly what you mean! I have three on the go right now, and have finished one of them! But, they keep me going...
I love headboards like this! My favorites are the ones by Ruthie Sommers and Kara Mann. They are lovely. Can't wait to see pics of your progress (and the living room)
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, Averill*
xo
Some gorgeous prints here too! Hope you have had a perfect weekend! x
Gorgeous examples here...I'm sure whatever you go with will be fabulous! Tracey xx
I have my eye on a headboard myself - and upholstered headboards (shaped, not tufted) are my favorite! These are amazing examples - and that McDonald pagoda is over the top (and awesome. Naturally). Thanks for the inspiration - like I ever leave here without it!! :)
-Sanity Fair
So many great choices! Ruthie Sommers, Phoebe Howard, and Lindsey Coral Harper are my faves. I got a chuckle over the crushed velvet "flapper" room though. To me it's fitting of a high-class courtesan (or her madam)! :-)
Oh wow you're actually getting one made for yourselves?! How spectacular! I like the fabric you've chosen...but must admit I'd rather see you get a bright or bold fabric...like the 20s styled one, or the deep rust orange! But of course, that's just me. I'm sure whatever you pick will be gorgeous! And, I've NEVER seen that pagoda headboard - so I love that you shared it with us!
i too, love an upholstered headboard, and i have so many unfinished projects around here, it's ridiculous! i always enjoy your commentary, and can't wait to see what you decide to go with.
Some great shapes to choose from.
What outrageous shades, they all make the bedrooms they sit it! Janell
I'm with you on the upholstered headboards - if I had it to do over again I'd definitely go for an upholstered headboard with nailhead trim. Oh, if only I'd been into design blogs back when we bought our bedroom furniture! Oh well, live and learn. :)
These headboard shapes are outrageous, they make the rooms! Janell
I have an upholstered headboard right now that I really like. It's a basic, mid-height rectangle, so -- a little bit boring, but nice for every day use.
However, I do dream about having a guest room with a fabulous pagoda headboard someday. A girl can dream.
I love upholstered beds. That is my plan for our neglected master bedroom - a new heardboard. These are great inspiration.
I want all of them.
Guess I need a mansion.
That grasscloth bed is amazing - such a beachy and sophisticated look and the coral just perfects it. -erica
Such a wonderful collection of bedrooms, I love all the headboards!
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