Tuesday, February 21, 2012

decorating with four poster beds

Seems that upholstered headboards beat out most other style beds lately. But, how about the four poster bed?

What to use for bed linens? What mixes well with an antique or traditional bed? What keeps it from feeling fuddy-duddy? (yes, I looked up fuddy duddy...)

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The crisp, white bed linens lets the wood bed stand on its own. Keeps the lines neat and clean. The bed becomes a silhouette.

How about a faux fur at the foot of the bed? Just a hint of animal print on the lumbar pillow.

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The striped rug feels fresh in this space, relaxing the room. Certainly an ornate bed, but is surrounded by more simple decor. The curtain rods and window treatments are plain. No art hung above the bed. Relaxed colors.

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Love these rustic, high trunks. Wonderful, antique, barley twist four poster.

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Convex, round mirror helps break up all the straight, formal lines.

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Four poster doesn't always mean canopy, but love the mix of formal with the check duvet cover. Very classic.

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A more modern take on the canopy. Grasscloth wall, cowhide rug, and linen shades along with the geometric bedskirt and canopy top, keeps it kicked back and relaxed.

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Absolutely love the bird print arrangement. Mixed with the pink pillows and coverlet at the foot of the bed, this room doesn't feel like a hunting lodge. More whimsical. Great mix.

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A metal, four poster with side panels, a play on the four poster bed. I pulled this picture for the bedding inspiration, and love the art arrangement on either side as well.

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The turned posts of these four poster beds seem inherently modern with their unusual lines. Painted black, they really stand on their own and mix well with an eclectic collection of lighting and accessories.

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What an amazing bed. Simple white bed linens mix so well. Unframed art sits beautifully with the ornate posts.

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Upholstered Headboards

(photo credit: Muraca Design, Inc.)

I had been curious, for a long time, about trying to upholster a headboard myself . Every time I saw it done, it seemed so easy. A few months ago, I finally took the plunge. Turned out, while there was much pre-planning, it really was easy.

(photo credit: Muraca Design, Inc.)

Our guest room was in need. For too long, it had the full size mattress on a metal frame, odd tables and a TV. I had several yards of this linen, floral fabric that I had purchased many years ago for our family room and found it to be too busy. I tucked the yardage away for a long time. Worked out wonderfully for a headboard, bedskirt and window shade.

(photo credit: Design Sponge)

I found these wonderful directions on Design Sponge blog. The video goes through all the steps on how to create this headboard. I purchased my plywood at Lowes, and the foam backing online. It pays to shop around online for foam, you'll find prices really vary.

Be sure to work backwards, deciding how high you want your headboard to be when finished, include the bed pillows in the measurements. The greater the height, the greater the statement.

I also used PVC piping to raise the legs on my metal bedframe. I wanted to increase the overall height of the bed in relationship to the headboard.

Inspiring upholstered headboards: