skip to main content

Home Decorating

What do you think of this idea for a bed?

13 years ago

So I have this antique bed from Sweden that somebody has primed over and I'm trying to find some use for it. Now I've gone through several ideas for what to do with it and after searching for a bed for our bedroom that will fit and has a style we like here is my latest idea.

Take the headboard and add a frame and to the sides of it to make it work for our California King. What do you think? Will it work with my existing furniture? We'd have to paint it and I'd like a neutral color as we have lots of different color duvets. Would black work, maybe with a bit of a rubbed off finish?

It is a little fancier headboard with the top than I would have chosen, but since it has some sentimental value to me I would be ok with it. BTW the top is a loose piece that fits in a groove.

Here is some close ups of the headboard part. It is ~42" wide.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

An older pic of the master, but not much has changed.

{{!gwi}}

My not to scale sketches (mistakes and all)

Headboard

{{!gwi}}

Frame

{{!gwi}}

Comments (6)

sashasmommy
13 years ago
Sounds like a challenge, but I think it will look great!
DLM2000-GW
13 years ago
I remember that bed and the trip it took!! Love your idea for extending the sides and the frame for the rest of the bed - so very Swedish. The only thing I'm not loving is the black idea - are you sure you want to have that distinct (and I will say, harsh) element in your bedroom which has a much lighter and airier feel to it? Any consideration for a more traditional soft white with a rubbed in gray glaze? You can't get much more neutral than that and it should work with any duvets you already have.
Related Discussions
What do you think I should do in this little flower bed?
Q
Comments (8)
I always like the bad news first - the crepe myrtle is too close to the house and should be moved while it still can be. The boxwood will eventually outgrow it's little space, but that can take a hard pruning to keep it for a few years. The fallen leaves are okay. The silvery plants are Dusty Miller - and I think the snaps, plumbago, alyssum, and dianthus are fine. A nice change from the tortured into submission evergreens in some yards. Snaps will wilt when they need water; but they'll put out more bloom spikes if you pinch off the spent ones. Your conditions in zone 8 are much different than mine in zone 4 - we rarely get prolonged heat enough to bake a garden like you probably do in Houston. I wouldn't plant anything directly over the buried downspout extension - too easy to forget it's there and slice through it with a shovel or something. Some more snaps underneath the arrow, some more allysum on the up side of the dianthus and you're all set.
...See More
What do you think about this idea?...
Q
Comments (9)
Ashli, Your options are numerous. My thinking is that a row of any one thing is less visually appealing than a collection of different plants. It doesn't have to be either or...you could take out a few of the shrubs (maybe two here and one there...) and replace them with whatever you would like. Perhaps a lower growing evergreen to cover the house foundation and plant your roses in front of those. Or you could go with a taller vertical plant in one spot and lower things in another spot. I really like the look of roses against a green background. I think it makes them pop. I would probably do a search looking for as many pictures of rose plantings as I could find and determine which look you prefer from those. A good rule of thumb is to use odd numbers in your plantings. It has been found that this creates a more natural and less rigid look, if that's what you're going for. Good luck with it. Kristi
...See More
What do you think of this bed?
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks, all. No one shrieked in horror about the bonded leather, so that's a good sign. I thought about doing a headboard only, but then I'm dealing with a metal bed frame (always gets my toes -- worse than the sleigh bed ever did!) and a bed skirt. I was thinking a fully upholstered bed would be simpler - just fluff the duvet over. The room is about 12' x 12.5'. It IS very masculine, but I'm OK with that. It goes with the house. I'll soften it with linens. Unfortunately I won't be able to see it in person. It will be a leap of faith online purchase. I'm going to pull the trigger. I'll come back and update once it's in the room.
...See More
What do you think of these beds?
Q
Comments (22)
Thanks, everyone! You've done a great job of stearing me in the right direction. I've always loved the victorian era and I think that's what attracts me to the last two beds, but I had a feeling I should keep it more simple. Out of the sleigh beds, I kind of liked #3 the best, but it was the most expensive, so I'm glad that was no one's favorite. nthemdl - It's just me and my dogs in this bed and I'm 5'2" :) The only thing that would be a problem is that I currently keep a bench at the foot of my bed so the dogs can jump on the bed and the footboard would prevent that. I just love the idea of a footboard though. bnicebkind - I wasn't offended at all. I was honestly worried that other people might look at it that way and even though my bedroom is ultimately for me, I still want other people to think "wow" when they see it. bigdtc - I'm not sure what streamlined is, but I like traditional and old looking (if that's a style). I also like French Country and Shabby Chic, but I'm not sure that's the direction I want to go. I definitely don't like modern or contemporary. Allison - Love your bed! Laurie
...See More
work_in_progress_08
13 years ago
Are you planning on changing the placement of the bed, or will you keep the bed as it is currently situated?

Not sure about painting it black. I think the style bed may look better painted a creamy vanilla color, more of a french country finish?
palimpsest
13 years ago
I think adding to it will work out fine. When I think of Swedish painted furniture though, I think of muted greyed colors though.
lyfia
Original Author
13 years ago
sashamommy - thanks - challenge probably, but hoping less so than finding one that fits size wise and we like the style of too. Been 3 years of searching now. We found one, but it was discontinued.

Deb - Yeah still haven't done anything with it. DH wants it out of the garage so I figure once I have closed on this idea I'll pitch it to him. He's not huge on a white bed though. We have black framed art/photographs on all the walls in the bedroom and the master bath has black framed mirrors and some accessories. Hence my thought of black. I'm all for white though on any furniture.

work_in_progress - the bed is in the only spot where it will fit. Do you think a whitish creamy color would go with the description above for Deb. We have no other white except the trim, WT, and white sheets. I do have a white on white duvet too. Also will be a tougher sell for DH.

palimpsest - Thanks for the vote of confidence that the additional styling I added would work out. You are right though on the muted greyed colors. The other ones tend to be natural pine (not a likely option due to matching of woods and hard to strip existing) or white.

I don't feel I necessarily need to stick to traditional swedish since I'm modifying it anyways, but would be nice if I could, although I can't see them as neutral. Gray would be neutral, but not really go with anything else in the room.

Here is another direction, and some of the photographs to the left of the bed too.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}
lyfia
Original Author
13 years ago
So anybody else with input on the style of combining these? Does it work? You can be honest if you don't think it will work.

I've searched and found several pics of white beds that have black framed artwork, but those seem to not have a wood dreeser/night stands. Any input if white will work before I spend a lot of energy trying to sell it to DH.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES New Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you go making a mountain out of a mulch hill, learn the facts about what your plants and soil really want

BEDROOMS 11 Things You Didn’t Think You Could Fit Into a Small Bedroom

By Becky Harris

Clever designers have found ways to fit storage, murals and even chandeliers into these tight sleeping spaces

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces

PETS So You're Thinking About Getting a Dog

By Alison Hodgson

Prepare yourself for the realities of training, cost and the impact that lovable pooch might have on your house

DECORATING GUIDES Pro to Pro: Learn Your Client’s Thinking Style

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Knowing how someone thinks can help you determine the best way to conduct an interior design presentation

LIFE Stop the Toy Takeover by Changing the Way You Think

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Make over your approach and get gift givers onboard with your decluttering efforts by providing meaningful toy alternatives

SMALL KITCHENS 10 Things You Didn't Think Would Fit in a Small Kitchen

By Becky Harris

Don't assume you have to do without those windows, that island, a home office space, your prized collections or an eat-in nook

ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: Thinking Differently About Doors

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Go beyond utilitarian openings to use doors as art, space definers and experience enhancers

ARCHITECTURE Think Like an Architect: Know Your Homesite for a Great Design

By Dylan Chappell Architects

Learn how to approach a building site the way professionals do — considering everything in sight

MODERN ARCHITECTURE Houzz Tour: Creative Thinking Yields a Lakefront 'Living Room'

By Vanessa Brunner

Careful planning leads to a new structure and location for a stellar view

Sponsored

Studio M Design Co

We believe that great design should be accessible to everyone

More Discussions

Living Room and Dining Room Decor Ideas

1

A Classic & Traditional Home in the Virginia Countryside

6

Help with a new home office Design Ideas!

13

decorating ideas

6

Custom curtain tiebacks in NYC

2