That bed IS transitional Mission.

Its very rectilinear so it should work with other transitional pieces. (Any traditional 19th c. bed that was pre-Victorian would essentially have spools or head/foot boards that looked like a stretched out fiddle, and posts.)

Gee walkin, from your description of the bed, I was expecting something like Early American, maple type furniture.

Yours should work fine with anything you're talking about. Good luck with your bedroom and have some fun. :)

This is somewhat obliquely related but perhaps helpful. I have a rather traditional foyer room with an English secretary, faux Aubusson rug, Chinese porcelain, flowered love seat, you get the idea. I also had an inlaid marquetry wood coffee table and the whole thing looked VERY traditional. I sold the coffee table for a pittance and bought a modern rectangular glass and metal coffee table. I highlighted the metal with just a bit of gold paint, to have it blend in. It really transformed the room! In your case, I think perhaps glass and metal might also help to offset the heaviness of the wood. I would also choose modern lighting, and perhaps you could find an area rug that would tie both styles together, but still has a modern bent. I would choose straight panel curtains and modern art. In fact, if modern is what you like why not let the bed be the only not-modern item? I agree with you that MCM would not go with this bed, but modern might go very well. Choose things you love and you'll find a way to make them come together. Good luck!

wow, really? Keep in mind that the World Market bed is sleeker and more pared-down than ours is. Our bed is *very* paneled, very squared-off... I guess you're right that it's not spooled and all, but it still strikes me as very traditional and a Large Dark Piece of Furniture, and for whatever reason I'm having trouble visualizing modern, sleeker things with it.

hmm. apologies, then, for being a dolt, but could some kind person maybe show me an example of a bed like this paired with non-traditional accessories or nightstands? I appreciate the "everything will work" reassurance, but alas, I'm much worse at this than you guys seem to think I am. Thank you for the kind responses: pleaes keep them coming!

Before I looked at your picture, what came to mind was the furniture at Room & Board, which is not exactly any one of the styles you listed, but rather reminiscent of many of them in a vague sort of way. I do hear what you're saying about the all-dark-too-clunky look. That is a challenge. I think adding some kind of metal pieces would be a way to break it up and bring some light to the room. Modernity, too. Maybe Eileen Gray tables for bedside if they would not be dwarfed by the bed. They probably would, but you get the idea.

Speaking of those tables, I might be concerned that too many straight lines would be monotonous. In addition to adding some sparkle, those tables would break up the straight lines. Take a look at the pics at R&B for a nice example of a Saarinen-inspired table next to a bed, as well.

I also think that lighting is the #1 way to bring some modern verve into an otherwise trad/transitional room. To my eye, contemporary lighting plays nice with most everything. Just find lamps you like and don't look back. Worry about function and scale and all that, but don't be concerned with mod vs. not at all. They will work.

Okay, so you want examples. I think the Tizio lamps (and anything by Artimide) look good with everything because they are so well designed. The best way to get an eclectic room to work is to get everything best-in-class -- when you have things that are the very highest quality/design, they just work together because they are all exquisite. That 's hard when you're working on a budget, but you aren't in this thread, right? ;-)

I googled Transitional Bedroom images and found this pic I'll link below. There is also a modern influence from the art. I think accessories like art, WTs, pillows, etc. could also add the edge of modern you want.

Here is a link that might be useful:

why not, if you love black, paint it a gloss black? it would be stunning

Walkin, you say you like strong but not busy, graphic patterns. You could think of tossing a little ikat in the mix. I love it so much. It reminds me of the old tie-dies and batik of my (checkered) youth. There are so many patterns to choose from. Just be sure you don't look at any that read Southwest.

Your BR is on the smaller side so I think the bed you've chosen is a good fit. Being somewhat simple in style, it won't overwhelm the room and leaves you the lattitude to add your more modern/eclectic pieces, elsewhere.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

An inspiration photo for you .....

Classic lines but modern in feeling .....

The key is finding the right accessories -- bedding; bedside lamps; artworks (which could be black-and-white photos; mat in white or colors and frame in black or dark brown on wall shelves); area rug .....

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: PB -- Bedroom inspiration

Inspiration photo from designer Phoebe Howard -- I just adore her whole website!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Phoebe Howard -- bedroom

Wow, this forum moves fast on the weekends -- I go away for a bit and this post sags to the third page!

THANK YOU ALL for the pics and suggestions. That's exactly what I was looking for, and it's so helpful! Jan, you found my bed! I think I'd do a much more "mod" style bedding like the one below -- but I love what PB did with the wall behind the bed. (now to get DH to sign on to something like that. I also love the idea of stenciling a geometric-style print at random intervals, with bronze paint... not sure yet.)

If anyone's still reading, what would you say as far as dressers go? What styles/wood would play well with the Large Dark Clunky Bed? I saw a long, low, unadorned teak 6-drawer MCM dresser today at a thrift store, perfect condition, $229 and I bet the owner would bargain a bit... but would the slightly-orangey teak work?

Here is a link that might be useful: don't love the trim, but I like the pattern... what do you think?

but maybe this is too much like the bed to "modernize" it?

Here is a link that might be useful: nightstand #1 possibility -- dark wood

I looked up the Eileen Gray table. I love it, in terms of sheer design brio. But DH and I are cluttery academics, and we need some storage so our crap -- um, I mean, books and papers -- isn't the first thing one sees when one enters the room.

this one is pretty dark and boxy, but it does at least have the metal legs... getting closer?

Here is a link that might be useful: #2

I like this one, but $400? Is PB smoking crack? is there a cheaper version out there?

Here is a link that might be useful: #4

...if they only had drawers!

Here is a link that might be useful: closer to the Eileen Gray...

I was expecting barley twist and spool and cannonball :-D

I think panel bed is very versatile & can transition to many different style. I found couple night stands on JcPenney site that may work (uptown & canyon river). I'm guessing on the wood finish because I don't know how dark your bed is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jcpenny link

Love those overstock tables. Is there any way to use a basket or bin on the lower shelf for the academic detritus? Any thoughts of having less of that stuff in the bedroom? The price is almost low enough to run an experiment...a mini paper reduction act, as it were.

How about something like this?

Must note that Overstock seems to have a good choice of nightstands with clean lines and modern feel ....

Perhaps add silver swing-arm lamps? Or tall glass lamps -- as pictured in the Phoebe Howard bedroom photo #2?

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: overstock bedside table

Amy, old academics and new tricks... we can do somewhat of a decluttering effort, but when all's said and done, we'll both have piles of books and magazines again. It's just how we roll.

I like the silver swing-arm lamp suggestion -- have considered modern sconces on either side of the headboard to leave the nightstands more free. New nightstand suggestion below...

Dressers, anyone? And thank you so much for sticking with me on this. I really have trouble with it on my own!

Here is a link that might be useful: light, leggy, breaks up the clunkiness of the bed?

I got it walkin'. The last night stands I bought were chosen specifically for the size of the real estate. Yes, there was a drawer, but the real appeal was the size of the top and lower shelf -- 28x19. I like that little round guy. It won't hold too much though...

Oooooooo -- thats an EXCELLENT choice!!! But I do agree that it wouldn't hold too much .....it WOULD look wonderful by a chair with a standing lamp behind it (and a basket for books of course! LOL)

And dressers would work very, very well if there is enough room! And enough room for the depth too ......

Would you choose matching items or tables for each side of the bed -- or consider different ones BUT then go for the matching lamps?

BTW - We have swing-arm lamps -- and just LOVE them!

Jan

whoops, was just rereading this and noticed I never responded to ronbre. I'm not quite sure what I think about painting wood furniture, esp stuff that's in good repair -- I like wood, and am not very into the rustic or cool-mod painted looks. Then there's DH, who would throw all manner of fits at the very idea. He Likes Wood. Make of that what you will. (: