Are you handy with a glue gun and fabric? If so, this is what I would do--upholster the headboard (inside of the gold painted border)in the RL fabric (order a pair of curtains if you can't get the fabric). First you'd want to pad it with a thin foam and then cover with fiberfill (hopefully those with more upholstery experience can chime in if this isn't correct). Then cover it with the fabric and either tack it down or use an heavy duty electric stapler. Cover the rough edges with gimp or piping made from the fabric (perhaps you could have somebody make this for you if you don't sew). Alternately, you could find a fabric that coordinates with the RL and then make a couple decorative pillows to match. I would paint the exposed edges (do this before you upholster) either a shade to match the armoire or pick up a color from the background of the RL fabric. I think the bed would look like a gorgeous custom piece and would make the room appear even larger than if you painted it a contrasting color.

Don't think you could upholster this piece without ruining the intent of its great design. It looks like something that needs to be painted a French gray or green.

If, however, you already have a piece of furniture in the colors stated, is it possible you can take a drawer or something from the piece to a good paint store and let them match the color? They do that all the time.

Having white or cream bedding and all furniture the same color (I am told by decorators) is the way to make the room look larger and eliminating any unused pieces or pieces that do not serve a real purpose in the room. I would NOT upholster this piece of Drexel as you will ruin the beautiful design motif in so doing.

Looking at your bedding, I think I would opt for doing the headboard in the green if you are going to paint it. It will work with the armoire, which doesn't have to match perfectly, as they are obviously not going to look like pieces from the same collection, nor will they be next to one another I assume. Plus the green will make the headboard kind of meld into the bedding, which is a concern of yours as far as making the room feel larger.

I love the idea of upholstering it, tho. I think teeda's idea is great. I would probably upholster the inside area, and then let the outside framing remain, with the gold trim area being the dividing point. Double self-welting there would define the shape of the headboard even more.

les, that's exactly what I was thinking too--upholster the inside area and leaving the framing exposed. I think upholstering this headboard would enhance the curves and design, not detract from it.

I realize mine is a bit more ornate, but here is a vintage headboard that I'm planning to reupholster for my bedroom. I'm planning to do it either in a toile or medallion pattern, with a matelaisse coverlet and whatever pattern I choose for the headboard repeated in the bed skirt and pillows: