I forgot to add ONE HUGE DETAIL!!! The mattress height from the top of the mattress to the floor is 29" with a steel frame that is 8" from the floor. Boxspring is 9", mattress is 12." So the bottom of the bottom of the mattress sits 8" from the floor. Most complete beds with a head and footboard are 10+" from the bottom of the boxspring. I would be adding at least two additionalinches to the bed height! That is my DILEMMA! This is what happens when I peruse the forum prior to having my morning coffee!!! Sorry I inadvertently left out this big detail. That is the reason I do not think I can use a foot-board. I don't want a step stool (or ladder -haha) to get into the bed! I know the style of bed I want, but the challenges lies in trying to find that bed with a frame that is less than 10" from the floor.

Olychick, I totally agree with you about variation and depth. That's what I was going for, even though I know I haven't achieved it yet. I love texture in decorating. I bet softening even just a few of the edges more will go a long way towards what you're saying. This is definitely a work in progress. I really wish the lighting was better. I will dig out my real camera and try to get some better shots. Thanks, rafor. I also agree with you about the sharp edge of the top of the white panel. DH suggested dental moulding, but I don't like that idea. I'm more inclined to put up a thin, one- or two-inch shelf with shells and stuff up there as I describe in my OP to funk up the top of it...haha...love that!

I love the first one for a little girl and it will look great without a footboard just with that pretty headboard by itself. It will look even prettier if you have an eyelet bedskirt or some kind of bedskirt that is white. I have a bed with an Rustic Ivory Iron Headboard with no footboard due to the size of my bedroom and I am very happy I chose no footboard to make my room appear smaller with less walking room. If I had a big bedroom, I would love a footboard. I also had a Stanley Fiasco and despite missing the styling of the Cottage Revival Furniture (I loved the bun feet and beadboard sides that were really veneered wood over particle board but pretty.... I do not miss the mismatched furniture, peeling paint, spintered and chipped runner, holes in back of bureaus, and many other quality control issues) , I love the fact that my solid Maple Wood Durham Furniture (Royal Cottage in Sand White) came to me in such wonderful shape and MATCHING and did not waste 2 weeks of my time due to the poor quality control from Stanley and the Kearny, NJ store actually allowing furniture that was so mismatched in color with so much damage to be delivered to my home. I sure wish I found my new retail store in Flemington, NJ first since I am sure (based on what they told me and seeing how wonderful they were with my Durham Delivery) they would have never let furniture with that quality enter my home based on what they have told me when I showed them the pictures of the Stanley Furniture. Also The Durham furniture was ready in 6 weeks rather than 11 weeks like the Stanley Furniture.

I show you this picture not as a suggestion for the style of furniture you should buy, but to demonstrate that a tall headboard can come up to within inches of the ceiling and look fantastic! The ceiling you describe is called a tray ceiling. Make sure your side tables are taller than your mattress and your lamps are substantial so they don't look too small next to the headboard. Are you thinking of a Bohemian or "ethnic" (in quotes because I hate this word in that context) vibe?