We have a king size coventry bed. Prior to this one, we had a queen size metal bed from Ikea. I'm not sure that the WA bed is much superior to the Ikea one. I especially liked that the Ikea one was platform style, so it had finished side rails. This one has black metal side rails, so we needed a bed skirt to cover them (which I prefer to not use). All in all, the quality seems fine. Nice "paint job." It was the style I wanted. so that's why I chose it. But I wouldn't call it "superior." Then again, the Coventry style is rather delicate with narrow bars. I do worry about my wild little boys bending or damaging them.

My first idea for you Carrie, since you mentioned yu have a single mattress to use, was to find a king size head and footboard to make into a day bed like you would make a bench out of a smaller bed. If you have a holliwood frame for your bed all you'd have to do was cut the footboard in half and attach it to the ends of the headboard and then to the frame. Plop on the mattress and dress the bed! My second idea is similar to Lynn's. Make a platform the size of the mattress with large pullout drawers. Only I'd find a simple twin head and footboard cutting the head and footboard to be just high enough to hold a bolster at each end looking more like a backless sofa. As for protecting the mattress, I agree that a waterproof mattress cover would take care of the worry of rain. And for the idea of a swing bed....here's one of my favorite beds from my inspiration albums. You wouldn't want to actually swing on it, but it could certainly sway you to a deep sweet dream filled sleep.

DancingQueen, If you like the one with circles, here is a similar one from Allbed, in metal instead of wood: I don't like the higher arm that the metal one has but it still has a different look than the typical daybed. I think the lower arms and back is what makes the West Elm daybed look so refreshing. Most daybeds being sold look like baby cribs: This one I imagined was Martha Stewart's prison cell - standard issue cot with pillows added to soften the harsh angles, probably embroidered with dental floss. The other popular style daybeds have is the barn animal feed bin look: And then of course the hospital exam table look: If the daybed will be used as a sofa more often than as a bed for sleeping try getting one that is not twin size, but rather a cot size. It will be more comfortable for seating and still double as a bed for an overnight guest, and not take up so much floor space in a tiny room. This Harry Probber cot sized daybed is not as deep as a twin size. This one here also is a cot size and make seating easier but the cool thing about it is that it opens to form a much larger bed: The bed I posted earlier a few posts back not only is a single size daybed but converts to a queens size sleeping arrangement OR two singles. Plenty of options for overnight guests.

WithoutanH, That sounds like some of the alpine beds I have seen. I think everyone loves "nooks and crannies". It's part of what new builds usually lack, worshipping at the alter of volume all the time! That is so sweet that there is a crib there now, awww. Voila, I agree, sometimes as a parent, you just have to do those things, even against your better judgment. Just not all the time. Justgota, She is a preteen. I too, remember my first forays as a decorator. And I know how important it can be at this age to assert one's identity... or just being happy that you have found one! KSWL, I did not know that, thanks. Though I acted nonchalant, i was thrilled when she said her "theme" was "writing". As for daybeds, I actually am not a huge fan since I think they are a compromise of sorts. But I totally get that the girls like to pretend it's an apartment, so a daybed can do that for them. We have the same daybeds in the girls' attic bedroom at the beachhouse that you have, KSWL. I think your project was where i first saw them IIRC. Pattycakes, LOL, please, not just yet! So, I did find a slipcovered daybed on PB teen, although it is backordered thru Nov 8. I gave her a choice of about 8 different daybeds (including the ones posted above), and she chose the slipcovered one! Prob because PBteen really knows their demographic, and this looks exactly like a sofa. Hers will go in front of a set of windows that is about 110" wide, and is flanked by brass reading lamps. So now, our whole house is white slipcovered and my cleaning person is going to request an industrial sized w/d! Anyway, this is the daybed: So, yesterday I took up her old rug (pastel braided chenille) and took out the second bed. (She has two white cast iron twin beds). DH mentioned that he could, for now, attached both headboards to one frame and it would look like a chaise. So we did that, and repositioned it where she wants the new daybed to go. It looks great. I told her that she can't get the PB one until she keeps her room clean for a month (I didn't tell her that the real reason she can't get it is that it is on backorder, shhhhh....). She will keep her dresser (simple, white thing by Martha Stewart with the canvas drawers? very cute). We are getting a desk from West Elm and two ghost chairs. Here is a rough diagram. One door goes to her BA, the other is to a little vestibule that the girls' rooms share. Ignore colors. Her walls are off-white and the carpet is camelhair color sisal. All the furniture will be white, and her theme is white, mint and gold, with some aqua (mint and aqua veer pretty close).