Posts Tagged ‘Iron Bedsteads’

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Fruity strawberry and melon bedroom schemes…

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Summer may well be on the wane but fruity paint schemes in the bedroom are a delicious colour choice at any time of the year for a teen girls bedroom or a more adult feel. Choosing a bedroom paint colour doesn’t have to limit choice to the more mainstream shades and indeed, within the bedroom it’s possible to experiment with colour combinations that would be inappropriate elsewhere in the home.

Two hues that work particularly well together are a pair that would not immediately come to mind. They are strawberry and melon; eminently suited for a daughter or a guest room, being fruity in nature and bringing a cheerful and vibrant colour mix to brighten the dowdiest of room spaces. Colours have a marvellous way of blending simplicity with elegance, and never was this more true than with this fruity pairing. It shows that you are interested in room design that is fun, fresh and lively and about as far removed from duller options as it is possible to be. In essence, bedroom colours never tasted so good!

Choosing the perfect bedroom paint colour is simple when you search for a colour palette that is refreshing and invigorating. There is nothing quite so pleasant and quintessentially British as a big basket of strawberries on a warm summer day, and strawberry shortcake and strawberry icecream conjure images of a delicious bedroom design. Strawberry is such a cool colour because the icy pink hues are brought to life with a mix of taste and colour. It is more modern and mature than its pastel pink counterpart and thus more suited to adult room settings or to suit the tastes of a discerning teen.

Complement strawberry hues with furniture pieces that offer a pleasing contrast. Wooden contemporary styles and wooden bedsteads in lighter stain or natural wood finishes such as light oak or pine might be the perfect choice here, whilst for a different stance consider a metal bedstead in an ivory or satin white finish and a wonderful counterpoint to those strawberry hues. In essence, strawberry and cream epitomised!

Pull the whole room look together with melon colour contrast. It’s an inspired colour choice and might seem a bold and unusual colour decision and yet there is something beautiful about the warm peachy hues associated with melons. If you were to imagine the perfect colour for a summer dress, a tropical drink, or a favourite swimsuit, wouldn’t melon fall into that picture somewhere? Melon hues are extrovert, friendly and creative. Bedroom design after all isn’t just about creating a place to sleep because you want a bedroom that is perfect for relaxing, reading and dreaming. Peachy melon hues are perfect for the occasion.

In simplest terms, by choosing bedroom paint colours that blend naturally, you will automatically create a colour ensemble that creates a feeling of calm. Strawberry shades and melon hues are a great way to bring a unified presence to bedroom design. Fruity colours blend and harmonise in a way that is pleasing and natural to bring charming conclusion to a bedroom design that is delicious in the extreme!

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Springtime bedroom décor

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

Beds | Mattresses | Linens

There’s no better time than spring to wake up your bedroom with a fresh new look, and one of the very best ways to decorate with the spring season in mind is to choose a modern colour design that fits in with your mood and personal tastes. A very popular spring colour bedroom palette over the past couple of years has been the combination of light green and brown. This colour pairing is surprisingly fresh and lively and makes a welcome change to more sombre or mainstream colour choices. With a few simple touches and a little flair it’s easy to incorporate the earthy tones of this inspiring colour combo and transform your bedroom into a space for relaxation and chilling that you’ll hardly recognise.

A great place to start is by investing in some new bed linens and bedspreads. The days of stark solid bed throws are out, so why not consider some fun-filled springtime ensembles in brown and green? The natural flow and organic nature of this pairing allows you to get in touch with the feel of the natural world on our doorstep. Better still, these two decorating colours are gender neutral so should appeal to both him and her, whilst brightening up the dullest of bedroom spaces.

Modernise the room. You wouldn’t put up with out of date stuffy fashions in your wardrobe, so why allow the same to happen with your bedroom décor? A bedroom that lacks contemporary design and a modern appeal is not a great space to spend any length of time, unless of course your tastes are for traditional styles in which case other colour choices are likely to be far better suited. Modernising a bedroom is a simple task as long as you remember the three”M”s, those being, medium, material, and metal. The modern bedroom needs to be designed with a brown and green medium in this case that is simple and elegant. Some of those medium options include wicker, wood and wrought iron that has a contemporary edge. These options also allow you to preserve the natural and organic feel of the room mood. To further increase the overall interior design elements in your bedroom choose materials that are soft and flowing. Some examples of this might include silk, cotton and satin. Don’t forget either to integrate those all- important metal accents to increase the elegance thermostat. Metallic vases, candleholders and picture frames will all fit the bill, but for a truly impactful statement, ask yourself if you can really live with that old bed for a moment longer, and consider a new metal bed with a contemporary twist in a modern ivory, black or textured finish.A fresh new iron bed will create the perfect room focal point and you might even care to consider a brass bed creation, the rich patina finish working to good effect here in harmony with those green/brown colour accents.

Mixing stripes with floral patterns and solid colours will update and bring new life to your bedroom décor with charm and style. Build on the springtime green and brown message by incorporating some complementary throw pillows and accents to the room. Mixing and matching are contemporary design traits so avoid the temptation to go all too symmetrical and predictable with the design mix. One of the biggest advantages of brown and green is that they offer a neutral and basic colour opportunity, so don’t be afraid to include some complex floral or geometric patterns to the bedroom layout. This might seem to defy popular convention in many respects, but as long as you enjoy the design and it is pleasing to the eye, then it is almost certain to be inherently right. The perfect springtime tonic to lift the spirits and bring a sparkle to bedtime…!

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Moroccan magic…

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Introduce a splash of exotic warmth into cold winter days with the styles and colours of Morocco.

You’ll not need a palace in the Marrakesh to get the Kasbah look. Instead, kick off the mood by investing in some tropical hardwood furniture, or spend a weekend experimenting with a quick bedroom theme update, using textiles, painting an accent wall and playing with accessories.

Either way, have fun juxtaposing rich hues, busy patterns, and lavish gold accents to create a decadent aesthetic that hints at mystical intrigue and exotic romance…

For a serious makeover there’s no better place to start than updating the room with Moroccan style architectural elements. Engraved or embossed wooden shutters embellish many Moroccan homes, whilst hand painted tiles are a must-have for true authenticity. Use them to decorate a window sill or update an old table-top with them for a fresh new look.  Wrought iron window screens are also in keeping and artificial or stencilled doorway arches will evoke visions of a Moroccan palace.

Integrate furniture created from dark tropical woods that is heavily decorated and ornate. A low hexagon shaped table with engraved panels and detailed cut-outs might fulfil many display and functional purposes, whilst a tall armoire with hand painted door artwork would be right at home here.

Wooden furniture would typically feature embossed or engraved metal detailing, the combination of materials, as ever, appealing. Extend the metal look with a flamboyant iron bed, in a dark moody finish with antique brass detailing and an assured stance. It’s sure to provide the perfect wood/metal balance in any Moroccan room theme as well as being a ravishing focal point.

Bring any ornate wooden bed or metal bedstead design to life with rich linens and bed decoration, and accent the walls with Moroccan artwork and hammered tin lanterns with coloured glass inserts for a dramatic feel. Canopies or curtains hanging from the ceiling and cascading down around the bed, would complete the exotic traditional bed look, and might feature solid hues of burgundy, plum, cobalt and rich indigo, or may have embellishments of golden paisley, beading, tasselled fringes, pom poms or even small mirror decorations. These decor details could typically also be found on the bed throw or as border trimmings on large floor cushions, gathered together to form a cosy lounging or reading area.

Choose rich jewel toned colours for wall and ceiling treatments such as ruby, amber, amethyst and turquoise for a lavish flavour. Blue-based whites for door frame and window treatments offer pleasing contrast, with more vivid options for a busier effect, whilst deep hues of mustard, cobalt, bottle green and plum make great accent colours.

Finally, personalise the space with little collections of exotic handicrafts or holiday memorabilia. Over-sized Moroccan artwork in heavy gilt frames will look fabulous on accent walls, or consider an ornately framed bevelled glass mirror as a final splendid flourish at the head of that most glamorous iron bedstead.

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Garden style in the bedroom

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
Kendal Brass Bed from Original Bedstead.

Kendal Brass Bed from Original Bedstead.

For a gentle decorative style that encompasses a variety of design themes ranging from Shabby Chic to Country rustic, look no further than a Garden style inspired bedroom to impart a relaxed, almost whimsical quality to your nightly retreat.

There are several ways to achieve the Garden look, none of which entail dragging in great swathes of your green and pleasant “great outdoors” into the bedroom, although the occasional accent might be a nice touch!

For example, it’s great fun and hugely effective to adapt garden items for use as bedroom accessories. An old weathered outdoor bench might look lovely when scattered with a few cushions or a soft throw and could be the perfect spot to drape a bedspread during the night. Likewise a large old stone urn could make a great catch-all for nic-nacs and bedtime reading material.

If you’re investing in a new bed, choose one that has a sense of lightness about it. This can be achieved with style and colour, so for a romantic iron bed, consider a design with fluid lines in an ivory or satin white finish, or select a graceful brass bed design with a rich antique patina, that would form the perfect focal point in any Garden themed room.

If you opt for a brass bedstead , best to choose a style that is invitingly delicate rather than too assured and assertive, as some of those more gregarious Victorian designs tended to be.

Dress the bed lightly too, in fabrics such as old fashioned cotton chenille, lace, gingham check or a dainty faded floral design.

Selecting bedside tables that continue the theme will help tie everything together. Glass topped tables that match the traditional bedstead , or even one made for outside use, will look good in your garden bedroom, or select round styles, skirted in a fabric that coordinates with the bedspread, curtains and scatter cushions.

Painted weathered wooden occasional tables would also be at home here, imparting a cottagey feel, and look for chests of drawers in pale wood or painted wood with a distressed finish. A small vintage lace tablecloth or something with a 1940s floral print makes for a great accessory to top these and other furniture pieces, and it’s possible to add further accessory appeal with ornate floral vases containing fresh flowers, dried flowers and potpourri.

Include an old wooden birdcage atop a lace doily for added charm and hang pictures on the wall that feature garden or floral themes. Landscape, botanical prints and still life subjects are all good choices and pressed flower prints make great garden style art.

And finally, hunt down some gentle decorative lighting options that will illuminate the garden theme to best effect. Plain terracotta or wicker based lamps might work well in this instance, or something with a candlestick design in china or wrought iron, with a pretty floral pattern shade for that fabulous finishing touch…

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Pretty in Pink…

Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Carie Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Carie Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Whether you have a young daughter, one on the way, or maybe you’d like to experience some colour indulgence for the guest bedroom, (or your own!), pink might just tick the right boxes.

It’s certainly a colour that is hugely popular at the moment, especially so in fashion circles, and by the same measure, it can be a great way of incorporating some feminine style into the bedroom.

As a word of warning though, it’s one of a group of colours that is easy to get wrong with unintentional mismatching, so planning is key.

But with a cautious approach it can yield enchanting results when combined with bold accent pieces and classic elements to bring personality and contrast interest to the room scheme.

The first port of call should be to the home improvement or paint store to pick up some colour swatches. Choose a few shades of pink that work well together and stick with them as you shop for other complementary room elements.

Choose one colour or wallpaper design for the walls that will establish the tone of the room. A brighter pink can be a great choice for a young girl’s room, whilst a deeper dusky pink has a more elegant and mature feel, with almost a Victorian vintage style quality. Ultimately the wall colour scheme will be the backdrop against which you measure all the other room elements in pursuit of visual harmony.

Equally important, as the room focal point is the bed. Whether a wooden design or traditional metal bedstead, the style and colour needs to gel with the pink theme of your choice, and the same applies to other furniture items.

Dark woods are in keeping here with moodier pinks, and cherry wood finishes are fine. If you prefer a metal bed in your pink bedroom, then a pretty glossy ivory or satin white design is sure to lend a romantic quality to the room theme.

Careful choice of bedding and linens will breathe life into your chosen bedstead style, and although solid colours are less likely to conflict with other room elements, patterns can also work as long as the design is not distracting. And bed dressings do not need to be pink. In fact a contrast here of cool green or a gentle blue, might accentuate the pinkness of the room by grounding the colour palette.

When you’re looking for those all important room accessories, take along a paint swatch or pillowcase to avoid colour clashes. Buying bold and colourful items will reap visual dividends, such as a picture frame or lampshade in deep salmon pink tone to bring a dramatic look in a neutral room with soft pink decor.

Accordingly, a brighter pink child’s room might benefit from more gregarious colour accents, such as a dark purple rug or leaf green curtains.

As with most room decor, a little experimentation might be required, but by resisting the temptation to go overboard with too many pink shades or patterns that don’t fit in, inviting room makeovers with enticing feminine appeal are surprisingly easy to achieve…

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Creamy yellow bedroom themes

Friday, November 26th, 2010
Iron Beds collection from Original Bedstead.

Iron Beds collection from Original Bedstead.

For many, the colour yellow might just be a step too far when it comes to room design.

And it’s true, yellow in its boldest tone is an invigorating colour which is likely to be too extrovert for the bedroom, where we’re normally in pursuit of serenity and relaxation.

And yet yellow in more muted shades can be wonderfully soothing, evoking memories of dappled sunlight and those timeless vintage yellow period room treatments, which remain compelling with the passage of time.

Think primrose yellow or even creamy ice cream yellow, and we’re on the right lines. These faded pastel tones have the personality to bring warmth and lighten a room ambiance making them particularly suitable for bedroom environments, inducing a gentle calm for relaxation or as we prepare for sleep.

Creamy yellow is particularly effective in small or dark bedrooms as it introduces a natural illumination and creates a feeling of space.

Choose bedding and fabric accents that contain muted yellow hues and add punches of complementary colours with scatter pillows, cushions and bolsters.

Soft purple and faded greens are colours that work particularly well with creamy yellow, or experiment with earthy organic brown hues such as mocha, chocolate or taupe. These earth tones are lightened when used in conjunction with yellow, and for those with a love of antiques, muted vintage yellow makes a wonderful backdrop for the rich reddish brown patina of timeworn English oak or more modern dark wood pieces.

White or off white room detailing such as skirting boards and dado rails, look great in a faded yellow room, and for the same reason, we’d choose a satin white traditional metal bedstead, to establish an inviting room theme. A romantic metal bed is the perfect partner for the soft hues of yellow, and invites inspired selection of linens and bed throws to breathe life into the design.

Yellow accent pillows against a darker background are sure to appeal, or perhaps a faux fur bed throw in taupe or darker earthy shades for a touch of opulence?

Bringing the creamy tones of yellow into the bedroom with a piece of artwork, will create a personalised and unique space. A watercolour or oil painting depicting cream roses, sunflowers, fields of wheat  landscapes or darker subjects with sunlit accents, will help to tie the room theme together, whilst offering visual pleasure.

Yellow draws the eye and offers a gently different colour palette from the mainstream norm.

With a little care, experimentation, and sympathetic use of contrast, a creamy yellow bedroom makeover is sure to find many news friends…

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Vintage bedroom charm

Friday, November 26th, 2010
Clarina Iron and Brass Bed from Original Bedstead.

Clarina Iron and Brass Bed from Original Bedstead.

There’s something comfortably familiar about vintage inspired interiors.

For many it evokes happy childhood memories and fond family associations, which, by its very nature, is timelessly appealing.

We all crave a little nostalgia, and there’s no doubt that any vintage inspired bedroom has a certain romantically sentimental quality that is calming and reassuring in equal measure.

Perhaps perfect then for that most personal space where we choose to sleep, relax and unwind?

If it’s a look that you are hoping to create, a few carefully chosen accent pieces and accessories as well as sympathetic use of colour, can yield enchanting results. Raid the attic for long forgotten items that your Grandmother would have cherished and use them to establish a theme. Pair antiques with candy colours and airy fabrics to keep the look fresh and inviting and if you don’t have any authentic vintage items, use replicas or have fun trawling through antique centres.

Of course, for any room theme, colour choices are all important to establish the mood and personality, so select a favourite vintage shade from a wide palette of options. Pastel blues, mint ice cream shades, rose pinks or buttery yellows, are all enticing choices and will form the perfect backdrop for antique furniture pieces. Alternatively, hang pink and white toile or damask printed wallpaper if you prefer a more patterned, gentle Victorian styled theme.

An antique or pretty reproduction ivory or satin white metal bedstead would be the perfect room focal point, and along with your choice of wall and ceiling colour will set the tone and provide inspiration. Select a traditional style, maybe with antique brass detailing, for a truly authentic and timeless flavour that is oblivious to the vagaries of fad and fashion. After all, this is what true vintage style is all about!

Where space and budget permits, a glamorous four poster bedstead in timeworn wood or an assured metal design, is bound to ensure a captivating bedroom flavour. For an extra splash of romance, dress with vintage style patterned drapes and fabrics and a handmade quilt featuring patchwork squares of rose patterns and pink, white and green stripes, for a look that is warm and welcoming. Fold a white crochet blanket at the end of the four poster bed or traditional metal bed, for true vintage appeal.

Complement busy walls with crisp white eyelet curtains for a touch of shabby chic style, or vintage patterned designs in faded pastels as a contrast for solid colour wall treatments.

Accessories will ensure those all important finishing touches, so hang antique straw boaters on wall hooks and suspend a teardrop draped crystal chandelier from the ceiling. Old vintage record players, antique bird cages, vintage white vanity tables and lovely cut glass vases filled with pink and white roses, will all impart a beguiling vintage quality, whilst bookworms might choose to store magazines and books in stacked old leather suitcases for a homely and practical twist…

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Sophisticated bedroom colours to cosset…

Friday, November 19th, 2010
Liddlesdale brass metal bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Liddlesdale brass metal bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

There’s no doubt that sophistication and luxury often go hand in hand when it comes to the subject of interior design.

No more so than within a bedroom environment, where we are invariably striving to turn up the comfort levels to create a feeling of enticement and intrigue. It is in these situations that the importance of colour balance and sympathetic lighting become particularly relevant.

It’s true that nearly all colours can take on a sophisticated quality, dependent upon saturation, intensity and texture, although more importantly its how those colours interact with other counterbalancing elements within the room. However there are certain colours of the spectrum that are the natural default choice of the Interior designer when the brief is for a sophisticated and timeless look.

In this regard, gold, brown and purple are trusted choices with historical connections that still have great relevance in 21st century times. As colour options that also help to nurture and renew the spirit, they have few equals…

Gold across the centuries, has been a powerful symbol of wealth and prestige. In eastern cultures it denoted strength and is often associated with royalty and grandeur. When gold is used within the bedroom it can be used within any decorative element or free standing object or accessory. A voluminous silk or satin comforter billowing about a traditional metal bedstead, provides a wash of sumptuous colour, perhaps making the bedstead the focal point of the room. Gold voile suspended from bedposts or from a romantic four poster bed, creates a sheer, gauzy bed sanctuary, to heighten the sense of luxury. When tastefully applied, gold trim on wall mouldings, skirting boards or sconces can instantly boost the elegance factor of the bedroom, and few features are more opulent than the luxurious sweep of heavy brocade window dressings.

Brown denotes an earthy stability. In fact it is often viewed as mundane, neutral or an afterthought with its muddy organic connections. And yet, visualising the rich, luxurious colour of dark oak, mahogany, chocolate and espresso, may prompt a realisation of its powerful potential and inspire you to look at this colour from a new perspective. Even an unmistakably contemporary bedroom space can benefit from the addition of a dark chocolate upholstered leather headboard or bedstead. The stately dark oak or mahogany four poster bed, has been synonymous with bedroom style and luxury for centuries, whilst dark Brazilian walnut flooring offers natural sophistication from one of the earth’s most dynamic regions.

A brown and cream colour scheme is particularly inviting and brown satin curtains will help to ensure the luxury of a deep comfortable sleep, with brown silk scatter pillows in shades from caramel to espresso that add elegance when added to beds, chairs, window seating and floors. A coffee coloured faux fur bed throw might just be the finishing touch. Team up with white or creamy bed linens for a look that can’t fail to please.

Purple is another colour with royal connections, as well as having long rooted associations with spirituality and mystery. Purple also invariably exudes an air of intrigue and fantasy making it the perfect choice for a sensual bedroom mood.

Purple demands to be treated with respect, so for major design or colour elements, choose a shade that you will be comfortable to live with on a daily basis. Eggplant, pansy purple and concord grape(purple with black influences) all have a part to play within the bedroom, whilst more vivid shades such as fuchsia or violet are best confined to accent pieces or soft furnishings.

Brass is the perfect counterpoint for a purple room scheme, and in this regard an antique brass bedstead would provide a glamorous and beguiling visual focal point. Swath the bed in an eggplant coloured bed throw or duvet for added appeal and instant comfort, whilst mounds of complementary bolsters and pillows will complete the look.

Amethyst lamps, tassel tieback curtains and rich accent rugs in shades of purple or with purple highlights to pick up on other room elements for a sense of visual rhythm and continuity, will ground the theme for a sophisticated and enduring decorative statement.

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Gothic teen bedroom ideas

Friday, November 19th, 2010
Hamilton Metal Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Hamilton Metal Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

A Gothic inspired teen bedroom design offers lots of options.

Victorian Gothic styles tended to rely on a pink and beaded theme for effect, whilst more traditional Gothic contains bold architectural features with layer upon layer of accessories.

Despite its associations, a Gothic themed room doesn’t have to be all about horror and death. On the contrary, it’s a decorative option that can be exciting and inviting, providing interest and intrigue for the whole family.

The start point is to talk with your son or daughter about what type of gothic inspired bedroom they would like. Gothic traditionally refers to the medieval period although the teen interpretation may focus on more specific influences such as the colour black, dungeon, castle and mythical creature themes, gargoyles and vampires. Find out what type of Gothic you are aiming for and start the design.

As always, colour and wall treatments are key, and the default option of black isn’t necessarily the best choice here. Instead suggest a deep purple with perhaps just one accent wall in black or a dark grey to suggest stone. Violets are also effective here and for the more artistic, a painted stone mural on a wall would look great or use a large sponge and use with white and grey paints to add texture to the wall, again suggesting a block stone look.

Architectural details are a must within any Gothic room and arches and gargoyles on columns will go a long way towards creating a fantasy world. Salvage yards can provide a happy hunting ground for such features, although a more cost effective option may be to visit a craft store or remodelling shop. Faux columns can be created from timber and ply, and moulds from which to create plaster gargoyles and other horrors are easy to obtain.

Hang rusty iron sconces on the wall to serve as lighting or to hold up a book shelf and flank a doorway with real or painted archway themes for visual drama.

The bed frame is likely to be the focal point of the room and it’s going to be worth spending a bit of time and money here to find the perfect choice. As the main feature, it has the presence to influence the room design and ultimate decorative success or failure as a consequence. And of course, not only should any iron bed or wooden bed look the part, but it needs to be comfortable too. This is where aesthetics and practicalities should converge.

Heavy wooden bedframes should feature as much detailed carving as possible, and it goes without saying that dark tones are to be preferred. If you opt for a traditional metal bedstead, there is a style for all tastes and pockets, and an imposing design in satin black or pewter finish, might be just perfect.

Bed linens will breathe life into the bedstead, whatever your final choice. In this environment, linens in deep purple or violet would work well with a faux velvet bed throw or pillow sham. Gothic bedrooms require mountains of pillows, so pile them up in various shapes and sizes and dress them with heavy velvets and rich embroidered covers for a feeling of opulent comfort.

Floor treatments should be dark, and bare wood or stained flooring is ideal for a Gothic themed room. Faded accent rugs in scarlet, pink or purple hues will add warmth and colour, or a black or grey shag pile rug at the foot of the bed would have equal appeal.

And finally, get specific with the accessories. It’s the details that count, so depending on your teenagers personal  take on the Gothic look, hunt down those features to make it complete and relevant. Vampires, skulls and gargoyles might not be to all tastes, but a heavy wrought iron table lamp with a rich velvet shade is sure to add intrigue and cast a moody glow, whilst a grouping of crosses or a dragon theme on a side table might be equally evocative.

With the Gothic look it’s easy to adjust the level of visual drama according to the degree of authenticity desired. As a versatile and alternative room theme, it’s sure to raise a few eyebrows, but then isn’t that the whole point, and surely our lives would be a slightly duller place without the freedom to express a few decorative fantasies along the way?! 

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Baroque bedroom glamour

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Athalone - Metal Beds from Original Bedstead.

Athalone - Metal Beds from Original Bedstead.

France is no stranger to periods of grandeur and opulence during its long and colourful history.

The reign of the French King, Louis X1V was arguably the most extravagant period of them all, with evocative and sumptuous times for the privileged few, as aristocrats flaunted their wealthy status.

The room styles demanded by the wealthy, were both classical and heavily ornate with individual pieces of furniture and accessories flowing harmoniously into the overall design. Gold detailing and rich damasks were the order of the day, with the emphasis on comfort and visual drama. It’s a look that is instantly recognisable, and whilst less relevant to 21st century decorating tastes, there are still elements of baroque interior design that have a part to play for anyone seeking a bedroom style that exudes a healthy dollop of Gallic extravagance.

Indeed, by limiting colour and carefully selecting a range of furniture and decorative objects, it’s easy to introduce a flavour of 17th century baroque-ness  into any home, whatever the size or architectural style.

A good start point, as ever, is furniture choice although due to the stateliness of Baroque style furniture it’s a good idea to get a fix on room dimensions before reaching for the cheque book! The bed should be the main focus of the room, and depending on the space available, choose a design with ornate detailing.

Wooden bedsteads with head and foot end upholstered detailing were typical of the period as were gilded metal bedsteads with decorative finials and heavy ornate metal castings.

Antique French metal beds are scarce and highly prized, although modern day creations of the same style are far more accessible, not to mention, sized to modern day dimensions.

A four poster bed supporting a canopy, would also work well within any Baroque bedroom theme, and for complementary bedroom furniture, hunt down chairs or a chaises longues that is upholstered and carved, inlaid or gilded. An armoire is a must in European Baroque style and baroque bed or wall hangings are sure to add a splash of originality. Searching on-line or checking out Baroque master artists such as Bernini, will provide additional inspiration as would a visit to the Palace of Versailles to get a hands- on feel for the styles of the period.

Rich upholstery and sumptuous soft furnishings featured heavily in all aristocratic houses of the time. Liberal use of the same preference for these features will reap dividends within any Baroque inspired room setting.

And of course, with comfort and glamour assured, it’s the perfect room style for any bedroom, where such a look might be paramount.

All that is required now are those little finishing touches to ensure the ultimate wow factor….

Coming next: More Baroque inspiration…

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