Posts Tagged ‘Wood Beds’

Roaring twenties bedroom style…

Saturday, April 9th, 2011
Brass Beds from Original Bedstead.

Brass Beds from Original Bedstead.

Remembered for the age of Jazz, the Red –Hot mamas, and the era of the Flapper, the Golden Twenties welcomed in a new and aspiring age of elaborate decoration and beautiful bedrooms. Those optimistic post-war times are now often fondly referred to as the “Mad Decade”, as weary nations embraced a new wave of consumer goods, new technology, and design trends which were to manifest themselves within the home in the form of opulently large furniture and glamorous accessories.

Decorating a bedroom in these more recent times requires a passion for the Roaring Twenties style and more than a little creativity. And yet, with care and a bit of research, the twenties look is not difficult to recreate, for a nostalgic room setting that has as much inspirational relevance today, as it would have had 90 years ago…

This short post is intended merely to whet the appetite for further research and as a guide to the task ahead, although it’s no surprise to find that colour and wall treatments are key to getting the look just right, and particularly so for this theme. The 1920s were a time when decorating bedrooms took a lot of effort to ensure that details were emphasised. Floral wallpaper would have been favoured for the walls, and colour coordination with room fabrics and bed dressings was essential.

Likewise attention to detail would have extended to the window treatments with rich elaborate pleated curtains adorning large windows. Window fabrics should be lined for warmth and authenticity, and incorporate braided tasselled curtain tie backs for a touch of twenties style.

Furniture from the era would have been grand and assured. Wooden beds styles with broad wooden head ends and corner post detailing were popular, as were elaborate traditionally styled iron beds or glamorous antique brass beds with glorious rich patinas. These designs were a legacy of the not long-departed Victorian era, and their intricate detailing and romantic aura, would surely have had particular relevance for a style conscious nation, hungry for a comfortable lifestyle and more prosperous times?

Complement the traditional bed with marble topped wooden or metal bedside tables which you might choose to decorate with a little collection of ornaments, a cluster of framed family photos or a bedside lamp with a richly coloured pleated shade. A vanity area is also essential and a dresser and mirror combination in dark mahogany, loaded with silver scent bottles and hair brush sets would be de rigueur.

Accentuate and accessorise the bedroom with sumptuous linens for the bed, and richly coloured cushions and bolsters for an extra level of comfort. Gilded framed paintings and bevelled glass wall mirrors create space and an extra dimension, whilst golden-edged free standing floor lamps might cast a warm glow across collections of decorative storage boxes or a line of leather bound reference books within a pretty dark wood book stand.

For timeless bedroom comfort and a design theme that exudes vintage style in abundance, look no further than the Roaring twenties, to transform those moments of quiet relaxation and bedtime slumbers…

Focal point room inspiration

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Lerwick Nickel bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Lerwick Nickel bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Whatever the architectural or decorative style, it’s a well known fact within design circles, that a room will become a more comfortable space to spend time, if we choose a focal point or feature and arrange our furniture and accessories around this point to create a feeling of balance and harmony.

Sometimes a focal point will be an architectural feature such as a large fireplace. At other times it might be a captivating picture, dramatic mirror or an inspired piece of furniture.

Whatever the situation, the focal point is easy to create or identify to exploit the full potential of any room setting. A good start point is to look around the room to determine the dominant feature, which in turn is likely to become your focal point.

In an older traditional setting this is likely to be a fireplace, a picture window, or a built in bookcase whilst in more contemporary rooms it might be a large ornament or modern abstract painting.

A focal point should always be something with interesting visual appeal or colourful or textural interest, otherwise it will not fill the brief as a “focal point”. It should be the first thing that you see when entering a room and it’s possible to create a focal point by concentrating on artwork, paint colour accents or large floral arrangements.

If the room has no distinguishing architectural features, another assured way to create focus is by using feature pieces of furniture.

In the bedroom, the bed is very often the focal point in terms of purpose and positioning, dictating the character of the room and influencing the decorative and accessory theme.

Traditional iron beds and contemporary iron beds styles are particularly appealing in this regard, as are French or English influenced wooden bedstead designs.

In traditionally themed bedroom settings a romantic brass bedstead might just fit the bill, whilst for more ascetic modern rooms a nickel or chrome bedstead is a compelling focal point choice.

Should an outdoor view be the focal point, it’s worth experimenting with the furniture positioning to take advantage of the window areas, and likewise a wall can be painted a different colour than the others and accessorised with wall ornamentation, artwork or display shelves. Lighting to accentuate and bring out the full character of your chosen point is a great idea and if you’ve identified a mantle as the focal point, consider using specimen plants and accessories to add interest.

In all instances it’s particularly effective when contrasting colours are used to allow the focal point to stand out.

Choosing the focal point that gives us visual pleasure is always a recipe for success and by making that “point” the first thing that strikes us it will ensure that others enjoy the same experience.

Simple sound sleep tips

Monday, July 12th, 2010

We’re constantly bombarded with advice for achieving a great night’s sleep, and mostly it is common sense stuff of which most people will be well aware, although a little reminder from time to time does no harm!

Without doubt,so many of us don’t have the luxury of a full and rejuvenating slumber.

Blame stress, family pressures, workplace anxieties and a host of other subconscious issues that plague our recharging time.

They all play a part in jolting our sleep patterns, all too often in the depth of the night as we curse another premature awakening and lie awake, listening to the clock or pad downstairs to make a cup of tea.

But there has always been a few simple precautions that are easy to achieve, to make our sleeping hours more peaceful and the chance of unbroken nights more likely. Unwelcome noise or light are an obvious sleep disruptor, and yet how many of us drift off to sleep with the bedside light still on or the radio  chatting away?

Light is one of the body’s most powerful time cues.

The rising sun can wake up the brain long before the alarm rings out, but then so too can artificial light or unwelcome noise as it interferes with the subconscious parts of our brain. A dark, quiet room is the most conducive environment for deep uninterrupted sleep although the regular hum of an air conditioner or whirr of a fan, may serve to soothe and block out other less peaceful sounds.

Temperature also plays a crucial part. Too hot,too cold….we know the consequences, and 60-65 degrees fahrenheit is the optimum range.

The temperature of the body needs to drop a tad before we enter sound sleep and it’s essential that we give it the opportunity to do so. And likewise, on the topic of comfort, we all know the importance of investing in a good mattress and bed support.

And yet there’s still far too many of us making do with shabby worn out beds when we are more than happy to spend money on our lifestyle needs and desires that are fundamentally of far less importance. A not-too-hard supportive mattress can make the difference between nights of sound slumber and refreshed waking hours and broken night time misery.

Invest wisely in a top class divan set or iron beds, brass beds, or wooden beds and mattress combination, for a completely transformed sleep experience.

And lastly as a final thought, research has shown that on average, we enter a deep sleep 60% faster if we simply spend a few minutes tidying our bedroom before we retire.

So now there’s no excuse to throw our clothes over the foot of the bedstead or leave clutter all over the floor, although of course there are always some things in life that will never change!

Dream bedroom ideas..

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

By following a few simple rules it’s possible to transform a nicely decorated bedroom into a truly beautiful one.

A personal sanctuary that expresses your own unique personality and those favourite colours. emotions and dreams that we hold dear. We spend upwards of a third of our life in this most private room of the house. Isn’t it worth taking the time to get the ambience and feel just as we would wish it to be, as surely there can be no finer environment to reflect our tastes and ideals on a totally personal level?

Colour tones -

Starting with the colour scheme it’s a fine start to choose soothing tones or a restful palate of monochromatic shades rather than bold primary colours. Gentle hues of green, lavender and blue will always create a calm and serene atmosphere, whilst toasty browns, pomegranate shades and topaz set a mood of coziness and comfort. Or simply select your favourite colour and gently tone it down using accent pieces of the same hue around the room to create harmony and balance.

Ceiling treatments -

The bedroom ceiling is the fifth wall, and yet so often gets overlooked. It’s what we see when we lie in bed so don’t just settle for a bland, blank surface.

Instead, try adding a subtle pattern or soft colour. Painting the ceiling a slightly lighter version of the wall colour helps to visually lower the ceiling and create a feeling of comfort and intimacy.

Other solutions might be to stencil or wallpaper the ceiling in complementary textures or try adding architectural elements in the form of coving or beams.

For ultimate luxury, a canopy or tented bed with dressings that hang from the ceiling, can envelope you in warmth and sensuality whilst adding unique texture and a romantic flavour that changes completely the flavour of the room. Most iron beds or wooden beds will lend themselves to this type of embellishment with spectacular results. Traditional metal beds are particularly suited to canopy ornamentation and as a way of visually linking the ceiling with the rest of the room, it has little equal.

Keeping things simple -

But it’s worth remembering that too much frippery can ruin a room design and simple, sophisticated elegance is the best approach, whatever style of decorative theme you decide upon. Too little space between the bed and side walls or larger pieces of furniture will create instant claustrophobia. In effect, this means furnishing the bedroom with only what you need. A bed, a bedside table or two, a dresser and chair are necessities. Anything more is in danger of becoming superfluous, except for those lucky enough to have room to spare. As such, choosing correctly sized and styles of furniture is crucial.

It’s a good idea to start out with a floor plan and work out exactly where everything is going to fit. Furniture should be in keeping with the shape and character of the room, so it’s pretty obvious that it’s a good idea not to try to squeeze a large brass bedstead into a small room, however much in love you might be with the design.

It’s a trap that many, sadly, fall into!

Conversely, if the bedroom is large with higher ceilings, a bedstead with a high head end or tall headboard will help visibly draw the room height down. Large rooms will happily provide a home for an ottoman or a handsome piece of furniture at the end of the bed.

(please see our blog article for some suggestions here)

And just as large furniture is a no-no for a small room, smaller furniture and accessories will look lost and sad in a large room. It’s all about proportion.

Accessories -

Should be kept to a minimum. Quality rather than quantity is the key. Choosing a beautiful piece of artwork, stone statuary or an evocative sculpture, will be far more alluring than lots of little dust-gathering ornaments. Just add flowers, a cluster of family photos and some strategically placed large church candles, and then leave well alone.

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Banishing “boring”…

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Blyth Brass bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Blyth Brass bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

LIFT THE MOOD with finishing touches.

It’s not uncommon to find that a room lacks that “certain something” once we have finished that new decorative paint scheme and installed some new furniture. Just when we thought we’d got things just right, we come to realise that actually we’ve only got the background for a truly inviting space.

Whenever these nagging doubts loom, that’s the perfect opportunity to add some special details to add sparkle and a unique personality. Following a few simple ideas will add interest and individuality for that compelling, finishing touch!

Add art.

Art that stirs the emotions adds immediate character and personality. Capture your passions with paintings and prints that are personal to you and tell a story. Use the colour and style to reflect other elements within the room.

Add texture.

Try to resist the temptation to have everything matching by combining rough and soft, and shiny and flat surfaces. Choose silky smooth fabrics to contrast with a shaggy carpet or sleek linens with coarse textiles. Glass with stone or rugged wood detailing is another great counterpoint.

Track down whimsy.

Be a little radical and add a touch of whimsy for smiles and interest.

Antique dealers, flea markets and auctions are all good hunting grounds for odd and unusual pieces that have a history and story to tell. Anything quirky is sure to be a focal point as is one carefully chosen antique piece of furniture such as a chair or chest which might look equally at home in more contemporary surroundings.

Think floral.

Complement the mood with fresh flowers and carefully chosen house plants to add texture and natural organic colour. Throw out old and tired plants that have seen better days. Fresh foliage and colour will always lend a new dimension.

Create a statement.

With a new and inspiring piece of furniture to become the talking point of the room. A traditionally elegant chaises longues in the study or living room or an inspiring brass beds in the master bedroom cannot fail to make a definitive style statement. Dressing with vari-textured linens and bedthrows adds extra impact and a warm and welcoming ambiance. Resisting the temptation to be too conservative can have fabulous results.

Furniture or bed designs that you might have thought would be out of keeping, can often stand out as the star of the room. Thinking outside the box with a little experimentation can have devastatingly effective consequences.

Choose a theme.

From an English drawing room to a French or Tuscany inspired room. Victorian influenced or Shabby Chic, the choice of room style is simply vast. Choose elements or a complete theme makeover focussing on furniture, colour, accessories and art, to really spice up a room and add flavour and intrigue.

Floor rugs.

Bring instant warmth and interest to a wooden floor with area rugs to define an area whilst adding texture and colour. Easy to change on impulse or for seasonal mood and colour swings, rugs are a great way to add style and contrast. Antique worn and threadbare can work well here too, lending a homely lived-in look which is perfect for more traditional and casually cottagey room settings.

Collectibles.

Gather items that are of particular personal importance and use them as the basis for room decor. Antique vases, musical instruments, miniature art and old family photos are all items that could form the basis of an effective display. Clustering them together in a group is far more effective than a scattered display and ensures focus and meaning. Surround yourself by things that you love and the room will become warm and welcoming.

Salvage discarded gems.

For a touch of old-world charm it’s worth trawling the salvage and reclamation yards for unusual pieces that might look great in a new environment. Brackets, mantels, old windows and oak beams are all items that might fit in well to create interest and a quirky style. Pedestal columns, antique mouldings, statuary and old weathered garden furniture can be particularly interesting and may be adapted to many varied decorating styles and room themes.

In fact, getting things perfect with those little finishing touches, doesn’t need to be tricky, and can be a whole lot of fun along the way…..!

Art Deco bedrooms

Saturday, June 12th, 2010
Newton nickel bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Newton nickel bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

ART DECO came to prominence in France during the austere inter World War era promising glamorous style and a sense of optimism for a weary post war Europe and America. Primarily a decorative arts movement, its groundbreaking use of new materials, motifs and form went on to influence architecture and interiors. It encompassed fashion, fabrics and jewellery and was characterised by sleek smooth lines and exciting new elements.

Unfamiliar exotic materials such as ebony, mother of pearl, ivory, tortoiseshell, burr walnut and palm wood came to prominence for the first time to embellish bedsteads, dressing tables, screens and chaises lounges.

Furthermore, industrial advances had given rise to exciting new possibilities in metalwork and the world-wide depression was counterpointed by a return to fantasy and glamour, fuelled by the machine age and the availability of emotive new materials such as bronze work and chrome. It coincided, not unsurprisingly with the height of Hollywood golden age as the period of talkies began in earnest with the large and cash-rich film studios investing in high style Art Deco inspired movie houses.

Prestige hotels were to follow the lush extravagance of the new look creating exquisite rooms with interior design that reflected the fantasy images of the time.

Bedroom themes were often unashamedly sumptuous fostering a mood of glamour and seduction with large layered mirrors, new oval and round bed shapes, and bed heads that featured geometric chevrons, sunbursts, animal motifs and stylized flowers.

Bronze and silver panelling, lacquer work and chrome metal, was used on everything from bed frames and chests of drawers to free standing screens, windows and doors. Wooden beds in exotic woods such as walnut and rosewood, were also highly desirable.

These days’ original Deco-style beds in polished steel or wood finishes, are collectors items, but achieving the look with dextrous use of colour, fabrics and modern reproductions is not difficult. A nickel bed or chrome bed such as the Tain or Andreas cannot fail to make an assertive Art Deco style statement and for true Deco glamour, a Ramore in rich silver patina finish would set the tone for any 1920’s bedroom theme.

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Bed end storage and seating solutions

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Through the centuries different cultures and societies have used the foot of the bed as the perfect part of the bedroom as a cosy area to sit awhile or for functional storage furniture that forms a link with the bed itself.

An area of the room that might otherwise be somewhat redundant suddenly fills a valuable comfort and practical need, drawing the eye to the bed itself and adding a new and welcome perspective to the room.

Some modern smaller homes, and many older styles also with perhaps rather cramped bedrooms, do not always offer the space required to accommodate this little luxury. But for those lucky enough to have a large enough master bedroom or guest room, then there are many ways in which the end of the bed can be put to great use with a little imagination and the minimum of effort.

Whether your preference is for a traditional or contemporary Iron Bed or maybe a Wood Bed in any number of different styles, there is sure to be a way to use this little area of the room to great effect.

And for those people who opt for the standard divan set option the message is the same. It’s all about choosing complimentary beauty or function that is going to harmonise with the bedroom decorative style as a whole whilst contributing a valuable role.

Large upholstered benches provide a supremely versatile solution and can serve as a place to sit, a holding area for clothes, or to catch your bedspread at night. Choosing a fabric that enhances the room décor will be super effective and you can give it a seasonal twist with a warm and rich throw during the winter months and a sheer slipover for the summer.

Storage benches, whether upholstered or wooden offer the perfect solution for hiding bedding, linens and pillows. Again, it’s a great place to sit and the bedspread can be stored away here during the night.

A pair of matching chairs or loveseat is the perfect way to make the most of this area of the bedroom. For those who love to read it offers a truly cosy solution with an attractive floor lamp close by to add gentle ambience and maybe a soft throw over or some decorative cushions.

Wicker, old wooden or Iron benches look great at the end of the bed, particularly those that are maybe a little unusual with a special character.

Iron benches work particularly well in casual interiors or in rooms with a vintage feel, the coolness of the metal contrasting nicely with softer furnishings within the room.

When used in conjunction with a metal beds the effect is doubly pleasing. Just a little experimentation and harmonising of textures and colours can produce fabulous results.

Period antique chests or coffers look great in the bedroom and give great balance with softer bedroom furnishings. Old English oak pieces with deep brown/red patinas have a special unique charm and will compliment most bedroom themes as well as providing the perfect storage solution for blankets and other assorted bedroom paraphernalia.

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Adding decorative style with Chocolate Browns

Saturday, May 8th, 2010
Challoch Wood Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Challoch Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

WHILST IT MAY NOT BE the most obvious or immediate colour choice for anyone planning a new decorative theme, dark browns have been called “the new black” and can look truly fabulous when sympathetically integrated with a whole host of harmonious colour partnerships.

In fact it is really easy to introduce rich chocolate hues into the average home. Brown exudes a comfortable, familiar aura, which has a place in just about any room of the house to ensure enticing style.

Picture inviting browns with crisp whites, golden yellows, rich reds and camel hues, all with a little imagination work wonderfully together to inject a little glamour into, not only traditionally styled room settings, but also, more contemporary environments where brown might add a different dimension and offer a calmer slant on more ascetic colour options.

Leather furniture is a great choice for any chocolate colour scheme and can provide a good start point for any project as the first point of inspiration. Available in a huge variety of brownish hues, from paler toupees to almost black, the texture of leather looks rich and deep and will bring comfort and style to most rooms.

And it is a good idea to pair your chocolate colours with liberal amounts of contrasting lighter neutrals to ensure balance and to avoid an overtly darkening effect. The yellows, whites and reds already mentioned, work perfectly in this respect, as do pale greys or golden hues to add a splash of brightness.

Basing the scheme on at least one colour choice, preferably a print that incorporates a number of complimentary colours, works to great effect and can be replicated within other rooms to create a soothing theme.

Suede finishes on walls and soft furnishings and accessories might also play an important role and can be just the thing for a cosy bedroom, a guest room or a hallway. Offset with liberal amounts of white or neutrals on the ceiling, windows and door frames and perhaps key furniture pieces, it should create a comfortable, rather than closed-in feeling that can be the pitfall of some darker room themes.

Likewise, dark wood or antique oak furniture will underscore any dark brown scheme perfectly, but it’s worth remembering to add some lighter painted pieces or paler woods to add interest and contrast and avoid an over heavy look.  In this respect, natural rattan, wicker and bamboo all have a part to play whilst offering a slightly rustic feel.

Chocolate browns in the bedroom are invariably a huge success and a great option to consider in a room where a comfortable retreat and inviting style should be the order of the day.

Once again, dark furniture is a great start point and a lovely dark Wooden Bed can provide plenty of inspiration. Alternatively, Iron Beds also compliment any brown room theme, either as a colour contrast or working in unison.

Ivory would be a good colour choice and beds such as the Selkirk, Tulsk, Glenholm and Arigna spring to mind.

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Scandinavian style trends.

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

IN TODAYS CONTEMPORARY HOME, there is no doubting the broad appeal of the Swedish inspired decorative approach to design.

Combining refined elegance and a casual aged appearance, it is Carl Larsson, the world-renowned Scandinavian artist, who is generally credited with popularising the Swedish style of decorating.

The design trends that we associate with this are also heavily influenced by the Scandinavian climate, where with long winters and short days, the scarcity of natural light necessitates a desire to bring some lightness indoors. Any colour theme that is pale, light and airy is therefore popular with Swedish style decors. Moreover, since pale walls, floors and furnishings reflect any natural light, interiors decorated in this fashion become cheerful, calm and warming on even the coldest winter days.

Soft whites, creams, gentle yellows, pinks, faded green and dove grey are all popular colour options, with surfaces often accentuated with gold detailing and rich reds. Blue is also a favourite as the tone reflects or emits the feeling of a fresh clear day and coordinates perfectly with the other favoured hues.

Against a clean white or cream background, accents of red strike a bold statement in Swedish styled homes. This colour is often found in wallpaper, fabrics, stripy detail and floral prints. The theme works equally well in the bedroom environment where straight lines and a gentle curve combination are often found in furniture and Iron Beds.

Simple light stained wood beds or padded headboards are also popular in the Swedish bedroom as are canopy beds or four-poster beds where it is common to use yards of white fabric mounted on a tester or hanging from poles or rings in the ceiling.

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Rustic charm at home…

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

A SUREFIRE way of adding a dose of quirky interest to any home is to bring in some serious natural texture. At one time, mention the word “rustic” and it would have conjured all sorts of rickety and cheap associations.

Nowadays, nothing could be further from the truth, as the style has grown into something quite different that borders on the sophisticated and trendy. Beautiful woods, polished logs and twiggy charm has turned rustic into one of the most popular styles in the market today. Whether it is elements of the look or a complete makeover in the theme, the back to basics nature of the rustic movement has found many new friends, and yet, by its very nature, thankfully remains one cosy new trend that is easily accessible and affordable.

If it’s a look that you think you might love, there are some insider hot tips to ensure maximum impact in the home environment:

Since rustic furniture is inherently extremely textural, add it with restraint in small amounts. An entire roomful might be too much, whilst just a few pieces allow each item to stand out as an individual in it’s own right. Adding some bent willow chairs around an old oak or walnut table, or the inclusion of a few pieces in a fireplace grouping, can produce impressive results.

  • In the bedroom, allow an Iron Bed or Wood Bed to form the centrepiece, from which the rest of the decorative theme flows. Wooden furniture and metal bedstead designs make great partners. There is something of a happy synergy between the cool metal and the softer, organic quality of wood with its knots and imperfections. To achieve the look we are better off keeping things simple, so a bedstead such as the Ardo iron bed or the Cara iron bed might just fit the bill. Both exhibit sweeping floral organic lines and a certain innocence and charm that is in keeping with the rustic theme.
  • Warm up rustic seating pieces with cushions and pillows and do the same for the beds. These offer softening visual pleasure as well as providing an additional layer of comfort. Careful selection of textured fabrics and bed throws will also serve to tie in a rustic piece with other rustic elements within the room.
  • Consider using these same rustic accent styles within other rooms in the house such as guestrooms and hallways. Rustic side tables, mirrors, coat trees and benches all work well, and smaller spaces can often be theme-decorated in rustic style on a smaller scale around a few interesting items, without the need to having to commit to an entire house theme.
  • Let us not forget that rustic is a great look for outdoor spaces as well. And why wouldn’t it be, as this is really where the whole theme originates. Arbors, pergolas, weathered benches, trellis pieces and knotted pine chairs look fantastic in the garden, and can work just as well inside with a little thought and planning. Softened with textured accessories and warm materials, the effect can be simply lovely.

In fact, there is no need to live in a converted barn or even in a country environment to really enjoy the beauty and charm of rustic furnishing.

The real joy of this look is that it translates so easily into many decorative and architectural themes to bring a touch of homely flavour and quiet appeal to contemporary apartments and country homes alike.