Below is a picture of my master bedroom. I love it. Kind of. Sort of. Hmmmm. Not sure I really love it at the moment. Lately it’s been bugging me, and I’m trying to figure out why. I think it’s the bed. It was purchased by my parents from Restoration Hardware 12 yrs ago as a wedding gift and has served us well. However, it’s a BIG bed and in this picture the wood looks darker than it truly is. It’s more of a honey/blonde with some red undertones. I’m thinking of selling it and building my own headboard, but I’m not 100% sure yet. I don’t want to regret it.
But since I have headboards-on-the-mind, I thought I’d share some of my inspiration pics with all of you!
I’ll start with the girly ones :). Hubs would never go for the first three pictured below but I am loving them.
Question: The photo that has Ashes of Laughter under it, where did you find that pic. I am in absolute love with the bedspread. Please help!!!
You have posted some really great ones. I’m loving the white headboards !
Beautiful inspiration!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with for your master bedroom!!
You know, I always find it interesting that modern men are so down on “girly” things, when for hundreds of years (at least) what is now considered “girly” and “feminine” was fashionable . . . and men loved it!
The “masculine” styles today would be considered plain, ordinary, and even belonging to the lower classes . . . hmmmmm . . .
I’m lucky. My husband’s main line is: “I don’t care, as long as I get to sleep with you in it!”
What beautiful inspiration!
The wood of your Restoration Hardware bed frame is beautiful… and timeless. In my opinion(take it or leave it of course) it will serve you all your life through all your style changes, but dont give it up for what’s “hot” right now. The upholstered looks so cheap next to a beautiful hard wood, well made (and expensive) bed frame 🙂
please don’t sell that bed! such a precious gift from your parents to celebrate your (one and only :-)) wedding. our son’s bed was my father’s bed until my dad got married. it was stored in my parents attic and was dried out and in bad shape ~ i sanded and sanded and sanded, then stained and finished in a satin gloss. it looks amazingly similar to some pottery barn beds. i know one of your boys will get some use out of that in the future. our oldest daughter slept in my childhood four poster bed that i refinished until her little sister transitioned out of the crib; now they have twin beds.
we have had a four poster mahogany bed since 1992. i would not purchase the same bed today as my taste has changed, but can’t imagine what i would replace it with. (actually i can, but my husband would never agree)
go forth (as you say) and upholster to your hearts desire. but please don’t sell that bed!
Years ago I made an upholstered headboard that came out great. I got lots of complements. However, they are hard to keep clean. If you have allergies don’t even consider them. Can you say dust mites? Sorry to be a downer on this, but thought it worth the caution. They really are lovely and we stayed in a hotel in Kyoto, Japan with the most beautiful headboard made from lengths of kimono fabric. I so wanted that headboard and considered trying to copy it. The cleaning freak in me won!
As for the wooden one you currently have you could either choose to darken the color or paint it.
I really love the white upholstered headboard but unless it was a washable slipcover I know it would be gross in just a few months. After my encounter with the bugs that shall not be named, I am paranoid about things I can’t clean.
Great tutorial and I love all of your inspiration headboards. I am especially in love with the mantel ones. Gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
We used to have a cannon ball bed very similar to yours. I think it can look heavy in a small room. I am really loving the headboard from Ballard {I’m sure I wouldn’t love the price!}. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!!
XO,
Jane
I have a similar bed, but it has an even heavier frame! I was going to give it to my daughter, but she got a CalKing. Thought about selling it but I love it again! Mine is a medium blue and VERY high with no option of lowering it. Why don’t you think about painting it? Plus, how about trying to remove the footboard down to the long block of wood. I’m sure it’s just screwed in at some of those joints. That’s what I’m thinking about. It opens the room more… I also think you could cover the headboard(inside the posts) or take the bottom off- those were good ideas. I’d keep that bed- even for a guest room!
It’s a no-brainer. You have to do it! I think you’ll be amazed by how much bigger your room looks! Your bed is beautiful–there’s no doubt–but I think you’ll be so glad you did it! Go for it!
Beth,
These are all beautiful but my favorite is Rhonda’s Mantel Headboard (Blue Creek Home Blog). Gorgeous and so inspiring.
Your Friend,
Deborah
I agree with what some of the others have said….please don’t sell your bed! That said…it doesn’t mean you can’t change it out, if that’s what you really, really want! I’m kinda digging the blue of the quadrille and I do love the shapes too!
You and I are on the same path! I’m so ready for a change myself. I have the exact thing in mind that I’ll whip up next. Now to find the time and resources… coming soon!
Donna
What if you just took the footboard off for a while and see if that helps you love it a little more? I really like it for what it’s worth!
I agree!! It’s the space (perception of) that you will gain if you don’t use the footboard. Really. Don’t sell it. That bed is classic.
Please, oh, please don’t sell your bed. I think you will be sad to have gotten rid of the wedding gift from your parents. I’m already sad for you and you haven’t even done it yet. It’s probably the pregnancy hormones, but I am seriously getting ready to cry over here because I am so sadden at the idea of the bed that your parents bought to be your marriage bed, the one your children were conceived in, would go to someone else. (I’m pretty sure it is the hormones because I don’t even have that kind of attachment to my own bed, the one my kids were conceived in) Maybe you could save it and one day you could use it for one of your boys, or maybe you could paint it white and re-do it to make it look more like this PB bed? http://www.potterybarn.com/products/caroline-wood-bed/?pkey=cwood-beds-headboards
It seems like almost all of your inspiration pieces are in the white/ gray family.
Aw, don’t cry girl! I’m giggling that it moved you tears :). I don’t have any sentimental attachment to the bed but I won’t sell it until I’m sure. If I can make a headboard for cheap, then I might just store our bed in the basement for a bit.
Beth, I am in the same boat right now, looking for a headboard…ugh! It’s frustrating, isn’t it? I love all the ones you posted, especially the mantel ones! I’ve been scouting my local salvage yard for one but no luck yet.
Can’t wait to see the links!
Okay, those mantel headboards are gorgeous!!! I’ve seen a few really pretty, antique-looking mantels at Habitat For Humanity ReStore just recently. Now I wish I needed a headboard!!
I linked up three that I’ve made, and while I do love a simple wrap and staple headboard (especially when a bold patterned fabric is used), I think it’s the added details like tufting or nailheads that really make a headboard look high-end. I’m not one to shy away from the extra time and effort it takes to add those details, and I always think it’s worth it!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Kristi, you’re the master of upholstery and tufting. I need to sit at your feet and learn! Although, your tutorials are so fabulous I’m inspired to give it a go.
Beth, I think your bed is rather fabulous. What if you figured a way to place an upholstered headboard to this bed either permanent or not. Then you wouldn’t loose the great clothiers as well. Take care, Laura
Love these headboard ideas. I would love to try making one of those intricately shaped headboards someday!
Also, I “linked up” for the first time (link up virgin?) and stupidly put my name where it says “name” not the name of the post. Could you delete that one out and I will relink with a better description. Feeling really dumb right now. Thanks!
I too am considering a headboard.. right now I don’t have one.. but I think I want one. haha! Trying to decide on bed placement too. My window layout is weird so the bed most likely will be going directly in front of one of the windows.. ahhh decisions decisions!
I adore the first mantel picture! That makes a fabulous statement!