Blissful bedrooms: Inspiration for a restful space

I am tired today. Like, super uncharacteristically tired.  Maybe because wedding planning is a full time job in itself and I drove a combined 4 hours yesterday to look at two different wedding venues, or because ever since Sandy blew through the east coast hasn't been seeing much sun.

Either way, I slept through my alarm, getting up an hour and a half late, and somehow slept-walked over to my dresser and hit snooze on my alarm NINE times and don't remember any of it.  Luckily I work for myself and from home, but I still feel like a bum when I don't get up at a reasonable hour.

Anyway, plentiful sleep aside, all I want do to is crawl under my down comforter and dream the afternoon away.  I guess this bedroom eye candy will have to do, since deadlines never care how tired you are.

Love the dark wall, the headboard, the quilt, the floors...

Okay, so this is an add for linens, but how gorgeous is that bed?

pastels always look nice in the bedroom

How cute is this?  Especially for a teenager.  And the palette bedframe adds extra storage for magazines, shoes, etc....

What do you think of the draped wall behind the bed?  It definitely adds romance and softness to the space, but I want to see it in person.

1. via Pinterest via My Favorite and My Best  2. - 3. 91 Mag 4. -6 Adore Home

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DIY headboard makeover

So, reader Teresa posed a good question to me at the end of September: How to revamp an old wood headboard. I always feel like the end of the week is a good time to feature DIYs and tutorials because the weekend beckons and everybody loves a fun little house project. Okay, not always, but this one is fun - and super rewarding.

Anyway, back to the old wood headboard. Teresa was lucky enough to snag a whole antique bedroom set for $100. She loved the wood frame of the headboard, so she doesn't want to cover the wood. She does, however, HATE the wicker. And I agree, it's got to go.

My recommendation is to cut out the wicker, create an upholstered panel, and insert it into the space where the wicker once was. I've compiled a few really great tutorials on how to create an upholstered panel below.

Here are the photos of the headboard as is:


And below, I worked a little photoshop magic to illustrate what I mean by creating upholstered panels.

Here I just chose a fabric to serve as an example. You'll also notice I bordered it with an upholstery ribbon adorned with upholstery tacks, because the wicker is overlaid a bit on the wood frame, and I'm not sure if that will be easy to remove from the wood. The ribbon and tacks serve as a nice way to cover up any marks left by the wicker.

fabric via Warm Biscuit
Below I chose a different fabric just to change it up and show 3 panels in place of the wicker.


fabric from Cloud9

Attaching the panels to the frame could be done in a few ways, and depends a bit on how the headboard is constructed. Wood staples could work, though you might have to do a little research.

Now for all the tutorials I promised. Visit the sites below to get step by step directions on creating upholstered panels.

A.

For some really great instructions on how to make panels similar to these above, go to "How to make a Fabric Headboard" on All Things Thrifty.

B.


For how to make separate upholstered panels like these above, go to Denver Post, which features the tutorial from Mark Montano's "Big Ass Book of Decorating Ideas." I especially like this version because it's easy to swap fabrics depending on the season, you bedding, mood, etc.

C.Here's a great tutorial from Instructables.

I hope this helps! Does anyone else have any tips or ideas? Has anyone made an upholstered headboard and have any words of wisdom?

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Inspiration to go bold with color and/or pattern

I'm probably a bit braver when it comes to pattern than color - even though I love color so much - especially the jewel tones that are so abundant right now. I think I run into issues choosing a color - so I always fall back on neutrals, grays, or whites. The more I seek out bright colors and patterns, however, the easier it is to imagine using them in my apartment.

Blue and white is possibly my favorite palette - and I love the white chair with the bold blue flower motif.


If your mixing patterns - especially with a wallpaper pattern - make sure the scale of the wallpaper pattern is unique - no other object should have the same scale pattern. Notice that the scale of the rug pattern is larger than the wallpaper.
via BHG

The blue and pink make for instant romance. The headboard is actually a really affordable DIY - mirror tiles from Ikea.
via Sunset Magazine



via House Beautiful

via Domino Magazine

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Pretty (and cheap) DIY headboard ideas!

An inexpensive antique door can be made to look like something you bought at Restoration Hardware. Looks like Martha and Country Living share brainwaves! Country Living lists the instructions here.
via Country Living, via Martha Stewart

A pocket door topped with molding and adorned with sconces makes a great space saving multifunctional piece - this one might be a little harder to pull off, however...
via Sunset Mag


An Apartment Therapy reader's success at making a headboard from a door.

*gorgeous* This mantle headboard looks fit for royalty
via A Fanciful Twist

ooo... I love this pale shabby chic version, too...

Really awesome directions and more pictures at Apartment Therapy.
She claims it only took $65 and 2 hours!

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