Designer Bedrooms: Four Poster and Canopy Beds

I just can't seem to get the image out of my head. Designer Charlotte Moss showcased a gorgeous four poster canopy bed in her Aspen home that made quite a dramatic statement.

According to Wikipedia, a four poster bed is a bed with four vertical columns, one in each corner, that support a tester, or upper (usually rectangular) panel. A canopy bed is similar to a four poster bed but with ornate or decorative fabric that is often draped across the upper space between the posts and a solid swath of cloth may create a canopy directly over the bed. Here are some of my favorite designer bedrooms featuring four poster and canopy beds.

This guest room in an Ojai Valley, California estate was designed and briefly owned by interior designer Kathryn M. Ireland. Actress Reese Witherspoon now owns 6+ acre ranch style compound designed by Wallace Neff. While in residence, Ireland used her own colorful suzani inspired fabrics to cover the chunky four poster bed. The stunning long pillow is made of antique suzani fabric.

Designer Nancy Price created a formal, yet tranquil retreat in her master bedroom. The dark wooden Planter's Bed by Hickory Chair contrasts beautifully with the soft, white bed linens.

In this nautical bedroom, designer Tom Stringer placed a traditional four poster bed between two matching 3-drawer sidetables. The sunny yellow sidetables coordinate beautifully with the bed's headboard in Ralph Lauren's Coastal Stripe. Keeping the room simple and serene, Stringer paints the walls, ceiling and antique chandelier white.

The antique barley-twist four poster bed makes quite a statement in this traditional master bedroom by designer Meg Braff. The room's red, white and lime green color palette is beautifully balanced.

In this soft pink, white and brown bedroom designer Gary McBournie centers a Loire iron canopy bed by Niermann Weeks perfectly between two windows. The sweet bedside chest of drawers with monogram is a lovely touch.

The black anodized aluminum four poster bed by Ralph Lauren takes center stage in this modern bedroom designed by Kerry Delrose. The sleek carbon fiber CF1 chair in black leather also by Ralph Lauren gives this white, tan and black room a punch of color.

This tranquil bedroom was designed by Albert Hadley. The 18th-century folding bed in a soft shade of blue is covered in white linens to keep a simple look.

Wow. This stunning mirrored four poster canopy bed in this room designed by Jonathan Berger was based on a 1940s Serge Roche bed. I particularly like how Berger mixes the patterns - the geometric rug and stripes are brilliant together!

Are you sold on four poster canopy beds? For more information on manufacturers, interior designer Patricia Gray has compiled an excellent list of 10 Top Four Poster Canopy Beds.

*images from House Beautiful and Elle Decor

What a difference textiles make!

I received an email from Calico Corners last week and their photos caught my attention, so I decided to give their site a look-see. They have some nice inspiration, online idea notebooks, design advice, and fabrics for sale. Here are some of my favs.

This Victorian chair frame with contemporary fabric I find especially striking.



The curtains are gorgeous

I like this Art Nouveau style fabric -"Flowerfield" from their modern line.

Another modern - "Cassandra"

"Blossom"



That black and white striped chair is to die for!


Annie Selke fabrics.

via Calico Corners

Butterfly Summer - VIVRE Tablescape

I've done it again! This time I entered AphroChic's VIVRE Summer Tablescape Contest and my entry is below. "Butterfly Summer" was inspired by Phoebe Howard's gorgeous bedroom design in the Atlanta Showhouse (above). The room's neutral palette is peaceful and airy. It reminded me of a lazy summer day and the life the warmest season brings us - butterflies, sunflowers and sunshine. The moodboard's images also evoked fond memories of my Grandma Virginia and her love for sunflowers.

The fabulous tabletop items showcased are all conveniently available at VIVRE - (top to bottom) Naja & Merveilles Gilded Twig & Foliage Tableware, New Arcadia Sunflower Rocks Glasses, Butterfly Napkin Rings and Glass Butterfly Plates by Siecle, Sazingg Butterfly & Chain Necklace, Garza Butterfly Tray, Tall Butterfly Vase and SURevolution Small Feather Cake Knife.

Take a look at more VIVRE tablescape moodboards and vote for your favorite here.

A life without love is like a year without summer. ~ Swedish Proverb

*Images from VIVRE, Phoebe Howard, Martha Stewart, Flickr and Lolliblog

Bedrooms in the Hue of Blue

This traditional bedroom in the Hamptons was designed by New York's Steven Gambrel. The lovely tufted headboard with wood trim is my favorite element in the room.

Florida-based designer, Phoebe Howard created a lovely seaside bedroom retreat in this Johns Island home. Howard pulls several different shades of blue into the color scheme beautifully. The dark wood elements contrast nicely with the soft color palette.

This lovely bedroom was designed by Texas' Jan Showers. "An element of glamour is always necessary in a room, whether it be silk, glass or books--what is more glamorous than being surrounded by books?" says Showers. Although there are no books in this image, the Claudette Bench from Showers' furniture collection is glamorous!

This tranquil bedroom by James Michael Howard is my favorite in the series. Howard successfully mixes contemporary and traditional styles in this space. The lovely bed takes center stage under the gilded star-burst mirror. The pattern in the rug and quilt coordinate nicely. And the crystal chandelier adds a touch of glamour.

It's another gorgeous room by interior designer, James Michael Howard. Howard is known for his lavish application of color, texture and pattern and this bedroom is a great example. The color scheme - dusty blue, tangerine and a splash of yellow - flows beautifully through the quilt, throw pillows and artwork above the bed.

Which "blue" bedroom is your favorite? Also, drop by Julia's Hooked on Friday's blog party for more home inspiration!

*images from Jan Showers Interiors, James Michael Howard, S.R. Gambrel, Phoebe Howard

Hooked on Girls' Bedrooms - Oh So Pretty

When I came across these gorgeous designer girls' bedrooms, I knew I had to share them with you.

New York-based designer Thomas Jayne cleverly added feathers atop the canopy bed for a bit of whimsy. To make the room feel larger and to allow for more storage, he brilliantly lined an entire wall in mirror-fronted, touch-latch cabinets. Love that idea for a small space. The monkey hanging from the canopy seems to be enjoying the room too.

San Francisco-based designer, Palmer Weiss created this tween girl's room for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2009 home. I was able to tour it in person and thought the bed canopy was gorgeous and was drooling of the lucite coffee table. Great mix of styles.

Pretty in pink! Usually I don't like this much pink in a girl's bedroom, but designer Steven Miller pulls it off beautifully here by adding hints of orange and blue to deliver a harmonious color palette. I love the crisp & clean lined linens on the trundle. The ceiling to floor harlequin drapes and toile chair & ottoman are my favorite elements.

If you have a favorite girl's room, please send it my way.

*all images from decorati

Sugar 'n Spice and Everything Nice - Little Girl's Bedrooms

This summer I'll be designing a little girl's bedroom for a client. Yippee! We haven't scoped out the project yet, but I couldn't resist searching for inspiration. Here are some of my favorites.

There's no place like home, there's no place like home... I am a huge fan the Wizard of Oz and in fact was the Wicked Witch of the West in a summer musical when I was in high school. This magical room by designer Zoya Bograd is exquisite. Albeit a little over-the-top for my taste, but what little girl wouldn't want this most enchanting bedroom? Images from House Beautiful 2009 Kips Bay Show House.

I just love how this cloud-like bed is centered under the arched window. Simple, crisp white linens and soft blue walls (Benjamin Moore's Misty Memories) bring the outside in. So dreamy. Love the antique blue and white striped French Rococo period chair with the round tufted ottoman in this otherwise contemporary room. Perfect for a city girl. Image from House Beautiful.

Love this color palette. It's hard to say what's my favorite element in this darling bedroom showcased in the Southern Living Idea House 2005. I'm torn between the beautiful leaf inspired upholstered headboard (custom, I am assuming) and the pink with orange trim reading bench. That chandelier is gorgeous; if you know the manufacturer, please let me know. Image from flickr.

The floral rug in this sweet contemporary bedroom by NY designer, Evelyn Benatar sets the tone for the whole room. Love the monogram pillow cases. Nice touch to help personalize a room shared by sisters.

Isn't this colorful girl's bedroom by designer Shijo Sebastian of Dubai fun! His use of circle wallpaper on the back wall and ceiling is brilliant. Love the unique modern light fixtures too.

So many choices; it will be fun to see what ideas my young client has in mind!

Tranquil Bedroom Inspiration

Currently I am designing a bedroom for a dear friend and client who recently lost her husband after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She desires (and frankly needs) a soothing, tranquil retreat that reflects her simple, yet sophisticated style. The room will be in soft hues of white and blue and will have mix of traditional and contemporary elements. We are also doing this on a very tight budget. I will be sure to share her new room in a future post.

Here are some beautiful rooms that have inspired us along the way…

This bedroom by Margaret Bobsyshell is gorgeous and I found the image in the post, “The house that keeps haunting me” at a wonderful blog called, Things That Inspire. The four poster bed by Julia Gray is lovely. The serene wall color, milk pail by Martha Stewart is nice a contrast with the white elements in the room.

(The above picture: photography Erica George Dines)

This bedroom is simply elegant and hands-down my personal favorite in this series. It was designed by L.A.’s very talented Brooke Giannetti and the image was found in her blog Velvet and Linen.

Brooke frequently collaborates on architectural projects with husband Steve Giannetti providing clients with full architectural, interior design and landscape services. In this room, I particularly like the wall colors, Farrow and Ball Skimming Stone with All White trim. But, my favorite design element is the nostalgic 40's mirrored bedside table from Aiden Gray. My client loves it too, but it's not in the budget... darn it!

Here’s another bedroom that has inspired my client. The image was found on House Beautiful and a darling blog call House of Turquoise.

I simply love the use of combined contemporary and traditional elements in this room. Such a peaceful, dreamy room… just what my client needs.