Design Series Tuesday - Canopy Beds {part 4}

Well, this is our last installment of the canopy bed series.  I don't know about you, but it has certainly helped get me through January.  I have just started noticing the days are getting a little longer and it's not totally dark at 5:00. So, we are well on our way to Spring [Woo Hoo]. 

As for canopy beds, I have saved the best for last.  These are my favorite of all the canopy beds we have discussed.  I am calling this category . . .

Floating Fabric Canopy Beds 

These are examples of clever uses of fabric to accent the bed in unique ways.  I hope these are inspiring and allow you to come up with other ideas for your own bed.

Most of the floating fabric canopies require two drapery rods for installation - very simple.  But as you can see from the picture below, the fabrics you choose can add so much style.  Look at all the details on these - the fabrics, trim and tape.  Quite stunning (even in purple)!


This is a similar look, yet it is pulled out to the end of the bed.  Also, notice the sloping roof line.  This type of canopy is a wonderful solution for a sloping or even low ceiling.

This canopy reminds me of Greece.  The rest of the furnishings are quite rustic and almost country cottage, but the canopy itself is Santorini all the way!  

This one requires a bit less fabric since they did not carry it down behind the headboard. 

Another sloped roof.  I love the contrast of the unfinished ceiling and the white lace.  Reminds me of a room Jane Austen would write about.

I think this is a clever way to designate this very small area as the bedroom.  The striking graphics of the fabric really define the space.

Other Canopy Bed Ideas

This group is all the leftover photographs I pulled for this series.  Most of these are bed crowns or other types of pelmets to accent the bed.  Your imagination is the only limit with draping fabric above your bed.  Cute dog!

I am sure this is a staged vignette, but it feels like they have crammed way too much furniture into this small space. 

If you can't be a Queen, at least you can sleep like one.  [Not for me folks].

I actually like this one.  I think it's the green (which is my favorite color) and the fact that it looks like velvet.  All that texture makes me like it. 

As I continue to mention, I'm not crazy about the purple, but I do like the dark wood and how it contrasts with the light ceiling.

Would love your thoughts on this one!

Here's a close up of a bed crown.

My favorite part about this one is the shape of the headboard (so sweet in a little girl's room) - the rest is just too busy for my taste.  A

This is a simple version of the bed crown.  As an aside, I think it would be great to have a room large enough for a pair of full or even queen sized beds!

This one is really more of a sheer netting used in tropical places rather than a canopy, but I included it anyway. 

Lastly, another alternative to consider when you have a sloping roof line.  

Well, there you have it.  I have officially reached my saturation point with canopy beds.  Maybe if I did this with other things, I would actually save a little a money! 

PS: I also wanted to give a shout out of thanks to Emily at Splendid Market for awarding me the Stylish Blog.  It is the highest compliment when other bloggers recognize your efforts!  For a list of seven things about me, click here.  As for Splendid Market,  Emily's blog has been a favorite of my for a while.  Please check out her blog either by clicking here or going to my blogroll.   Thanks Emily! M.

Design Series Tuesday - Canopy Beds {part 3}

Who knew there were so many versions of canopy beds?  Up this week . . . 

Valance Style Canopy Beds  

Not sure what I mean?  Here are a few pictures.
This is a super easy way to give your bed the feel of a canopy with just a small amount of fabric.  

OK, I know this is not a bed, but it could so easily be made into one.  I also think it's a fun solution for a desk.  

This one is a bit different.  If you notice, it is really a simple piece of fabric that flows over a rod that is floating just below the ceiling.  

I also think it's interesting to use a darker toned bed with the valance canopy.  The contrast in color and layering has a really pretty effect. 

What I think is so interesting about the valance treatment is how it creates such importance and focus on the bed with such little effort.  It frames the bed in such a wonderful way.

The valance canopy gives you one more opportunity to inject a bit more fabric into a space.  In this case, they used the same fabric(since the pattern is busy), but if the room were more neutral, you could add impact with just the patterned fabric.  The detailing on the valance reminds me of a puzzle piece.  

This one is my favorite in this category.  I think I like it best because is comes out to the end of the bed.  Thus giving you the feel of a true canopy without any visual clutter at the foot of the bed.  In this case, there isn't a lot of clearance at the foot of the bed, so this is an awesome solution. 

At first glance, I thought of this as a very traditional space.  But then noticed the very modern wallpaper in the same tones.  Very interesting mix.  The rose color ties it all together. 

I know we are focusing on the canopy, but would you take a look at the fab pink chair in the background! (and the acrylic bedside table).  Love this space. 

This last picture is not in the valance category, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek into the last category of canopy beds that we will discuss this month!  I am totally loving those wall/sconce lamps within the canopy. 

Design Series Tuesdays - Canopy Beds {part 2}

After hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies for the sledders in our neighborhood yesterday, we are still side tracked with this crazy weather.  We have another snow day today.  The kids are thrilled - again.  I loved my little holiday, but I am now ready to get back to work!  With two re-designs this week and a preliminary design meeting to squeeze in, the snow is really cramping my style.

But, the great news is snow days do not have any impact on blogging.  And today we are continuing our Tuesday design series on canopy beds!  Specifically - using fabric and any old bed to create the look of a canopy.  So, if you are yearning for a canopy bed but don't want to invest in a new piece of furniture, here's your solution.

Isn't this stunning!  There's a lot of fabric here, but I think the neutral solid tone makes it work (at least for me it's working!) Notice the pretty detailing on the valance portion of the canopy.  Also, love that they hung a mirror over the fabric.

Very chic.  Notice the entire room is painted the emerald green with the exception of the ceiling within the canopy area.  All the white give this room a fresh feeling.

This one is a little difficult to see, but the panels have this beautiful detailing on the edge that is also echoed in the window treatments.  Also, notice the ceiling of the canopy area.  I like it, but it does not seem to really go with all the rich character in the rest of the room - very unexpected. 

OK, this one may be a traditional canopy bed (not sure), but I wanted to include it because it's placement in the room is unusual.  You could create a similar look just using fabric. The side of the bed has been accented with the hot pink fabric (which is so in this year!).  This treatment could be used with a daybed and not placed in the corner.  You would then place the pillows across the hot pink wall.  Tons of possibilities here (with fabric options).

Lastly, this is a modern take on the canopy.  It looks as though the entire structure is hanging from chains.  Again, tons of possibilities here, depending on your room. 

I collected these pictures over the Christmas break and was scurrying to find them (between conversations with family and friends and putting out fires with the kiddos). So, I am sorry to say I have no sources any of the pictures.  (If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know this is not like me.  I think it is extremely important to give the person who created the look the credit).  So, if you know any of the sources for these pictures or you are the source, please let me know and I will gladly update with credits!  

Design Series Tuesdays - Canopy Beds {part 1}

During my week off, I decided it would be fun to do a design series once a week during the winter months.  I realize we have very mild winters in Alabama, but sometimes the short cold days can be down right depressing, so I thought we could focus on something cozy instead.  

Each Tuesday in January, I am going to be talking about canopy beds.  Why?  Because they've been on mind lately.  And, no, I don't have one in my home, but I do think they are an amazing design feature, when done correctly. 

 

So, a few housekeeping items before we get started:

1. You must, I repeat, must have a large room  - a canopy can become visual clutter if you try to cram one into a bedroom that is too small (there are a few exceptions to this we will discuss).  

2. You need high ceilings that are in really good shape - The canopy will draw your eye up to the ceiling and any imperfections on the ceiling will glare at you. 

3. Quality fabric - Don't go cheap on the fabric you use on the canopy.  There is a lot of it and cheap fabric will be noticed (there is a way around this that we will discuss).  

OK, there are four basic types of canopies - with lots of interpretations of each.  We are going to start with the most basic.

Traditional Four Poster Canopy Beds

Canopies for beds began as bed curtains surrounding a bed and were traditionally used to create a cozy warm place for sleeping in large drafty bed quarters.  The bed was surrounded in curtains that could be pulled at night to allow for more comfortable sleeping.  Now, with central heat and smaller rooms, the canopy bed has become a beautiful feature for a bedroom.  

Peter Dunham
We can't talk about canopy beds without first talking about who I consider a master of the traditional canopy bed - Peter Dunham.  I think he includes one in every space he does!  So, he knows a thing or two about how to pull it off.  Here are a few samples of his take on the canopy bed.

In this example, the canopy is getting all the impact with the patterned fabric while the rest of the room remains neutral.  Notice the bed is placed on a "fabric wall" that is the same neutral color as the draperies in the space.

Peter Dunham




In this example, there are no panels on the bed, just a valance.  This creates and airy light feeling.  I love the look with the painted bed.

Peter Dunham

Again, an open airy feeling with the light panels on the canopy bed - no valance.

Peter Dunham

This one I love, love.  Notice, it breaks one of my rules (must have a large room); but, by not including any fabric on the canopy and using wrought iron (rather than thick dark wood), he has pulled it off.  I am not sure, but I think the drapery panel to the left is used as a partition where you can close off the bedroom from the rest of the room.  Also, the vertical striped wallpaper gives the illusion of tall ceilings.

Peter Dunham

I think it is important to remember that a beautiful canopy bed can stand on it's own - you don't necessarily need fabric panels to get a great look.  In this case, the grass cloth wallpaper and lush draperies give you the texture this bedroom needs.

Peter Dunham

In this picture, the canopy has been left open (valance only) but the walls and ceiling have been upholstered giving you the cozy feeling without the visual clutter. 

Peter Dunham

OK, below are several other canopy beds that I thought were worth mentioning.  When most people think of a canopy bed, they think of very traditional versions which are beautiful.  

But, there are more modern takes on a canopy bed.  Like this curvy creature. 

Or a rather sexy version. Like this (btw: would you look at those floors and the benches at the foot of the bed?!).

Or this (notice the tufted back on this one - gulp). 

Also, you can use the canopy bed to create a romantic french feeling in your space.

And then inject a shot of modern to the same style bed to achieve this yumminess (notice the ceiling while you're at it).

Also, remember, you can add fabric just to the top and down the back of the bed and still get something interesting.  I would much rather see this done with high quality fabric than an entire bed done in cheap polyester. 

via decorpad

All this said, before you decide to go out and buy a canopy bed of any type, come back next Tuesday to see some versions that do not require a special canopy bed!  

Still wanting more on canopy beds??? Here are two really great posts I found during my research that are definitely worth a read!  Taylor Galen at Outside the Workroom and Jennifer Mitchell at Design Hole Online.