Upholstered Headboard Ideas: Indulge Yourself

I was paging through a decor magazine one afternoon last year and ran across an article about upholstered headboards which is now a hot trend. I thought it interesting at the time but simply turned the page. (Yep . . . my love for reading includes decor magazines and books.) I later began to notice just how true the article was. One decor magazine after another and one decorating book after another all had copious images of upholstered headboards. What struck me was that this is a fabulous way to add color, patterns and even stateliness to the bedroom. It’s practical (for us-read-in-the-bed people) and many of the designs can easily be done on a weekend DIY project. Here are just a few examples of these gorgeous bedroom furnishings.

Don’t you just love the coral in this bedroom and the queen-like designed headboard, tufted and detailed with a contrasting trim on the border.

Feminine and fun in red but not so much red as to disturb sleeping. The fabric pattern and colors is just stunning. What a lucky cat!

This is such a simple, clean color scheme in blue and white where the tufted semi-wrap around headboard adds texture. A touch more texture is added with the wall accent. Beautiful.

Here’s another semi-wrap around headboard detailed in a buttoned tuft and nail head finish. The seriousness of the gray is juxtaposed with the happy yellow and neutral white pillows.

Orange and turquoise . . . what a lovely color combination. If you feel threatened by the more elaborate headboards above as a DIY project, the one below is a prefect candidate for a week end project. You’ll spend more time having fun just picking out the fabric!

The shape on this headboard, and of course the lovely pattern and colors, is simplistic and handsome. Oh, those decorative pillows really add a lot of fun to the composition!

Exquisite comes to my mind when I look at the this headboard. The shape is simple but the fabric is stunning and detailed with a self welt. The idea here is that you can translate this simple rectangle shaped headboard to an easy DIY project and just add a drop-dead gorgeous ikat or some other fabric that you love. Complement this with decorative pillows (see me of course for this project) and whoa! You’ve got drama extraordinaire.

Discovered on Pinterest (Luce ikat fabric from Madeline Weinrib to the trade.)

Am I winning you over with these wonderful upholstered headboards yet or am I just preaching to the choir? Blue and yellow and white are always a great color scheme but here the yellow and white floral fabric on the headboard says I’m just sooooo happy to be alive. I really love how the rounded shape of the flowers couples with the rounded crown of the headboard and together the shapes counter the squares in the coverlet and the stripes in the rug.

When I saw this headboard, I thought “just take me there”: rich cocoa fabric accented with contrasting button tufts and trim on a crown and curling headboard frame.

Can a teen really resist loving this gold heart-shaped headboard?

Yes, even young boys can join in and experience the fun and comfort of an upholstered headboard, given the right manly height.

Getting it done

There are so many more design shapes and fabric for an upholstered headboard and the possibilities are seemingly endless. You can also just mount them on the wall.

Are you a DIY type? Here’s a great Youtube video by PinkSoFoxy on making a tufted headboard. The how to info is nicely detailed and the finished headboard is really plush.

Remember: Be Bold! (And do feel free to come back and talk to me about complimentary decorative pillows for your upholstered headboard.) Not a DIY type? You can of course find a carpenter to make the frame and an upholsterer to cover the frame. Or you go to a good home decor and fabric store where you can pick out the fabric and the store would have a third party vendor make it for you. These are custom ordered projects. I had one made at Calico Corner many years ago and it was very nicely done.

Already have a wood headboard that you’re lamenting was upholstered? Not to worry, I’ll address that in a later post because I too have a wood headboard with wonderfully turned posts. I also like the idea of adding color, pattern the comfort of the padding and the lovely detailing that makes the whole setting more stately. For the time being, I’ll just have fun looking for just the right drop-dead-can’t-live-without fabric.

So what do you think? Time to consider an upholstered headboard to plush up the bedroom?

Selecting Art to Match Your Existing Decor

By Guest Contributor: Valarie Mitchelle, VmDecor

You’ve selected your furniture and have everything in place but still…something is missing. If you feel that your home feels a bit drab, it could because there are no statement pieces placed throughout your home. Statement pieces are items or subjects that make you contemplate the story or feeling behind it. Sometimes its clear what the message is and sometimes it’s not. What are statement pieces? They can be accessories, sculptural art and also painted art. Selecting painted art as a statement piece is the most popular option because it’s easier. Each painting tells a unique story, can be purchased in different sizes and is much safer for shipping. This post will help you learn how to select art to Match Your Existing Decor by determining your style.

For The Love Of Spring, Water Color On Paper by Janet B. Sessoms, Wilmington, NC

Are You Traditional?

Traditional home decor will have a lot of ornate furniture pieces. For example, furniture legs will be curved and will have a lot of detailed carvings. Most wood materials will have intricate symmetrical designs displaying impeccable craftsmanship. Usual color schemes for traditional home decor settings are earth toned warm colors such as red, brown and green. Accessories such as a mirror or table lamps will often have bronze accents.

If you have a Traditional home decor, then the best art would be floral pictures or still life paintings in oil. If you want to go a bit bold, select modern still life photography instead.

Are You Contemporary?

A contemporary home decor will have furnishings that are simple and sleek when it comes to shape. There is not much detail and carvings in wood, in fact, hardly any. Instead of detail, contemporary design is more focused on materials like reclaimed wood, marble or stainless steel. Basic colors schemes for this type of design are either neutral hues that are light or different shades of one color leading to a more monochromatic color scheme. Geometric patterns are also used to add more variation.

Nothing To Against, Black White Traditional Ink Painting by Manjuzaka, Hong Kong Island

If you have a contemporary home decor setting, then the best art is abstract, still life photography or any art that experiments with various materials. If you want to go bold, select a graphic giclee art poster with written statement to show off your sense of typography.

Are You For Shabby Chic?

If you have a shabby chic home decor, then the best art for this type of setting are floral prints that have a neat and tidy look. Also botanical and bug pressing will add more of a natural feel. These types of art will bring out more femininity in this type of setting, while staying soft on the eyes. For the framing, select a frame that has glitz and glamour. If you want to go bold, select a colorful fantasy type painting.

Found on Foxy Lounge, Art by Angela Staehling

Are You Eclectic?

An eclectic home decor will have a careful blend of different pieces from various time periods. Furniture, as an example, may include an asian influenced cabinet with a Scandinavian side chair topped on a Turkish area rug. A complete look for this type of decor is pulled together by color, pattern or specific textile. This decor tends to have a, “collected over the years,” look where accessories usually have sentimental value and carries meaning to its owners.

Selecting art to fit your current home decor will depend on your style. Any art selected should of course reflect you. So have fun, explore your tastes, likes and dislikes while trying something new.

What’s your favorite kind of art that you have in your home?

About the Author

Located in New York, NY, Valarie is an interior designer and owner of Valarie Michelle Decor LLC (www.vmdecor.com), a drafting and rendering service that illustrates a client’s vision. A guest contributor and a fabulous find for Annsliee’s blog. Each month, she will be sharing more of her decorating wisdom with you. Can’t wait? Try her services with a 10% discount. Just enter coupon code “VMDECOR10” at her Etsy shop.

7 Inspirational Designs For The Man Cave

Would a man have a decorative pillow in his man cave? Of course, why wouldn’t he? After all, he’ll need a pillow when he naps, and he has to have something to throw near his 52” screen television when his favorite ball team looses a game.

I once made a tailored steel gray pillow. While installing the insert, that ridiculous notion came to my mind. Why I often think steel gray is a “masculine” color, I don’t know but I do. Anyway, I was plumping up the pillow for a photo shoot when my curiosity got the best of me, and I found myself goggling “man cave.” I discovered that indeed men have decorative throw pillows in their “man caves” but that ain’t all!

On their blog, “The Art of Manliness,” Brett and Kate McKay write,

In reading about the lives of history’s great men, one thing I’ve noticed is that many of them had a place they could go to be alone with their thoughts. Some of these men had a study where they would retreat to think, read, and write. Others had a garage or workshop where they would tinker and experiment. But what all these rooms had in common was their sheer manliness. They were man spaces, places a man could call his own.

The McKay’s include descriptions and photos of 14 great men. I list just a few of their photos here:

Frederic Douglas's Office — Frederic Douglas’s Office

Mark Twain's Man Space (Perhaps jotting down thoughts for one of his famous biting satirical novels.) — Mark Twain’s Man Space (Perhaps jotting down thoughts for one of his famous biting satirical novels.)

Thomas Jefferson's Man Space. What a lovely room. He didn't even have to leave it to take a nap. — Thomas Jefferson’s Man Space. What a lovely room. He didn’t even have to leave it to take a nap.

Andrew Carnegie's Study with a tufted sofa and, yes, a lovely throw pillow on which to rest his head. — Andrew Carnegie’s Study with a tufted sofa and, yes, a lovely throw pillow on which to rest his head.

Even Winston Churchill made time to paint alone in his painting room.

7 Inspiring Contemporary Designs For The Man Cave:

For the modern man with expanded interests, the Man Space becomes more poignantly the Man Cave, such as those found on Styleture:

Do men share their man caves with women?

One very interesting comment about the examples listed on the website Styleture was “It’s not a man cave without a bar”! (Note the throw pillow on the leather sofa, hint, hint:):)

Themed man caves are especially interesting and fun, such as these that I discovered on theme Man Caves My Bad Pad . I hope these men don’t have a “men only” sign on the door.

A Harley-Davidson Man Cave Bar carved into a garage. The next image is another view of the Harley Bar Man Cave. Geez, I love this room and I don't even ride motorcycles:) — A Harley-Davidson Man Cave Bar carved into a garage. The next image is another view of the Harley Bar Man Cave. Geez, I love this room and I don’t even ride motorcycles:)

Hope you didn't miss the other view above of this Harley-Davidson Man Cave Bar. — Hope you didn’t miss the other view above of this Harley-Davidson Man Cave Bar.

This room says just give me the facts, ma'am. — This room says just give me the facts, ma’am.

Also from my bad pad, I particularly love this “bad ass” sofa created from the front end of a Cadillac for Snoop Dog.

I love these man caves and man spaces. They are just soooo cool, practical and functional–and yet, they’re fun and tastefully done. They’re wonderful expressions of the man of the house, a place to retreat to and be himself. I’m a strong proponent for every women having a room of her own–and men too!

(This post is an updated republished post from the archived Annsliee-blogs.net, October 11, 2011.)

So guys, fess up. What is your dream for a man cave?

Create A Fabulous Entrance

Your entrance says hello to your guests and a welcome back to you. Your hello can convey drama, casual comfort or just love lives here–and be fabulous. Believe it or not, the size of your hall or entry way doesn’t really matter. If you live in an apartment or home where walls and floor space for a foyer are absent, you can still create the illusion of an entry with a screen or the placement of furniture. Do read on.

Say hello with drama: use bold colors, statement furnishings such as a tables and chairs and wall accessories:

Remember you don’t have to have a large space to create an inviting color palette, such as the pink and gold in this image. It’s essence can be created with a period chair with a pink patterned cushion and a small (even a lumbar) pillow and a coordinating lamp. Capture the gold in a lamp base and mirror. Add a small table, particularly one with a drawer for keys and mail. The furnishings in this image can easily be purchased at auctions, thrift stores that sell upscale, even garage sales.

The image below is a wonderful examples of just a few choice pieces. The fun wallpaper is called Beware The Moon Ostrich. I absolutely love the accent color scheme of a dramatic black and white chair paired with the leopard animal print pillow and then juxtaposed with the soft red and cream of a beautiful and feminine artwork.

Elegant, classy and bold is found in the example below. The strong black and gold trims and accessories become even more poignant against the light taupe and cream striped wall.

The next one is very definitely one my most favorites! I need more adjectives to say this is indeed my most favorite entryway. I have a very large mirror that once hung on the wall of my last home in Northern Virginia. But now that I have downsized to a lovely coastal apartment, I’ve been toying with the idea of unpacking the mirror and lean it against a wall in the hall. In fact, add more visual interest through layering and add an abstract stencil on the wall; add a small boxy modern table; and a collection of boxes and a small lamp. There is not enough room for bench but I love the idea of over-sized baskets. Well, looks like I’ve got my entryway solved. Okay, let’s try a few more ideas for you.

Chests and credenzas are great for creating a fabulous entrance, be it dramatic or casual. Not only can it make a grand statement but it also provides storage.

Discovered on Nordic Days blog. I'm guessing but this wall storage unit looks like a shoe storage unit doubling as an entry way! How clever. — Discovered on Nordic Days blog. I’m guessing but this wall storage unit looks like a shoe storage unit doubling as an entry way! How clever.

Creating a fabulous entryway is a great place to add a gallery: paintings, family photos or a collection of photos you love. Your guests will always want to stop, admire and talk with you about your beautiful collection–and you will always be greeted with things you love that stop you at the door to make you smile.

Of course, if it’s glamour you prefer to see when your home welcomes you back, here are a couple of lovely decor templates.

My New Orleans Home.com. (Oops, looks like someone forgot to remove the clear wrap from the lampshades.)

Okay, so you live in an apartment or home where you open the door and look directly into your living space. But you like the idea of having a little space that says “stop here first.” As I said above, and I’ve done it myself in an apartment, add a screen. There are hundreds (probably thousands) of them from which to choose, such as solid wood designs, bamboos, framed with fabrics, glass art or just clear glass.

You know the old saying, “Home is where the heart is.” I say it begins when you open the door–smiling faces are the best. Second best is a warm, fabulous “enter here.”

Are you taking another look at your foyer or thinking how to create one?

Dog Ear Pages On Life

“Dog Ear Pages On Life” is the tile of one of my Pinterest boards where I collect a sundry of sayings about life. Well, I was rummaging through what I had collected and thought why not share some of these with you. (Oh, in case you’re wondering about “dog ear pages.” it comes from folding back the corners of the pages of a book to mark where the reader left off. You remember, don’t you? It was before we could buy or were given gorgeously designed book marks, and definitely before the Kindle reader.)

I’m sorry, I just had to add that “Bald Puppy” one. It makes me smile every time I look at it, it’s just so precious, it speaks love in volumes:)

Do you have any dog ear pages on life?

Decorate With Turquoise

I simply love the color turquoise. The color is fresh, vibrant and just down right inviting, as you will see from the great photos below of homes that decorate with turquoise. In interesting fact about this blue-green hue is that the name originated from the French word for Turkey because it (the gem) came from there. The first recorded use in English for the color name was 1573. (Okay, so this is a bit of trivia, I found it in Wiki.) Another piece of trivia, you may think, is the meaning of turquoise, as culture would have it:

The color turquoise is associated with meanings of refreshing, feminine, calming, sophisticated, energy, wisdom, serenity, wholeness, creativity, emotional balance, good luck, spiritual grounding, friendship, love, joy, tranquility, patience, intuition, and loyalty.

Bourn Creative

To which I can only say: take me there! Alright, back on topic. You don’t have to live in the Caribbean, in a coastal town or beach house to enjoy this beautiful color. Country and urban life styles can employ this wonderful color whether in large amounts or accents.

The following group of photos I discovered on a site called Shelterness, a wonderful place to rummage through for its fabulous DIY project ideas. Each of the rooms below use turquoise boldly in both large and small quantities on walls to home accessories. For example, the turquoise (wall paper?) on this powder room wall contrasts boldly with the white cabinet , the dash of black and yellow chair. The combination is just class to the nth degree.

Turquoise beautifully provides accent in these rooms. Wouldn’t you agree that turquoise is such a refreshing color?

Paired with yellow, turquoise is striking! Here, it even enhances the gray sofa.

If you’re bold or wanna’ be, try the combination below: strong, deep yellow and a deep turquoise. Sprinkle it with silver and reds.

Turquoise really pops when paired with white!

Here’s one more idea for decorating with turquoise to send you on your way to thoughts of using it.

To create drama with turquoise, choose a complementary color (one that is opposite turquoise on a standard color wheel), such as red to orange. Or just a deep turquoise. If, however, you want to create a visual monotone scheme, select a monochromatic color (one that is positioned on both sides of turquoise on a standard color wheel). These colors would be forest-green, emerald, celery, cyan, blue and ultramarine (What Color Looks Good With Turquoise? Juniper Russo). Ms. Russo goes on to explain that metallic minerals found naturally in the gem turquoise can be translated to pairing the color with other earthy and natural mineral color hues as “bronze, copper, penny and rust.”

Well, it’s been four years since turquoise was announced the Pantone color of the year, it’s still a popular and desirable color to use. It allows us to emotionally, if not physically, transcend to a dreamy and relaxing place as we recall the comforting blues of the sky and water and the earthy greens.

If you love turquoise too, raise your hand and let me know!!

Punch Color Into Your Decor With Accent Pillows

It’s said that painting your walls is the quickest and least expensive way to punch color into your decor. I would add throw pillows to that short list. This is particularly true when you rent and are not allowed to paint over those white the walls. Keep in mind, you can take the accent throw pillows with you. So where do you start?

Invest in a good, quality insert, preferably a down and feather insert. The higher the content of the down, the better. Not only does it give you a softer presentation of a beautiful throw pillow cover but also the comfort just can’t be beat. If you are allergic to down and feather, there are some fairly good faux down inserts. Why start with a quality insert? You can always change out the cover whether it’s a seasonal choice or you simply want another color. And the insert will make any cover look great.

Next step. Well, that lays heavily on the major pieces of furnishings you already have, such as your sofa and, of course, your personal taste for color and patterns.

From the photo above, you see white walls, a white sofa and the neutral colors of tan in poufs and rug. But as you can see, not only is the contrasting neutral colors of the black and gray screen and the black leather ottoman that give this room a poignant interest, but also the dramatic collection of colors and differing sizes of the pillows. Warm colors of deep pinks and yellow pair with the cool yet sophisticated color of black.

If you are a lover of drama, let your white walls become the palette on which you display your audacious objects. Pair down to a simple color scheme, such as beautiful grays, blacks, silver and even brown like the palette seen below. Note how the accent pillows soften the starkness of the room by inviting comfort. The wood tables and wall frame bring in the warmth. And of course, if you are fortunate enough to have a lovely view from your window to mother nature, all the better.

Discovered on My Scandinavian Home Blogspot

Below is an excellent example how vibrant colors in decorative pillows become brilliant against the backdrop of white walls, particularly when the color scheme coordinates with window treatments and in this case, the paintings as well.

That fabulous rug in the image above almost grabs the microphone . . . but notice how the dramatic colors and designs of the fabric in the accent pillows balances the scheme. The rug is forced to share the stage on this one.

The rug in the image below doesn’t try to steal the show of pillows but in fact delighttfully complements the blue in the near riotous pillow collection. Isn’t it exciting: the display of so many patterns and colors! Add the simply, dramatic painting on the wall and you hardly notice that the walls are white.

Psssh . . . I didn’t just happen to pick images with white walls. Frankly, I love them and I was delighted to have recently read that for many interior designers, white walls has fallen back in favor. Why? Not only do they give a clean appearance but white walls are also backdrops to your beautiful furnishings and home accessories, as you saw in the examples above. So if you are living in a rental with white walls or even own your abode and the walls are white, take note you are “in trend.”

Well, are you rethinking your dislike for white walls or do you already have them and love them?

Tips for Mastering Small Space Living

Not sure how to master small space living? So you have a tiny space that you aren’t proud of and now
a days everyone thinks, “bigger is better.” Well, small spaces are quite special if you select the right
pieces and sizes, just think, “Small Space, Big Ideas.” Read on to learn 4 easy to try tips.
Select Reflective Pieces To Shine

Everyone pretty much knows the rule about how mirrors make a space visually larger but go the extra
mile by selecting some elegantly decorative pieces. Shiny things aren’t just mirrors but can also be
items that have a mirrored surface too! For example, placing a gorgeous mirror console at the entrance
of your home and mirrored side tables for guests to place their drinks while chatting it up. Anything
with shine is sure to set a mood in any small space.

Choose Stylish Furnishings

While standing in your empty living room, you draw an image in your head of whats needed to fill the
space like a sofa, media center, side tables, etc. When you go off to the store, select stylish furnishings
like a sofa with a fun color, a media center with beautiful craftsmanship to help your small space
stunning or even a bold canopy style bed for the master bedroom.

Use Lengthy Curtains

Want to make whoever comes in to your home, drop their jaws? There’s nothing better than using lengthy curtains that will either just touch the floor or drape loosely around it. This technique gives any
space an illusion that ceilings are high so guest will feel like they’re walking into a palace aka, “your
living room.”

Include One Statement Piece

Since the space you’re decorating will already be quite small you can’t really buy a lot of furniture. So
how to make an appealing space without a variety of furnishing? Easy. Just include that one statement
piece that will really get guests owing and awing. A statement piece can be anything from a masterfully
crafted wall sculpture or one of a kind bombe console table. Just make sure this is piece isn’t easy to be
found. Not sure where to find these pieces? Check out Etsy to find a lot of one of a kind, independent
art and sellers with an amazing eye for design.

So when living in a small space, just think, “Small Space, Big Ideas.”

Do you have any secrets you’d like to share?

About the Author

Designs That Fascinate: Pierre Lota

French designer, Pierre Lota, creates new objects from other objects and records it in a video he calls “One Object In One Minute,” a project he launched in 2013. Every time I watch one of his one-minute videos, I’m fascinated and anxiously wait to see what the new object will be. For example, he created an adjustable lamp out of two wood clothes hangers and a CD rack out of a wood pallet. The objects are always practical and modern. He uses minimal tools, works on a clean table and is amazingly organized. I suspect the oops are edited out of the video. But that’s okay. I sometimes wonder if some of these objects are durable; still, I’m thinking to throw that skepticism aside and for my new studio try to create one of his projects: the metal-strip wall lamp. I love this wall lamp. No doubt, it will take me more than a minute! Check out a couple of his videos. Don’t worry, you’re not expected to become a do-it-yourself convert.

https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js

If you missed them, here are a couple of old to new items:

An adjustable lamp made from two clothes hangers. How cool is that?

A small shelf made from magazines and wood plank.

I tried to find out more about this designer, even trekked over to google.com.fr. I can only add that he is a “follower of the Blitz Design,” I discovered even less about that, and so I assume the literal meaning is “quick designs.” I enjoy looking into his very creative mind and am a follower of Pierre Lota.

Have you discovered a designer whose work fascinates you?

Throw Pillows: To Chop Or Not Chop

A debate or just a preference: to chop your throw pillows or not? I’ve been reading some interesting articles on decorative pillows written by interior designers on Houzz.com.* The writers insert ample photos of fabulously decorated rooms to make their points. My initial attention is always given to the whole composition of the room. As a maker of decorative pillows, I then give even more attention to these lovely creations. After that, I like to move on to visitor comments. What I find particularly disturbing is the number of comments from readers made about pillows being chopped. Never mind the efforts of the writer’s article; never mind the decorated rooms–the colors, furnishings, decorative accents; and the spectacularly finished walls all coming together beautifully. Never mind any of this. It’s those pillows. Their chopped, karate chopped as some would say. You see, there are at least four ways in how throw pillows are presented: “karate” chopped, straight style, tap on the top and gently tapped inward on the sides or with just a tap only on the top.

Karate chopping decorative pillows was once a trend but has now gone out of fashion–for some. For them, seeing a chopped pillow is not just bad taste but cause to fixate, circle the poor pillows and denigrate them without mercy with one comment after another, after another. Whether one likes to chop or not to chop their pillows and whether one cares about following trends or not, it seems to me the question is does it work in the composition of the room? And does it please the creator of the decorated room?

(This is a republished post from Annsliee-blogs.net archive.)

*Here are a couple of great articles on decorative pillows:

Pointers for Perfectly Styled Pillows
Learn the Lingo of Cushions (Features my Turkish corner pillow in dupioni silk silver gray)

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