Your bed is that welcoming presence that’s always there for comfort and warmth, which is exactly why you should style it to be the most personalised area of your home.
Jason Granziera, stylist and owner of Sage Styling Interiors, has provided six key ways to channel the zen, to celebrate the launch of Lounge Lovers’ bed range.
Keep it relaxed
Your bed is not the place for strict lines or rigid shapes. Opt for a more relaxed, layered vibe with soft throws and pillows, so the whole space feels calming and welcoming. Rattancan help create a more casual feeling, or try selecting simples lines and rounded edges in your furniture.
“No one wants to get into their place of rest that looks like a tightly folded envelope!” explains Jason.
Size up when choosing a quilt
One of the most common mistakes when styling your bed (and one of the easiest to make) is to purchase a quilt that’s the same size as the mattress, such as a queen-sized quilt for a queen-sized bed.
Instead, size up. Choose a king-sized quilt for a queen-sized bed. This allows for ample styling lusciousness and atmosphere of plush opulence for day or night.
Interchange seasonal statement pieces
Colour, texture or a seasonal hero piece can be a simple way to ensure furniture fatigue doesn’t hit in each season.
Whether it’s using natural fibres, changing the sheet set, or swapping out your side table, switching one item can be a simple way to refresh the boudoir. For a spectacular example of sophistication and craftsmanship, bone inlay pieces can create interest without changing your entire bedroom suite
It’s not all about the bed
The bed is the masterpiece of the bedroom, but the surrounding décor is the frame, and it’s almost as important. Aside from being highly practical and useful every day, an elegant armchair, set of nesting tables, or sleek bench seat at the end of the bed can add a real wow factor.
A side table or set of nesting tables is the perfect place for a splash of greenery with a pot plant, or a dash of style with an elegant candle. It’s the kind of decorating flair that you would usually only see in sumptuous hotel rooms and glitzy magazine spreads, which is exactly why it will help your bedroom feel extra chic.
Treat your feet to a rug
No bedroom setting is complete without a beautiful rug. It helps pull together all the furniture pieces and ground the setting. Better yet, a rug can be adjusted to the size of the room, making it feel bigger or drawing the eye to a certain statement piece.
Autumn bed linen trends: Our favourite new bedding
With temperatures starting to drop, we’re rather excited about the potential for bedroom restyling – out with summer’s light fabrics and colours and in with a much more autumnal vibe.…
This cosy bedroom transformation is the perfect inspiration for winter
Warm, grounded colours that speak of security and comfort are set to dominate winter decorating trends, according to Dulux trend forecasters. “There’s a collective yearning for reassurance and a return…
With more and more people working from home, the bedroom has become an important place of respite and relaxation. Enter Heatherly Design’s new Chameleon collection, a bespoke range of beds that will turn your bedroom into a cosy self-care sanctuary.
The range taps into current interior design trends including sophisticated curves, neutral colour palettes, coastal themes and abundant texture.
“As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, our relationship with our homes has changed and will continue to evolve into the future,” says Georgia Leckey, founder of Heatherly Design. “This has accelerated a shift in how consumers cultivate their sleeping space and has given rise to ‘restorative bedrooms’ — a sentiment we see intensifying in seasons to come.”
The eggshell boucle and curvy shape of the Bonnie Bed create a calm and cosy cocoon for style-conscious sleepers.
The adaptable Rupert FLIP Bedhead Above and below) can be rotated between two opposing shades. The coastal hues and textured linen are perfect for those wanting a youthful and relaxing atmosphere.
Natural, earthy tones star in the Medina bed, which comes as a full-bed design with matching bolster cushions. The warm palette and crisp linen will create harmony in any bedroom.
Channelling the sophisticated elegance of New York’s Upper East Side, the Astor bedhead has been updated with new colourways and Ikat braid detailing. This tranquil design will transcend time and trends.
Sponsored by TEMPUR I don’t know about you, but I’m forever bringing ideas home from hotels to try and incorporate into my own bedroom. Because there’s nothing like that comfortable,…
Styling cushions: bed or lounge, follow these helpful tips
Everyone says the right cushions can make or break a bed or lounge, but actually deciding which ones to put together gives many people a headache! It’s not as easy…
Siesta Walls, who launched this year, are making bedroom styling a breeze with their newly-released range of eco-friendly, reusable, self-adhesive wallpaper “headboards”.
The first of their kind in Australia, they’re available in 22 designs, all of which are inspired by minimalism to work in harmony with existing bedroom aesthetics, and do not require professional installation. You simply peel and stick these oversized decals!
The launch collection features six ranges – Neutral, Monochromatic, Solid, Landscape, Rainbow and Abstract – and some designs are available in a variety of colours.
“We believe in the power of simplicity. Each design is inspired by the world we live in, featuring a wide range of adaptable hues to transform the look of a bedroom into a neutral haven or warm romantic setting,” says CEO Kristie Richardson.
“Like us, our customers are passionate about caring for our planet, so we’ve partnered with Left Bank Art Group who use Australia’s only printer that’s certified with a UL ECOLOGO for environmental excellence and all of our designs use environmentally-friendly latex inks, which are water-based.”
The PVC-free decals can also be removed and reused many times over without leaving a sticky residue on walls, shrinking or curling. They start from just $165 each, appealing to even the most price-conscious shopper, and come in single, king single, queen and king size. Shipping is free, Australia-wide.
Cleverly, queen or king size also work nicely to form an arch behind a baby’s cot.
Upholstered bedheads with on-trend, changeable covers
“Upholstery has always been in the family. My dad has been an upholsterer for over 40 years and I remember sitting on the floor of our little apartment in Brisbane’s…
We’ve sung the praises of Create Estate bedheads before but its latest collection, courtesy of a collaboration with artist Kimmy Hogan, is utterly next level! A beautiful pairing, the design…
We love customisation and product hacking as much as the next person so when we first heard about STYLKEA we were pretty excited. Designed to make bargain furniture look expensive, the range lets you personalise classic IKEA furniture pieces using DIY peel-and-stick perspex panels.
And while the range previously allowed you to pimp your IKEA MALM bedside tables and chests, the brand’s latest offering means your IKEA MALM bedhead can be transformed too with looks ranging from Hamptons to Hollywood Regency and more.
The IKEA MALM bedhead and bedside have never looked so good!
“We all want to live in beautiful, inspired spaces and our aim at STYLKEA is to give people an easy way to customise flat-pack pieces into the looks they love at a price they can afford. IKEA MALM beds are the perfect blank canvas to stamp your style on,” says STYLKEA’s founder and owner Kylie Hughes.
BEFORE
AFTER
The panels come in three size options designed to suit double, queen and king-sized IKEA MALM bedheads. The 3-millimetre metal, mirror-finish and ready-to-paint panels are manufactured in Australia and given the peel-and-stick adhesive is supplied there’s no tools or mess involved either. Genius!
“A lot of people have IKEA furniture that’s too good to get rid of, but they’re ready for a change. Our Styl-Panels allow you to elevate affordable flat-pack furniture from plain to whatever your design style might be.”
To celebrate the launch, the bedhead kits are currently on sale for a limited time for a bargain price of $59.99.
“Upholstery has always been in the family. My dad has been an upholsterer for over 40 years and I remember sitting on the floor of our little apartment in Brisbane’s north side chatting to Mum and Dad about their plans to retire in 18 months. It was bit of lightbulb moment for us and we didn’t sleep much that night coming up with grand plans of how we could take over their upholstery business. That idea quickly evolved into what we have now,” says Nicole Williams of the bedhead business Create Estate that she runs with her husband Sam.
Photography: Matt Johnson | Styling: Simone Barter, Style Life Home assisted by Anoushka Schollay
Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity, the bedheads are designed and made in Australia from the company’s base on the Sunshine Coast. “We’ve always wanted to operate as a boutique business that supports local creatives, with all items designed and made in Australia. We’re not about mass production as it often means compromising on quality and leaves less time for customers,” says Nicole.
Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Julia Green, Alex Carter and Aisha Chaudry for Greenhouse Interiors.
“Sam and I were first inspired by the simplicity of Scandinavian living, where it’s all about simple yet functional design. We believe that investing in a few quality pieces that don’t date means creating calm, stress-free homes and more time for what’s important!” she says. And in a coup for the brand, Create Estate is now the bedhead supplier for Greenhouse Interiors too.
The company make clever matching valances too. Photography: Matt Johnson | Styling: Simone Barter, Style Life Home assisted by Anoushka Schollay
Available in half-moon and linear designs, the most obvious point of difference is that the bedheads feature removable slipcovers – perfect for those that feel the urge to restyle! “We wanted to create a product that gave people the versatility to change the look of their room when investing in a big ticket item like a bedhead. Each of our bedheads come with a removable slipcover, available in a range of fabric options and can be swapped out as little or as often as you like. Win!” says Nicole.
Photography: Armelle Habib | Julia Green assisted by Sara Huckett from Lennox Rd Interiors and Aisha Chaudry for Greenhouse Interiors
Create Estate’s initial offering included pure European linen but they have since expanded into velvet and washed denim. “The denim is a unique take on a wardrobe staple. We’re continually thinking outside the box when it comes to fabric production and textile design in creating unique designs that still give customers the flexibility to change their look,” says Nicole
Photography: Matt Johnson | Styling: Simone Barter, Style Life Home assisted by Anoushka Schollay
“Our favourite piece from the range would have to be the Half Moon bedhead with slip cover. The feminine shape and size makes it a real statement piece while not over-powering a room and it’s proven to be quite popular for the kiddies too,” says Nicole.
Photography: Matt Johnson | Styling: Simone Barter, Style Life Home assisted by Anoushka Schollay
Celebrating ten years next month, Heatherly Design is celebrating with a fabulous new collection. From a minimal mustard bedhead to a lovely Kate Spade upholstered one and a luxurious tan leather foot stool, it’s arguably their best yet!
The Lucia bed
“The Lucia is the sister to our best-selling Rupert with the added bespoke detail of toggles made of leather and timber in the body of the bedhead. We really wanted to showcase something different in this bedhead and our upholstery team harked back to the duffle coat toggle from years gone by for that truly unique touch,” says owner and director Georgie Leckey.
The design also features the latest trend in beds – an oversized bedhead paired with a smaller base. “Bedheads wider than mattresses are a strong look. You can see this in our Lucia design using a king bedhead on a queen base, and the Lincoln too,” says Georgie.
The Armelle bedhead
With its low profile and mustard hue, the Armelle bedhead is a subtle yet sophisticated design that has feature piping. “It’s the perfect bedhead for those that don’t necessarily think they need a bedhead. It is low, sleek, incredibly comfortable and understated,” says Georgie.
“The Portobello is a black and white theme I have been longing to do for some time, so when this beautiful geometric weave came our way it was the perfect design for this scheme. We have chosen a king bedhead on a queen base and played around with scale,” says Georgie.
The Portobello bed
And straight to the top of my wish list is the new ‘Tate’ footstool with its buttoned buttery tan leather seat paired with a black wrought iron base. “The frame is made locally here in regional Victoria with our expert upholsterers completing the detailing of the seat,” says Georgie of the design that was inspired by the beautiful gallery stools and lounges you can find inside London’s Tate gallery.
The Tate footstool
Our small friends haven’t been overlooked either with the new range – the Stella is a gorgeous semicircle design that’s upholstered in fun polka dots. “The Stella children’s range is lots of fun and it’s finished in a stunning Kate Spade fabric. This circle patterned fabric called for a semicircle bedhead and what fun we had with this one personalising each bed with different colours!” says Georgie.
A pair of Stella bedheads. I absolutely love this look for a shared children’s room.
Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Julia Green and Noel Coughlan
Even though our “nanna house” is nowhere near finished and very much a work in progress, I thought it was time to share some of what we’ve done with you. And sometimes, when you have a seemingly endless list of jobs and expenses ahead, it’s really important to stop and look at how far you’ve come. It’s only been six months, after all!
So, today, I’m sharing the master bedroom. Only it’s not actually the master bedroom as per the floorplan. This brings me to a point about living in a new home as is for a while, if you can bear it, before getting stuck in. We immediately moved into the master bedroom (there are four all up) of this house because, well, the floorplan said so, it’s the biggest, and we are the grown-ups, right?! It also has an en suite, which is a very functional but dated eighties addition.
But the room just didn’t work. It’s all wrong with the feng shui and the only way to fix that will cost money. The same goes for the en suite. It’s hardly the stuff of sanctuary! So we made the call to move into a smaller bedroom at the front of the house. It just feels better for now! And I’m not that fussed about having a big bedroom, just a nice one! One day, when we have the money, we will rip out the robes in the ‘real’ master bedroom and reconfigure it, re-do the en suite and move the en suite door. But for now, we are in our ‘new’ room. And the master is a spare room.
I’m still in two minds about whether artwork will work above the bedhead or fight with it. This framed photo is of my treasured navy wedding shoes. The bedsides are last season’s west elm and came from the old place. I love the warmth of the timber.
Because it’s not that big, I didn’t want to clutter it up, so it was always going to be all about the bed. We started with a neutral base of grey carpet, grey paint (Haymes Greyology 4), white plantation shutters (from DIY Online Blinds) and the rattan pendant shades we have in all the bedrooms, from Beacon Lighting. We didn’t have carpet in the bedrooms at our old place, and I’m really glad we decided to have it in the bedrooms here. It’s also much cheaper than hard floor! And I knew this room would feature my favourite colour: navy. And what goes perfectly with navy for a little luxe factor? My favourite gold accents!
The ink art on the left is by Melbourne’s Casey Freeman, who I met through Instagram, and was in our previous bedroom.
I had been drooling over Heatherly Design Bedheads’ work for years, since we first featured them on the blog. When I saw the Sibella design it was love at first sight but I had to think about it for a while before I committed. I tend to play it safe and when I go a bit “out there” it doesn’t always work! But months later, I still loved Sibella so it was time to order her! Even better, Damian also loved Sibella (which I was not expecting, to be honest!). I was careful not to overdo it, but the Galleria lamps from Lighting Lighting Lighting were just the perfect complement.
This Freedom ottoman is completely surplus to requirements but it just goes so perfectly, it had to come in here from elsewhere in the house.
The mirror was a wedding present that lived in the dining room in our previous home. The white linen quilt cover is from Sydney brand Major Minor and it feels beautiful, I’m telling you! But it was too stark in contrast to the bedhead so I layered on this fab navy coverlet from my friend Naomi at Silk Home (she has her own made for staging). Rather than Euros, which would hide some of my statement bedhead, I chose kingsize pillows from The Pillowslip Store with their classic white cotton covers (they have some amazing patterned ones too, including gingham). Most of the cushions and the throw are from Adairs (their range is amazing, check it out).
Damian’s side of the bed, which always has flowers, honestly… The small bowl was from kikki.K.
There are built-ins opposite the bed (not pictured) and we have plans to replace them one day, as well as the skirting throughout the house. I’m still working out whether and what kind of rug this room can take. This room is right next to a large walk-in cupboard which we may turn into a walk-in one day, but for now, we just love having somewhere to store all our, well, crap!
This large mirror is on the wall to the right of the bed
So while this room does not have the sheer size of our old one, as stop-gap master bedrooms go, I’m really happy with it, and find it a restful space which is easy to keep tidy because of its simplicity and lack of stuff. I have resisted adding my usual pop of pink and I think the all-blue scheme works nicely. I am considering a wallpaper feature wall (perhaps the window wall). It would of course have to be quite subtle. But we’re almost done in here!
Featuring interior designer Anna Spiro’s latest textile collection, these new bedheads from Heatherly Design are rather swoon-worthy. The designer’s signature love of pattern is very much on show in the Australian-made range. “My bedroom is my sanctuary. This new collection brings together some of my favourite new fabrics with Heatherly Designs’ loving care, bespoke craftsmanship and attention to detail,” says Anna.
‘Luella’ bedhead
“We are committed to supporting Australian industries and when Heatherly Design approached us about this exciting collaboration, we jumped on board without hesitation. The handcrafted nature of Heatherly’s bedroom furnishings sits perfectly with our artisanal hand screenprinted fabrics. The fact that the entire end product is crafted here in Australia makes us very proud,” says Anna.
‘Clareville’ bedhead
Heatherly Designs creator and director Georgie Leckey is similarly chuffed with the collaboration. “I am so proud to introduce this collection, the first of my Art Series. The designs are truly unique and a true reflection of our combined taste and style, as well as a fresh take on our individual creative inspiration.” Georgie has long been a fan of Anna’s work and created these styled shots in collaboration with the designer.
‘Genevieve’ bedhead
My favourite from the range, the Clareville bedhead, features a deep blue Anna Spiro fabric Kahuna with contrast piping. “The bedhead is teamed with a Kaka Duck fabric Fenwick chair and Adele footstool at the end of the bed finished in the charming Paniola print. This bedroom was inspired by a recent visit to Clareville, a stunning little inlet north of Sydney, where the pace is slow, the boats are charming and the feeling is good! I am sure the end result has more than captured this emotion,” says Georgie.
‘Luella’ bedhead
Featuring plenty of texture and layering, the Luella bedhead looks fabulous finished in Anna’s Leilani fabric and the Genevieve single beds look gorgeous in the designer’s Kahuna Multi fabric too – perfect for a shared girls’ room. “We hope to encourage mums to be more confident in having a bit of fun with fabric selection and colours – Kahuna teamed with Kaka Duck cushions and other stunning accessories is a great way of expressing this,” says Georgie.
With the current natural food craze, we knew it was only a matter of time before we went organic with our houses too! Tile Mega Mart have released the next great statement product to spice up your wall: timber mosaics. The Geppetto collection captures the natural beauty of timber, making it easy to create striking geometric patterns and 3D profiles in your home.
The collection features six designs – available in a choice of hues, each one vastly different from the next. You’ll find finishes ranging from deep cocoa-black (Mos Nero Rigati) to a soft limewash effect (Bardot Mos Tropezzienne). Those loving the Scandinavian look will be happy with the pale hue of Scaletta! Environmentalists can rest easy as each mosaic is crafted from sustainably produced Pinus Teada trees and handmade by timber artisans.
Marita Blaschka, Tile Mega Mart’s design director, is proud to say that the collection is just as easy as it is beautiful! “The timber pieces have been precisely placed on a small panel, creating a mosaic sheet measuring about 280mm, which has a self-adhesive backing. So no glues or grouting are required.”
The unique pieces inspire a number of installation options – from full walls to feature areas, such as in place of a bedhead or adding an extra layer to a display shelf.
With designs that range from the stunning herringbone display of Mosaico Spina to the concave shape of Arco Acustico and the stacked effect of Mos Nero Rigati, the Geppetto collection is sure to be the centre of attention at your next gathering.
The Geppetto handmade timber mosaic collection is available exclusively from Tile Mega Mart. Find it here.
Proving that clashing prints can work a treat, the unique Sydney headboard brand NOD paired up with Melbourne boutique bedding label Miss Bettina recently to create two layered bedroom looks. A diamond print is styled back with floral motifs and a geometric print features alongside a check and while the looks strictly shouldn’t work, somehow they really do.
“I’ve shown my headboards previously with solid quilt covers which look lovely, but I thought it was time to show how great my bedheads can look with ornate bedding,” says NOD designer Lauren Esplin. Constructed out of eco-friendly wooden modular tiles (20cm x 20cm), the NOD range of bedheads are conveniently flat-packed for postage and stick easily and directly onto the wall. As an added bonus, they’re ideal for small spaces (as valuable floor space is maintained) and they are wipeable, making them a great alternative to traditional bedheads.
Plain bed linen would seem like the obvious complement, but the recent shoot illustrates just how experimental you can get with bedding. “Combining my bedheads with the Miss Bettina bedding has created an entirely new look and shows how versatile my range is. I am also really passionate about my product and hope these bedrooms inspire people to reimagine their own rooms,” says Lauren.
“I love Miss Bettina’s new collection and think our ethos is well-aligned, we are both passionate about creating inspirational bedrooms that are creative and unique! I also really enjoy working with other creative companies who are making beautiful things for the home,” says Lauren who hand makes and hand paints all of her pieces to order from her Sydney studio.
The NOD range is available in an array of patterns (including Scandinavian-inspired and geometric designs) and bed sizes and includes a cute children’s collection too.
When I heard Fantastic furniture were offering custom upholstered bedheads, in a wide range of fabrics and a choice of three designs, all for under $200 and made right here in Australia, I thought they had to be seen to be believed! I mean, that’s crazy money, right?!
The Classic design
So they let me see for myself and I couldn’t be more impressed with mine in my bedroom! I went for the modern and simple Sleek design in Premium Marcy Grey (RRP $199). Many of you commented on it in my recent bedroom makeover pictures.
The quality is great, it’s comfortable to sit up against (I have been known to use my laptop in bed now and again…) and it really does not look like it would cost less than $200! So I’m really excited to share with you that treating yourself to a custom hero piece for your bedroom is now within everyone’s reach!
Ordering online is a great experience too. You can order up to five free fabric samples (there are 100-plus to choose from, patterned and plain, standard and premium) to be sent to you so you can be sure you’re ordering the right colour and fabric for your room (I’d really recommend this). But you can also see a mock-up online of what your choice of design and fabric might look like.
You can expect to wait 4-to-6 weeks for your order and delivery is $75. If you don’t already have them, brackets to attach it to your ensemble bed will set you back an extra $35. The only downside is that they are currently only available in queen size.
The panelled Fashion design
You know what price is better than $199 though? Free! One lucky reader will a bedhead of their choice, delivered. To enter, complete the form below by midnight AEST on Sunday 3 July 2016. Good luck!
Disclosure: Fantastic Furniture gifted me the bedhead for review purposes. Positive coverage was not guaranteed and this is, as always, an honest review.
Considering your bed is generally the largest single item in the room, the difference a stylish bedhead can make to your bedroom is immense. And there’s no doubt upholstered bedheads just keep getting more popular.
Now Fantastic Furniture have released a range of affordable, customisable bedheads, designed to make choosing a bed that is perfectly suited to your space and style needs easy. Craig Evans, national visual merchandise manager, says: “Many people are switching on to the fact they don’t have to be an interior designer to showcase their own style and create a look they want for their home.”
Following on from the success of their MyChoice fabric sofa range last year, the bedheads come in three designs, with more than 100 fabrics to choose from.
Sleek (above) offers a controlled and minimalist look. It has a timber frame and padded foam layer upholstered with the material of your choice, meaning you can make it fun, simple or sophisticated based on your personal preference. Priced from $149.
Fashion (above) is the current-trend option, featuring smart panelling and a pulled-in upholstery design. This is bold enough to make the bedhead the focus of the room, should you desire, but also simple enough to allow it to blend into the overall room. Priced from $179.
Finally, there’s the Classic. My personal favourite, it has an elegantly curved design that makes it the perfect combination of traditional homeliness and simple sophistication. Suited to pretty much any room, its countered shape and layer of padded foam make it comfortable as well. Priced from $199.
Craig believes the range allows customers to “create the bedroom of their dreams, styled just how they like it”. Considering the difference a well chosen and beautiful bedhead can make to the overall appearance and atmosphere of a room (not to mention the enjoyment of sleep!), having a customised bed certainly is a great first step to the dream room.
All at under $200 for queen size and Australian made, these are definitely a bargain!
All the bed heads are adjustable to two heights (129cm or 144cm) and attach to your ensemble bed base using a universal bedhead bracket. All come with a six-year frame and support warranty. Visit www.fantasticfurniture.com.au for further information.
Headboards have never been so popular and Lauren Esplin is offering something truly unique with her new offering, NOD.
Lauren Esplin, founder of Nod
The new patented design headboards are ideal for ensemble beds and feature fresh colours and patterns, adding another dimension to traditional bed dressing. Founder Lauren said it was her husband, together with her desire for a fresh bedroom look, that ultimately inspired her new range of decorative modular headboards, all handmade and painted to order in Sydney’s Manly.
“I had a chunky upholstered headboard that sat on the floor behind our ensemble bed. I recently felt it no longer reflected my taste or suited our new bedroom linens,” she said. “I also found it collected a lot of dust. My husband suffers from asthma and was constantly sneezing and snoring despite frequent cleaning. To find a creative solution to our problem, I decided to combine furniture design with my passion for art.”
The headboards, which are made from lightweight eco-balsa tiles, stick directly to the wall. “Not only do the headboards stick directly to the wall without penetrating it, but their lightweight nature ensures they collect little to no dust,” she said. “Better yet, they can be easily removed and replaced as your linen and design preferences change.” Perfect for renters, they won’t damage walls if removed carefully and can be used again in another room or home.
Lauren brought together a number of Australian designers for this photoshoot, featuring the products and designs of Kip & Co, Olli Ella, Milkcart, Bramwell Designs, Major Minor, One Two Tree and Staple & Seed. “I wanted to connect with and showcase the work of some of my favourite local designers. There is a lot of talent in Australia, and with our weak dollar pushing up the price of exports, there really has been no better time to buy locally,” she said.
NOD Headboards are available in all sizes to suit Australian-standard ensembles. The range includes designs for kids and adults, with prices starting from $159.
There’s no doubt about it: a great bed will not only give you a great night’s sleep but also (and we’re all about the looks) look fantastic too. Pick well and invest wisely we say, and buy something which will last you several years. Here are 10 of mine and Jen’s faves and they’re a varied bunch!
The rose gold Eden bed by Incy Interiors ($999 for queen size) is both classical and timeless. Expertly crafted from sturdy and strong metal we absolutely LOVE it. You will have seen this one in countless magazines!
Another one from Incy Interiors (because we just can’t go past it), the clean simple lines of this new take on the Four-Poster bed (a design collaboration with stylist Megan Morton, from $1,299 for queen size) really make for something unique. Now you just have to pick your colour (custom available)!
I’ve seen the Bailey Bed from Green Cathedral in person, so I can attest it’s an absolute stunner! Constructed from American oak (in either natural oak, ebony or whitewash finish) and beautiful Shibori-dyed leather hides (available in a range of patterns or most Pantone colours), you really have the utmost flexibility when it comes to the design. Available in limited release, prices start fro, $3,099 for a queen. It’s not cheap but it’s not just any old mass-produced bed either.
Upholstered in a feather grey fabric, the Mod Upholstered Bed ($999 for queen size) from West Elm features a slim silhouette, angled solid wood legs and welted details along the corners.
Of course, you can add a bedhead to your existing bed to make it a showstopper and while upholstered bedheads are now nothing new, we think the options at Heatherly Designs are stunning. Our latest favourite is the Lincoln, with the option of horizontal or vertical lines and your choice of fabric. Price dependent on size and fabric. They also sell upholstered bed bases.
Another great bedhead option is the Maddison from BedNest. Glamorous, strong and more than a little bit sassy, the angled, tapered side wings are studded in either antique brass or silver. Stunning in plain velvet or a geometric pattern, there are a magnitude of fabric and size options available (price dependent on choice).
While we’re talking bedheads, Mexsii’s are works of art and not for the faint hearted. The Nomadic Heart is my favourite. How cool is it?! Price on application. Custom options available.
Upholstered isn’t for everyone and some people love good old fashioned timber. Perhaps not surprisingly, you can find the traditional style Ashby Sleigh Bed at Pottery Barn, in rustic pine or rustic mahogany. From $1,974 for queen size.The Asta Bed by Blockheads Alisa and Lysandra beautifully combines the rawness of timber and the softness of fabric to create a contemporary and sophisticated look and feel. Available from Forty Winks in four colourways, the queen size retails for $2,199.
Australian online-only business Sonno, have a small but great value range of simple upholstered beds. Queen size from $499.
What kind of bed have you got? Which of these is your favourite?
In part one, we showed you how getting the right bed and mattress is key to a great night’s sleep and the foundation of your restful bedroom, But there’s so much more to a beautiful sanctuary than that! Here are my top tips for styling your bedroom.
Image: Mrs Darcy
By your bedside
Bedside tables are pretty much the second most important furniture choice for your bedroom. There are few people who don’t need somewhere for their glass of water or morning coffee, book, alarm clock (who am I kidding, mobile phone!), book, watch, and so it goes on!
There are several key considerations with your bedsides. First, make sure the height is right for your bed. You don’t want to have to reach up or down to grab what you need half asleep. It will also look odd if your bedside is too high or low.
Image: King Furniture
When it comes to matching or not, that’s a decision for you. Many people prefer the balanced, symmetrical look of two identical bedsides, but it isn’t the only option. I have seen many examples of two different, but equally fabulous bedside tables, adding interest and character. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Think carefully about how much storage you need and how tidy you are. I, for example, keep a pretty minimalist bedside: book, coffee cup, lamp, and that’s about it. My husband, on the other hand, well, that’s an argument I don’t need to get into again! But suffice to say he has a lot of stuff by his bed. I would never even consider bedsides for us without drawers ever again (been there, lived to see the mess and dust accumulate). Some bedsides even have cupboards (great for those things that won’t fit in a small drawer like piles of magazines, headphones, iPads, need I go on?). Consider the width of the bedsides too, and make sure there’s enough room for them to breathe with a gap either side. There’s nothing worse than wedging bedside-bed-bedside into a narrow room.
Lamps
Bedside lamps are another essential because nobody wants to get out of bed once they’ve got comfortable to turn off the light. Mood lighting from lamps rather than overheads is also an important part of winding down to a restful night’s sleep. You can make a real statement with your lamps so they can be just as much decorative as they are practical. Make sure the width and height of the lamps and their shades (if they have them) is right for your bed and bedsides. Think outside the box here too: lamps not necessarily designed for bedsides can make a real statement. Pendant lights, as seen all too often on The Block, hanging either side of the bed, are another trend and give you extra space and less to dust on your bedside!
Image: Country Road
Linen
Linen is another very personal choice and somewhere you can really have fun. You can either go for something really striking and bold which becomes a feature in itself, or something more subtle. I don’t think either is particularly on trend and both are popular. Brands like Aura and Kip & Co are great for high impact quilt sets. The textural, deliberately creased look of linen works well without pattern and with soft, muted colours or neutrals. Try brands like Hale Mercantile Co and Major Minor.
Image: AURA by Tracie Ellis
Decorative cushions
It seems it’s something men and women will never agree on, but I’m a great believer in the decorative cushion to finish off your bed. No, you don’t actually use them for anything, but they’re a great way to inject colour, pattern and texture, especially if you’ve opted for plainer linen. It’s a low commitment and low-cost way to include the latest trends in your bedroom too. Consider at ottoman at the bottom of your bed, if you have the space, to store them when you go to bed. You can also sit on it to put your shoes on!
Bedheads
If there’s one trend that’s taken off in bedrooms in the last couple of years it’s bedheads, specifically upholstered ones. Not only are they comfortable to sit up against but they look great too and can make a real feature of your bed. The great thing is, you can invest in a high quality ensemble that lasts you years and change the bedhead relatively frequently if your tastes change or you, for example, move house.
Image: Mexsii
Somewhere to put your clothes
It’s very unlikely there’ll be a time when you don’t have some of your clothes out, whether it’s that day’s discarded outfit or tomorrow’s, ready for the morning. For this reason, one great chair is the perfect addition to a corner of your bedroom. Garments look much better draped over a chair than in a pile on the floor.
Image: Curious Grace
Art
Most rooms cry out for a bit of art on the walls and bedrooms are no exception. That said, in my own, due to having a bold patterned wallpaper and a statement upholstered linen bedhead in a reasonably small room, I don’t think it necessary. If you are hanging art and it’s above your bed, please make sure it is safely fixed to the wall as the last thing you want is a heavy frame falling on your head in the night! Less risky options are lightweight canvas art or the popular juju feather hats.
Rugs
If you have hard floors, rugs are always nice in the bedroom, not least to have something soft underfoot when you get out of bed. A round rug is a nice option to break up a room which is often full of rectangles (bed, bedhead, walls, bedsides, art).
Image: Armadillo & Co
Sleepmaker can help you build your own dreamworld, starting with a great mattress or bed. For more information, visit their website.
How to: make your own bed head for under $50 (yes really)!
I can’t even recall how many conversations I’ve had with people wanting a bed head for their ensemble but not wanting to fork out for an expensive store-bought one. My housemate happened to be one of these people, so we decided to give her room a makeover on a minimal budget. This bed head could actually be the easiest DIY project I have ever done and it’s renter-friendly!
What you need:
1x piece of ply board
Sandpaper
Paint and paint brush
Matt finishing spray
Nails or 3M hooks to attach to wall
Pencil.
Step1: Picking a pattern & size
The first thing you need to do is work out your tile size. I was working with a double bed, so I went with 39cm x 39cm timber tiles (I wanted to allow for a slight overhang on either side). Deciding on a pattern we both loved and finding something relatively simple to match my poor painting skills was a whole other story! I found so many cool patterns it made it hard to choose, so go with your gut on this one. Trust me when I say the hardest part is deciding on a pattern to put on the tiles. Once you’ve locked in the pattern, it will take you no time at all!
Step 2: Get your supplies
I headed down to my local hardware store and managed to get everything relatively easily (Hint: Get them to cut your ply for you into your tile size. It’s free, only takes a few minutes, and saves all the mess at your own place!).
Step 3: Mount, draw and paint the tiles
Mount your tiles to the wall and draw on the pattern you chose. Once you’re happy with the way the pattern will look, paint away. Then all you have to do is wait for it to dry!
Step 4: Spray with finishing spray
Apply a few coats of finishing spray to your ply tiles and wait for it to dry.
We were lucky that we had some 3M velcro strips laying around. 3M hooks will up the price but understand that if you’re renting, your landlord probably won’t appreciate you nailing the ply tiles to the wall. If you love the idea of this bedhead but don’t have the time to make one yourself, you can always spend a bit more and opt for some of Bonnie and Neil’s ready done gorgeous tiles ($25 each).
Kathryn Bamford is our girl on the ground in Melbourne; you can follow her design adventures on Instagram@thedesignrookie.
It’s not my style but there’s no denying the timeless popularity of French Provincial furniture and it’s certainly a new look for online retailer Milan Direct.
The prices, as you’d expect, are very reasonable. This substantial dining table (above), in real oak veneer, is $699 and sits 6 comfortably. You might even be able to get it in time for Christmas Day entertaining, with the first shipment arriving mid next month.
These are a bit cool. And they’re tapping into two current trends: neon (yes, still not going anywhere) and macrame (tell me you’ve seen those pot plant hangers?).
The Neon Vintage macrame bedheads are handmade in Brisbane and stocked by Petite Vintage Interiors. Of course they’re not actually a bedhead, more a suggestion of a bedhead. They just look fab. No practical use whatsoever. But the same can be said of jewellery. Case in point?!
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