Sophisticated Modern in the Bedroom

The bed sets the tone of the room. It’s typically the first thing you see upon entering the bedroom. Since it is center stage, it’s important to choose one in a style that perfectly expresses your personality and lifestyle. Because the bedroom has evolved from just a place to sleep to a sanctuary that refreshes and renews, the bed, and the other bedroom furniture pieces you select, should reflect the other roles (hanging out with the kids Sunday morning; a quiet place to read; somewhere to stretch out propped up by comfy pillows when last-minute proofing a proposal) the room plays in your life.

The Lifestyle Solutions Knotch Modern Wood Cappuccino Platform Bed 5 Piece Bedroom Set is definitely a fine example of sophisticated modern. The furniture pieces have a rich warm wood finish that can be adapted to both a neutral or bold color scheme when you’re dressing the bed and accessorizing. The headboard of the platform bed has the appearance of recessed panels, but is actually a set of built-in shelves. The open design of the nightstands and the absence of a footboard give the bedroom set a less solid appearance.

While there could be several convincing arguments that the Modus Leather Upholstered Rumba Low Profile Sleigh Bed is more transitional in style, it qualifies as sophisticated modern for several reasons. This platform bed has virtually no decorative detail; the lines are clean; and an old form (sleigh headboard) is adapted in a new and surprising way.

The Curt Christian by Martin Madison Wood Panel Bed 5 Piece Bedroom Set shouts sophistication. And what says “modern” more than a dresser or nightstand with brushed metal drawer fronts?

Sophisticated Modern in the Bathroom

A growing interior design trend is to transform the ordinary bathroom into one’s own personal spa or a bathroom one might find in a high-end or boutique hotel. A well-designed, well-organized space helps us to prepare ourselves, both mentally and physically, to face the day. Sophisticated modern for a bathroom décor makes perfect sense.

While borderline ultra-modern, the Nameek’s Concept One 27″ Single Bathroom Vanity Set shows a distinct sophisticated modern style. The subtly patterned doors make this vanity luscious to look at.

While displaying contemporary sensibilities, the Ultimate Accents Contemporary 3 Piece Double Bathroom Vanity has design acumen that can only stem from sophisticated modern. The crackle glass vessel sinks and the textured finish of the wood cabinets will certainly lend your bathroom a truly modern look with that special touch of spa.

Sophisticated Modern in the Dining Room

When a modern dining table with a unique design is perfectly matched with dining chairs crafted from space-age materials, the result is a dining set that is bold, cosmopolitan and edgy in a sophisticated way.

Definitely with a nod to Art Deco (another sub style of modern), the Somerton Manhattan Modern Art Round Pedestal Dining Table is sophisticated modern at its best. The interlocking circles that make up the table’s pedestal base is visually striking. While the button-tufted backrest of the dining chair is decorative, it is so much an integral part of the design that it contributes to this dining set’s classic modern flair.

Highly polished metal accents and a round glass tabletop make the Steve Silver Matinee 48 Inch Round Glass Dining Table thoroughly modern. While the wood legs in a dark cherry finish, a definite contemporary style trait, in this context, give this table an understated chic.

Sophisticated Modern in the Living room

Because modern design arose in the second half of the twentieth century in resounding protest to the traditions and social trends of the past, it reflected the new technologies, materials and philosophies of the Machine Age. Vinyl, microfiber and other space-age fabrics including plastics are popular upholstery materials for sophisticated modern living room furniture. Leather, of course, is also welcome.

The Global Furniture USA Alexander Tan Leather Sofa looks comfy and inviting, just as at home in a contemporary environment as a modern one. But it’s the arms that make you look again. The bold curves of the armrests are emphasized by the dark mahogany wood veneer inlays, giving it its sophisticated modern distinction.

Even though it is made of a dark stained wood, the tiered repetition of its elliptical shapes gives the Abbyson Morgan Ellipse End Table a trendy modern chic.

There is no mistaking the minimalist origins of the Adesso Regency Modern Black Coffee Table. But what makes this coffee table sophisticated modern is the rounded corners, which adds another dimension to its basic geometric shape.

        

Paint the walls French countryside colors (from Sherwin-Williams) like cream, antique white, soft yellow or pastel blue. Add a wallpaper border or stenciled border with a French country motif like birds, orchard fruits grape vines or flowers. You can also choose to paper one or two walls with toile-like patterned wallpaper for a more formal French country look.

Another popular construction material incorporated into French Country style is wrought iron. Metal paired with wood gives the Fashion Bed Group Monaco Metal Poster Bed a rustic charm that is warm and relaxing.

Of course a wood bed made of pine, cherry or some other type of regional wood would be a perfectly acceptable choice when decorating a bedroom in a French country style.

When dressing the windows and the bed, think of fabrics like toile, gingham, striped cottons and even denim. Make sure that you include plenty of pillows and accent cushions.

And don’t forget floral prints: a duvet cover like the Daniadown Flora Sand Duvet Cover combined with matching colored sheets and accent pillows would be ideal for a more elegant French country look.

Side tables, bedside tables and lingerie chests typically might be set on a wrought iron frame with metalwork scrolled legs or heavy, oversized drawer handles or door pulls. Wood tabletops, dressers and chests of drawers will often have distressed finishes.

A side table like the Magnussen Accent Express Collection White Provence Round Accent Table could be placed by the Natart Verona Chair in French White and Silver to create a comfortable place to sit and read or even put on shoes.

The Greenbriar Master 15 Drawer Tripple Dresser in Brown Cherry lends an old world charm to your bedroom. It has classic brass finish bail drawer handles and drawer pulls, bracket feet and reeded pilasters.

The classic bun feet, framed drawer fronts and decorative molding of the Wynwood Hampton Cove Bedside Commode are given a delightfully casual appearance by the addition of bead board side panels.

When furnishing a French country bedroom two absolute must-include furniture pieces are an armoire and a hand-carved mirror, whether cheval or wall mounted.

The Homelegance Madaleine Solid Hardwood Flat Panel/Plasma/LCD TV Armoire will not only provide you with much-needed additional storage, it will also help you maintain the timeless feel of your French country bedroom by hiding the television from view when it’s not in use.

The Avanity Provence Mirror has a leaf motif that fits in perfectly with a French country styled bedroom. Because of its round pilasters and a rich, dark finish that emphasizes the mirrors stylized lines, it is more suited to a formal French country interior design.

If you prefer a full length mirror, the Powell Furniture Heirloom Cherry Cheval Floor Mirror is ideal for a French Country master bedroom. Beautifully designed, this floor length cheval mirror has a brass plated metal accent that gives it that special rustic chic.

A common decorative element of French country case goods like lingerie chests, armoires and jewelry armoires is hand-painted detailing. The enchanting floral pattern and the antique white finish of the Coaster Regal Floral Jewelry Armoire have the look of a well-loved heirloom.

        

Color Me Neutral

The color of the walls sets the mood. To achieve a first-class hotel room atmosphere choose colors (shown here from Behr) that are neutral and warm-toned. You want the color to “embrace” you gently; this will evoke an atmosphere of tranquility, comfort and serenity. You also want the wall color to evoke an air of sophistication, just like in a five star hotel room. Painting the ceiling the same color as the bedroom will “lower” the ceiling, giving the room a cocoon effect. If you might find this too cozy (translation a little claustrophobic), choose a standard neutral color such as pure white, off-white or a soft shade of gray.

Keep it Simple

While a high-end hotel room is luxurious and sophisticated, it is also uncluttered. Furniture pieces are chosen equally with both function and comfort in mind. The Modloft Monroe Modern Platform 4 Piece Bedroom Set supplies the basics – two nightstands, a platform bed and a dresser. The lines are clean and contemporary and lend the room an openness that is chic yet fresh. Particularly when decorating a small or low-ceilinged bedroom, the platform bed is an ideal choice because it stands lower to the floor, revealing more wall space while making the room appear larger.

To create the look of a tropical resort, select the beautifully detailed Curt Christian by Martin Havana Panel Bed 3 Piece Bedroom Set. While the bed is more traditional in style with more decorative detail, lines and profiles are still simple, enhancing the rich and warm wood finish.

High-end hotel rooms offer you several places to sit for relaxing; for putting on shoes; for sitting comfortably in front of the mirror to brush your hair or put on makeup. Add an accent chair or a club chair like the Avenue Six Curves Barrel Chair. Not only does it have a sophisticated appearance, it also has a concealed storage area beneath removable seat.

Not too Dark, Not too Bright

Lighting is another important ambience-setter in a bedroom. Five star hotel rooms typically incorporate the three main types of lighting fixtures: general lighting, usually an overhead fixture of some kind; task lighting such as a bedside lamp or a floor lamp by the armchair for reading; and accent lighting that focuses your attention on a particular feature of the room like a painting, sculpture or recessed niche.

Dressed to Impress

While the walls should be cheerful yet neutral, the bedding should be vibrant and inviting. The bed is the focal point of any bedroom. To treat yourself to a five star hotel experience, you will want to select bedding that will inspire you to sink down into it as soon as you enter the room. Start with the Tommy Bahama Marsh Harbor Comforter Set comprised of restful stripes in warm colors.

Select a high count sheet set like the Gotcha Covered 618 Count Combed Cotton Sateen Sheet Set in Sand to create the sense of sleeping in a bed in a luxury resort hotel.

In addition to pillows for sleeping, layer the bed with decorative pillows and cushions from the Highland Feather Italian Style Collection. But don’t be fooled by the word “decorative:” accent pillows are ideal for making reading, eating breakfast in bed or sipping a cup of morning coffee easier and much more comfortable.

You can pamper and indulge yourself on a daily basis without leaving your own home by transforming your bedroom into a chic high-end hotel room. Concentrate on relaxation, luxury and mood. Bring scent (but keep it subtle; you don’t want it overpowering) into the bedroom in the form of candles, potpourri and aromatherapy oils. Textiles should be soft and textured like sateen finish cotton sheets; shag or faux animal skin rugs; silk curtains; and velvets, chocolate microfibers or leather upholstery for chairs and bed benches.

Having all of the elements work together in the room is key. When accessorizing, take your cue from a luxury hotel. Select a few choice ornamental pieces for display but plan on keeping surfaces relatively free of clutter. Don’t overdo the walls. Choose a few art prints, a set of black or white framed photographs as wall decoration. Place an oversized framed mirror on an accent wall to create a secondary focal point (the bed will be the main one) in your five-star bedroom.

        

I am a 21 year old guy remodeling my room, and I need help! I would like to upgrade my room into a contemporary style bedroom. Problem is I have little sense of fashion being a male (stereotyping!) The thing is, I have furniture already and my budget doesn’t allow for me to scrap all my current furniture and buy these amazing sets I have seen on the internet.

I’m happy with the color of the room, which is a very light shade of tan, and a dark yellow around the window. My current furniture is a dark tan (as opposed to the walls which are very light tan). I need lots of direction; if you can please help?

Design Answer

Your room has “good bones.” In other words, I don’t think you really need to do a lot to it to accomplish what you want. There are several things you can do that are relatively simple and hopefully won’t cost you much. The room’s design just needs pulling together. This can be easily achieved by introducing some accent color or colors into the room with new bedding and an area rug and by creating a focal point. Right now, the eye wanders around the space because no one element in your bedroom stands out.

The first thing I would suggest is to remove the border and paint the exposed wall the same color as the rest of the bedroom. If the border can be painted, that might also be an option. With its map theme, the wallpaper border has an old world vibe about it; if you would like a border, replace it with something that has a more contemporary pattern. Make sure that the colors match the bedding and the area rug.

The second thing I suggest that you do is create a focal point. You can transform your bed into a focal point by choosing bedding (just a couple of samples to give you an idea of what to look for) like the Daniadown Arctic Waves Duvet Cover or the Southern Textiles Elite Contemporary Blocks Bedding Set with a contemporary geometric design. You don’t want to add bold color – just enough to spice up the bedroom’s current monochromatic color scheme. Treat the bed like a sofa and the wall like the sofa’s backrest by adding a body pillow, square and rectangle accent cushions. This will make the bed a conversation piece – and a cozy place to sit and relax.

There’s no rule about having more than one focal point in the room. Replace the chair now sitting in front of the keyboard and put a music-themed poster or framed oversized picture on that wall. Select a short piano bench or low wood stool with a padded seat to match the color of the bedroom furnishings.

To pull the contemporary elements in the room all together, thirdly I would suggest adding an area rug. I know that there is already carpet on the floor, but as mentioned above, it’s an inexpensive way to bring more color into the room while giving definition to the bedroom’s overall design. When choosing an area rug like the Liz Claiborne by Nourison Landscape Stripes LC10 Area Rug Collection in Light Blue or the Couristan Mystique Area Rug Collection – Aura/Blue Mercury select one with a color scheme and/or a pattern that works well with the bedding you have picked and won’t clash or appear too busy.

For those final finishing touches, put pictures on the wall above the bed. It will enhance the “living room” feel, especially if you dress the bed to resemble a sofa. Add a contemporary style mirror like the Linon Recycled Magazine Rectangular Mirror to the desk wall directly behind the bed.

I hope these suggestions will help get you started on your bedroom upgrade. Thanks for writing in.

Keep sending me those interior design question emails and don’t forget to include pictures if you can.

        

Your home is your castle, no matter if it is a cozy cottage size or a many-room mansion. But you can give the rooms of your home a traditional style with a twist. While traditional style might look all the same, there can be some subtle and not so subtle differences between one traditional sub style and another. Queen Anne, for example, typically stands closer to the floor and has an overall delicate, feminine appearance with its curvilinear forms, of which the most recognizable is the cabriole leg.

While Louis Philippe is another traditional sub style, it is diametrically opposite to Queen Anne style. Lines are rounded rather curved and furnishings tend to have a squared-off look. Victorian style is actually quite eclectic, due to the extent of the British Empire and the ensuing influences it had on social trends and interior design. Today, we will be discussing how to design a bedroom fit for royalty. It’s not just about selecting furniture styles with royal names; it’s also about creating a richly textured environment with the right colors, a mixture of luxurious fabrics and regal accessorizing.

Queen Anne

Woods commonly used to make Queen Anne bedroom furniture were walnut, maple and cherry. The rich glowing cherry finish of the American Drew Cherry Grove Low Poster Bed is in keeping with the spirit of this style as is the decorative detailing that includes a broken pediment headboard, carved accents and reeded posts.

For a traditional style bedroom to have a royal feel, bedroom furniture should be formal and imposing. With its delicate fluted pilasters, regal height and liberal use of decorative molding, the American Drew Cherry Grove TV/Wardrobe Armoire will be an ideal choice for preserving the mood of the room while indulging in modern conveniences.

The American Drew Cherry Grove Highboy Complete Chest is perfectly demonstrates the grace and elegance of Queen Anne furniture.

Another aspect of making a royal statement in the bedroom is indulgence. Adding the Skyline Queen Anne Tufted Storage Bench or the Powell Jamestown Landing Wood Makeup Vanity Table with Mirror will give you someplace to pamper yourself in style.

Victorian

Victorian style can refer generally to furniture made in the second half of the nineteenth century including the beginning of the twentieth. More specifically it refers to furniture produced during Queen Victoria’s reign, from 1887 to 1901. For the first time, furniture was mass-produced, so it became relatively easy to craft pieces with elaborate and lavish embellishments and decorative detail. Since the British Empire during Queen Victoria’s lifetime spanned several continents, furniture designs were greatly influenced by a variety of Middle Eastern and Asian cross-cultural currents, making Victorian style an amalgamation of many styles.

The Lexington Barclay Square Blakeney Poster Bed with Optional Canopy will definitely make you feel like royalty. The finish is luxurious, adding definition to the profiles of the bed and enhancing the “formal” yet elegant appearance of the posts.

Victorian style is also characterized by heavy furniture pieces with unusual details. Even a royal bedroom needs to be functional. While the Lexington Barclay Square Winslow Nightstand is an ideal place to keep useful items like a bedside lamp by the bed, the “flattened ball” shape of the turned legs combined with blunt arrow feet gives this night table a unique profile.

An accent chair, especially in a traditional style master bedroom, gives the room that special stately finishing touch. The remarkable pattern of the Ultimate Accents “Paul” Python Chair is distinction enough, and then the brass accents and shell motif make it truly Victorian.

Louis Philippe

For those with more “modern” sensibilities but still would like to make a royal statement when decorating the bedroom, Louis Philippe, while still traditional is markedly different from both Queen Anne and Victorian. This style typically possesses much less ornamentation than many other traditional styles. The Stanley Furniture Translation Cherry Low Profile Sleigh Bed incorporates traditional Louis Philippe elements like bracket feet and shaped moldings.

Both the Stanley Furniture Translation Cherry Door Chest and the Stanley Furniture Translation Cherry TV/Wardrobe Armoire display other common traits of Louis Philippe style and that are paneled doors and the artistic use of veneers.

Protect your jewelry in royal style with the Powell Louis Philippe Marquis Cherry Jewelry Armoire. The lines of this jewelry armoire are strictly Louis Philippe while the distinctive antiqued drawer pulls add visual interest.

For the ultimate in luxury why not have both a mirror and a jewelry armoire? The Powell Louis Philippe Cheval Jewelry Wardrobe is very multifunctional, which is important for a bedroom environment.

Nothing says luxury like including an electric fireplace into a regal bedroom interior design. The Classic Flame Scottsdale Antique Mahogany Electric Fireplace with Black Granite Top displays another characteristic Louis Philippe design element. Like using veneers for decorative detail, stone, especially marble, was used to give texture to a furniture piece.

No matter what style you choose for the master bedroom in your castle, the bedroom furnishings should be grand in scale, with a stately or regal presence. Bedroom furniture like a four poster bed or a canopy bed will make you feel like royalty.

        

“Make Upholstered Headboard” was first posted by my predecessor, Nicolette the Design Diva, on July 7^th, 2009. After reading the blog entry, Sandra Barton made her own headboard and she recently sent me the pictures to show other Furniture and Design Ideas readers that it’s not too difficult.

Sandra writes:

Hi Heather,

Here are some pictures of the headboard. The instructions were great. I did add some coordinating upholstered buttons to give it a more tailored look – I measured and drilled holes in the back of the plywood and then used quadrupled button thread to pull it tight. All in all, this cost me about $100 to make.  The most expensive supply was the foam.

Thanks so much … Love your blog!

Sandra Barton

Thanks for the kind words, and thank you for sharing this with us Sandra – your upholstered headboard turned out great. It’s always good to hear from readers and even better when they send pics!

If you’re DIY-ing your headboard, then like Sandra, you already know how you want it to look. But what if you’re not DIY inclined? Here are some tips on how to get the headboard you really want.

The bed or headboard, like the Fashion Bed Group Dunhill Wood Headboard, is the automatic focal point of the room. Consider what kind of “statement” you would like the headboard to make. After all, when you (or someone else) enter the room, it will be the first thing you see. Do you want it to be imposing? The old headboard was made of wood: do you want your new headboard to be upholstered or to be made of metal? Would you like the look of a traditional poster bed but don’t want a footboard?

When purchasing a headboard for a room that has already been furnished, you will want to match the headboard to the bedroom’s existing décor. This means it should be the same color and/or style as your bedroom furniture and should blend with the other color elements in the room such the walls or the curtains.

The most obvious requirement when selecting a headboard for your bedroom is that, if you already have a bed frame and don’t intend on replacing the mattress/foundation (box spring), then the headboard size will have to match the mattress size.

But there are other things to consider as well. If you are in the habit of reading in bed, you may want the added comfort an upholstered headboard will provide or the convenience of additional storage a bookcase headboard offers.

Don’t forget height. Especially if you are selecting a headboard for a bed that has a plush or thick mattress, you will want the headboard to be tall enough to be seen. Buying high or tall headboards or pairing one with a low-profile type of bed can be useful when you want to showcase a specific type of material, such as a leather headboard, or a modern metal headboard like the Fashion Bed Group Brooklyn Metal Headboard with a unique design. As you can see in Sandra’s second picture, the height of her upholstered headboard really makes the bed “pop,” a combination of how tall the headboard is and the fabric she chose.

When buying a headboard, also give some thought to how it will work with your current bed or bed frame. Some bed frames are independently freestanding, but most are designed to be mounted on a wall, like an upholstered headboard. Don’t panic! If you have purchased a headboard that ends up not playing nice with the bed frame you already own or just bought, you can always secure it to the wall and place the bed in front of it.

Thanks again Sandra for sharing your DIY upholstered headboard with us. For those of us who can’t find the time to DIY, Cymax Stores is offering 10% off Skyline Furniture headboards, including upholstered headboards. Should you like to take advantage of these savings, use the coupon code SKY10 at checkout.

To view other entries in the “Design Files Of Heather B.” series, click here.

        

Modern style bedroom furniture is often instantly associated with metal, high tech plastics and glass. When wood is used as a construction material, it is typically bleached and lighter in color. But the Global Furniture USA Soho Bed, even with its lightly distressed dark wood finish, is definitely modern in style and design. The headboard panels that extend out over the built-in nightstands actually flip up and include night lights. Talk about form is function!

Décor Option #1 – Neutrals

With the Global Furniture USA Soho Bed as the bedroom’s focal point, choose an earth toned color palette (all colors are by Behr) for the wall color.

Once the walls have been painted with any one of these shades, dress the bed with bedding to match. The Nygard Home Soho 10 Piece Bed In A Bag Set includes a comforter with a quilt weave that is beautifully textured.

The Brink & Campman Area Rugs- Luna Collection Fields 91801 brings each one of the neutral/earth tones in the bedroom together. In keeping with modern style design attributes, the pattern of the area rug is geometric but not uniform.

Décor Option #2 – Neutrals with an Accent Color

The Global Furniture USA Soho Bed is very versatile. The textured veneer end panels of the headboard created visual interest. Placing the platform bed in a neutral toned room against an accent wall will really draw the eye naturally toward the bed.

The neutral shades chosen for this palette are cool or blue toned neutrals. Use the lighter color on three of the bedroom’s walls; the darker one as the accent color.

The Manor Hill Plaza Mini Duvet Cover Set can be matched to any of the above color combinations.

The Brink & Campman Area Rugs- Himali Collection Shade 94508 definitely complements the bedding, adding yet another dimension to the room.

Décor Option #3 – Neutrals with Bold Accessories

Using whites as the predominate neutral shade, color is brought into the room by selecting bedding and other accessories, such as an area rug, that are bright and bold.

The Mystic Valley Traders Profiles Plum Bedding Set has tones that appear in the area rug.

The asymmetrical pattern of the Brink & Campman Area Rugs- Icon Collection Confetti 772501 is totally in accordance with modern interior décor.

        

Who sits on an indoor bench or even an outdoor bench for an extended period of time? Because benches are designed to be used as temporary seating, you might think they’re not worth the expense. However, the versatility of an interior bench just may surprise you. As an accent furniture piece, it can be adapted to virtually any room. While it might be unusual to spend an extended period of time seated on a bench, having one or two (or even three) in your home can definitely improve the room’s interior design, making the space more practical and functional. Because benches are so distinctive, from traditional to contemporary, they will even add a sense of style and elegance to any room they are in.

Benches in the Bedroom

The bed bench has been well received by those designing their ideal master bedroom as a convenient spot for putting on shoes, setting down a purse, or depositing a stack of laundry until it can be stashed away. Often placed at the foot of the bed, the bench helps define the bed itself, the natural focal point of the room’s design. Bed benches like the Tommy Bahama Home Island Estate Plantain Bed Bench, which are typically backless, have taken on an identity as a hallmark of upscale traditional décor bedrooms.

Particularly if there is a shortage of cupboard space or the bedroom is smaller in size, consider a bedroom bench that includes storage. The Prepac Fremont Espresso Cubbie Storage Bench, with open storage spaces and a seating surface, is a very popular choice.

The Coaster Danielle Leather Storage Bench at the end of a bed in a master bedroom or guest bedroom is a practical yet decorative way to disguise clutter. It is also a great place to store extra blankets or pillows whether for yourself or a guest.

Benches in the Hallway or Foyer

An entry way bench, like the Southern Enterprises Storage Seat Bench makes the foyer or the entrance of your home welcoming, a symbolic gesture to come in and sit down. Many types of hallway of foyer benches include cubbies, lift-top storage and baskets or shelves. A storage bench is an ideal place to store footwear and outdoor accessories.

For families and those that have a larger entryway, a rectangular and longer bench will be ideal. The ability to locate such a bench like the Stanley Furniture Sunset Key Nautilus Maple Shell Bench adjacent to your foyer closet is a desirable layout option as it provides symmetry to the area and provides a visual aesthetic quality with established appeal.

A hall tree coatrack is a functional furniture piece that include useful features like hooks, hidden storage and sometimes even mirrors. The Home Styles Furniture Full Hall Tree Storage Bench is a great example of how much storage capacity a hall tree coatrack bench can have.

Benches in the Kitchen or Dining Room

Bench seating with backs can be used to create a breakfast nook.

A backless bench placed underneath a window can be used as a window seat in addition to providing seating at the dining table.

The Hillsdale Verona 6-Piece Rectangle Dining Set mixes dining chairs with a bench adding another dimension to the dining table and creating visual interest.

        

When the Amish first came to the United States, they settled in Pennsylvania. Today Amish settlements can be found in all across the US. However, no matter where the Amish settled, the location of their communities had one thing in common; they were surrounded by forests, a readily available source for the furniture the Amish have become renowned for. Traditionally, Amish furniture was fashioned from white or red oak that was plain sawn or quarter sawn. But with the establishment of communities in other regions of the country, woods including cherry, maple, hickory and walnut are also used.

Due to their beliefs, although some methods involving modern technology are allowed, Amish bedroom furniture is mostly handcrafted, using traditional woodworking techniques such as chiseled mortises, tongue and groove joints and dovetail joinery. Great attention is paid to utilizing the grain of each piece of wood to its best advantage. Lines are simple, with a refined rustic feel. For this reason, Amish interior decorating is particularly effective in a bedroom where the whole point of the design plan is to create a tranquil atmosphere.

You don’t have to go searching for genuine Amish furniture to attain the desired look. It’s easy to create an Amish décor by choosing solid furnishings with clean lines, square or “boxy” profiles and a handcrafted appearance. Amish furniture typically incorporates several styles including Mission and Shaker, styles that again are known for simple lines, traditional woodworking techniques and being well-made and durable.

Don’t fall for the decorating myth that Amish interior decorating lacks color. Not so. Take inspiration from an Amish quilt and use heritage colors like softer blues and grays, gentle creams, sage greens and earth tones. Heritage colors are ones that are technically made from natural pigments. They are generally more expensive and can be harder to find. However many paint manufacturers, like Sherwin Williams, offer shades that closely mimic heritage ones.

Draw the eye into the center of the room with the Linon Mission Bay Queen Bed. Decorative detail is uncomplicated, but the closed slat design of the headboard and footboard gives the bed a handcrafted feel. Its profile, with the emphasis on simplicity, is actually soothing.

Because Amish furniture is crafted from timber that was milled mostly without the benefit of modern technology, it tends to be solid and oversized. The antiqued drawer pulls and handles of the Tradewins Mission 12 Drawer Dresser have a vintage design.

Especially when designing an American country, mission, Shaker or Amish style bedroom, an armoire, like the Brook Hollow TV Armoire in Dark Oak instantly lends the décor a vintage or heirloom look.

The focus of Amish interior decorating is on function. When accessorizing your Amish style bedroom, don’t forget items like baskets, pictures depicting simple country scenes and table lamps and bedside lamps with rustic or antiqued metalwork. Since quilts are an integral part of Amish culture, add one to your bed and buy a blanket chest to store it in or a quilt rack to display it in style.

Next week in part two of this Amish Interior Decorating mini series, we’ll explore ways to give a living room an Amish style makeover.

        

Metal beds are very common, but a modern style bed made of metal possesses a unique contemporary beauty. They typically have clean, uncluttered lines and a sleek appearance. Since the bed sets the tone of the room, it’s important to get it right when you are decorating the one room in your home that is also a sanctuary after a long day.

Not Just One Style

At first glance, it might seem that modern is well…modern. It is characterized by clean, streamlined lines, architectural forms and the use of geometric shapes and asymmetrical profiles. But modern metal beds come in a range of styles and designs that are as individual as the person looking to buy one.

Because of their minimalist nature and construction material, modern metal platform beds that have highly polished finishes can be visually striking and have a dramatic impact on the room’s interior design. When the welded joints of a metal platform bed made of heavy gauge tubing are exposed and finished with brushed nickel finish, it can have a distinctly industrial feel. Metal platform beds in a modern style that has either both a headboard and footboard or just a headboard sometimes have the appearance of artwork, because of stylized profiles and metalwork accents.

Sleigh beds are typically associated with traditional style than they are with modern. But many manufacturers use the graceful, curvy profile as a jumping off point for their own modern interpretation of the classic sleigh bed. A metal sleigh bed commands attention. Subtle with style and sophistication, it pairs rolling curves with linear lines to create an updated look that is both adaptable and versatile.

Matching a low-profile metal bed with tall posts creates the illusion of grand scale, without sacrificing precious space. This kind of modern poster bed is very contemporary, because clean lines are emphasized by the metallic finish for a look that is distinctive yet restful.

Modern Metal Bed Construction

A wide range of ores and elements are used to make modern metal beds. When two or more elements are combined together, it is called an alloy. Tubular steel is a common construction material for metal beds. A metal bed made of tubular steel is lighter than one made of standard or premium iron, but can be just as strong and durable, depending on the gauge of tubular steel used to make the bed.

Modern metal beds crafted from iron are strong and long lasting. Typically, the frame will be made of iron, but if the bed includes any spindles and/or straight bars, they are constructed from some kind of heavy gauge steel. Decorative accents, such the bars to connect finials to the bed posts, finials and metelwork elements are often made of cast iron. A well-made cast iron bed will last for decades. Most modern style metal beds are made of one type of alloy or another.

Buying Tips and Decorating Ideas

When a modern metal bed with a distinct design is perfectly matched to the bedding as well as the bedroom’s overall décor, it creates a bold new look that has an edgy, cosmopolitan appeal.

Metal beds can look trendy, stark or elegant. Decide on the look you want to achieve before making a final purchase.

Modern metal beds often conjure up the image of sharp edges, stark lines and cold finishes. Don’t let appearances fool you. A metal bed with a unique design is the essence of cool. And it’s comfortable too.

Decorating a room modern style room and furnishing it with a metal bed is an economical way to go. Even high-end ones are generally more affordable than their counterparts made of wood.