Friday, July 12, 2013

Sometimes Furniture Has to go in Front of Windows!!!

One of my readers commented on not liking furniture in front of windows.
Now, normally I agree that I don't like to block a window with stuff.
BUT
there are exceptions to every rule.
Sometimes bedrooms have windows just where you want to put the bed/beds!
This happens mostly in older homes.
My buddy Kris's house is around 130 years old.
Maybe they didn't have beds back then........
Anyway.....
I often have to put beds in front of windows to allow for the best arrangement of furniture.
In these cases, I use metal beds that have an open work headboard.
This way the window is not blocked.
I did the same thing in her master bedroom.....
(We're in the process of getting bedding for her bed.....)
(I wish her blinds would come in, already, the lace sheers on on my last nerve.....)
And in my guest room.....
In Kris's guest room, 
I took advantage of this problem,
and made it into a design accent.
For the windows behind the beds,I had the valances curve out a little, like half testers, to create a romantic backdrop for the beds.
Notice that the valances curve forward over the headboards.
For the other window, the valance was made straight across.

It's subtle, but these are the types of details that float my boat.
Often when I design draperies with valances, I add a contrast tape or cuff at the bottom.
This works to visually separate the fabric, so the valance shape is more clearly defined.
I very often use the same fabric on the bedskirts as I do on the hangings behind the bed.
This creates a cohesive look, creating the feel of it being one unit.
In this case I'm using the large floral for the skirts.
We haven't had them made yet....
because I'm waiting for Kris to get the mattresses on the beds made, so that they end up being the same height off the floor.....
I'm getting sick of hinting......
maybe, when she reads this post, she'll get off her @$$ and get if done already.....

We've chosen the fabric to use on the frou frou chair!!!!!
Remember this?
I'm going to reupholster it with this....
It's a linen, and I can sorta see things behind it, so I may need to cover the chair first with lining fabric.
(pain in my butttt.)
For those of you interested, 
here's the info for the fabric.
Here it is with the other patterns in the room.
I thinks it's  going to lay out on the chair beautifully!
As I redo this chair, I will share the journey in excruciating detail!!!!!
I must say, I just love this room.
I wish I could use this stuff in my house,
but I've run out of space.

On that note,
Latah, Gatah
Photobucket

24 comments:

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

So true, in our downstairs guest bedroom we had to put the dresser w/ mirror in front of a double window, there was just no way around it! Love your guest room...
Blessings,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

I love the fabric for the chair! LOVE IT! I think the whole room is great; can't wait to see the finished product.

Brenda said...

The curved valance over the bed makes so much sense but not something that I would have thought of . I think it's those details that separate the good from the great.

Anonymous said...

Oh Betsy, those fabrics are just breathtaking, so perfect, as are all your rooms!!

Vikki said...

Love all of this room. Can't wait to see the chair redone in that to die for glorious fabric! Will you be painting the wood on the chair? I thought you said you were but I'm too lazy to check the previous blog :) Vikki in VA

Anonymous said...

As others have already said, LOVE the fabric you selected for the chair. Truly inspired.

Penny

Kelly said...

I have a dumb question. And yes I know we are not suppose to ask questions, much less dumb ones. But do they sell curved rods like that for valances or are they custom ? The curving of valance really adds to the room . Your eyes go right to it. Very ,very nice.

Rhonda said...

So what is it that you don't like about lace curtains?

Anonymous said...

Personally, I LOVE having beds in front of windows...it's the best way to get fresh air at night. And I think it looks pretty too!

Donnamae said...

I love the fabric for the chair! It's beautiful! ;)

sweet violets said...

I love this entire room, every element is perfect!!! The wallpaper is my favorite.....I have curved valence rods on the 3 windows in my living room, its such a nice touch. I bought them at Country Curtains when I worked there, they are for a 3" rod pocket. Can't wait to see the finished chair!!

Anonymous said...

i am crazy for that linen going on the frou frou chair. & the little bow on top of the chair! i would likely not have noticed that you bowed the valances over the bed so thanks for pointing it out. GREAT detail mere mortal followers like myself don't know to do ;-). wondering about the deep bedskirt on the your guest room bed...does it make the bed appear taller or is that particular bed just especially high? i really like how it looks. suzi

Beth C. said...

I'm glad you explained the differences in the valances. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me! Perhaps you can give us the deets on how those are done. It does not look like a rod pocket to me. Looks custom, like it's wrapped around a curved board. I don't see any pocket seem. I can't wait to see the facelift on that chair. She will be the belle of the ball! Best, Beth C.

Di said...

The fabric for the chair is fabulous Betsy. Actually all the fabrics are pretty especially, with the wallpaper. I can't wait to see the chair finished I love it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for another great tutorial, Betsy.I was trying to anticipate which of the fabric samples you were going to use on the chair-but I was stumped.I thought that the large central stripe would eliminate this particular fabric..and thought you’d have to use a check..now I know better.You have no idea how much I learn from you!
The room is lovely- and so timeless, with such a happy vibe.
Dolores

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, beautiful.

Vicki said...

I love the curved valance over the beds, to give them the half-tester look--that is so clever and creative and attentive to detail. I also like the way the valances are made, with the pleats at each side but the center part smooth. And the rich detailing. yummy.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful room!
Your style is such a breath of fresh air from industrial carts for coffee tables,subway signs and a whole lot of useless crap sitting around.
Thank you!

Kris said...

No mean shout-outs, Miz Betsy! ;)

fixitfaerie said...

I like the beds in front of the window. And the headboards are iron and you can see thru them. I'm also loving the curve in the valance over the beds and that linen, perfect. (I personally know what a b@*&h linen is with a pattern in it to upholster) Looking great. Paula

Anonymous said...

Beautiful colors in your wallpaper and fabrics! So refreshing to see COLOR and PATTERN!!

Katie Mansfield said...

This room is going to be gorgeous. I love the floral wallpaper. It has such a warm and cozy feel.
Hurry up and get the mattresses, Kris! Can't wait to see.

Hilary Kimbel said...

Thanks so much for posting this! This is something that I can definitely do with my Surrey windows... Great advice!

Anonymous said...

I had to put a bed in front of a pair of windows, but my heating system isn't up to much, so the bed headboard is at least a foot away from the window/wall to prevent cold head syndrome. What does that arrangement give me? Storage space behind the bed.
Wish I could be as neat and perfectionist as you, Betsy, but not going to happen in this house. It still feels odd to have windows behind the bed. But there are no neighbors on that end of the house to look in, so it's okay for now. Except for the cardinal who stakes out the rhododendrons as his territory and who attacks his reflection in the window…every spring, .at daylight, before my normal waking time…..What was i thinking? Oh, yes, no other wall large enough for bed and night tables. I get it, but it still seems odd.

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