Bed Time, Part VII: Draped and Canopied

I've gotten feedback from clients after introducing a draped bed into their lives, and they say they've never slept so well.  Is it the feeling of being in a cocoon?  Is it the feeling of that extra fluff that promotes a restful night?  Mind over matter?  Probably.  But, hey, it looks good, and that alone is a great reason.  Here are some heavenly examples:

Who wouldn't sleep well in this gossamer confection by designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.  Metropolitan Home entitled this feature "Sheer Today; Gauze Tomorrow"...clever.  (photographer unknown)

The dark interior of this canopied bed adds to its sheltered effect...but check out the rug (actually, series of rugs.)  It's composed of round mats from IKEA, stitched together.  Pretty ingenious, huh?  (source unknown)

What perfection...a bedroom large enough to accommodate two queen beds, beautifully draped.  I also love the angles.  (source unknown)

The great David Hicks designed a villa in Portugal for close friends, and at their insistence included  bedrooms for himself and his wife (hmmm...I have to remember that.)  And here it is...lots of pattern and yards of fabric. (photographed by Oberto Gili for House Beautiful)

From the same villa (and same article) is this "fairy tale" of a bed.

In the late 18th century, tented bedrooms were all the rage.  This one is at Charlottenhof palace, a Christmas present given to Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia by his father in 1824.  It was featured in The World of Interiors in 1991 and photographed by Fritz von der Schulenburg.

Another historically significant bedroom is this lovely room in Leeds Castle.  In 1936 Lady Baillie commissioned Stephane Boudin of Maison Jansen to revamp the interiors.  Their collaboration lasted more than four decades, but began with his make-over of her bedroom, adding vibrant color to the paneling and a magnificent half-tester bed in ivory silk. (Traditional Home; photographer unknown)

Why is this bedroom by designer Mark Boone so appealing?  Perhaps because it evokes the comfort and familiarity an old movie.  The bed with its fretwork, the yards of toile and the tassels and trim all contribute.  But in this case, I think the knotty pine paneling gets equal billing.  I love the quote above, and in case you can't read it, it says, "One of the design cues adapted from Hollywood homes of the 1930s and '40s is the use of knotty pine in the master suite, where it looks both cozy and sophisticated."  (House & Garden; photographer unknown)

In this serene bedroom by designers Jose´Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill, the draping has an unexpected position and a spare beauty that give it an overall feeling of modernity.  (House & Garden; photographer unknown)

The severity of this platform bed is softened by sheer fabric hanging from the ceiling. (House Beautiful; designer and photographer unknown)

Yours truly actually slept in this lovely c.1820 four poster on one of my many visits to Charleston, South Carolina.  It adorned the guest bedroom of a family friend's old downtown home, which was decorated by Arnold Copper and featured in House & Garden.  It was many years ago, but I imagine I slept pretty soundly, perhaps dreaming that I was Scarlett O'Hara.  (photography by William Waldron)

The "Bed Time" series will conclude (for now) with next week's post, which will feature unique beds, many of which are of bit over the top.  You'll enjoy it, but for now thanks for reading, everyone!