Good Questions: Behind the Bed Wall Hangings?

2005_1_3_question mark.jpg Hello AT,

I am looking for some kind of luxurious-looking fabric wall hanging to place on the wall behind my bed to serve as a pseudo headboard, which would cover up wall discoloration from the previous tenant, take up some of the empty vertical visual space in the room, and potentially look very yummy. The bedroom has a small footprint, but 12' high ceilings.

I have a full-size bed and had considered using three table runners, but I haven't been able to find exactly what I am looking for.

I've got the (ubiquitous but very serene and calming for me) Calvin Klein Bamboo Flowers bedding, so anything in a cool hyacinth, pale lavender, or slate might work.

I've seen people hang rugs on walls, but never fabric behind beds. Has anyone ever seen this executed (outside of tapestries in a college dorm room? Any suggestions on how to execute this? Or...any ideas on where to look for more table runners? :)

Thanks much,
Rachel

This could work very nicely and would be fun to experiment with, although we haven't seen it very often. Since this is a big space, we would recommend going with fabric over rugs to keep down the cost, though runners would be cool. We would also recommend considering a beautiful piece of linen. Here is where we would look:

Any of the Tibetan stores on Sullivan street (Houston & Prince)
Double Knot
ABC: Sometimes they have great prices on small pieces and runners
Joe's Fabric
B&J Fabric
Always check Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn to see what kind of runners they have in stock. Sometimes they have good designs and you can hit the jackpot.

Comments (14)

I know Lotta Jansdotter is very popular - I like some of her table runners a lot - www.jansdotter.com/shop/index.php?categ=2

I almost did something similar to what you're talking about, but opted for three large rice paper lamps instead - staggered against a dark plum/burgundy wall, and plugged into a dimmer.

But if I couldn't have painted, fabric would have been my next option.

I love the tall curtains that ABC hangs all over their store, especially the shredded satin and I've thought about recreating that at my house. All you would need to do is take fabric and a curtain rod and sew up a simple hem to get the same effect. If you don't know anyone who sews, you could have a dry cleaner or tailor do the same.

Try stomping around the garment district and looking for a good fabric. 37th, 38th and 39th between 7th and 8th have tons of little fabric shops [Spandex World, anyone?] If you spend a little time, you'll come across lots of yummy fabrics. Remember to ask for swatches and take the store's card if you come across anything good!

We brought back some very rich hand-woven silk pieces from Morocco (each about the size of a queen mattress) which we hung from the crown molding in our room very simply and inexpensively by doing this-- Go to any old hardware store in NYC and buy a wooden closet rod-- we cut it down to about the width of our bed. We attached it to the wall with these thin copper C-shaped strips which are used in plumbing and available also at hardware stores-- we placed one on the very end of each side. They hold the pole tight against the wall, which in turn holds the fabric in place (no pins or stitches to pull the fabric). The copper strips also finish off the cut wood nicely. When we hung the fabric we pleated it somewhat so it hangs quite nicely. We actually did this on two walls (our bed is in a corner), which creates a very cozy fabric-lined bed nook. Total project cost was bout $10 for the wooden pole, and ¢15 each for the copper strips.

Lush? How about a sari from Jackson Heights? If you had the time and a swatch I'm sure you could find one in a color that'd match. There are so many sari stores there. You can buy the fabric by the yard without blouse pieces or ready-made with the blouse-piece attached at the end. You could cut off that blouse piece and make matching pillow covers for your bed.

A curtain rod and curtain clips. UMBRA is a great brand for those. Should do the trick for mounting behind your bed. That way the sari will drape nicely.

Priya -- I've hearrd there are many beautiful fabric stores out there, but I don't quite know where to go... Which subway stop in Queens is closest to the fabric stores? Are they just everywhere in Jackson Heights?

For awhile, Pier 1 was selling some Sari-inspired wall hangings, as an off-the-shelf possibility.
I think if you think "draperies", your selection may open up , too. Smith & Noble has lots of fabric options for drapery-type things... I also like some of the silks and linens at Restoration Hardware.
Try also the Silk Trading Company downstairs at ABC.

Re Saris

Well, I have a sari hanging above my queen sized bed..used an Indonesian teak wood rod and two curtain brackets, but you can also just use a pole and attach it to a decorative cord (tie it to both both ends, it'll be in kind of a triangle if you hang it from a nail or hook!)

And re Jackson Heights...was just there this weekend (writing a story on it!), and it's pretty much 74th Street in both directions on 37th Ave....There are tons of places, some even had good saris for as little as $50.

If you're looking for beautiful silk pieces, check out Lao Lao Handmade in my neighborhood (east village). They're on Avenue C, just off 9th street. Lovely silk handmade fabrics from Thailand and Cambodia. The store seems to think people will use them for shawls or scarves, but you could just as easily hang them, I think.

If you get off at the Roosevelt Avenue stop on the E,F,G,R,7 trains it's right across the street from the exit... if you don't know where to go (like me the first time i went without my parents) just ask someone where "Patel Brothers" grocery is... very famous among Indian people... if you're Indian in the area you know where it is. It's in the middle of the Indian section. (and next door is Jackson Diner, home of one of the best desi meals i've ever had).)

Thanks guys! I'll have to go explore one of these days...

Thanks for mentioning my store LaoLao Handmade as a source for “luxurious” textile wall hangings.

I carry the largest selection of exquisite hand-woven silk textiles from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand in New York. Carrying textiles by silk weavers in Laos available nowhere else in North America.

I also have a wonderful selection of bamboo hangers, which are a perfect way to display your textiles regardless of where you get them.

In addtion to textiles you'll find a great selection of unique house-wares including, hand-woven silk pillows, hand-painted Vietnamese Dragonfly tableware and sterling silver serving utensils from Cambodia.

And yes while I do sell a few pieces that are meant as fashion my overwhelming focus is on house-wares and feel that these textiles have multiple uses from wall art to table runners and everything in between.

Check out our website - www.laolaohandmade.com

Or better yet come and visit!

149 Avenue C between 9th & 10th
212-979-1855

Thanks again!

Rachel,
I am getting ready to post four table runners and two extremely beautiful hand painted wall hangings. Would you like me to send you the pictures before I post to ebay in the event that you may want them? I got the runners in Guatamala and the hangings in Bali. customerserviceforemmasattic@yahoo.com Jean

My company, Sheerhabitat, has a gallery of over twenty-five nature-inspired images that are produced onto sheer and semi-sheer fabrics. They are perfect for use as wall hangings and room dividers.

for more information go to, www.sheerhabitat.com

Hi Rachel,
I may be too late for this because I see it was posted in March. Have you found a headboard for your bed?
I actually make canvas type wall hangings with fabric to match your decor. I've done headboards.
If you're still looking let me know.
Tina