This isn't very helpful, I know, but I think your bed is beautiful - I would never cover it up!

If you're after a more modern look, maybe painting the bed a bright color would give it a little tongue-in-cheek sassiness. Orange? Yellow? You'd need to change your wall color to something more subdued, though, maybe a cool grey. Another idea is to hang a drape from the ceiling that falls just in front of the headboard. Could be quite dramatic. Good luck!

http://inspiredroomdesign.com

I'm with Emily. Bed is beautiful, please don't cover it.

Save your money to get the bed you want and then you can give it to someone who will love the bed.

Make a very basic headboard yourself, there are plenty of ideas in AT's archives and it's not that difficult.
Then give the bed to someone else, it's really quite nice.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/how-to-build-your-own-headboard-003559

Basically you can't do much to this bed, other than paint it. I'd love it in a deep blue.

But if you don't like this bed, sell it and make or buy something you do like. It really makes no sense to cover this as you described; doing so would be the same as building a new one.

I agree with farmhousemoderne. A fun colour would 'modern' it up a bit.

Glossy turquoise? Or you could slipcover it and the foot board with a cool fabric. Here's an Amy Butler how-to. There are lots of others on the web too.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/208330/amy_butler_ideas_how_to_make_a_fabric.html

I found a similar ornate style of headboard, and simply raised it higher on the wall (mounting it with screws). Now the cool carved parts are high and look incredible, vs. lost against the bedding. Also, I turned the headboard around (it just worked better that way) so the carved bits were facing the wall. Now, it looks like a really expensive wood headboard. I think it is now my favorite thing in the house. All for $10!

Pls post a picture link Tanya.

I'd paint it black in eggshell.

Maybe you should embrace the gothic modern look I love so much and I agree with aaakid...if you paint it in eggshell, it will give it that modern twist...

Here's an example of Gothic Modern:

http://www.modernests.com/2009/08/modern-gothic.html

Hi Ronda !

Here's what I would do : paint your bed in a more modern color.
- Why not a vibrant siler look ? very chic I think.
- Blue will also works well with orange : http://www.flickr.com/photos/14441000@N00/2125127349/

And then paint or apply wallpaper or fabric with a shape of a traditional headboard directly on the wall, so that you can preserve the bed and still give it a brand new look. I suggest not to use the same fabric you have for your curtains, as it would totally dominate the whole room.

Of course, the color of the bed should be in accordance with the style of the wallpaper you'd use, and with your bed linen.

And I would also put the cushions in another way, so that you can see the heaboard.

And of course hang something on the wall above the bed : art, frame, mirror, anyhting that you like.

But if you still want to replace it with a modern heaboard, you can check out what I've done here in 1 hour : http://nocesdecoton.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/17/15103854.html

Hope it helps !

Marianne

Honestly, I think your best bet is a metal frame and either a fabric headboard or a faux headboard (painted on). Also, I like your bedding and drapes, but I'd change out the wall color. Maybe a slate or grey? Post the bed on craigslist, someone will like it as is. Safe your time and effort to make a new headboard.

I agree with above comments to paint the existing bed some funky color -- maybe turquoise or lime green.

Question for you -- where are your draperies from?

LSUgrad03--
the curtains are Target...I think they are available in teal, brown and purple as well.

Also...the wall color is definitely staying! I just painted it a few months back and am loving the orange. This room will probably be a nursery in a few years and I like the idea of not using the typical pink, blue or yellows for a nursery. :)

Thanks for all the advice...I def don't want to keep with the headboard as it is just not my style, but at least now I know there aren't really good options for covering it.

paint seems like a good solution, but another solution would be to swap it. since apparently a lot of people would like this bed as-is, you never know . . . you might find someone with a sleek bed frame who wants to get fancy! :p

I know I know I know... I have the BEST IDEA!!!

http://mrpeacockstyle.blogspot.com/2009/01/visual-genius-of-piero-fornasetti.html

Decoupage it like a Fornasetti piece, it would look STUNNING and how fun DIY.