I'd either go to one of the West Elm beds...
...or look on Craigslist.

The beautiful LAX platform is within your budget, though the wall-mounted headboard is sold separately:
http://www.designpublic.com/shop/mash-studios/6098

Also, don't fear IKEA. I've had two IKEA beds (previously a Malm, which I used for 5 years and moved with it at least 4 times; and now the Anes, which I bought as a size upgrade from full to queen) and they've been GREAT. As long as you buy the more expensive slats, the quality is really quite good.

Crate and Barrel also have several beds in your pricerange...

i would look at z gallerie. i really like the alto bed. i looked at the platform bed by west elm, but didnt like it as much in person. plus the alto bed just dropped in price by $200.

http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-3682-66-alto-bed.aspx

i had a similar dilemma last year. we ended up going with the low frame from west elm. it's held up much better than our previous ikea frame, and the price was right. not as sleek as the room & board frame, but hey, you pay for what you get. sigh.

CB2.com (Crate and Barrel's sister site) has some really fantasitic beds for under $1000; they have a few mid-century inspired wood bed/headboards, and a couple fantastic upholstered beds as well. Great options start at $500 (plus shipping) and all of their offerings look far more expensive and are of Crate and Barrel quality.

Take a peek : http://www.cb2.com/bedroom-furniture/bedroom/1

We have an Amisco platform bed [seen here], which is in your price range but probably too tall and also not wood. It came from the aptly named PlatformBeds.com, which has a good selection of wooden beds. The Pecos bed is simple, low, and only $240 for a queen.

Have you looked in the clearance section of Room and Board, they have several beds...this one is only $599. Its not as modern as the one you posted but it still has clean lines and a simple frame

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=354731&coll=377372&cat=6

Scott, do you have an EQ3 near you? You should check out their NEST bed.

http://eq3.com/cat-eq3/process/locale/en_US/currency/en_US/3080-405 415.html

Does anybody know what the bed is that's shown above?

Have you looked at Ethan Allen? You might like the Morgan bed or the Horizontal slat bed. Both are $900 for a queen size, which is not cheap, but the quality is good. You might also be able to get free delivery depending on where you live.

I have heard some really disappointing things about the west elm beds. It's not a good deal if the bed breaks, ruins your mattress, and voids your manufacturer's warranty. I would put my mattress on the floor and save up for a sturdy frame instead of buying a cheap bed.

I'm in the process of making my own platform bed, this will be to replace my previous homemade platform bed.

I'll have spent under $200 when all is said and done on the second version.

Can anyone ID the bed in the post?

Last summer I got the Ellis Bedroom Set from Crate and Barrel. The queen size bed is only $599 and the quality is great.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1011&f=12287
I also got the matching nightstand, 2 four drawer dressers, and 2 mirrors. All of the pieces are reasonably priced and made very well. I also love how the drawers automatically close.

The bed in the photo is the Lowry bed from Room & Board that's mentioned in the post.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4088943&cat=45

We got a beautiful, high quality bed made by hand for 2/3 the cost of a bed we liked at Thomasville. We just took a picture of the bed to a local craftsman, and asked if he could design something similar. We live in Philadelphia, so the actual shop name wouldn't be of use, but perhaps there is something similar where you live? What was really great was that the same person we worked with at the store made the bed and delivered it -- no middleman!

We had a glorious four-poster from Crate and Barrel (around $1600 - king size) but the two dachshunds could not possible reach it and we found our toes didn't even touch the floor when we sat upright to get up in the morning. We replaced it with a platform bed from CB2 ( around $600, also a king) and not only is it far more appropriate for the space, but we're very happy and the dogs? They're ecstatic!

A final note: the folks at CB2 are outstandingly helpful.

I lust LUST for the lowry bed . . .I've wanted it for so long, and have even gone as far as checking at my local art and design college to see if some furniture design student would make a replica on the cheap for me. . .sigh. . .

It is a Lowry bed from Room and Board

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4088943&cat=45

We have this bed. $300 for real solid wood, I don't think it can be beat.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Simple-Platform-Queen-size-Bed/846622/product.html?

Here is a craigslist post for the LAX bed in birch for $500 (apparently including headboard...) Might be worth investigating.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fur/674693138.html

This isn't going to help, but I have the Lowry bed and love it. My wife and I decided that we might as well spend a little more and get what we will want to keep around for a long time to come. We ended up not giving eachother Christmas gifts in lieu of the bedroom furniture (we have the Lowry suite, probably much to the chagrin of those that loathe matching furniture :) ).

I know this is an old post, but I live in Philadelphia and it would be great to have the name of the local craftsman shop if possible posted by JillElizabeth - I'm thinking of doing the same to save money and possibly have the bed made locally