apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi
I agree with maxwell's suggestion about the rug. why don't you just by those felt floor protectors that stick on the bottom of furniture feet - If you can't find ready-cut pieces that fit your bed feet, get the ones you can cut to size.

Also, I would not store stuff under the bed. It would ruin the look of the legs, which are really interesting features.

I think the headboard idea is a good one, but, alternatively, you could paint the wall a bolder color. If you keep those paintings, I would hang them evenly, rather than staggered. If you go with a headboard, you can attach it to the wall, rather than the bed. whatever works better.

A cheap way to replace your bedside table? What I did was mount two shelves on the wall on each side of my bed. This is cheap, easy, and gives you a lot of flexibility, because you can choose any size and color shelf - position it wherever you want. you can also have as many shelves one above the other that you need on each side. I love the way it looks.

Regarding the rust issue, you might want to put a clear coat on it to prevent it from rusting further and keeping your bedding/carpet clean. A matte finish would probably be best.

Great bed!

I second NT. Angela Adams seems a bit steep for someone who says she has no money. What about Interface Flor--they have such fun patterns as well as textiles that are softer (though a bit more $$) for the bedroom. Am I obsessed?

Beautiful Bed!!
Only put stuff under the bed that you can't see.
Tuck in the duvet under the mattress.
And, small, open frame (non-boxy) bedside table would be great. Room & board has some nice stuff for when that tax return check arrives:
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/coll.do?coll=RS2036&dept=RB191

If there's no $$ I'd suggest painting the existing bedside table a lighter color. I recently did mine with ralph lauren metallic paint (at home depot), and added new pulls and it looks great.

I agree with NT but also wanted to address the duvet issue. Is it possible for you to store the duvet away during the day and just have a simple coverlet or attractive blanket (much like those new DWR ones) on the bed?
I was just speaking with a friend about the duvet vs. modern bed issue. I find there is something about the fluffy lumpiness of the duvet that is ever at odds with the clean lines of modern bed frames. Duvets are yummy to sleep with but don't make the smoothest beds. Hmm....

Oh, I forgot to say that I too love the bed - and love the bargain, well done!

Nice craigslist score! I'm just seconding Laura's note about sealing the steal with a clear coat. My sister had an uncoated steel table that seemed to rust again immediately after she de-rusted it. I imagine this is especially a problem in foggy SF (where my sister also lives).

Instead of having to go to the trouble of dragging the bed out and spray coating it with a clear finish - which is a real pain - apply a couple coats of wax to seal it. This is a somewhat temporary solution - you'll have to renew it every year or so. It's a good idea to use a micro-crystalline wax for the best, least intrusive finish.

I agree with A.L. I have the same trouble with my own modern bed. It looks best when its not fluffed up by the duvet. I either tuck it in very tight and flat , or fold it at the bottom of the bed.

Talking about bed, I was wondering does anybody have a design which I can construct. I found many designs that has a box frame, but I think it will fill up the room - it is a 15 by 9 room. Any links that you guys can suggest - To add to the fact I stay in an apartment and I have to construct the bed in my place !!

I like the rug quite a bit with the bed, but just want to see it centered on the design if at all possible.

I vote "No" on underbed storage on this one.

And I think a headboard solution would be a painted shape on the wall behind the bed. And two large Euro square pillows resting against the wall. They can be covered in the same fabric as a coverlet at the foor of the bed.

Seconding racheldee's good suggestion to wax, and not clear coat, the bed. (racheldee, are you a conservator?!) You can use Butcher's Bowling Alley wax, or Boston Polish (colorless, not Amber)-- these are more readily available (in hardware stores) and are easier to work with than microcrystalline wax.

I think it would look great with a solid color shag rug... there are so many amazing choices out there right now.

I'd go for something minimal for bedside table.
I have a great Kartel table that I love.

Thanks for all these great suggestions!

I should have mentioned in my post that I am in a rental and therefore can't paint. Blar! Believe me, I would have painted long ago if that wasn't the case. It's also a studio, so the bed is visible from everywhere except the kitchen.

The art over the bed changes constantly, as it's really just a holding bin for artwork that I need to keep away from the [very curious] cat. Those two pieces will be leaving at the end of this week... just when I am getting used to them.

I will definitely investiate the wax you suggest. I didn't seal it after polishing because I don't really have a place to freely spray sealant without upsetting the landlords (who live upstairs). Wax seems like the perfect solution. Thanks for that!

Shoshana... I am fairly obsessed with Flor as well. I've been long wondering how many small samples I'd have to acquire to cobble together a whole rug :) I want to see how I like it without the rug, or start looking for a rug with less of a jarring pattern. That rug is fairly ancient.

How do landlords know you have painted, especially if you plan to reverse it when you leave?

Well Dressed Home has tow Angela Adams throw rugs on sale.
http://welldressedhome.com/adamsrugmunjoyneutral.html
http://welldressedhome.com/adamsrugjimifiddle.html

I meant TWO.

I sometimes roll up quilts,like a cowboy's bedroll, and tie them with two ribbons at the foot of my bed. It's very neat and clean and functions very much like a bolster.

What a coincidence! I once rolled around with a tied-up cowboy at the foot of my bed! ;)

Oh, I quite like those rugs!

w/r/t landlords knowing what yer up up: my studio is an in-law unit on the bottom floor of the landlords home. They live upstairs, and pass through the house constantly as we are the same age (krikey!) and have a very friendly relationship. I'm sure they wouldn't *hate* the idea of me painting, but I know they'd be a lot happier if I didn't. And in the interest of keeping my rent manageable (they haven't raised it in the three years I've been there), I try to be as agreeable a tenant as possible.

I said "bolster" not "holster."


:)

I painted my rental unit 2x (first incarnation pastels, second time chocolate, orange and beige) and didn't have a problem with the landlords. Actually as I was breaking my lease and needed to find someone to take over, I found having done so much renogade work to the place worked in my favor. But this is nyc where many buildings are owned and managed by corporations not people who traipse through! OMG!

ebrown--
Yes, I heard you.
The bolster came in very handy. ;)

Dana. The bed looks great! I think you could probably get away with leaving the bedframe untreated. (When I a stripped the paint off of an old metal bed; the raw, exposed metal held up fine indoors without the need of a clear-coat.) Re: the rug. I prefer smaller rugs in front of the bed. So you should have quite a few economical options since you'd be looking at smaller sizes if you opted to go that route. Those on-sale Angelea Adams rugs that ebrown suggested are great. If you wanted something more unique, check out craft booths the next time you hit a street fair on farmer's market. I've gotten a few great rustic-but-modern-looking handwoved rugs just recently. Re: beddings. If you want a cleaner look that can be tucked in, double up on blankets and top with a coverlet (or just use the duvet cover without the duvet--if you want to keep using the cover). Re: under-bed storage. I agree with p(too) and everyone else. Keep that space open and clutter-free.

Cool bed!

I'd go with the fabric headboard. Maybe a fabric that emphasizes the grays in the duvets and pillows, but pulls in some of the clearer, brighter colors that you like to use in your art? That way, it would tie the bed to whatever art you choose to hang over it, without locking you in to a specific piece.

Without seeing a wider shot, it's hard to tell about the nightstand, but I'd be tempted to look for something that reaches as high as the closet door on the other side and is roughly the same color -- something with a projecting shelf for lamp and whatever, but more shelves going up, and maybe a cabinet underneath. (Do I know where to find this marvelous piece of furniture? Uh, no.)

cool bed

would keep the dresser - agree with maxwell with wood and warmth

agree with whomever regarding bright small colorful rugs in front of the bed, and would tuck in the duvet.

s

I still think that carrying a patterned rug (this or another) underneath the bed fully makes you notice the fantastic base more. Plus, small rugs around a bed always look like bathmats to me. And in a small space, I think they just chop things up.

And as much as I love shags and big felted loops, I'd do something flat weave.. otherwise you obscure those sexy legs.

And we DON'T want that. ;)

If you were to go with a larger area to place under the bed, here's a great economical option: the jute boucle rug in citron is on sale at West Elm. http://ww2.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cslerug&gids=r061&cid=slerug&area=shp

You should change the carpet to a green color since your pictures are a green-yellow color. The bed is your focal point and changing the room around it would help it alot more and no you can't store anything under the bed, it interupts the bed style.