SFGate

focused Somehow the picture of the problem headboard did not appear. I'll try to add it here.

Aja Mazin I HATE TO TYPE....

2dogssashatess The chair and table would be fine if repainted and if the chair was reupholstered, I', sorry but I can't see that keeping the chest of drawers is something I would do. It does not look in keeping with the rest of your furniture. Please tell me the curtains are going.

olldbobbi For the headboard, is that floral piece at the top removable? It looks like it might be, you might try that, and then take your desk, chair and headboard to a furniture shop, or paint shop, and have them paint the pieces charcoal gray. This will give a whole new look to the furniture and your room. The chair can be re-upholstered in a great menswear tweed fabric and still look feminine.

focused Yes, yes! The drapes are the first thing to go. Pink and green chintz was a late 80's thing, (I did my room in '92), and the drapes are well past their 'best before date'.

Unfortunately, a section of the headboard was removed and the floral piece was inserted. I have been to several top notch furniture restoration and refinishing shops and they have all said the same thing. A new piece would have to be custom made to fit exactly into the section that is missing. It would it be too expensive - certainly not cost effective for a 20 year old headboard. Also, they said that the join would be visible to some degree....how visible depended on whether I lacquer or stain the headboard. Hence my dilemma. Do I refinish or replace with an upholstered headboard???.

Two questions.

1. My room faces west and there are large trees in front. I get no morning sun, of course, and the light from the afternoon sun is reduced by the trees, so it is never very bright in the room. That's why I chose such a light colour for the furniture to begin with. Would the charcoal grey not look heavy or murky in an already dark room?

2. Would the dark lacquer obliterate the hand carving on the desk? I think iit would be a shame to obscure the carving. Perhaps, I should I just get rid of the desk too and buy a new piece for the side of the bed. I am shuddering at the expense of all this replacement, but refinishing isn't cheap either.

I had thought of using a distressed white finish on the wood, but I always associate white bedroom furniture with little girls' rooms, or IKEA furniture. I hope that doesn't sound snobbish, but pre-fab furniture wouldn't be in keeping with the furniture in the rest of the house, which is quite traditional. I had also thought of a pale silvery grey finish.

I shuld mention that I stupidly and prematurely bought expensive new fabric for the chair, (the silvery grey and off white I mentioned iin my first post), thinking at the time that I would simply remove the floral detail on the headboard, and either lacquer the furniture in a light grey colour.or stain it a medium brown. When I took the headboard down from the wall, I saw that I had a problem. It wasn't until I started making the rounds of the refinishers that I realized how much of a problem I had, and now I own a very expensive piece of fabric and have no idea what direction to take for my furniture. Fortunately, I love the fabric. I would describe it as a stylized anilmal pattern - somewhat tiger-like in its design. I do hope it will work with whatever I end up doing.

I am now in the midst of renovating my ensuite. I am using a Calacatta marble slab for the counter, with two Kohler 'Ladena' sinks, and putting 12 X 24 Calatta tiiles on the floor and also on the walls and ceiling of the shower - all in a brick pattern. There will be Calacatta basket weave tiles on the shower floor, surrounded by a small border of Calacatta tiles, and I'll also use the basket weave in the inset shampoo bottle box..The vanity is a Shaker style, softened with some narrow moulding along the inside edges of the panel. I haven't chosen knobs or handles yet. I am mentioning all this because I don't know if this influences what goes into the bedroom.

Yes, the chest beside the bed should probably go, but my husband has drawn a line in the sand. I will have to work on him for a long time for that concession. Maybe when the room is all done, he'll relent. I do like whimsy, however, and was prepared to keep it, although it probably won't fit in when the room is redone.


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janax I would have the carving removed from the bedhead and fill the missing section with a cheap particle board then have it apholsted, as it is a nice shape and you still like it. Get the chair apholsted to match the bedhead. Matching drawers on either side of the bed would make it more uniform, and move the desk and chair away from beside the bed.

rmcmaster I like this design found on Houzz.

JMittman Designs You don't sound like you are in "love" with your headboard, you just "like" it. Upholstered headboards are definitely a great look. I love a tall tufted headboard. Why don't you put the current headboard in storage and go for a new upholstered one. They make such a statement.

Judy M I like the shape of the headboard and the desk ( am I the only one?) but not crazy about the color. I think it would look great stained darker. Maybe not as dark as the photo, I am attaching but darker stain at least. The current finish is just so washed out looking. I would lose that nightstand. At the minimum consider one of those large round "decorator" tables that get covered in fabric to the floor as a temporary replacement.
While you were trying to keep the room light to balance the lack of natural light, I think it just looks washed out.

Judy M what about like this? Keep the top part of frame wood, upholster the rest?

focused Thank you for the suggestions. The more I dwell on it, the more I think that as much as I am reluctant to give up my solid wood headboard, I should go for the upholstered look. Maybe I should try to sell all my bedroom furniture on Kijiji or Craigslist, even though I will get a pitttance for it. It is a shame, because, as you can imagine, custom made furniture with all that hand carving is very expensive.

The problem with putting things into storage is that they usually stay there forever, and never see the light of day again.

I really do love the shape of my headboard, and until recently I even loved the carved detail. If it hadn't been painted I wouldn't have even thought of getting rid of it. The problem with filling in the space with particle board and upholstering the whole thing, is that the headboard is not very tall. When I put my European cushions on the bed, the only thing that is exposed is the carving, which is the one part that dates the piece. I took the picture without the big square cushions so everyone could see what the headboard looks like. If I am to go the uphostered route, I might as well have a new one made with proper proportions.

JMittman Designs Spare bedroom?

focused I certainly have a new perspective on my bedroom. The consensus seems to be to go for a taller upholstered headboard. Is a diamond quilt suitable with a 'domed' headboard - i.e. similar in shape to the one I have now, but taller, or like the one in the picture with the medium stained desk sent by McMaster, or does quilting look better with straighter lines?

It seems every decade has its 'look'. I just hope I am not on the tail end of the upholstered headboard trend.

focused In regard to the chest that nobody likes, would it look O.K. if it were refinished in the same medium stain as the desk if that were possible? However, the wood may not be suitable for staining anyway. If I get rid of the chest, what should I put in its place? I think mirrored pieces have been overdone, and besides, I don't want anything fragile in there. I don't think a mirrored chest would survive my cleaning lady for more than two weeks. She wields a mean vacuum cleaner!

GEE Contracting and Development WHY DOES EVERY SUGGESTION SAY TO PAINT SOMETHING, WHAT EVER IT IS GREY, WHERE IS OUR ADVENTURE IN DECORATING???

Darzy I think all you need to do is gel stain the floral part in the dark brown of the edges of the headboard. It's still a great piece! Then, stain the entire secretary desk the same brown. That would mix the wood tones up. Yes, new chair upholstery and curtains! Have fun!

karen paul interiors focused, this is truly an instance where you need to hire a designer by the hour. Your furnishings are not inexpensive. If I didn't know any better I would guess your headboard is by Karges and perhaps the desk as well, as they are reminiscent of some hand-carved pieces they used to make. As for the night stand, except for the proportions (which are questionable) I would say that piece is something akin to a Maitland-Smith piece. The point I am trying to make is you do not have inexpensive taste. Yes, everything you have is reminiscent of the 80's and before, most especially your fabric choices. As for the headboard, the section that was cut out has greatly thrown the carvings out of proportion to the overall size of the headboard. Get thee to an excellent designer who will work by the hour and make certain he/she can think outside the box. As for your ensuite plans, yes everything needs to flow in color and style. That is not to say they need to be a copy of one another, but there does not to be a thread of continuity regarding intention and demeanor.

As for your silver chest, the most expedient and useful measure you can make is to change the paws to a silver tone and replace the top with something a little less visually demanding.

Lastly, I cannot stress enough the importance of hired "help" at this point. Your existing finishes have great nuance and will continue to have same once you have determined new finishes. As for an armoire, another great expense for you, this really needs to be thought out. You and I both understand that it will not be an "also ran" piece. Further, you have a husband tapping his foot with this "remodel". If you and a designer can work toward a cohesive look and salvage and innovate with some of what you have, you will be very much pleased and your husband will think you are a genius! :)

rmcmaster Focused, upon more thought, I think by all means you should keep your hand carved headboard. The pastels 'of the 80's, as well the colored carved piece, is what I think I don't like. What about stripping down the headboard and desk and staining them a rich honey tone. Purchase new bedding and curtains, and redo the chair. (To counter balance the heaviness of the dresser on the other side), place a large metal based lamp on top of your desk. Then finish the dresser with a metallic finish of the same color as the metal based lamp. Also to add more sparkle to the desk side, hang a mirror there. Good luck and whatever you decide, please post photos.

focused Karen, You are right....Karge does wonderful carved pieces. A top artisan made my furniture, but he has since moved back to Europe. I think there is more appreciation for his type of custom work there.

I have been working with a decorator for several weeks, but she and I disagree on the remedies for my bedroom, which is why I finally turned to Houzz for opinions.

First, my decorator has been pushing for the upholstered headboard since day one, and I have been resisting. I contacted several refinishing/restoration companies on my own. Most do not have the ability to create an insert that matches the rest of the headboard. Those who do, charge enormous amounts for their handiwork. Upholstered headboards are so common, and I like things that are somewhat different, as you can see.

Second, she wants to lacquer the desk and chair in an off white finish. I am not really keen on that either. I feel that it would cheapen the look and compromise the richness of real wood. The top is parquetry, by the way, and the carving on the drawers and legs has been brushed with gold. I don't mind losing the gold trim, but I have trouble with the concept of taking hand made solid wood furniture and painting or lacquering over it. I could be wrong about that, however.

Third, she would also like to replace the chest on the opposite side of the bed. I should really take a better picture of it. The shape appears odd in the photo I posted. Somehow the top looks wider than the bottom, giving it a top heavy appearance, but it is actually even from the top to the bottom. I was thinking of removing the 'paw' feet and replacing them with fat silver flattened balls. I would then replace the burnished gold hardware. I am not sure what you mean by the top of the chest being visually demanding. The front and sides are painted a cream coloured faux marble, and the top, a brown faux marble. What would you suggest for the top as an alternative to what is there?

Darzy, it is an interesting sugggestion, and certaily 'outside the box', but I really wouldn't want to stain the floral detail a different colour than the rest of the headboard. I would either stain the whole thing, or none of it. I briefly thought of staining the border down to and including the 'rope' trim and upholstering the rest, but I think the proportions would be worng, and when the bed is made up with all the pillows, the upholstered part would be totally hidden anyway.

McMaster, I cannot picture what a rich honey tone would look like. I think of naturtal wood floors as having a honey tone, but I am not fond of them. I always stain floors medium dark.

Looking for new bedding and drapes is what started this whole ball rolling...and snowballing like mad.

Gewen, I am not planning to paint the walls in my bathroom either grey or white. I am considering painting them a spa-like soft acqua.

In the meantime, I still have the dilemma of my headboard. So far, it is far from unanimous as to which way to go.

Judy M Can't the height of headboard be increased by adding some kind of extension to bottom of the leg?

JMittman Designs Focused, nothing says you have to stay with the same decorator. You need to express your wishes with her regarding upholstered headboards etc., if she can't offer you some alternate suggestions, there are many other decorators out there. You need to find one that matches YOU. I understand not wanting to paint good quality wood--my parents were big on antiques and you NEVER painted an antique with them! You have the right approach to this. From what you have posted, you know your choices are going to be ones you keep for a very long time, make sure your decorator knows that and that you are not interested in the latest trend.
That said, I think upholstered headboards have quite a few years left. I just finished one for my daughter's room.

lpmenache I have read some but not all of the comments and your responses to them. First and foremost is the fact that if you want to make changes they are going to cost money no matter which way you go. Good things cost money as you know and nicely refinished furniture is no exception. I do not think your headboard is ugly. I would put 2 D spraps on the back of it and hang it higher on the wall. Very easy and inexpensive fix. I would upholster the inner portion of the headboard a solid color that blends or matches with one of the colors in the beautiful carving. That way you only have to refinish the band that goes around the bed and not the whole thing. (Take a look at my home in Mexico on VRBO.com listing number 380881. Look for the blue venetian headboard to give you some inspiration) You might try having the desk refinished in a nice warm brown town and just reupsholster the chair in the fabric that you purchased or you can use it as a pillow on the bed. A nice pair of lamps on either side of the bed with the lamp shades trimmed in a small rope or gimp in the colors of the carving will pull it all together. Also simple drum shades on lamps will give a more contemporary look and easy to change out later if you wish. Use a solid color for the drapes and add some trim on the leading edge. If you keep the large areas of fabric simple and add color to your taste or trends on the pillows and accents it wont cost so much when you want to update your look. A medium brown walnut finish is always in style. Try to go with a finish and look that is timeless.
In regards to the chest: it really does not photograph well because I thought it had an inexpensive finish. Paint the knobs and the feet the same color as the top to help balance it and that would help alot.
The bathroom ensuite does not have to match. If you wish you may had some small aqua accents in your bedroom or vice a versa but it really is not nescessary.
At the end of the day you have invested in heirloom pieces and should keep them. Make them more timeless and they will be cherished by whoever gets to take care of them in the future. Keep this in mind as you move forward with your choices. I do not know where you are located but I do travel on weekends for design jobs if you are interested Good luck.

focused Judy, that would be a good suggestion, but the headboard is not on legs. It is hooked on the wall behind the bed. I have an electric bed, so a headboard cannot be attached. I had already looked for a way to gain extra height, but I can only raise the headboard 4 -5 inches at the most without going above the top of the matttress.

focused JMittman, I have invested so much time with the decorator, that I am loathe to switch. She is with one of the most highly regarded decorating firms in the city. My project is much too small for the owner to take on, and I couldn't really afford her, as she extremely high end and is used to working with people who have unlimited budgets.

My decorator does back down when I press, but my thinking is, if I am going to use my own ideas, it wouldn't be necessary to use a decorator, so in the end I usually defer to the professional. The headboard thing is where I am having the most difficulty. When I began this project, I loved my headboard, except, of course, for the dated colours and the lght wood finish. If it weren't so expensive to remove and replace the carving, I would go that route, and stain the whole thing a medium brown. Now I am on the brink of capitulating on the tufted headboard. My options at this point seem to be to make a new wood headboard from scratch, or to go for the tufted one.

You mentioned your daughter's headboard. I don't know if she is a little girl or a teenager, but what would you would put in your own master bedroom if you were starting over today?

Judy M Can't a horizontal piece of wood be added at lower portion of headboard? That could be covered in fabric as well and won't be noticeable that it is different.
You get the height, you get to keep nice carving and have fabric.
You then have options for top wood part, stain darker, paint or some treatment that gives it a silvery look, (beautiful with aqua).
It's a nice piece of furniture, I would work with it. Plus, when you make the changes to fabric, wall paint and accessories it will seem like a whole new room.

JMittman Designs My daughter is 17. Her headboard is chocolate brown and tufted--not one of the tall ones. I did my room about 10 years ago. I have a HUGE king size bed with a HUGE headboard with a shelf on top. I do still love it, but if I were to redo my room today (oh god, now you've got me itchin!!) I would lighten things up. I have a dark terra cotta paint on the walls, windows treated with embroidered drapery and valances--4 windows. I would go with a headboard today with a much smaller footprint--and yes, probably upholstered. Maybe a linen or linen look. Maybe you can change out your soft furnishings first and see how you like your furniture with it. Try raising the headboard the 4-5 inches you mentioned--I think that is enough to make a difference.

focused Ipmenache, I looked at your home in Mexico, and it is a an absolute dream. The carved headboard works perfectly in that environment and is exquisite. Everything in there is exquisite.

I originally only intended to update the bedroom by changing the drapes and the bedding & bedskirt, which then meant re-upholstering the chair. I didn't consider my headboard to be problem and thought the paint on the carving could just be removed. How wrong I was! Of course, once you do one thing, it snowballs into a major project.

My first inclination had been to compromise by marrying my decorator's love of upholstered headboards with my desire to keep my own, and do just what you suggested - stain the top band and upholster the flat part. If I stain the carving the same as the rest of the headboard, I figured that it would blend in and the individual flowers would not stand out as much, which would be good. I don't mind spending the money to have the perfect look, but I don't want to put a fair amount money into the piece only to end up with a compromise and be sorry in the end that I didn't go 'all the way'.

In regard to the desk and chair, if I do go for an upholstered headboard, would you stain them the medium walnut that you mentiond in your post, or would you lacquer them ? If I stain the headboard, then I would stain the desk and chair as well.

Great idea to use my fabric for cushions so it isn't wasted if I don't use it for the chair.

The knobs and the keyhole plate on the chest are antique brass, so I wouldn't want to paint over them, but I could change them if necessary. I like your suggestion to paint the feet to match the top. I used to go to the shop where my furniture was made, and I watched those feet start off as blocks of wood and little by little morph into what they are, so I feel somewhat connected to them. I will try to post a better picture of the chest. Right now everything is covered in plastic and tarps because of the bathroom renovation.

This indecision is so unlike me. I like what I like, and usually just need help in co-ordinating colours and for sourcing fabrics etc., but this headboard issue has me flummoxed, I can't go forward until it is settled.

karen paul interiors Focused, I've found a headboard that has the Louis XV lines of your desk and chair and would be a good blend of carved and upholstered. You could apply this same principle to your headboard or purchase this one (from Horchow). You will most likely get more bang for your buck if you were to purchase the new one. It has the diagonal tufting, glass buttons and a silvery finish....all details that could work well for your room. If you like this look, you would then want to search for an armoire to house your TV. In fact, since you have options in finishes with your other pieces, you would do well to find the armoire first. By doing so, you will not have to get into custom finishes in an attempt to match the other pieces.

To your question about the parquetry top on your desk....I am assuming the parquetry is an open wood grain rather than closed. If, indeed it is a closed grain, than painting, lacquering or staining will give you a very acceptable finished look. With the open grain....not so much. This is my bias as others may disagree with this opinion.

When you post a new photo of your chest you might also want to put up a photo for the fabric you have already purchased. Also, what is the repeat and how many yards are there and what is the fabric content?

Lastly, your headboard reads a queen size to me. I am assuming this is the size you wish to maintain for a new headboard, if you go that route?

focused Karen,

Thanks for your efforts on ny behalf. My headboard is king sized, but because it tapers to nothing at the sides, it appears smaller in the picture. I have twin electric beds joined together, which is why the headboard must be affixed to the wall. If I do get a new headboard, which is still up in the air, I may make it even a few inches wider to allow for the puffiness of the duvet.

The Marcella King headboard is really beautiful, but the problem with it is that it commits me to the 'Louis look", and I am trying now to achieve a blend of traditional and modern. Perhaps I can use the idea in this headboard, and make an upholstered one with the silvery band, but with cleaner lines to keep it modern.

In order not to compromise on the storage space I have now in my 6' armoire, I will need to have a unit custom made. I have not seen an armoire large enough to accommodate a minimum 42" flat screen TV, plus give me the storage space that I need. That's whiy I think I will opt for a 'fake' built-in. I'll have to have it made in three parts. If it doesn't fit into a condo, should I move some time in the future, I can at least use the middle portion. We built this house 43 years ago, (oh dear, my age is showing), so we are not likely to remain in it for too many more years.

One of the prinicple reasons I don't want to go to huge expense this time is that, unlike when I re-did the bedroom 20 years ago, I am not counting on that many more years in this house. I pulled out all stops on the bathroom, but that's different than investing in furniture - the renovation increases the value of my house, whereas there is no 'return' on used furniture, no matter how good it is.

How can I tell if I have open grain or closed grain wood in my desk? I recall those terms from when I was looking for a dining room table, but I have forgotten what they mean.

karen paul interiors When you look at the parquetry, you will be able to see the uneveness of the graining in the wood and it will have a sort of stried effect if it is an open grain. With a closed grain, everything is smooth and polished.

So you want something unique and not period in style, so as to achieve a good traditional/modern mix? With the Horchow headboard you can achieve that because of the materials and finish employed. When you refinish your desk, this really is a good candidate for lacquering. As for the chair, I believe you mentioned your chair fabric is quite striking and modern?This might be a good opportunity to bring in a little of your aqua tones in a matte, semi-opaque finish for the chair. Once you have the photo up of your fabric, then that decision of refinishing will become more accurate.

As for your night stand, since it is of the Maitland-Smith genre, if you were to remove the paws and add the balls you suggested, in a silvery tone and perhaps replace the marble top with something again in the aqua, silver, white tones, that could carry some of your color from the left side of the bed, and would be a good reference to the wall color.

clarejames I love your headboard and think it could be quite glamorous. I would paint it off-white (not IKEA looking) with possibly some silver leafing - that would go lovely with your new material. If you don't like it you could then replace it later... live with it for a little and then make your mind up... there's no rush

Susanna I would suggest that your instincts are correct. Tape off the bed and just paint the decorative top section silver. Leave the bed that wonderful bleachy wood. Paint the desk and chair silver (not flashy and high gloss but a soft metallic like you see in Paris. Much richer and so chic.) Your fabric will work with it.

Then replace the knobs on the chest. They are way too small now. Is the top gray? Works with your color scheme? I think larger more substantial knobs would make the top less heavy visually. The piece would be better balanced.

I see a future, fantastic French eclectic room that looks like you frequent the flea markets of Paris. Buy a glorious metal and crystal chandelier that looks European and could pass for ancient. Throw a FAKE fur in chinchilla or lemur over the bed (fabulous furs . Com has great ones).

I'm all for rooms that are transporting because bedrooms are, after all, for dreaming.

focused I took several new pictures of the faux marble chest, including a close-up of one of the feet, but the colour of the top kept appearing more grey than the brown tones that are actually there. The reason the tassel is not there now is because we locked the drawer with the key that had the tassel, and put it away until the renovation is finished.

The picture doesn't do the fabric justice either. The grey has a slight shimmer to it, and to me the fabric is more elegant than appears in the photo. It is a fairly heavy fabric and feels somewhat like tapestry. I mentioned that the design is tiger-like, but maybe a cross section of a large tree is a more apt description. (As you can tell, verbal descriptions are not my strong point.).

I have a small crystal chandelier in the room now. The crystals are in the shape of round petals which form flowers and there is a little bronze knob in the centre of each.

Oops.... I see that there are two pictures of the feet, but not one of the chest. I will re-submit a picture of the chest, and try to send one of the chandelier as well.

karen paul interiors Focused, Do you know the maker and name of your fabric?

focused I don't know the name or the textile company, but perhaps I can find out.

These are the pictures of the side chest, the chandelier, and the type of unit I would like to have made to replace the armoire in the bedroom

Nicole Sauve That curvy desk looks solid; the one with the drawers that is reminds me of the asian look how pretty!

lpmenache Focused, Thank you for the kind comments about my home in Mexico, I would use the same stain on teh headboard and desk and either leave the chair wood alone or try a silver leaf or lacquer color so the room does not look matchy matchy. Since your furniture is not run of the mill but custom made it will be desirable to future generations. It is not some low end brand that has no future value. Staining the whole top of the headboard one uniform color would be great, again tehmediumm brown walnut.
Since you started out with just a drapery bedding change why dont you do just that. The grey fabric can be used for the chair so find other fabrics that harmonize with it for drapes and bedding. I still advocate some solids. Once you have made this desicion you might find that what to do with the furniture might become clearer. I think the "what ifs" are holding you back. Make one choice at a time and build on it. It will look great in the end. The best rooms evolve over time and dont look like they were plopped down from the furniture heaven. I think you have a vision. So focus on one aspect of theproject and build from there. Rome wasn't built in a day. Cant wait to see the finiished project.

Aja Mazin Focused,

Your decorator makes money by convincing you that your furnishings are dated and that you don't like them..

Your furniture is timeless and lovely.

Upholstered headboard are a fad that will soon pass.

Judy M Here's my 2 cents for today.

Love the TV cabinet style that you are going for. Not a fan of the chandelier ( seems too short and not wide enough ( at least in this photo).

I just don't see that chest as fitting with the desk, headboard and chair. Maybe it is the faux marble finish that is bothering me. I would lean towards trying to change the look of it before I got rid of it.

I think you need to find bedding that inspires you and then the furniture indecision will figure itself out.

I went back and looked at chandelier again, could all the metal be sprayed to silver color?

focused Hi Judy, (BTW - I wrote a new comment for you on my bathroom discussion....)
You are right about the chandelier. It had been in my vestibule, so was scaled to that, but when I opened everything up and changed to pot lights, I didn't want to give up the chandelier, so I put it into my bedroom. I should have thought of using it in my new bathroom, but with all the pot lights that were put in on Friday, it's too late now.

I can probably have the chandelier sprayed silver - it's an interesting thought. Thanks.

focused Hi Aja, my decorator actually does not stand to make money on my purchases, with the single exception of the headboard, if I do go that way. She knows I have my own finishers, upholsterers, drapery makers, etc. and is working strictly as a consultant on an hourly basis. I would only use her trades for a new headboard, because I would want her responsible for how it came out.

I know she tends to be more modern than I do, but I felt the need bring a modern touch to the room, so I elected to work with her. She has a great eye for colour, which is not my forte.

I am also quite concerned about upholstered headboards looking dated down the road, hence this discussion topic. I remember my parents having a huge king sized tufted velvet headboard designed by one of the top decorators in the city at the time, and that was about 60 years ago, so I guess everything comes back eventually. (Hey, I was really, really young 60 years ago.) I don't think I would use tufting, though, if I upholster.

Thanks for the kudos on my furnishings. If only I hadn't let the cabinet maker paint the flowers, I wouldn't be having such a problem now. But if the headboard has to go, or is lacquered or stained a different colour, then so goes the desk, and maybe the side chest. The chair would need refinishing anyway to get rid of the faux pink ribbons, although I just saw a picture in an upscale decorating magazine that featured a pale pink master bedroom.

BTW - I am glad you decided to type, after all :)

Judy M I think we all obssess too much on each individual item in the room. I love seeing the new model homes that are decorated. Everything looks so perfect, but is it all practical for everyday family living? Maybe not. Sure, pretty design can be functional as well but sometimes we have to make a practical choice (sometimes it's because of the $$$) that isn't our first ideal choice. This is the dilemma of your lighting.

I face that problem ALL the time at the rentals. Our rentals are furnished because they are weekly rentals near the beach. Renters love if it's pretty, BUT they are also on vacation at the beach with a family, so some concessions have to be made. All bedding I buy must be easily washed. Can't afford costly dry cleaning for bedding etc.

I think your chandelier would come to life with an antique silver finish. Of course I have no clue how to achieve that! But I bet Susanna (that posted above does).

Did you narrow down a few paint colors for bathroom yet? I bought a sample of wickham gray and I am going to try Iceberg, too.
We just bought the washer /dryer, they are coming Weds aft. :)

focused I am considering wickham gray and green tint - 2139-50 in the designers' section of Benjamin Moore, but still haven't made up my mind about the colour. I am even thinking of papering with a very soft tone on tone pattern, if such a thing exists, still keeping the colour scheme of wickham gray or green mint. I haven't been to a wallpaper store yet.

Judy M I have a soft wallpaper in foyer, up the stairs and hallway. It will have to go before I sell. I still like it, but I know the real estate agents will tell me to take it down. Ditto, for the dining room, but dining room will be first to go. That's another room on my " spruce up' list.

Grass Cloth maybe? I put that in a bedroom a while ago, does not look dated. But we got a small spot of water damage in one storm and it will have to go. Sad, because I like it. I was positive I saved some of the leftover but cannot find it anywhere. :( I only need a small section to repair it.
On second thought maybe grass cloth is not smart in a bathroom setting with moisture???

At this stage in my life, I don't want to put up wallpaper that I will have to take down before I sell. It's hard enough for agents to convince buyers to change a paint color they don't like, right?

focused When I tell my cliients, (oh, so gently), that they need to take down their wallpaper and paint, you would think I was asking them to sell their first born into slavery. None-the-less, I wouldn't mind papering the bathroom if I found something soft.

I have grass cloth in the kitchen, which I put in for texture. Big mistake. It has been painted a different colour about 3 times over the last 15 - 20 years. It will be easier to take down the house than to remove that paper. The next owner will have to dry wall over it.

focused Karen, I called the woman from whom I purchased the fabric, and she would not tell me the name of the textile company or the pattern name. She did a lot of obfuscating, but no amount of soft soaping her did any good. Her sources are and will remain her secret. She'd do well to work for MI6 or the CIA.

goddess822 Just my 2 cents... Since the headboard has to be affixed to the wall, raise it the 4-5, 6 inches recommended by another poster. Also why not give the headboard a faux tufted look by tufting the fabric and layers of batting, wrap around and staple to the back of the headboard prior to mounting. As your headboard is a handmade heirloom, I'd be cautious of doing anything permanent to the structure. An upholsterer or good seamstress should be able to assist with the covering.

While it's good to ask the opinion of professionals, it is simply that-an opinion. You have to live with the results, so make certain the room reflects you and your personality instead of someone else's. Good luck!

focused Ipemenache, when you suggested that I stain, "the whole top of the headboard", a medium brown, did you mean just the band and flowers at the top? If so, are you suggesting that I upholster the flat part beneath the band?

I can't really make a final decision on the fabric for the drapes and bedskirt until I have decided upon the finish for the furniture. I already jumped the gun on the fabric for the chair. As for the bedding. I have to admit to a phobia....I am only happy in pure white sheets, so the bedding won't be much of a consideration. I will use the classic 'hotel' style of bedding with a border appropriate to the colour scheme in the room, and bring extra colour into the equation with cushions.

As for the headboard and the other furniture, I have too many options:
1. stain headboard, desk and chair a medium brown
2. Stain headboard and desk medium brown, and lacquer chair in a silvery tone
3. Lacquer headboard, desk and chair in a) off white, or b) pale grey
4. a) Stain or b) lacquer top band of headboard the same as desk and chair, and upholster the flat part
5. Make a new upholstered headboard.

I must start narrowing down the field, or I will never come to a decision. Right now my head is spinning. If I only had a five-sided coin.....

The general concensus is that my headboard is not horrible, and is even rather appreciated by some. It is comforting to know that my furniture is not offensive, although I would have accepted any 'verdict'.

I will consider all my options, and let you know the outcome as soon as I know it myself.

As for the 3 drawer chest beside the bed, I don't know what can be done about that. I still like the whimsical 'feet', and don't object to the faux artwork, but maybe the piece isn't sophisticated enough for the rest of the room. It is incredibly well made and has marvellous storage for all the junk that my husband keeps in there, but which should have been tossed out years ago. I think he is a closet hoarder.

Maybe I should conduct a vote - or some sort of contest. All the ideas sound good, so maybe I'll just just throw a dart.

If anyone wants to weigh in either again, or for the first time to help whittle down the choices, please feel free........ There's no charge.

focused Goddess, (or may I call you 882?), I didn't see your post until I had sent mine off. Your suggestion would be great, but I can't wrap the entire headboard because of the carved detail at the top. And I can't wrap the flat part because there would be nothing to wrap the fabric and batting around because of the band that borders the entire headboard.

I will definitely raise the headboard to the uppermost limit if I do use it.

Judy M Have you narrowed down the bedding yet? Maybe that decision will lead you in a the right direction for the furniture? So far it seems you have some yardage for the chair only.

focused You may have missed my post to Ipemenache. I can't explain it, but I just don't like sleeping on coloured sheets......some type of phobia, I guess, so the bedding will be white. I like the classic hotel look anyway. The border on the duvet will be tied in to whatever I do for the bed skirt, which will probably be the same as the drapes.

At this point I am debating between lacquering my desk and chair in a creamy white colour with some distressing, and stripping and staining them in a medium brown. I am going to have my furniture finisher strike some samples of each for me to see before I make a final decision. The headboard? I still can't make up my mind. One day I am keeping it, and the next I am replacing it.

My bathroom renovation is moving at a snail's pace. It should have been ready for the vanity to be installed today, but it isn't even ready for the tiling yet. We are going away next week, so everything will have to come to a halt until we come back. I am disappointed that the bathroom isn't further along, but it is what it is, so I have no choice but to be patient. I'll have some time to make a decision about the furniture while I am gone. I'd like to get the ball rolling as soon as I get back.

I spent a good part of today looking at sconces for the bathroom. I am now leaning toward something dressier than my original selection....perhaps crystal.

lpmenache Creamy white with distressing is going to give you a shaby chic vibe which is for sure passe but popular none the less. The medium brown will give you the most options for the future. The white bedding will look great with it. Keep the bedding all white and use color for the headboard fabric,bedskirt and decorative bed pillows( if you use these)and drapes.

focused Thanks for weighing in, Ipmenache. I see so much white bedroom furniture on the Houzz site, that I thought they were a classic look. There are a lot of mirrored pieces too, but I am convinced they are a trend that won't be in vogue too much longer. Besides, the fragility of glass furniture sends a shiver up my spine. All I can picture are chips and cracks down the road. Maybe the white in the pictures is different than what I think it is and what I am describing. I vascillate between white and medium brown daily.....sometimes hourly. I know my decorator is pushing for white lacquer, but I may have to strong arm her on this one.

Today I am all for staining the desk and chair medium brown, putting away my headboard for now, and conceding on an uphosltered one. I don't think that I want a rectangular shape, though. I really do like the shape I have now. My husband does not like tuftung at all, but grudgingly said it's my call. Do you think an upholstered headboard in a domed shape would look as nice without trufting? (Do you like domed or arched?) If I end up tufting, I prefer a diamond pattern. (I think)

I don't know what kind of wood was used in my painted faux marble chest on the other side of the bed, so I don't know if the wood is suitable for staining. If it isn't, what would your suggestion be for refinishing the chest? I finally located the man who made my furniture and who now lives in Europe. He is away right now, but should be home soon, so I am hoping when I reach him that he remembers what he used. I will email him the pictures as soon as he gets back to help tweak his memory. It was a long time ago, though.

Judy M With white bedding, I like the idea of a medium brown stain on the furniture and i think it would look great with your headboard as well. I think you'll need the contrast. You'll also get a very nice transitional look with the white hotel bedding with the traditional headboard and furniture.

You can then still add the silver tone if you want in mercury glass lamps or in the chandelier and have the chest painted in an antique silver tone and change the top.

Perhaps you can paint the room a shade darker than your bathroom color?

focused Well, it's official. I told the decorator that I have given a lot of thought to my furniture finishing choices, and I have decided that I want to stain the desk and chair a medium brown, which is a classic finish, and will stand the test of time. She was fine with that. I think I am also going to go with an upholstered headboard, taller than the one I currently have, but with a similar contour. I'll either try to sell my headboard, or will put it away for posible future use. Selling it probably makes more sense.

As soon as I find out what kind of wood was used to make my chest, I'll give some thought to that piece. I like your idea of a silvery colour with a darker top - maybe the same finish for the top as the desk and chair.

I don't know about the bedroom wall colour yet. My decorator mentioned some thoughts in passing awhile ago - perhaps a silvery grey tone or off white, but we haven't had any discussion about that for awhile.

She sent me to a fixture place that deals with the trade only, and I found gorgeous crystal sconces. She passed on her cost price to me, which was more than fair. I was rather surprised, and happy because they are quite expensive.I don't know the manufacturer, but when the bathroom is finally finished, I'll post pictures. It won't be for at least 5 or six weeks since we are going south.

I am checking out the feasibility of painting or spraying the bronze part of my crystal chandelier, in a silver finish. I think pewter will work too. That was an interesting idea. I have to make sure that I don't compromise the look of it by doing that.

I really appreciate all the great input from everyone who joined this discussion. Thank you so much. 'Talking it out' with so mamny people was a great help.

lpmenache I am so glad that you made those choices. In regards to teh new headboard you can make it any interesting shape you want since it is going to be upholstered. I would prefer the non tufted version.
Have a good time "going south"

cani Darn, I just read this thread and I was rooting for a silvery finish on the carved part of your headboard and the outer edge which would have tied in with the chair you are redoing in silver. Love your upholstery choice. Your new headboard will look fabulous too. My personal opinion is that if you stain the rest of the pieces dark that it will look more old fashioned rather than the updated look you were going for. I inherited my mothers furniture from Europe and I too am trying to find ways to blend it with an updated look. I love it though because it is not the typical cookie cutter stuff everyone has. I think with the new headboard, new wall color, curtains and some stunning crystal it will look glamorous. Why not wait till you get your new headboard to decide on staining the pieces dark?

focused I was also thinking that I should do just one step at a time, but I have to decide on the finish of the chair before it is re-upholstered and I don't think I want to have the frame done in a silvery finish if I stain the desk a medium walnut colour. I think I would rather see them both stained the same colour if I go that route. With a white lacquered unit replacing my armoire, and a new finish on the side chest, there would be too much going on in one room if the chair and desk are two different colours.

I finally made contact with the man who made my furniture, and he said that the desk and chair could be stripped and refinished with a stain, but the chest could only be painted or lacquered, so now I have to decide whether to keep the faux marble finish or lacquer it. Re-decorating was suposed to be fun and exciting, but I am beginning to be sorry that I started the whole thing.

The 80s drapes and bedskirt had to go, without question, and the chair, which also had those colours had to be re-upholstered, but everything snowballed into an expensive project and has become more of a headache than a joy. My decorator would love for me to get rid of everything in the room and start fresh, but cost aside, other than the armoire, which has outlived its usefulness in this day of wide screen TVs, plus the fact that the finish changed horribly over time, I really like my original pieces. They may not be today's look as they stand now, but they were well made and built to last.

Had my furniture originally been stained a classic colour, such as medium walnut, I likely wouldn't be having these issues today. If I go with a silvery finish, I would be in tune with today's look, but I could find myself in this same position in 10 years, bemoaning what will probably then be a dated look. As much as I appreciate that nothing stays in vogue forever - colours change and styles evolve - I don't want to go through this again. On the other hand, I don't want to end up with a boring room.

Hence my angst.

janiev123 Do you have Marshall's in your area? Our local store has several very nice fabric headboards. Prices are great too! I was planning to redo my wood one as well, but can get a new one now for less than my cost to redo.

Heather J ok.. then Focused.. silly question then. Why not stain your pieces with a "classic color" rather than going dark? In my opinion (and I'm not of high fashion or have lots of money) I feel that all your pieces need are a bit of love, a new color (I'm more fond of staining than painting) and an airy-er, lighter curtains underneath heavier, nice colored drapes, pulled back on the sides. ?

The silvering of your chandelier WILL lighten it up a bit and when going with silver there's also so many choices that open up. Will you distress your silver? or leave it bright? Obviously staying consistent with the color scheme, either paint or lacquer the feet on the marbled stand, or find ones that work? Personally, I'm not a big fan of mixed metals, but some are.

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

focused I am not planning on going dark.....more of a medium brown, but what other classic colour did you mean? If I want to get away from the faux marble finish on the chest, (see pictures above), I have to paint or lacquer, as the wood is not appropriate for staining.

The jury is still out on refinishing the chandelier. I am not sure if I will silver it or leave it as it is. If I do refinish it, I would probably do it in a pewter tone rather than go bright. I actually don't mind mixing metals. I was in the Baker showroom in the Vancouver Design Centre a couple months ago, and they showed mixed metals that looked lovely.

As for Marshalls, we do have a few stores in Toronto, but they are more for clothing, with a small selection of house accessories. We have Homesense stores for furnishings here, which are all owned by the same American company that owns Marshalls, TJ Max, etc. I think they are the equivalent of your HomeGoods stores. They do have fabric headboards from time to time, but I have only seen Queen sized, not the King size that I need, and the fabrics don't quite go with the fabric I have for the chair. Realistically, my only choice is to go with a custom made headboard. I am fine with that because I may opt for a domed or arched shape anyway, or if I do decide on a flat top, I will have the corners scupted or notched, (for lack of a better description), none of which I have seen at Homesense.

Judy M Hi Elaine, How's the bathroom coming?

we're one week into ours. We are in the midst of a blizzard with a dumpster in our driveway and not sure how our driveway will get plowed. Our new cast iron tub had to be moved to second floor. Carpenters say it's plumbers job, plumber thinks it's carpenter job, bottom line we had to hire people to move it up a narrow staircase. Over $500 for that!

Heated floor is in, sheetrock is done, rough plumbing and rough electric done. New pocket door installed. They used self leveling compund for floor since we are using a mosaic.

They started to install the basketweave floor and I promptly halted that. The bathroom is very long and when you stand back the black dots just looked like squiggly lines, Hated it! Asked about installing on the diagonal. Tile guys not happy but willing to do it, but more waste, so need 2 more boxes of tiles, which need to be ordered.

My new washer/dryer is in and granite counter is ordered. We had electrician install wiring for undercabinet lights to go in with new wall cabinets. We are able to use leftover glass tile for backsplash over W/D that my son had leftover from kitchen.

Did you just come back from vacation? I think I need one, too.

seems like you have narrowed down some bedroom choices.

Heather J Focused - I think that either of these 2 stains, if applied carefully (obviously), would look awesome on that type of wood. I LOVE that headboard, so DON'T get rid of it.. we all tire of things that we have and want something new every now and then. The tufted headboard inset attached to the wall could look really nice for livening things up a bit. I really love the idea of a custom made headboard though.

please post pics!

focused HI Judy, we are vacationing for the next few weeks, so everything is on hold.

There is always something.....you hate to throw out $500, but nothing ever goes perfectly according to plan.

Before you instal the basket weave on the diagonal, have the tile setter lay down a large section for you to make sure you like it that way. I think it may be a bit dizzying to see it on the diagonal. There would be too much going on for me. I know your heart is set on the basket weave, but what about using a small or medium sized square mosaic on the floor? Or a different mosaic pattern that doesn't form lines?

Judy M


This one is laid on the diagonal. I searched to be sure it would be ok. I can't change the tile now. I would lose way to much $$$. Can't return it without a lot of charges.

we did lay down a big section and i will lay more to be sure.

I've used basketweave before and it was not laid diagonal and was fine. I think it's because this space has one long narrow stretch and when it's laid straight, those black dots just look like a snake, very geometric. when you view it looking straight down it's ok, it's just the long view that's off.

I don;t want my eye to always go to the "mistake" everytime I walk in the room.

focused Hesather J, sorry, but I am not clear as to what you meant by lovingthe idea of a custom made headboard.....do you mean keeping mine, but staining it darker, or customizing the one I have with a fabric insert, or making a new one completely?

The colours you showed are similar to what I have in mind, and what I think Ipmenache suggested. The work will be done by an experienced professional re-finisher, so evertyhing should work out O.K., once I select the finish. I'll have the finisher strike a few samples for me before he begins the work.

julieewing About the chest. I really like the shape. If you could change the colors, especially the gold feet I think it would be an eye catching piece.

focused HI again, Judy. Yup. The diagonal tiles look good. Disregard everything I said!! ;)

Judy M a visual is everything, isn't it? Haha, I forgot, I am going to Fla. for a few days the end of the month. Thank goodness.

focused Does anyone have suggestions as to what colour the chest should be if I don't keep the faux marble painting? I may switch the feet to slightly flattened balls, and make them the same colour as the chest.....whatever that is.

focused HI Judy, where in Florida? I am in Florida now.

Judy M North Palm Beach. Husband has a meeting, so I am joining him for a few days when meeting is over.

focused We're in Pompano Beach at a friend's condo.

Aja Mazin Heather J,

This thread demonstrates that being of "high fashion or having lots of money" does not equate with good taste.

Heather J lol no.. I mean no offense to that statement. I'm a DIY'er and don't have the money to have anyone help out. It usually ends up just me doing the design, plotting/paint/stain/ refinishing and reupholstering. So, I'm rather inexperienced to the whole world of Interior designers and such. :)

Judy M I think at this point of the thread, it is hard to determine the best course for the chest unless you review what choices you've decided to make overall. so many have been mentioned.

I'm not really sure who is being accused of "high fashion" or "having lots of money". I would hope one so highly educated would be wise enough not to make such broad assumptions about people they really don't know, just because they do not agree with those people about their decorating choices.

Heather J Focused - I would say keep the headboard, refinish it to the warmer colors like we both had in mind, and have a custom made tufted part (I threw something together in photoshop to illustrate what I was talking about). That way, you keep your headboard, you raise it up a bit higher up to be more 'showy' and you can always have the tufted panel removed when/if you get tired of it :)

Heather J no. please. I wasn't making assumptions on people I do not know. No one is being accused of anything. I was only trying to offer my humble, un-skilled in all of this opinion. Please. I only meant that I couldn't hire a designer, so if my suggestions were terrible, please take with a grain of salt.

Aja Mazin Back off Judy.

Judy M Heather, sorry, my comment was not directed at you at all. You were being very kind to offer your opinion and possible solutions for the original poster.

Judy M Aja, you like to incite and bully. You are very blunt and often mean. There are times you could just say nothing but you just can't refrain. I have seen this on many posts.
I'm not sure why you think your opinion on a very subjective matter such as decorating, should hold more weight or merit than someone else's opinion. This is a public forum, you are entitled to have your say and so are others. Personal attacks are very immature.

Aja Mazin Heather J,

Your views and suggestions are both valid and important.

Interior design and architecture are moving into the 21st century and the youth is the future.

DYI is not a trend, but the resurgence of a vibrant movement interwoven in the history of our country.

Aja Mazin For me true beauty is timeless.

I am one who believes your current bedroom to be stunning!

It does not appear "dated" to me.

Your carved wood head board is truly a work of art to be treasured.
It must be difficult to put it aside - it must hold great sentiments and memories.

Heather J made a viable suggestion that I hope you will consider:

focused Heather, that was amazing photoshopping - impressive, indeed! Thank you for taking the time to so ably illustrate your idea. So, now I am conflicted, once again. I thought I had made a final decision to 'retire' my headboard, and now here I am, back to my old vacillating self. Fortunately, I am on holiday away from the city, and don't have to make the absolute final decision for a few weeks.

By the way, Judy was definitely not referring to your comments at all. She was addressing a comment made TO you by another poster. Despite the fact that I haven't made anyone privy to my pocketbook, I can only assume that the remark, which I believe was both superfluous and unkind, was referring to me, since I am the one engaged in redecorating and seekng opinions in this thread. Truthfully, I was quite taken aback when I read it. I thought about it all day and didn't quite know how to respond. I still don't.

Aja Mazin The tread went totally off topic and became a personal, private chat, ignoring the suggestions of other participants who only wished to be helpful.

But is not my place to instruct one in good manners.

focused Heather, did you see the picture earlier in this thread sent by McMaster? I think that the colour of the desk in the picture wood be a good colour for my desk and chair.

karen paul interiors Focused, thought I would check back in to see what progress has been made. You haven't made a decision on your headboard, whether to replace it, paint it or upholster it. It is my understanding that you were wanting to create a visual bridge between your XV style and modern. So, I can see how your decorator would suggest a new upholstered headboard, have you lacquer your desk in white and get rid of the chest. Suggestions have been made that you re-stain your desk. Some have offered that you think in terms of yet another finish for your chair. You purchased a very upscale print for the chair in a more modern genre, and yet you are not certain this was a good decision. You have been thinking if you change out the feet on the chest and change the finish, again that could make a difference.

Here's the problem, as I see it. Everything you have thus far is in the Louis XV style. To move this look forward to a "mix" is perhaps more difficult to achieve than you may perceive. If you upholster your headboard, and even refinish the wood, you will still have a Louis XV style. Instead of it being a pure style, it will nonetheless continue to have the lines and will be interpreted as Louis XV. If you stain your desk and change the finish on the chair, you still remain with a Louix XV style. The only thing you will have changed are the finishes of two pieces that are very much married in style. Your chest is the odd man out because it does not relate to anything in the room and there is nothing else to help marry it to that intention of being "different".

So I'm wondering if you should think in terms of materials rather than changing all the finishes. The fabrics as you had mentioned, are indeed from the 80's. That's not a good or bad thing. I think after 30 years you may be looking for a different look/style.

If you want to keep your headboard and say the desk chair, then I would recommend you get yourself a more modern desk, perhaps something in a mirror finish. You can finish the chair in one of the colors you employ, as you already have the "silver" fabric. If you were to upholster your headboard and paint/lacquer the wood surround, that will take the headboard from Louis XV to a more interesting avante look which works with some of your modern twists. So now the chest can remain if you pull up some of your intended colors (lavender?), perhaps do some sort of a lacquer/glaze sort of thing. It will reflect the light and be a good balance for your desk on the opposite side.

Another option for the bed if you want to entirely ditch the Louis style and if you don't want to do an upholstered headboard, then you can venture into an entirely diffent look which will still be stunning with your Louis pieces and the chest.


I'll post it. Think on it. We never move an inch as long as we have lingering questions, so just buckle down, squeeze your eyes shut and be brave enough to tell yourself just exactly what you do want. Good luck. You are a real trooper, kiddo!

Heather J Honestly, I completely agree with you, and McMaster on the treatment of the desk. I LOVE the carvings and character of your furniture! And the Photoshop thing, anytime. It took a couple of minutes, really, and it helped get my point across better. There's this process I'm looking into with furniture that has sculpting on it, kinda with a silvery stain to it, but not hiding it's natural beauty. I'm currently experimenting, so I'll have to let you know how it goes before I recommend it.

The funny part is, your marble nightstand? I'm at a loss. Is it just lacquered that marble on the body? Again, trying to think of how to achieve a desired effect to match everything..the top marble part is beautiful...it's the body of it that makes it a bit much for the rest of it to work for ME. But still..I have faith we can make this work out awesome!

And whew. I was terrified that I had said something out of turn.

focused Aja, I don't see it that way at all. I not only thanked everyone for their comments, including yours, I appreciated every one of them, and said so. Where did you get the impression that any participants' suggestions were ignored? Sometimes more than one came in before I had a chance to respond, but I included everyone in my return comments.

Nothing in the posts was private. How could it be in a public forum, read by any and all? The few personal comments were a direct result of corresponding frequently through various threads. 99% of the comments in this thread were completely on topic.

If you truly believe that every comment must be strictly on topic and that there is no place for any personal remarks, whatsoever, then why did you post your remarks to Heather J.about people having money, or about youth being the future of interior design and achitecture? Neither comments were on topic, and by any standard, the former was very personal.

Notwithstanding your own 'off topic' comments, I appreciated all your input up to that point.

focused Hi Karen, I mentioned to someone in a different discussion thread, that I was a Gemini, and despite not believing in astrology, I have to admit that the sign of the twins suits me to a "T". One day I love my headboard, and the next I want to ditch it. One day I want a classic look, and the next, I want modern. It doesn't help that my husband does not like change and is going along most grudgingly with my re-decorating pursuits.

I have had so much advice from very kind Houzz people, but the differences in opinion have served to exacerbate my indecision, rather than set me on a single course.

I am in the midst of an expensive renovation in my ensuite bathroom right now, so, much as I would love to begin anew, I can't just toss out everything in the bedroom and start from scratch. I need to work with what I have, or at least with most of it, and somehow end up with an updated look, but done in a classic way, if such a combination is even possible.

Unquestionably, the headboard must be refinished to get rid of the colours painted on the carving whether I keep it as is, or rework it with an upholstered centre. The cost of refinishing is not much different than the cost of a new upholstered headboard, which is why I had thought I would go for a complete change. The chair, with the pink trompe l'oeil ribbon must be refinished also.

I really like my desk a lot, and felt that with a new headboard, and a modern chic fabric on the chair, the Louis XV desk, refinished in a medium brown tone would give me an interesting and eclectic look. The question then would be how to refinish the side chest. Because it was made to have a painted faux marble finish all over it, including the top, the wood used to make it is not suitable for staining. I have to, then, find a new paint or lacquer finish, unless I leave it as is.

I am not keen on purchsing mirrored furniture, first, because I think the trend will end, second, because I see cheap versions everywhere, from HomeGoods to The Brick, and last, because I can envision the cracks and chips in the mirroring from the vacuum cleaner or the chair hitting against it etc. I will have enough of a headache babying the Calacatta marble I am going to put into the ensuite, without pussyfooting around a mirrored piece of furniture.

I am, at this point, leaning toward staining the desk and chair a warm brown, not unlike the colour in the photo sent by McMaster, higher up in this thread. If I do that, what do I do with the chest? Should I have it lacquered one of the colours in the chair fabric...the silver or the creamy white? If creamy white is good, then why not leave it as it is, with the creamy white faux marble front and sides and a brown faux marble top, and just change the feet?

Do you think lacquering the desk and chair in white is a viable, or even a better solution if I get a new upholstered headboard? Or perhaps my own headboard would look good if it were also lacquered white. I am concerned, though, that if I take my high quality custom made furniture and lacquer it white in an effort to give it a modern feel, it will cheapen it.

As for the headboard choices, I know my decorator does not like the carved detail at all. Her firm virtually always uses upholstered headboards. She also does not like the chest, but I think that is more a matter of the finish, rather than the style or shape. She would love to see a mirored piece in its place. I am only prepared to refinish it, however, not replace it.

So, Karen, where do I stand, with all of this? Is there even a faint hope for me that everything will be resolved in a classy way and I won't end up with a 'mish mash' and a worse look than I have now'?

lpmenache focused, A few posts back you had made a disicion to stain chair and desk and change out headboard. That was after alot of deliberation and multiple suggestions. I say stick with that and do a little at a time. Start with desk and chairs since that is for sure. Then see if you want new headboard or to refinish and do fabric insert(without tufting for more modern look). There is no reason that LouisXV can not can not be incorporated into a fresher look. Designers have used classical forms and furniture in "aux curant" settings for decades. i look to the classic decorators like Eleanor Brown, Sister Parish, Mark Hampton, T H Robs Johns-Givens (sp?) for inspiration. So many of their rooms are still fresh today or only require a few changes to "update". The key is that they all started with good quality items and you did that too. Having said this the new cleaner fresher look can be purchased at any discount store like Pier One. You are in a much better position because your room will not look like it just plopped down from a discount furniture store but have character and a unique feel. If every discount store has upholstered headboards then you will end up with what everyone else has unless your headboard has an unusual shape that will make it look more expensive. The present look is obtainable by all today. It is just a matter of how much you spend to get there. thus there are those shows that display a designer room and then copy it for a fraction of the cost and do a pretty good job. Your room can not be copied because of your unique pieces. Go with the choices you made.
Now inregards to the chest, that is a problem. If you can retire the chest or switch it with something else in teh house try that. You might just need to purchase something inexpensive temporarily till the right thing comes along and or you have recovered from all your recent expenses.
I do hope you are enjoying your time in Florida. Check out teh vintage shops on HWY 1. You might find something cool to replace the chest that wont break the bank.

JMittman Designs Good Shabbos all! :)
Focused---you certainly have some great people giving you some great ideas! I am in the keep the headboard camp now. You seem very attached to it, and I think you can make it work.-- I love what Heather did with the Photoshop--great job Heather--I am stumbling through that program myself.
I do wish your decorator would listen to your wishes a little more. :( I like the headboard stain, I like your idea to stain the desk and chair, and then come up with a plan for the side chest.
Please keep us posted with pictures as to what you have chosen. I will be excited to see the outcome!

Judy M So many here, me included, really like your current headboard and agree with some changes it would fit in we'll with your plans to keep the desk and chair. But we have not lived with your headboard for the last 30 years so.....

I thought the plan to keep the headboard, raising it and upholstering under the carving, provided a perfect combination of preserving your well made piece and yet giving you the upholstering part you are drawn to.

The odd man out is the chest. I would replace the chest (storing it if you are just not ready to part with it) and replace it with something else, yet to be determined. Perhaps another small bedside chest so you don't lose the convenience of the storage.
I agree with your thoughts on the difficulty of living with mirrored pieces.
Changing the chest will also bring something new into the room, so you won't feel like you are living with all your old pieces.

Either way, once you decide on the headboard,I think other decisions will fall info place.

focused Thank you so much, Ipmenache. Once again, well said.

If you are in Florida, or are familiar with Florida designer showrooms here, can you please tell me where to go while I am in Florida, other than DKOTA which does not allow the public to come in without a decorator? Also, are you able to tell where on HWY1 I should go to see some shops? I would also enjoy visiting good furniture stores, but I don't know where to go.

Even when I am not busy decorating my own house, I love perusiing high end shops, even if they are not affordable. To me, looking at wonderful furnishings is like looking at beautiful art. I can spend hours pouring over magazines like Architectural Digest, or Forida Home Designs. That's why I thought redecorating my bedroom would be a delight, not the headache it has become.

Please be completely forthright, and tell me if you think the side chest is not worth saving, even if it had a different finish. It will be the most difficult, if not impossible, for me to replace, as it is on my husband's side of the bed, and he considers it his personal property, which I suppose it is, in a way. As much as he was relucatant to replace the armoire, the promise of a large screen TV won him over...(boys and their toys!). Although he is not happy about either changing the headboard or replacing it, (he thinks I am nuts), he is10 times - no, make that100 times - more protective of 'his' side chest, with the deep heavy drawers, the top one of which locks with a big skeleton key, not that there is anything of value inside. I think locking it, just makes it feel more his own

He wasn't in favour when I re-furnished the bedroom twenty years ago, but it was easier for him to accept the change because it was a fraction of the cost of the present furniture, nor was it as well constructed. It was even older than this furniture, and had really 'had it's day'. It was a 'set', and I vowed I would never use matching pieces again.

If I do replace or 'renovate' the headboard, I will not tuft it. I prefer smooth upholstered headboards. Speaking of which, assuming I stain the desk and stain as you suggested, and upholster the chair using the fabric I pictured above, what is your gut feeling in regard to the headboard? If I could have the carving removed, and the gap filled in to match the rest of the border, or even insert a more simple design, I would not replace it. I would either stain the border and upholster the rest, or simply stain the whole thing. Either way, I would raise it on the wall about 5 inches to make it more 'showy', as another poster phrased it.

Unfortunately the only place that I have found that has the skill to create a matching piece to fill the gap in the headboard estimated that it would cost me between $500 and $1,000 in addition to restaining the headboard. You know for sure that when you get an estimate with as much of a range as that, the job never ends up being even close to the lower end. Their quote for refinishing the other pieces was between double and triple those of other refinishers. but if I give them the headboard to do, I would have to give them the desk and chair to ensure that they are all the same colour and finish. i doubt that they would even accept the job of making and inserting a new piece if I didn't have them do the refinishing as well. For practical purposes, I would have to let them do it all anyway, because if something didn't work out, each trade would blame the other.

As you can see, I have delved deeply into every possible option. As my 'show name' implies, I am, if nothing else, focused. (My children have a less complimentary term for it...)

I am almost certain I will take your advice on the finish for the chair and desk. Having considered everytihing else, it feels right. I hope, armed with all I have written, that you will post again, and give me your top thoughts on the headboard and chest. I would much rather not do everything piecemeal, as everything takes so long. I want to see a completed room in the foreseeable future. I am not getting any younger. Unfortunately, I am also not geting any wiser!

Thanks, again.

Elaine

karen paul interiors Focused, it seems to me the more you write out your thoughts here, the more focused you get. Sounds to me as though you have made a decision regarding the chair and desk. I also don't think you will allow yourself to ask your husband to give up his "private" property (with key)! I loved that statement. So now it appears you are down to the headboard. So regarding your headboard, ask yourself "...so what's the problem". Keep doing this until your inner self erupts and says, "HERE'S THE PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO BUBBLE UP BUT YOU DON'T LISTEN...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!". Then you will know what you are to do. You have such wonderful tenacity (spunk) and I love that you devour the design magazines and love to visit high end showrooms. I also am a junkie as are most of us.

focused Hi Judy, I posted my last rather lengthy, (brevity is not my strong suit), comment before I saw yours. Good Shabbos to you as well.

My holiday has not been off to a good start. My husband woke up with the worst cold of his life plus an infection in his eye the morning after we got here, So far my only outings have been to Publix, The Dollar Tree, and a walk-in medical clinic. With medicine being free in Canada, Florida's medical prices have a bit of sticker shock! I am doing my best Florence Nightengale routine to keep my husband comfortable. (apologies to Aja for the personal notes..)

Hey, Judy, my headboard is only 20 years old. The colour scheme in the room is from the late eighties, but the furniture was made in '92. What can I say?. I guess I was a slow learner.

Honestly, there is no emotional attachment to any of my furniture. I don't get emotionally attached to things, but I do still really like the shape of the headboard and the look of the border, and only have a problem with the painted carving at the top. If it hadn't been painted, maybe I wouldn't mind it quite as much. But I don't think it will look great even if it is stained to blend in with the rest of the headboard. It will be less noticeable, perhaps, but I am no longer as enamoured with the actual flowers or shapes in the carving as I was when it was new. Twenty years with it is enough. (ganoog) If a substantial piece hadn't been cut out to insert the carving, unquestioningly, I would just remove the carving and keep the headboard, but is it worth spending an extra $1,000, give or take, to 'fix' it?

I may get stuck with the side chest, because, as I just explained to Ipmenache, my husband has it firmly in his clutches. Since I would not be going with a mirrored piece, as everyone else seems to be doing today, what would I put there, (should I manage to wrest the chest from my husband), that will allow him to hoard all his junk, and at the same time will fit in with the new look in the room? With a Louis something desk and a Louis something else chair, a white built in unit, and an as yet undetermined headboard, i am totally stymied here.

focused Hi Karen, you are right. My plans are becoming somewhat more crytallized. The headboard is still driving me crazy, though. I do keep asking myself what to do about it, but I don't get a satisfactory answer. My inner self seems to have gone AWOL.

So.....if money were no object for one of your clients, (would that it were true for me), what would your advice be in regard to the headboard, assuming, in this highly fictional scenario, that your very rich client insisted, for whatever reason, on keeping the desk and chair and staining it as this real life person intends to do?

(I'll deal with the chest another time.)

Judy M I see the problem, it's hard to let go of a functional chest unless and until a suitable and similarly functioning one can be found. We are viewing these items from one dimension flat images so I'm not sure if this is night table size or small chest size. A small chest can be suitable as a night stand.

Isn't the purpose of a decorator to find the pieces we imagine in our mind?
Perhaps she could locate a few options, other than the mirror ones she has recommended so far.

If your husband does not approve of the replacement (I know it will be a tough sale) the current chest will still be available to consider.

I'm sorry your husband is sick, especially while you are on vacation.

focused The decorator would for sure have suggestions, but I am afraid they will be very expensive because the firm is accustomed to working with very wealthy clients. I like the size and shape of the chest, as it is, and would be thrilled to keep it and just have it refinished, but as it can only be painted or lacqered, I am at a loss to know what to do with it. I don't think it will look nice to lacquer it the same as the new unit, but on the other hand I don't think there should be too many different finishes in the room.

Judy M Maybe someone here can photoshop a few images of it in a new surface.

Susan Mills Design Joining in rather late, but such an interesting discussion. I am working with a client right now and she has had such a difficult time too and we have had much discussion as well. She had very similar furniture as yours, some of which we opted to keep and some to let go of. We did decide on a fabric bed, away from the carved wood one, but with the interesting mis matched side tables it has more of the eclectic look she wanted. We went with the Delano, which had the shape we desired as well as a subdued tufting. If you look on Restoration Hardwares site, they have many options for upholstered head boards. You can use these as ideas if you would rather have your upholsterer build it. When choosing your fabric keep in mind that hair oils can discolour the fabric, also tufting does require a bit more effort to keep dust free. Also look carefully at the base of the headboard and make sure your combination of mattress and box spring cover any openings that may be there. Some are solid and some are not.

You have some lovely pieces of furniture, all your musing and discussion will help you achieve the room you know the feeling you want to create, even if you are not yet sure of the look.

lpmenache just saw your post to me. dont have time right now but I will respond. i also want to think about it first. Stay tuned.
Larry

Heather J If there are patterns, fabrics, swatches, whatever you'd like to see? Let me know. I can send you my email address or post here and I'll try my hand at helping :)

lpmenache ok, changing out the headboard carving is too much sugar for a dime. Stain it all one color or get a new one. Dont do the drastic to it. I am for the former(stain). In regards to the chest I would lacquer it the color of the silver-grey in the fabric, keep the hardware, and ebonize the feet.
i understand what you are going through. We just moved from our home in September and are in the process of living through a renovation of a glorious home just down teh street. My look was very adult traditional(Louisiana Life january 2013 Issue). Now that we are in our fifties we are going to have a younger look but still incorporating all the things we have but updating it. I wish I had pictures of this to show you that it really can work.
if you go on 1stdibs.com and put in Miami you will find the shops on Hwy 1.
Please post pictures when you are done or if you would like more guidance from me. i will keep checking back.
Larry

focused Sorry, everyone, for getting back to you so late, but I had to drive my husband to an emergency room at an eye institue in Miami and that's how I spent most of the day and evening. Then we drove from pharmacy to pharmacy looking for one that was open to fill the prescription.

I am really grateful for all the responses. Susan, the shape of the headboard in the picture you posted is what I meant by a flat top with notched or sculpted corners. Is that shape called Delano or is that a make of furniture?

One of the things that originally turned me off upholstered headboards, was the sight of soiled fabric, which I have seen many times and, Being extrememly finicky find very distasteful. Having said that, if I get a fabric headboard, it will be spared any contact with hair oils, because I have an electric bed. When the top is raised, it pulls well away from the headboard and the wall, which is why the headboard is attached to the wall, and not the bed frame. When the bed is flat, it is still a few inches away from the wall to allow for movement. In short, no body parts come in contact with the headboard. You are right about dust in the tufting. I have a large tufted leather ottoman in my family room, and I am constantly vacuuming out the little 'valleys'. I prefer not to have tufting on a headboard, anyway.

Susan Mills Design Focused, I hope all is well with your husband?

The bed is from RH and is called the Delano, the tufting on this one is minimal and not deep. RH really does have lots of options and they are on sale right now. Otherwise your upholsterer can tweak the design to your taste.

Hope your night is much smoother and more restful than your day.

focused My husband was finally properly diagnosed. He has a severe viral infection, which is related to shingles, and which spread through the nerves in his face to his nose and upper lip. The opthalmologist had to scape a layer of skin from the eyeball, which almost made me faint, even though my eyes were squeezed shut during the procedure. Unfortunately, the G.P. incorrectly diagnosed my husband 3 days ago, so the medication was of no value. I hope things will start to improve quickly with the new medication, although we were told it will take about two weeks to heal entirely. Some vacation!

I will peruse the R.H. site for shapes to consider, but it is unlikely the fabrics will work perfectly with the upholstery fabric I have for the chair. Because the silver in ithe fabric has a taupey cast in certain light, it was not an easy task to find the right fabric for the headboard in the event I decided to go for it. The decorator came up with a lovely velvet which, from the look of the swatch, seems to work so well, that she almost sold me on going the upholstered route. Something keeps holding me back from committing, as you can see from this thread.

Susan Mills Design Oh my your poor husband, that sounds a horrible ordeal.

My thoughts on RH, is you can look at styles for ideas and have your upholsterer create a version you love. Velvet would be lovely. Maybe a sleep on it will help. Your thoughts, not the velvet!

focused I have been eating, breathing and sleeping nothing but my furniture issues and dilemmas for the past two months, which is why I finally turned to Houzz for help.

The odd thing is, I am usually too decisive - often to the point of being foolishly impestuous. In fact the only other time I recall being this indecisive was when I had to choose between a Bentley and a Rolls! (Aja, that was a joke)

Seriously, this is really out of character for me. I did, admittedly, have a major problem deciding between marble, which I really wanted, and Caesarstone, which I knew was much more practical for my ensuite bathroom. But that was different - I knew what I wanted right from the start, but it was case of heart vs head. The heart won.

In this case the the heart is suffering from a split personality, and my head is nowhere in sight.

cani I hope your husband is doing better. If it's related to shingles it is awful. Have you looked at any of the Hollywood glam or Hollywood Regency pictures here on Houzz? It features a lot of mirrored pieces which you don't want, but you will also notice a lot of ornate furniture. I just saw a picture (don't know how to paste it here) where it had a antiqued mirrored wall behind the bed and a very high plum colored headboard. The thing I noticed was that the nightstands were a light color like your furniture and they had curved lines. After seeing that picture I'm thinking you might be able to do a new headboard and keep your furniture the way it is. You could have the problem chest silver leafed (not bright) which would coordinate with the fabric in the chair and the color of your new headboard. The picture also had a crystal chandelier. I think what will give your room the updated look you want will be the color on the wall and fabrics.

focused HI Larry, you are very kind to spend time guiding me through this. There must be telepathy happening, because today I had a 'Eureka' moment, and thought it might be a great idea to lacquer the chest silver, but I was concerned that the chest might be a bit heavy looking for that treatment. Usually you see more delicate pieces with a silver finish. I wish I could have it done in silver leaf, but I am sure the cost would be prohibitive.

What do you think of keeping the brown faux marble top to tie in with the desk and chair, ( and possibly the headboard)? It might tone down the silver so it doesn't look like too much of a good thing. I wonder what it would take to put on a new wood top that could be stained to match the desk, etc.

It might not be a bad idea to stain the headboard the same as the desk and chair, and if I don't like it after living with it for a time, go for a new upholstered headboard at that point. I would be out the cost of the refinishing, but maybe I could sell the headboard on Kijiji or Craigslist and recoup some of the cost. Does that make sense? On the other hand, I won't have as fresh and modern a look as I would like if I stain and keep the headboard, rather than get a new upholstered one.

Oh, dear. It seems that I can talk myself into and out of anything without even taking a breath. I am so glad I don't have me as a client.

By the way, regarding your suggestion to "ebonize the feet", is that a fancy way of saying to paint them black?

lpmenache Hi Focused, glad your husband is on the road to recovery,
Ebonized would be stained black rather than painted. It gives a slightly different dimension to the look. You can also lacquer them shinny black. Yes keep the brown top.
After much thought if you stain desk and chair, paint the chest, I would get the new headboard.! That is really what you wanted from the onset I think. We just needed to make the rest of the room work with it and now I think we have. Love the idea of a silk or cotton velvet for a real luxurious look and feel.
Larry

mapeggy When back in Toronto have your husband go for a "shingles" injection. It lasts a lifetime, and he will not suffer from it again. This problem, can return over and over again, sometimes so severe the pain is unbearable. Both my husband and I got immunized this year.

I am at a loss why your decorator has not done up a sample board for you. Fabric swatches, paint and/lacquer colours, furniture finishes, flooring, drapery style, headboard pictures and coloured digital "pull it all together" looks. You may just be having trouble visualizing all of these things together.

If you are paying your decorator by the hour, and you obviously are not accepting their advise, and you know the style they work with has been more modern than what you have had in the past...why have you not cut the cord? The decorator is probably twice as frustrated knowing all their suggested are being shot down...they cannot quit. The decorating company will insist they continue trying. It is up to you to request another opinion from a different decorator.. Or sever ties on the bedroom project. Maybe they can do the bathroom?

Toronto is in the top ten cities in the world. Every large international firm does business there. Like NY it has thousands of specialized small businesses. You can buy or have made any type of item for your house. Perhaps you have only used decorators and are not aware of the vast options and reasonable prices which have become available in the last decade. It is overwhelming. It is strange you were not given the fabric name and mfg.

However years ago, the decorator has suggested a beautiful wallpaper for my dining room. $175. a roll.. When most papers were $5 - $6. But I loved it, The decorators installer was sick, so I called my painter in. I was paranoid about him being careful. He became annoyed and asked me why I was so uptight about a $10. paper? I was shocked. Long and short of it, it was on sale at a neighboring store for $9.99 a roll. I went back to the decorator and showed them. They said, I liked the paper, it had no flaws, it is being installed properly..case closed. The price they set was the price they charge regardless of what it sells for elsewhere. From that moment on I began to research and check things out for myself. I still hire decorators, but I am a better informed consumer now, and it is easier for them as well.

So, I am suggesting you have your decorator put her design elements all together in a visual package. Then you can judge the "whole room" and not just pieces of it. Then get a House and Home or Style at Home or any one of a dozen magazines which specialize in Toronto, and other Canadian cities. They also list sources. You are also within an hours' drive of NYstate.. Waldon Galleria Mall (equivalent to Yorkdale Mall) in Buffalo has everything, but much lower prices.

And yes, I understand things we paid for years ago were expensive..but now they are much cheaper. My first VCR cost $1,400.. Now they are less than $100. The first plasma 26" screen was $25,000 in 1995 in Naples, Florida....today maybe $200 - $300. We earned a lot less money then but costs were considerably more then... So my point is...if you like it keep it...otherwise use it in another room. Give it to a family that could use it, donate it, or sell it. But until you decide if you like the headboard and its flowers, enough to keep it or you don't, you can't make a firm decision about your whole room. That's why you keep switching between bathroom and bedroom...with no decisions made and no action plan started.

That sample board of painted or stained woods, carpet sample, wall shade, tufted or plain headboard material and colour, lamps, chair finish and material, drapery and coverlet style, pattern and colour, end table lacquer sample, lighting fixture, etc. will help you solidify what you want or not.

If you husband is like mine, he does not care what is done. He thinks everything is fine. But he does not want to lose the one or two things are his...after all think about the number of times we as decorating wives "change" things. Then next thing he knows that table where he used to put his...?? Is now gone and something new is in its place. He was perfectly content before. Most men will just want the endless talk about it to STOP. Just do it and get it done! Then he starts thinking...I don't understand why SHE wants to do this. The furniture is perfectly fine and in good shape. Last time she spent "mega bucks". Why are we spending more big $$ again? Most men cannot see the value of changing something that is not broken. Then, they start to retaliate by either setting budget limitations or restrictions on the "stuff" they regard as their own. The longer your bedroom decisions take, you may find the more negative, exasperating, and possessive he becomes about redecorating and less willing to change. Good luck!

mapeggy As if I have not said enough already! Remember 1. Straight lines are masculine, curves are feminine. Bedrooms need a balance of both. Too many flowers, and curves is something men will tolerate , but not necessarily like. Think about this when deciding about your headboard. 2. Many men are colour blind and they do not know it. Asking them about various colours is often quite frustrating for them Ever heard..".whatever you think!" and 3. Their priorities are comfort, space, plaids or plain fabrics. And if they can't get that they will argue about the cost. Almost most men have difficulty with the thought if painting good wood, even baseboards or trim. Just a few other things to consider.

Judy M I am now focused on Larry's suggestion of silvery finish on the chest. I like the idea of that, an antique silver finish is what I picture. I am also a sucker for velvet.

But, I also want to know if you choose the Bentley or the Rolls!

I hope your husband finally has the right prescription so he is headed out of his misery.

Sometimes once I stop thinking (obsessing is probably a better word), out of the blue the answer appears. Get some sun and relax, the bedroom will be there when you get home.

We are buried under 3.5 feet of snow, not plowed out yet with a large dumpster taking up a good portion of the driveway, I wish I could join you and have a cocktail together!

focused Hi Judy, I was going to ask you if you would like to get together for a coffee if you get to Florida before we leave for Toronto. We are here until the 27th and only about a 20 - 25 minute drive from West Palm Beach. I wasn't sure what the boundaries were for this web site, whether personal emails and/or phone numbers could be exchanged.

This last round of suggestions has helped me immensley. I am going to respond to each poster individually.

mapeggy If you are still on vacation get out your Architectural digest and Florida magazines. They have endless advertisements of stores you can visit. They even have a magazine specializing in Miami. Use them for sourcing companies. My Florida house has a fair amount from Robb & Stuckey.. You can spend a day browsing in their showrooms. Also, if you are using a well known decorator in Toronto, they will have connections to line you up with a local Florida decorator to get into the DKOTA. I think the decorating firm I used in Jupiter was Brown and ? (something). Large well known firm. Can't remember full name off top of head. Should be in phone book, they will probably extend an invitation to get you into DKOTA.

But worshipping Florida designs and furniture when you are decorating a house in Toronto are two opposite ends of the spectrum. Unless your Toronto house is over 8,000 sq ft. the Florida furniture is too big. Ceilings in Toronto homes are generally 9'. Sometimes 10'. And two stories. Florida homes are sprawling with MINIMUM 12' - 14' ceilings. Ours are 16'..makes a huge decorating difference. The furniture does not look that big in showrooms where ALL the furniture is big, and displayed with no walls! Check the specifications and you will be able to ascertain the actual size relative to your Toronto furniture. Best bet for decor in Toronto is local decorating magazines, with the odd thing being imported from Europe or the USA. Hope this helps.

Judy M Elaine, I leave for Fla on Thurs the 28th. Husband arrives a few days before me for his meetings (on the golf course) . I suggested he extend his stay a few days so I can join him. We return together on Monday. Too bad, I would have enjoyed meeting you. So nice of you to suggest it.

focused Hi again, Larry

First, when you say stain or paint the feet black, do you mean keeping the stylized feet that are on there now? Or do you mean that I should make new feet and ebonize them? The wood isn't suitable for staining, so would have to be either laquered or painted if the feet remain. Will black feet, or whatever the chest sits on, look right if I keep the brown faux marble top on the chest?

Karen Paul had it right......with enough discussion, I will know what I have to do, and I believe I do now. I guess, there really is an inner self, after all. I have to thank you and all the other contributers for bringing it out, at long last.

With your suggestion of silvering the chest, the last part of the puzzle fell into place. That put everything into perspective, and I feel ready to go forward.

Now I just have to decide whether to go with the shape my decorator suggested, which is exactly like the picture Susan Mills posted above, or go for a shape similar to what I have now, but taller, of course.

karen paul interiors Faux silver paint

Judy M I think you've got it all now, a lovely room and one happy husband.

focused Karen, that's perfect! How on earth did you find that picture? It even has the dark top that I discussed with ipmenache. I love it. I am finally geting excited about this project, instead of just feeling frustrated. I don't know whose chest that is, but I can only say...."I'll have what she's having"! Thank you. Now I have to find a finisher who can do that kind of work. Maybe my decorator has someone. I'll probably have to go with fake silver leaf or I'll have to sell the Bentley to pay for it :) (I hope everyone gets my humour.)

focused mapeggy, I wrote a really long response to you, but somehow it disappeared and I don't have time to redo it right now. I'll write another reply later.

karen paul interiors I figured it was time for you to actually "see" what it can look like. Look up decorative artists. Show them the photo and have them do finish boards, perhaps 3? They can use the same materials and achieve three different effects....or can alter (refine) to your liking. Also, request the pigments be mixed to coordinate with your fabric.

I think the problem has been your lack of actual visuals. It's sort of hard to envision sometimes.

focused Thanks again, Karen.

focused Judy, you have it half right......lovely room, but happy husband? He would have been happy to keep our original kitchen, three kitchens ago. He used to bring people into the kitchen and ask them if they saw anything wrong with it. Didn't help him...I changed it anyway. Of course.

karen paul interiors Has you designer proposed the color of velvet for your headboard? Also, has there been a suggested paint color for the walls? If not, what is your thinking?

karen paul interiors

Judy M I think our husbands might be related! Just remind him how much thinking and effort you put forth to keep his bedside storage.

karen paul interiors Your desk can have a faux bois effect on the body and the surround of wood around your parquetry. Your parquetry can carry a simple stain, matching the faux bois pigments employed for the rest of the desk. This give you a good looking grain rather than a plain stain. The chair doesn't have to be the same finish.

JMittman Designs Elaine--just wanted to say I'm glad your husband was properly diagnosed and on the mend!

focused Thanks a lot. I appericate your thoughts. He still looks pretty awful, but the pain is beginning to subside, thank goodness. He probably needs another day of medication before he will feel a lot better.

focused I owe so many people answers. Thanks to everyone for asking about my husband. He will take awhile to be on the mend properly. He had cancer twice - three years ago, and again two years ago, and although he is cancer free now, thank goodness, his immune system is somewhat compromised.

MAPEGGY, I wrote you a very long response and then I hit the wrong button and somehow everything disappeared, so I am starting over.

Regarding shingles shots...my husband and I had them in the States a few years ago, a full year before they were approved for general use in Canada. The vaccine doesn't completely prevent an attack of shingles, but it lessens the odds of contracting the disease considerably.The vaccine is also supposed to make the shingles less severe, should one be unlucky enough to get them after having the vaccine.

In defense of my decorator, she was hired originally just to help with a few details in the bathroom, and with new fabric for the drapes, bed skirt and chair, as well as selecting paint colours, so a sample board wasn't really crucial. I expected simply to have the hand painting removed from the headboard and chair, and that would be the end of it. Then I discovered, to my dismay, that the only way to remove those pesky pinks and greens and mauves, was to strip and re-finish those pieces. That led to dealing with the desk, and then, of course, the side chest became an issue.

I hadn't originally intended to get rid of my armoire, but seeing it through the eyes of my decorator, and finding out how much it would cost to refinish it and re-work the insides to hold a fairly large flat screen TV, the only item on my husband's wish list, it became painfully apparent, that it did not pay to 'renovate' it. So, just like Harriet Beecher Stowe's Topsy, my project "just growed".

I wanted to work with this firm because the owner, (whom I could not afford to hire), had just decorated my friend's new condo and it was breathtaking.....not a single misstep. It was both modern and classic - a picture of elegance, and I loved every inch of it. I thought that my furniture wasn't really tied to any one period and that I could achieve a modern look with only a bit of tweaking. As I found out, step by disappointing step, that was not the case.

Having started out thinking I wouldn't need to make major changes, I resisted the direction my decorator was taking, which is why I turned to the Houzz discussions for opinions and advice. I see now that she wasn't wrong, but I wasn't at all ready to accept her suggestions. As I mentioned earlier, I was, (am?), a difficult client. If I had a client like me, I would have opted for early retirement, (except for one annoying little detail - l am too old for early anything).

Had I been ready from the start to throw out, and/or change the old and bring in the new, it would have been easier for both of us. It took kind and patient people like you and the other posters to bring me around, albeit slowly.

So, I have accepted that I cannot get the look I want without cranking open my wallet a lot wider than I had anticipated. It wasn't only the money issue. The thought of wasting perfecty good furniture rankles. It seems like such a frivolous thing to do, but esthetics are important to me, so in the end I'll find a way to rationalize everything. I always do.

You are right about diminshing prices in the context of manufactured items such as cell phones, TVs and VCR's. My first cell phone in the mid 80's cost $2,200 plus another $250 to have it installed in my car....an enormous battery in the trunk, and an arial cut into the roof of my car. I have a 50 inch plazma in my family room, which, to say the least, was not an easy sell to my husband, and about which my husband points out every time he sees an ad, just how much less we would have paid had we waited until now. But if it were up to him, we'd still be watching on an old black and white. Would you believe that Mr. I. M. A. Hoarder still has a 60's black and white floor model stowed in the furnace room in our basement? And he won't let it go. Who knows? If we keep it long enough, it may be worth something. ($10.00?) Or maybe I can lacquer it and use it as an end table.

Although electronics in every category are down in price, hand made custom furniture is as expensive as ever, but as a used commodity, fetches very little money. My children don't want that furniture, and I have no other place in the house for it. So the rankling continues.

As far as colour choices, my husband's favourite colour is, and has always been 'whatever-we-have-now', so, no, I will not be conferring with him about that. I am leaning toward a pale or dusty aqua in the bathroom to create a spa feeling, (although I never go to one). My decorator suggested that I use something very light and creamy in the bedroom, which does not get much natural light, but it is too early to select a specific colour yet.

I realize that the southern decorating magazines and the high end showrooms showcase large scale furnishings, but I like to see them to get an idea of what is being shown today vis-a-vis colours, shapes, styles, etc..

I saw a House Beautiful magazine this afternoon that featured Erinn Valencich's own Beverly Hills home. She has a sculpted headboard which is upholstered within an antiqued mirror frame that has silver leaf along the sides. She said she was "sick of fully upholstered headboards". I wonder if all the clients who have bought fully upholstered headboards from her were upset about that statement. So, did her remark shake my resolve to go with the fully upholstered headboard? You bet it did! I was instantly transported back to the idea of staining or laqcuering the border, carving and all, and upholstering the rest. Stay tuned. I could change my mind a dozen more times before the decision becomes final. And I might still change it after that!

By the way, I would have been absolutely furious if I had been charged more than 17 times the actual price of wallpaper. That kind of 'upcharging', (read gauging), is precisely why I like to pay decorators only for consulting by the hour. I do have to say, however, that my decorator's price for the custom upholstered headboard was reasonable, even though it did not include the price of the fabric.

I am going to post this now, but if I screw up again, I will not have the energy to do a re-wrtie, so I had better get it right.

focused Susan Mills, I went to the Restoration Hardware site and looked at the headboards. Interestingly, the side chest beside the Delano headboard was a Louis VI. If I bought that chest, I would have three generations of Louis in my room. Perish the thought. I like the Delano headboard, by the way. The Jameson is also pretty.

focused Karen, I think the term you used , faux bois, more properly describes the pattern on the fabric for my chair than the way I described it earlier.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Sorry, but I have read so much of this thread, and it is all over the place. I can understand how one's designer might have a difficult time figuring out what to do for you with all of the self conflicting considerations. And, all of us who are professionals should be ashamed of ourselves for denigrating another designer who we do not know and who does not have a voice in this communication. We are acting like jackyls and not professionals. Or should I say buzzards.

Designs trends are alway going to change focused, and they are on a very long cycle for the very reason that changing trends make for good business. In some ways life is very short. In terms of you present furniture, I don't care about their price tag, I care if they have an emotional attachment that makes you want to use them now. Now, in their present form or in a different form. Do not use them because of their price tag.

If it is not the time for you current headboard send it to another room or put it instorage, if you must and have YOUR designer create a beautiful upholstered headboard. We are not in her shoes and I have the feeling she is professinal enough that she works for a design firm
that you trust. I think you need to trust her.

It always seems funny to me when I have a new client that comes to me because they have seen my work and they loved it. But, then I have to start at square one gaining their confidence anew. As if they must think the other projects were just fluke. And the bottom line for every client is just because they can not visualize the answer, it doesn't mean their designer can't. That is why we are in the business.

Trust her and quit driving yourself nuts.

mapeggy Mary, I completely agree. No one visualizes the complete project as well as the designer. With or without visual boards..boards are used so the client can see what the designer already knows in their mind. Yes, I got dupped, but that did not stop me from hiring other designers.. I just get better ones each time.

And 'focused,' you are working your way thru this, but I'm still not sure what (the feeling) you want in the end. You know when you walk into a room and say, "this is perfect, exactly what I was trying to accomplish,". Sit back and visualize the bedroom. How you want to feel when you enter. How will you feel sitting in bed looking around the room. How will you know your efforts have been successful?

I usually use designers by the project. They then know the entire budget, can suggest where to splurge and where to cut back. They get a better sense of how the room is used and by whom. she knows never to put a TV in the bedroom! Decorators also become business friends, and are willing to introduce you to their contacts, trades, pre-sale "trade only" inventory, etc.

I know, down the road, I can call and they go out of their way to fit me into their busy schedule. Last time, I only wanted to make a decision for one..of the three wall colours I had selected. Small job, yes..but she knows more projects will come. She has also put me in contact with painters, muralists, upholster's, drapery hangers..the list goes on and on.. It is important a relationship develops.



Ps back in Canada recheck with the pharmacy who has the drug (only certain ones carry it)...my understanding Canadian procedures much more stringent...requires double 'shingles' serum testing, with injections preordered for each individual. Serum has less than a week's life span. I can only say what we were told, "never" again. I had shingles inside my entire mouth.

focused Thanks you again, mapeggy, In regard to the shingles vaccine, I have inserted a direct quote form the company that manufatures the shingles vaccine.

"ZOSTAVAX® does not protect everyone, so some people who get the vaccine may still get shingles. However, if you develop shingles despite being vaccinated, ZOSTAVAX® can help reduce the intensity and duration of pain."

Unfortunately, the only way to determine if the vaccine has not worked is if you contract the disease. I also read that in the clinical trials, only 50% of the subjects were protected. But since the side effects are so few in number, even a 50% success rate justifies taking it.

I am not clear what you meant by checking with a pharmacy in Canada. We both already had the shingles vaccination in California about 2-3 years ago.



Mary, I have no emotional attachment to any of my furniture. I just happen to like my headboard, except for the colouration. I can afford to replace my furniture, but I don't like spending money unnecessarily. Taste is subjective, which is evident by the divergent opinioins on the style of my headboard. I guess I was looking for support for keeping it, with or without changes, from people who are "into" interior decoration.

I know that my decorator can do a great job, unfettered, but was hoping to salvage as much of what I already had as possible, so was seeking unbiased opinions from this site. I had no idea, when I first posted my question, how many people would weigh in, and to what degree. I had never been part of a discussion group before, and did not know that professionals in the business would so kindly contribute their time and energy to help me. It is obvious that many wonderful people have a deep commitment to interior design.

By the way, my decorator has arranged for me to visit the DKOTA centre. It may not help my project decision one way or the other, but I will feel like a kid in Disneyland, nonetheless..

karen paul interiors Focused, you are correct, your fabric is a faux bois pattern. My thought about the desk comes from my opinion that if you were to do a medium wood finish on both chair and desk, they will read more of a French country look, most especially with the parquetry. My thinking is to create the look of a wood that has some actual movement in it's graining. It's a little thing but it will read more interesting than a straight-ahead refinishing. The photo is showing a "burled" effect, something similar to a curly maple.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Focus, you do have a lot of opinions and we are all certainly here to give those. And, you can see designers and decorators love their craft and enjoy helping. And, you did the right thing to cull in some thoughts. I, only took exception with just a couple or so that were trying to suggest your designer did not have perhaps the best ability to ultimately solve your problem.

My strongest suggestion is if your really love the headboard for it and not for what it cost, and you see yourself wanting a room with it as the center piece, then free your designer to work with or not work with the other pieces as she sees fit.

Or, if you love your headboard, but it is time for a change keep it stored and in the future there may come a time to bring it out and it may then be the perfect center piece for a future room.

It sounds like you are having fun though in the process :o)\

And, I apologize to designers I perhaps offended in the wee hours, but I really get the sense her designer is trying very hard, within the parameters of their mutual agreement, to create a lovely design for Focus.

focused Some of the posters have asked me to post pictures when I am done. Since I will still be away for another couple of weeks, it will take quite a while to complete the job. How do I let everyone know when it is finished and that I have posted pictures?

JMittman Designs Just repost on this same thread Elaine. Then anyone who has posted will get notice in their activity feed. You can add new pictures on any new post.

focused mapeggy, originally, as I mentioned earlier, I was only going to make minor changes, and I was 100% content with that. But it became obvious that I had to do more...much more. So if I am going to invest in major changes, I want to be thrilled every time I walk into the room. That's how I felt when it was done twenty years ago, and truthfully, although the thrill naturally wore off over time, except for the chintz fabric in the drapes and bed skirt, I would not have wished to change anything. Well, that's not quite so. There was that armoire that had not weathered well, but I didn't think I would ever convince my husband to let it go. He still likes it, and had it not discoloured so badly, so would I. But what was, was, so thank goodness for large wide screen TVs, or I would be stuck with it forever.

When I was younger, I had no problem making major changes. I relished tossing things out and starting from scratch. Unlike my husband, I thrive on change. At this stage in my life, however, knowing that, first, it is unlikely that I will be in the house for many more years, and second, it is also unlikely that much of my furniture will fit into a condo, making a large investment in new furniture is not the most sensible thing to do, to put it mildly.

You can see that there are a lot of factors contributing to my hesitation and indecision. Had I, from the outset, hired the decorator expressly to create a complete new look, my attitude would have been completely different, and I would have welcomed, rather than resisted her suggestions. This is a different situation, where one small anticipated change led to an unanticipated one, and then another, and still another etc., until it all became overwhelming.

I see now that I have only two choices: either to live with what I have, chintz drapes and all, or go for 'the works'. Since I know I will be miserable looking at those drapes day in and day out, I will simply have to commit to a complete overhaul. (If only I could include myself in the overhauling process!)

My decorator should thank each of you for clearing my head and setting me straight. I will be an easier 'target' for her now.

focused Thanks jmittman. I didn't realize that. I thought I got notified when someone adds to this thread because I started it. Does everyone who contributes get a notification every time someone else makes a comment, or only when I do?

focused Mary, thank you for understanding that my poor beleaguered decorator had her hands tied, so nothing that happened or didn't happen was her fault. I think I am sufficiently 'broken in' now, thanks to the wonderful folks at Houzz. I just hope my husband doesn't dig in his heels now. He fully expected, and rightly so, that the ensuite renovation would be the last thing we would do in this house. I think I promised him that it would be. (Oh, well...I guess I won't go to heaven, after all.)

We built our house 43 years ago, and there isn't a single original bone in it...or even outside of it, for that matter. It seems that every time we turn around, there is a group of tradesmen in there doing their thing. Once the bedroom has been completed, though, that will absolutely and unequivocally be the end .........maybe :)

karen paul interiors Focused, I wrote on a thread today regarding someone's suggestion that all this FREE advice will take business away from designers. I said that most likely what happens is with all the opinions and advice, and with enough "consultation", the entire issue of what needs to be done and how to do it will become quite confusing. I also stated that it is a great forum here on Houzz to give the opportunity for someone to "vent" and to speak their mind and to ask questions. Lastly, what a great place to go full circle only to find that you needed to listen to your designer in the first place. Now after much discussion that will happen and you can run back and shout "mea culpa" and also know that you are now the perfect client. Things will get done and you will have gone on this long journey only to discover that you needed just such a forum to get yourself into a place where you can allow your professional to do his/her work. I knew this is where it would end up and I am so very pleased, as is everyone else, to be part of the discovery process. Wishing you the best! :)

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Thank You Focus :o)

focused I just had to pass this tidbit on....

My husband and I went for a stroll, and we happened to pass a furniture store, and we happened to go in, and there happened to be some beds with upholstered headboards, and one of them happened to be deeply tufted. And guess what. My husband, (soon to be of no fixed address!), said "I really like that headboard. Are we getting one like that?"

I stopped and stared at him. I didn't know whether, a) those foreign words actually came from my husband, b) there was a really good ventriloquist in the store, or c) - most plausible - an alien had kidnapped him and slipped in a ringer.

My husband, (at least the original one), hates change with a passion, vociferously campaigned to keep the headboard we have, and told me he hates tufting. (quote: "ugly, ugly, ugly") And now he wants tufting? Ya gotta be kiddin'.

Do you suppose the next 'little' surprise will be that he wants a new side chest? Nah,that can't happen.....can it?

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Yes, as you have now entered the twilight zone of design. Isn't it fun? I am never surprised anymore :o)

yvesun Personally I would remove all the furniture out of the bedroom, including the drapes. Then paint the room the grey your into. Metropolitan from Benjamin Moore's Affinity collection is light and airy. If it's the lack of light your concerned with, might I suggest a mirrored chest of drawers & desk this will reflect any light streaming into your room . I would then add the whimsy of an iron bed. Neutral striped bedding with crisp white sheets, and floral accent pillows. Pottery Barn has a wonderful selection. of all the above. Have fun redecorating.

LB Interiors OMG this is insane, but so interesting. Just want to say hi everyone. Trust your instincts focused. You will be happy you did. Or maybe you don't know what they are? lol

Judy M Haha, I think your husband is delirious from the medication!

He's probably accepted that the bedroom re-do is now going to happen anyway, he's relaxed and on vacation, so agreeable.
My husband gets like that at the store, "oh honey, get the sink and faucet you like best" and hands over the credit card. Then the bill comes in and I'm read the riot act about going over budget.

Men, can't live with em, can't kill em.

focused Judy, I would swear that your husband and mine are one and the same.........except for one teeny weenie difference. Your husband can paint, and my husband THINKS he can paint.

Judy M I am so lucky that he can paint. I call his painting pants "his sexy pants"!

You have a great sense of humor and that is how we manage to not kill them.
In the end, I suspect your husband is proud of your home and the choices and changes you've made.
I'm sure my husband is, but it's a tough fight to get there.

We're on day 14 of the bathroom and lost several days due to the blizzard.
I fear the dumpster in the driveway is here until spring.

The fun stuff, like tile floor and walls are going in, so it feels like we are getting there.
At this point I have decided there will be no future projects done in winter.

My husband and I spent a month in the fall completely organizing and cleaning our garage. Made lots of trips to the dump, bought nice storage cabinets and spent 3 days finishing the floor with one of those epoxy systems. He even repainted the ceiling and walls and upgraded some lighting.
It is now a mess! They are cutting tile and wood etc.

So when this project is done, we'll have to clean that up.
Ugh!

focused Mapeggy, I went to the DCOTA center yesterday. I didn't need a referral - it's open to the public. (what I needed was a wool scarf and mittens....it was freezing inside)

There weren’t as many showrooms as I had expected – the two upper floors are completely empty,and even the first two floors aren't fully rented, but there were several lovely showrooms.

Upholstered headboards are still ‘de rigeur’, judging by the number of showrooms displaying them. Interestingly, most of the upholstered headboards had frames – mostly wood, (ranging from narrow to elaborate), but also chrome, and even mirror.

Tip: buy shares in naiheads (If the showrooms are any indication)

sdas24 Did you do the changes ?

focused sdas, to what changes are you referring?

bevballew Without reading other comments paint the walls a pretty beige, remove the draperies, move the desk and chair to another wall or if it stays put a large mirror above it. put another nightstand I it's place if you move it. I would not change the finish of the furniture. You just need artwork or paintings to finish the room. Pretty sheers or silk drapery with a tie back.

Angie Duguay yap i agree with bevballew!!!

brody1313 posts too long to read....but I would paint the bed (as is), table and chair white... pick out a pretty deeper color for the walls, change bedding and curtains, get a pair of pretty bedside lamps....reupholster chair ..will be a totally different room good luck

focused I originally objected to painting my furniture white because I didn't want an IKEA look, but lately I have been rethinking everything. It would certainly be a more economical solution, although I have pretty well accepted the idea now of replacing my headboard with a new upholstered one.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design I really enjoy the look and the sense of a sumptuous upholstered headboard. Everything is a trend, but that is what makes design fun. It is living in a style for a while. Going to bed or/and waking up to a new special experience. I do not wish my life to be tied to one headboard forever. However, I do like things that are meaningful. Why not let this headboard take a vacation or grace another room for a time and you experience something new and fresh every day and every night?

focused Hi Mary, thank you for your perspective on re-decorating. I wish I had heard your sentiments expressed in such a way weeks ago. It may have made it easier to make a decision. I had to get over the idea that I would be replacing high end custom made furniture with trendy furnishings. But the hard fact is that after 20 years with this furniture, I am tired of of the look. I still really like my desk, (I don't know if you saw the picture higher up in this thread), and the chair is classic but it would be nice to transform it to something more 'with it'. I have no other bedroom that can handle my king size headboard, but I'll store it in the basement in case there comes a time someone wants or needs it.

Anyway, I am happy with the decision to get an upholstered headboard, even though it took weeks of agonizing to make up my mind, but I have to hold off on having it made until all the fabrics are chosen and everything is pulled together. I can't afford any more mistakes.

Do you like the idea of lacquering the desk and chair white to be sitting on a white carpet, or would you go with a silver leaf look? It would actually be metal leaf to look like silver to keep the cost in line. I had intended to stain the desk and chair a medium warm brown tone, which is more classic, but there is so much deep carving that in order to strip all the colour, the cost will be enormous. It would probably make more sense just to buy a new one for not much more money. As much as I railed against mirrored furniture, and the trendiness of it, having looked around so much, I really wouldn't mind a smokey or antiqued mirrored desk, after all.

I will likely have to ditch the (very expensive) chair fabric I bought as there doesn't seem to be any bedding that will look nice with it. It may possibly be salvaged to be used as a Roman blind for my new ensuite bathroom, as another poster cleverly suggested, but I don't know yet. Pure white 'hotel' bedding with a grey embroidered line might work with my fabric, but while the colours appear to be silvery grey and white, it is really an off white, and the slivery grey has a mauve cast, which is difficult to match or blend with something else. I like white bedding, and will definitely have white sheets, but I think a patterned duvet cover would show fewer wrinkles. I sleep with my duvet - it isn't just for show.

Now that I have finally committed to full scale redecorating, and not just patchwork, I want to achieve a look that will excite me. I am ready for some 'wow' factor. I am going to live for today, and I'll worry about it going out of style ten years from now.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design I am sorry, but I can not find your expensive fabric on this thread.

Starting with your headboard, I see two on this thread that depending on your taste will look very nice. 1) Karen Paul Interiors- Marcella King Head Board, 8 weeks ago; and, Susan Mills Design 6 weeks ago.

Also, you are welcome to look at the ideabook "Bedrooms" on my Houzz page. This is not to solicit your business, you are too far away, but it is a cross-section of rooms which I like the way they have achieved that sumptuous look that I too like. I want to wake up in the morning like I am in a five star experience, and I want that for my clients. You need to find the exact style that feels right for you.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design In regards to the remainder. I see your existing furniture, and you want to suggest that if you are going with silver and gray walls and/or bedding, you might want to reconsider woods for the warmth and again the classic look of it. I too am more than in a little agreement that the mirrored furniture is a trend that, if it has not already left the station, it is on the platform.

Make a color board. Get examples of every element and color you want to use. When you put it all together it should gel in a magical way. Anything short of that means try other colors and finishes until you get it right.

Again, I love using the room pictures available on HOUZZ, over a million, just find one that feels really special to your and then, change out the color, or the pictures or whatever, to make it yours.

focused Hi Mary, thank you again for your input. I wouldn't have had such a dificult time with colours if I hadn't already purchased the fabric with the odd tone of grey, that didn't appear so odd until I tried to find companion colours. In case you want to look at it, the picture of that fabric is higher up in the thread in a group of 4 pictures from 8 weeks ago that have, (by mistake), two pictures of one of the gold feet under my side chest, and a picture of the faux marble top of the side chest with the ceramic horse on it. The pictures are just above a group of three, which include a front shot of the side chest, a picture of a potential buit-in unit for the bedroom, and my chandelier. It has been suggested in this thread that I change that chandelier for a larger one, but the room actually isn't that large, (18 X 13), so I don't think the size of the fixture is an issue. The only problem I do have is that it only has 4 X 40 watt bulbs in it, so it doesn't throw much light. On that basis, I may have to change it.

I have spent hour upon hour scouring Houzz pictures.....often until 3:00 or 3:30 AM. I think it has now become an addiction. If you look at my ideabook bedroom photos, you can see that I also love luxury. The 28th picture (the last one in the 7th row), by McCormick and Etten is the one I most relate to in terms of the look I am trying to attain and I love the shape of the headboard. I think the colour scheme is lovely too. I do worry, though, that the white duvet cover will look dishevelled after a short while. I adore crisp white bed linens, but unless I steam the duvet cover almost daily, the wrinkles may bother me. That's the reason I was looking for a soft all over pattern that isn't so bold that I would get tired of it.

My desk has become such a dilemma. Do I change a well made piece of furniture for a cheaply made one just to get the right finish? Unless I spend a bundle, which I am not prepared to do, that's what I'll get. Or do I just go on trend and lacquer or silver it? Or do I spend a lot of money to refinish it with a warm walnut stain, which won't look dated so quickly? At this point, I am leaning toward the latter, but am still open to the middle option.

sweetnoor focused, You are an extremely intelligent, well educated lady.

With all due respect, I suggest your "decorating dilemma" is a metaphor for the issues you face as you journey through one of life's passages and the unique challenges and opportunities presented.

Often such challenges can be more easily met by seeking the experienced , understanding counsel
of caring professionals.

Best of luck.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Hi Focused,

Just a while ago, I wrote a very long, detailed message, and somehow it got deleted. I can not seem to begin to put those thoughts together now. But, I just want you to know that I did not forget about you, and I will try again later. :o)

focused Oh, Mary - poor you. I do so empathize with you. If you read my first post, you'll see I had the same problem with accidentally deleting not only my own post, but what I had written in response to the first people who so kindly tried to help me. Since those responses were lost too, I never could repeat my replies. It is so time consuming to put your thoughts into coherent writing and so frustrating when it all disappears at the click of who knows what button.

focused Sweetnoor, I rather thought my dilemma was of a practical nature - mostly based on economic choices. Gosh, I didn't think I actually needed a shrink to help me decide whether or not to toss out my fabric and which colour to paint or stain my desk. Now you have me really worried. :)

sweetnoor focused, my observation was made with the best of intentions.

It was not my desire to offend.

focused Hi Sweetnoor, I wasn't offended. I was actually amused....(note the smiley face). I appreciate your concern for my well being, but as a true Gemini, (who doesn't put any store in the paranormal, by the way), I have had difficulty making decisions regarding minutia my entire life. Fortunately, I'm good with the big stuff. Thanks for trying to help in your fashion, but I think this type of conversation digresses from the purpose of the thread, and for what Houzz disussion groups are intended.

zenhome Wow, just came across this very long thread with tons of great advice from the professionals. Please let us know focused what you decide or provide some future photos. Best of luck to you!

Lol Aja and Sweetnoor, your offbeat comments and suggestions always make me laugh. The two of you have to lighten up!

focused WIll do. But it will take some time. As you can see from the thread, decisions are hard to come by with this room.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Hello Focused. So sorry, I had lost your thread. I wanted to tell you the other day that the room you like so much has a lot of architectural detail that your room does not have. And, you have a nice size room, but, the room you are looking at in you ideabook is larger with lots of built in's etc.

In assessing your furniture, still, I really think you need to start from scratch, in a simple classic way. Now, I am warning you ahead of time that any position I or you take here there will be those that will decry it.

If I were your designer, I would say put all that furniture you have away. It is absolutely hamstringing you from doing what you want to achieve. Given the rooms I looked at in your ideabook.

First, make a materials board. Put on it pictures of furniture, accessories and samples of finishes that you like. Put paint samples, a piece of the beautiful, expensive fabric that you purchased, a sample of your flooring, drapes etc.. EVERYTHING. I don't care about your individual thoughts about pieces you have and how much it would cost to make them look differently in order to go in this room. In the end is how do all of these pieces look TOGETHER.

In my mind nothing you have now, is going to get you to where you want to go. It would be like be saying to Bobby Flay, I want you to make me a fabulous meal, but I want you to incorporate some of the leftovers, and I want it to be great! Now in fairness we incorporate interesting pieces all of the time to great affect, but in this case, your sumptuous bedroom. I would go with those colors you love, that go with your inspiration fabric and build on it. Get all new furniture. You do not have to get the most expensive! No one is looking at the price tags, they are looking at the overall look.

Using the colors that you like, I think you need the warmth of wood chests/nightstands, large on each side cocooning your sumptuous bed. Topped with beautiful lighting and accented with special pieces (accessories) that you love.

If you really must keep ONE of the pieces you have now, place it in another special spot of the room, perhaps the desk under the window, or your special footed chest. If the window is the place, you decide to locate one of your special pieces, then you will have to move your bed to the right. flanked by the nightstands/chests. Once you put pictures lamps accessories, this adjustment should look great, However, only you can judge as you will be the one looking at it. So, you might make a dry run with the furnishings you hav.

Or if there is room, place one of the pieces across from the bed. And, then give the other piece along with the headboard, a vacation in another room or in storage.

What will bring this together for you in the end is your choice of colors and finishes, their placement, relative to each other and how their style, color and finishes go TOGETHER.

When you have completed your materials board and color palette, and it makes you smile, then you have your road map.

Don't forget the perfect pictures. Pictures that are made specifically to bring all the colors of the room together, along with enchancing the design style you are trying to achieve.

Focus, does this help? I just do not want you to feel lost on this.

focused Thanks again, Mary. The comments have certainly run the gamut of possibilities...keeping the furniture, painting it white, staining it, or getting rid of it all. So, my original dilemma is still a dilemma, and there doesn't seem to be consensus.

You suggestions sound good, but I can't move my furniture around, however. I need the wall opposite my bed for a built- in that will provide me with sufficient storage plus space for a large flat screen TV. I can't move my bed to the right because that's my access to the closet. If I put any furniture under the window, it will impede my access into the room. So as much as it would be interesting to have a change after all these years, the existing floor plan is the only one that works.

I am going to make one more big effort to find fabrics that will go with the chair fabric. If that doesn't work, I'll bid farewell to my fabric and start completely from scratch. I just can't afford to expend any more energy on it. I have already mentally written off the expense and rationalized the wasted money so I will be able to move on.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design Very good, just look at the picture you like the most along with the others, and find that essence for yourself.

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design This is obviously not a bedroom, but I wanted to show you how they worked the color and the pieces. Let's just say the rug was their inspiration. They pulled all of the color out in subtle ways through out the room and the warmth of the wood coffee table etc. is a very appealing counter balance to the grays and whites. You need to find your inspiration piece that embodies all of the color that you are going to extend throughout your bedroom

lpmenache where are you with your project?

Aja Mazin focused

I agree with Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design.

focused Thanks Mary. I appreciate your effort on my behalf.

That's what I tried to do with my chair fabric - find one I liked and co-ordinate around it. Despite the prevalence of silvery grey colours on the market, it didn't work because of the peculiar undertone in my fabric. I want a monochromatic room this time, and was not prepared for such a big problem with fabric selection.

First of all, I only budgeted for an ensuite renovation, and was just going to make minor changes in the bedroom, (drapes, bedspread and paint), but it got out-of-hand. So, yes, I tried to work around my furnishings, but gave in on replacing the headboard and chucking the armoire for a new unit. I don't mind replacing the chair too, but I like my desk and my husband likes his side chest. If you look at my first posting, my big issue was whether or not to keep my headboard, but decoration is like a house of cards - pull one piece out and everything falls.

focused Hi again, Ipmenache. Lately, I've been spending most of my available time on the finishing details of my ensuite renovation. I am out of town right now and will get back to the bedroom situation when I'm back and as soon as the ensuite has ben completed. What should have been fun and exciting has become such a major headache, that I'm sorry I started the whole thing. I feel compelled to continue, however, because I can't have an exquisite new ensuite off my old dated bedroom.

I took a drawer from my desk to a finisher and he said that to strip the finish from all the deep carving would be so labour intensive that the cost would be prohibitive. (More headache for me) He suggested silver leaf, but that's what I wanted to do with the side chest and I don't want both pieces to have the same finish. Also, I think silver leaf will look better on a smooth surface than on a carved one.

How is your renovation coming? Do you have pictures yet?

focused Mary, I may not have mentioned that I actually found a grey silk fabric with the same mauve undertone as the chair fabric,, but I feel that while silk for the drapes might work, a silk bed skirt seems too over-the-top, but to find yet another fabric that works is an impossible task. I'll give it a try, though.

lpmenache Our renovation is coming along but very slow. we are in the kitchen and can actually cook a meal but, it still needs to be painted. Master bedroom waiting to be painted. Formal rooms are being ready to have the original pecan real hardwood floors sanded and refinished. Family room bookcases being redone as we speak. Powder room next along with guest bedroom. Still lots to go but finally seeing fruits of our labor.
Silk for the bedskirt will be ok. Just dont use it for the bedspread unless it is a heavy silk because it will show all the wrinkles.

focused HI Ipmenache. Good that the end is in sight for you. What colours are you using on the walls? How are the bookcases being redone? Painted? Stained?

Have you seen any pictures on Houzz of pretty built-in units for a master bedroom? I have found only a couple, (whch were nothing special), and I have really searched.

You are absolutely right about silk for a bedspread or duvet cover. I would never consider it. I want the lightest cotton, not to weigh down my fabulous new St. Geneve duvet. Truthfully, I would love to find a cover with some poly in it. I would almost be embarrassed to admit to purists that I didn't use 100% cotton, but the poly does cut down on the wrinkle factor. I am still looking for a duvet cover that will work with the chair fabric. If I don't find it this week, either I settle for white with a grey line from any number of hotel series of duvet covers, or the chair fabric is toast. (Darn!) I just can't spend any more time on this issue.

LB Interiors How about these?
1. Texture would be great

focused Thanks for the suggestions, LB. No.1 has interesting texture - it depends on what colours are available. When I clicked on it, it said the colour was taupe, which wouldn't work. No.2 is a little too geometric and stark for my taste. I can't put my finger on it, but No. 3 didn't grab me. I am looking for more of an all over subtle pattern that spells luxury and elegance. And oh, yes...it would be wonderful if it also worked with my chair fabric. Does such a thing even exist or am I dreaming?

LB Interiors Overstock.com $69.99 duvet. ■Color options: Blue, brown, lavender, taupe, white. 100% polyester
http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Carmen-3-piece-Duvet-Cover-Set/7722795/product.html

Maybe lavendar or blue with a few more accessories in that color to the room. Will work with your chair also.

bevballew I think the bed covering above is a great start. That will help in making more decisions.

focused Checked out the site, but still looking for the right duvet cover. I need to see it "in person". Can't order from a picture. Colouring in the room, texture, tactile feel - all important.

jccbaker Here's a totally different idea. Flip a coin. Heads the headboard stays as is, tails you go for upholstered. When you flip the coin, you'll know before it lands which way you want it to be. Do that with each thing that is a one/two decision. That will help guide you to what you want.

focused .....that's not such a crazy idea.....but with my luck, it'll land on it's side

LB Interiors @focused The color of the duvet does not have to be an exact match. Lights and darks in the same color palettes used with your current items, will be very interesting and not so matchy match. As far as knowing the description of the fabrics, you can google "fabric descriptions and images". Fabrics can also be different to work well with what you have. The different textures create interest and diversity. Gone are the days that everything has to match. It's also seen in the fashion industry today.

LB Interiors I know what you mean that you want to feel the fabric. I've taken chances on ordering because I couldn't find what I wanted in the stores.

Today's design acceptance is very versatile and mixed. Design has never been so forgiving if a color does not match. We're all being programmed to see design in a new way. I remember when colors had to be spot on and could not be used together if they were next to each other on the color wheel. Like red, pink and orange together.

LB Interiors P.S, I think you are having difficulty in finding colors to work with the existing fabrics because those color tones are not readily available today. They are not the featured colors in design. It's difficult to make the old work with the new but is still possible with trying some new options. Seeing design with a different eye.

JAMEITE Hand-painted Silk Wallpaper Co., LTD We have hand-painted paintings，Can do the background wall。

focused Hi LB, I am not looking to match. I can go either ligher or darker, as long as the tone isn't off, although I am leaning toward a paler palette. I am not using any "old" fabrics. The fabric for the chair was only purchased about two months ago and hasn't even been used yet. If anything, it is quite contemporary, but because the pattern is very bold, (see picture way back in thread - 2 months ago), it is difficult to find a pattern that doesn't fight that one. I like mixing patterns, but not every pattern will work with my new fabric. I need something soft and subdued. Grey is stil very much in vogue, from what I can see, but the grey in my fabric is a bit peculiar, a characteristic I didn't realize until I tried to put it with other grey fabrics. I didn't know that "50 Shades of Grey" was really about decorating.

LB Interiors "focused" You're funny. LOL Sorry I misunderstood and not sure how my computer reads your colors. May want to consider a much larger pattern than on the chair. If you choose a smaller print than chair it will lend itself to more of a country look if that's what you want. I feel for you with trying to find just the right thing that rocks your boat.

bevballew Could not find your fabric purchased recently and shown several months ago. Maybe on another thread?

focused Hi bevballew - It is on this thread. Slowly scroll up to all the comments from 2 months ago. It is in a group of 4 pictures - two of them show the gold feet on my side chest., and one of them is a photo of the top of the chest with a china horse sitting on top of it. The fabric is in the picture on the lower right side of the group.

focused LB - Glad you appreciate my sense of humour. I have a country look now - I want a modern sophisticated elegant look. So, tell me, is that too much to ask from the decorating gods? I need to find the right thing ASAP. My bathroom is almost finished and I need to paint it. I don't want to have to bring the painters back to paint the bedroom later, and I can't choose a colour until everything is in place. I knoiw in the grand scheme of things that this isn't the worst problem in the world to have, but it is driving me NUTS, none-the-less. So call me shallow.

karen paul interiors Focused: I saw this on-line and thought of you. How's it going. Anyway, love the idea of the faux bois with the Greek Key detailing on the curtain panel.

LB Interiors "focused' thanks. Maybe you haven't weened yourself apart from the country-eye?

If you want modern, it denotes geometrics, large pattern, contemporary floral. You will not be able to see the whole picture by choosing just one new item for the room. You would need to get several items, bedding, pillows and a few accessories to feel the modern, sophisticated difference.

I suggest purchasing several modern things that work well together and bring them home. see them in the room for a few days. Make a decision on paint from those, if you like it. Or ... stick with a neutral for the walls, to be safe. Then build upon the noticeable changes after the painting.

Aja Mazin focused,

From 1984 to 2013, pump up the volume with ''A New Attitude":

focused Really, LB? Geometrics? Large patterns? Florals ? Oh, dear. I guess am not truly so modern after all. What am I? (Who am I?)Transitional? Traditonal/transitional? What is the 20-teens look and what is it called, if, indeed, it has a name?

focused Thanks for thinking of me, Karen. While similar in nature to my fabric, I am not overly fond of the one pictured on that chair because the repeat is too small. I do like how the Greek Key works with it, though. And the white painted chair looks good with the fabric too.

I went to another drapery/upholstery fabric store today, and once again - no luck. (....and no surprise)

focused Aja Mazin - interesting cryptic message. BTW - the bedroom was last decorated in 1993 - time for a change...attitude and all.

focused To all who have been following this thread......as of today, the lovely faux bois fabric has suffered cardiac arrest. Unless there is immediate decorating intervention coupled with a large dose of miracle, the patient will expire peacefully, though regrettably, within the next day or two.

LB Interiors Yes 'focused'. Maybe you are more transitional. Something between the traditional and the modern. Good luck!

LB Interiors @ focused. Google (images) - 'transitional patterns' - you will see what they are. Then Google (images) - 'modern patterns'.

LB Interiors These are modern bedrooms
Clapham Family Home
Master Bedroom

These are transitional bedrooms
Simply Comfortable
Contemporary Transitional Master Bedroom
Bedroom

bevballew I was going to say paint the walls according to that fabric you had that you mentioned was of two months ago which looks pretty interesting and transitional but I think it suffered cardiac arrest! It is a nice neutral and if you like it play with those colors unless you don't like it anymore. Go monochromatic as a start and it will progress.

focused O.K. LB - I think I have it. I am transitional with a large dose of classic and a teeny whifff of modern. I like the leafy pillow sham and artwork in "Master Bedroom", the bedding, (but not the headboard), the chandelier, sconces and lamps in "Simply Comfortable", (the artwork is too traditional for me as are the china figurines on the side chest). I lke the chair, Venetian mirror, dresser and panelled closet doors in "Contemporary Transitional Master Bedroom, and the marble top desk, (the shape of which reminds me of my own desk), and round side table in "Bedroom". The chair frame is interesting, but I wouldn't necessarily like to have it in my bedroom - perhaps in a living room or foyer. The bed is too ornate for my taste, but does make a terrific statement. I do like the luscious deep tufting, but in my opinioin it goes overboard with the footboard, (and I can't help thinking about having to constatnly remove all the lint that will collect in the tufting!). Also, I don't care for the bitsy thing-a-ma-bobs on the corners of the headboard. (filials maybe?)

I really thought I was more contemporary, but looking at the pictures, which you were kind enough not only to find and send to me, but also to classify for me, I can see that I have more of a traditional bent than a contemporary one, although I don't want to be totally mired in tradition. I definitely need a contemporary touch through an updated colour scheme, and even a pinch of bling, to give my room some flare and a little bit of a 'pop'.

Am I getting it?

karen paul interiors Focused: Just wanted you to see how the geometry of the Greek Key could do well with your faux bois if you decided to keep it. Good luck and happy hunting.

focused Karen, this is positively my last week for hunting. Time has just about run out. I'll try again tomorrow, before my lovely faux bois gasps its last breath.

zenhome Wow, didn't check emails all day and when I finally did there were over 10 notifications on this discussion alone.

thedarlingsbecca I couldn't read all the posts, just too many! You said you wanted to update. Many posters love your furniture. Why not sell it? Then you could start fresh. I get all confused when I hang on to things that simply don't fit with the look I now want. Or, can you use this furniture in a guest room? Is there a relative or friend who would love to have it?

2dogssashatess when i see this much agonising has gone on about a room's furnishings for 2 months!! I shake my head over first world problems :(

2dogssashatess if only this much time and energy and angst was devoted to solving poverty in the third world

Judy M I guess there might be web sites where one can ponder world hunger and poverty but this is not it.
There is one current thread on here with over 3000 posts, over one small living room, now that is a bit much, but a few hundred comments are fairly common on here.
You added 2 and didn't even offer any help to the poster, so that just added a comment that has no value here.

2dogssashatess I think there is value is making a decision and not endlessly agonizing over something that isn't that important.

Judy M You mean isn't important to you?

Sometimes these threads take on a life of their own.
The poster can't help how many people respond and then they post back to the responders.

This is design dilemma section, she had a dilemma and asked about it, the more different opinions are given, the longer the thread becomes.

When I see a thread that annoys me for some reason, I just ignore it.

S&K Interiors I suggest that you replace your headboard with an upholstered one and paint your vanity a high gloss accent color of your choice

focused My sincerest apologies to 2dogswhatever..... I should have issued an alert at the beginning that this thread may contain language not suitable for solving world problems. I would love to direct you to a more appropriate site, 2dogs, but unfortunately I don't have time to look for the most effective one for you because I am too busy being shallow. Please feel free not to read this or any other thread that is not completely devoted to higher issues. I hope you find some small reason to smile, despite the heavy toll that world suffering must be taking on you. By the way, could you please send me a list of the world problems you have solved? I assume there must be several, since you appear to devote all your time in this endeavour. How did you ever find the time to hook into Houzz? Perhaps you thought it was an acronym for Helping Out Underpriviledged Zambians & Zimbabweans. Don't be embarrassed. Lots of people make that mistake.

One more thing, in case you feel that I coerced you into joining this thread, I give you my permission not to spend one more minute of your time reading this or any other 'frivolous' thread.

Sorry, everyone else, for going so far off topic, but I don't like to be rude or ungracious, so I try to reply to everyone who takes the time to write to me here.

focused Bevballou, I still like the fabric, but as much as it appears to be neutral, not every grey works with every other grey. This one turned out to be peculiar in that it makes some greys appear beige or taupe and other greys appear blueish. (Is there such a word?)

focused Hi S & K. I was actually thinking of refinishing the faux marble side chest with silver leaf, leaving the top as it is and staining the desk the warm brown suggested by ipmenache....but that's a thought.I have to decide this week, whether to go back to my orginal idea of white bedding with a grey hotel strip and using the chair fabric, or finding gorgeous bedding and start anew finding fabric for the chair. I have been back and forth so many times in my mind regarding painting the headboard and desk white or going for an upholstered headboard, that my brain has shut down. Thanks for your suggestions.

zenhome Not to be rude focused, but have you considered hiring a professional designer/decorator to come out to your home and discuss the room/furniture in question? It doesn't appear there is going to be any resolution to your design dilemma on this discussion thread.

LB Interiors Hi, in what item is the gray that you are trying to co-ordinate? Can't tell from the group of four pics posted at onset of this thread. Al colors have undertones ex: green/gray, blue/gray, purple/gray etc. what do you see is the undertone of your gray color? If you see the undertone, then you may need to work with a lighter or darker base tone to make it work.

thedarlingsbecca Focus, I have had fabrics, drapes, pictures that I liked for some reason, but did not work out. I kept some for years! I actually am about to put to use the last of them. The beautiful fabric can be used somewhere, perhaps not immediately. Hang in there!

Aja Mazin Sarcasm is not becoming.

We Got Lites Hello,

Certainly a chandelier will change the overall aura and dynamic of the room. Maybe to match your furniture, try an antique style fixture-- maybe with bleached wood, wooden accents, maybe even crystal with a drum shade for an updated look.

Check out some styles here to get inspired...

You may go to http://WeGotLites.com and search the following item numbers, based on the photo number, in the keyword search:

1st Image - Search keyword: 15072/5
2nd Image - Search keyword: 6006-6-70
3rd Image - Search keyword: F2755/3PBR
4th Image - Search keyword: 21992

Thank you, and good luck with your decorating!

WeGotLites.com

We Got Lites Some more to choose from...

1st Image - Search http://WeGotLites.com keyword: 6163-6-23
2nd Image - Search http://WeGotLites.com keyword: 14131/4
3rd Image - Search http://WeGotLites.com keyword: 21238
4th Image - Search http://WeGotLites.com keyword: F2750/3RI/BWD

Aja Mazin For the convenience of all, here is the fabric:

Judy M Attacking people on a thread about decorating is even less becoming, in my opinion.
Why should it matter to anyone, how long Focused decides to ponder her choices?
If you're tired of the discussion, move on.

cani I have been following this thread and it's been really interesting to me because I have the same type of circumstances. Inherited my mothers furniture from Europe which are expensive pieces and are more the mediterranean look which wouldn't be what I would pick. I will be redoing my bedroom and can so relate to focus on being indecisive on which way to go. I have the same thing in mind as what focus is trying to achieve. Elegant and timeless but with modern touches in color and fabrics. I for one love this thread and can't wait to see what direction focus will go in.

LB Interiors Thanks Aja

LB Interiors 'Focused 'and 'cani' ... I think the problem may be that you really can use contemporary and modern fabrics on vintage or classic traditional furniture. That's what will bring you to the new feeling and look that you both seem to be striving for. You have to have an open eye to make those decisions. It is difficult because we all can get caught up with what was once categorized so strongly in design choices. It tears at your emotions of the sentimentality of well-made and timeless pieces that we inherit or love. It is more difficult to re-invent these pieces.

LB Interiors I love the fabric, is neutral, is moving toward an update. Can work with many other choices out there and that were previously suggested.

focused Zenhome...You aren't being rude at all. As unlikely as it sounds, I actually have been working with a designer, but she has brought things that aren't working for me. I have joined in the search too because at $xxx an hour, my decorator costs would exceed my renovation costs if I left all the footwork to her. She loves the fabric and wants me to stay with it, but as of this minute, at least, I am going to fold it up and put it out of sight and as Frank Sinatra sang so many years ago, " I'm gonna pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again." I think she feels bad that I bought the fabric on her approval so she wants me to stay with it.

It is not only the mauve undertone in the grey that is causing a problem for finding other greys, but the background is more ivory or cream than white and that is hampering my bedding choices too. I have white broadloom, (That's carpeting in American English), and the ivory sheets that go with the fabric don't look nice with the white broadloom or with the grey upholstery for the headboard.

Sometimes you have to admit to a mistake and just suck it up.

focused LB - the fabric was purchased for the small chair in front of the desk in the very first picture. I wanted one really interesting fabric to be an accent, but no end of effort porduced the right result. The chair is presently covered in a silk plaid, (upholstered diagonally), using the colours in my drapes and the bedskirt, snippets of which are visable in the picture. Trust me, my new fabric has stumped the best of them. I went back to the fabric store today to see if the owner, who is known for his expertise in colour, could suggest a solution. I gave him an A for effort, anyway. None of his suggestions worked once I went to the bedding stores.

If I only had to find fabric for the headboard and drapes, I might have succeeded, but once bedding had to be considered, the task became impossible. I have wasted too much time and energy on this, so I am going back to square one and disavowing any knowledge of my already banished fabric.

2dogssashatess I just love how people are making all these suggestions and giving her even more potential choices when she cannot make a decision. The Model T Ford came in only one color, black. People could easily make a decision about buying a car back then as there were no choices. As Focused has written herself:


.""I have to decide this week, whether to go back to my orginal idea of white bedding with a grey hotel strip and using the chair fabric, or finding gorgeous bedding and start anew finding fabric for the chair. I have been back and forth so many times in my mind regarding painting the headboard and desk white or going for an upholstered headboard, that my brain has shut down. Thanks for your suggestions""

Ok so after two months of suggestions we are back to her original idea and she admits that all the options are doing her head in. Some people have anxiety issues and great difficulty committing to any course of action for fear of making a mistake.Some people may require the assistance of a therapist if they cannot settle on a course of action and follow it through, rather than a team of interior designers making even more suggestions which just complicate the decision making process even further. It is decorating for heaven's sake. if you do not like your decision it will not be the end of the world.

LB Interiors That fabric willl work but I feel it needs an accent color either by painting the chair or ... add a contrast color of piping as a triim to the fabric.

focused We Got Lites, your fixtures are very pretty. I only have an 8 ft. ceiling, however, and the fixture is in the middle of the room over the space where we walk. My husband and I are not tall, by any means, but I can't have a hanging fixture - it needs to be flush or semi-flush, which is what I have now. I really like my present chandelier. It only takes four 40 watt candle shaped bulbs, so it doesn't throw a lot of light, but with lamps on either side of the bed, I really don't need much light from the ceiling, although I would have preferred a slightly larger fixture with another two arms. Thanks for your suggestions, though.

Aja Mazin Neurotic behaviour produces the desired result or it would be abandoned.

focused Aja, thanks for updating the picture. No thanks for the admonishment. I didn't join a decorating discussion group to be berated for focusing on decorating, so I believe that whatever I said to 2dogs and however I said it was well deserved. I'd rather address someone with humour of any type, including sarcasm, than dress someone down in anger. He got the point, I am sure. That was all that was necessary. And I had a bit of fun writing it.

2dogssashatess ps focused I actually spend much of my spare time raising money for the poor in CAmbodia and East Timor

2dogssashatess Aja, neurotic behaviour may sometimes produce the desired result but other people persist in a state of analysis and paralysis and years down the track no decisions have been made for fear of making a mistake

focused 2dogs...it was my hasty decision to buy the fabric in the first place that was a mistake. So the mistake was already made - the rest of the time was spent trying to rectify it.

I see that you are still following the thread you so disparaged, but I am happy, at least, that you are a philanthropist in your spare time.

Cozy Casita For heaven's sake people, it's like any other thread on any other message board, we're free to come and go as we please. The purpose of the Decorating Dilemma thread is to allow people to post what THEY see as their decorating 'dilemmas' and for those who wish to pitch in with advice to be able to do so, with ZERO expectation that the poster is going to do as 'advised' ! Some people like 'brain -teaser' decorating dilemmas and will happily contribute ideas for as long as they are enjoying it. And if all people's suggestions are doing is adding to focused's inability to make a choice, I doubt she harbors any grudges against them ! :-)

If it were me, focused, I think I'd completely ignore the chair and the fabric, go ahead with the rest of the room and then see whether what you produce, by some glorious stroke of good luck, allows you to somehow work the chair and the fabric (perhaps with contrast piping as suggested by LB) into your scheme.

I think you might have focused in so closely on that one swatch (which I would also see as a neutral .. not needing to be 'matched' necessarily .. ) that, without putting it to the side for a time, you are just not going to find anything to suit your requirements ! :-)

As for your being in a state of 'paralysis' (and needing 'analysis' focused, I'm at loss to see how your frantic 'to-ing and fro-ing', trying to find the ideal match for your fabric (before your decorating deadline chops the hunt off in its prime) could ever have been accomplished if you were 'paralyzed' by your indecision. Speaking for myself, I actually find that procrastination requires a LOT of energy! .. But even procrastination requires that you have a choice of some sort .... which, since your self-imposed deadline is up ... you don't ! :-)

I absolutely LOVE your bed, by the way, and were it mine, would probably stain the wood, including the carving .. just losing the color would give it a whole new look, I think.
6 minutes ago

focused Thanks, Cozy. You are a breath of fresh air. My original plan, as you know, was to stain the headboard, but because of the painted carving, the cost of stripping everything to be able to get an even stain was about the same as making a new headboard, not counting the cost of the fabric. That was the dilemma with which I began this thread in the first place. I liked my headboard, but my decorator convinced me that it was dated and if I wanted to update the room I should replace it with an upholstered headboard. I don't see it as dated because it was never part of a trend. It was never 'in', so I don't think it is 'out'. The only other problem is that it is about 5 inches shorter than I would like today. I can raise it 5 inches, but it would end just below the top of the mattress. I suppose if I were staining it anyay, I could have a piece added to the bottom.

Even if I go 'upholstered', I won't get rid of my headboard, because one day I may use it again. It is a quality solid wood piece, which is more than one can say about a lot of furniture on the market today. I can get rid of my armoire without batting an eyelash, but the headboard still looks good to me. If only I hadn't let the cabinet maker paint the carving. My decorator doesn't like the side chest with the gold feet either. I find it an interesting shape and have no intention of changing it. I think the feet are whimiscal, (maybe creepy to some), and hope I won't ruin the look of them if I paint them silver. A thought just came to me.... I wonder how they would look if I silver the chest, but leave the feet gold.Could be interesting....or could look just plain wrong. I'm afraid to ask for an opinion on that.

Thanks for the nice compliment on my headboard, by the way.

LB Interiors 'focused' you always make me smile. Love your line....I don't see it as dated because it was never part of a trend. It was never 'in', so I don't think it is 'out'. BTW, back to the headboard. For the carved design, I would have a decorative painter match the color of the bed to cover the multi colored carving. I actually like the bed, just the way it is. Maybe purchase a chest that works with it that is handpainted. Do the rest of the room more transitional. You'd have the best of both worlds.

focused Glad I made you smile. I like to have fun when I write.
Do you think I should consider painting the chest with artwork instead of doing it in silver leaf? I could keep the faux marble paint that is on it now, but I don't think it will tie in with the wood tones as well as if it is silvered. I could be worng, though. (Certainly wouldn't be the first time...) I am keeping the desk and the chest, so there is no place for another piece. I think it makes more sense to silver the chest with the smooth surfaces, than to silver the desk with all the carving. What is your opinion? I was thinking of silvering the chest in squares. Have you seen that look?

I put the picture in again so you don't have to scroll all the way up to review it. Excuse the junk beside the chest and the stunning plastic 'bedspread'. (Would that be considered transitional or modern???) I took the picture during the renovation.

focused Here is the desk again too, and some detail.

focused Hey, outletsart...interesting stuff, but I am sure not going to paint the naked lady on my husband's chest.....in any sense of the word. My luck, she'd turn around and put me to shame. I hate competition.

bevballew What I think you should do because of the items you love is keep the items and work around them to make it new and fresh. I have liked the fabric on the chair. If you do keep,that, keep the headboard as is or make the changes you want, I do like the idea of making the chests silver definitely. It will be luxurious. Ethan Allen has a chest of drawers with the silver and it is gorgeous. I do think the desk made silver would be stunning. Then I think you can decide on bedspread and the finishing touches.

focused bevbillew - Thanks for the info about Ethan Allen. I will pop into their store and have a look to see what kind of silvering they have on the chest. (Not today - we are in the middle of a spring! snowstorm here) I do think that making both the desk and the chest silver is a bit of overkill. I would do one or the other.

We Got Lites @focused, Thank you for the consideration... If you are considering replacing your fixture which is semi-flush mounted that has (4) 40 watt bulbs (160 watts), we have came across some charming styles which mount close to the ceiling, and give off more wattage than your current fixture.

Take a look and see if this would be something you may want to consider, it really does change the overall aura of the space:

Go to: http://WeGotLites.com and search the following item numbers, based on the photo number, in the keyword search:

1st Image - Takes (6) 60 watt bulbs. Search keyword: 5316-AW
2nd Image - Takes (3) 100 watt bulbs. Search keyword: 8824-64
3rd Image - Takes (6) 60 watt bulbs. Search keyword: 465-OB-SF-L
4th Image - Takes (5) 60 watt bulbs. Search keyword: 1595-FA

Thank you.

WeGotLites.com

LB Interiors Remember that you really can't only do one piece of furniture in silver and other pieces in all different finishes. It will look mish mash. the silver chest would have to work with something. I agree with 'bevballew', at least two pieces in silver.

travisinteriors Is there another wall you could put desk? Replace chair with a tall back slipper chair. Sold color. Maybe a dark gray. Headboard get very tall tufted headboard in same dark gray. All bedding should be in shades of grays. Walls in a lite gray. White trim and doors. Media for flat TV in white would work. Remove all small pictures. No need for pic overbed, headboard should be 5 ft tall. In small rooms better to keep it too 2-3 colors. Use plants like palms to fill in floor space. Windows should be simple panels.

travisinteriors If dark room keep window covering to min. Use mini blinds in white, with white panels on each side of window. No gray does not make room dark, but instead cozy.

travisinteriors Use fabric can still be used on desk chair would go well. If you don't want new. Headboard. Paint it a metallic silver.

travisinteriors Yes yes,get rid of desk by bed. A mirror chest would look good. Yr bat sounds great. sounds great.

travisinteriors I meant to say yr bathroom sounds great . I've been a designer for years. Had all kinds of clients. Decorating your own home, can be confusing. But, what I tell people is; to trust your gut, yes you may make a mistake. We all do. But, it's not going to. Change your life. Sometimes, when people ask for design help, they get so many ideals all at once like you have. It's better, to step back, re group. And take the best from the ideas you like. In the end, it's your room, you live in it. It's very hard even as a designer, to see the whole picture, without really seeing the whole room. So don't let this consume yr life. At beginning you had some good ideas. Go with them. The fabric you picked was fun and very nice. Go with it. Remember it's only fabric, paint, and stuff. You can change it again in5 years. Good luck.

thedarlingsbecca You need a spreadsheet to list all of these suggestions!

I like the idea of silver on the desk that would work with fabric for chair. Would chair wood be silver, too, or a shade of gray or beige/ brown - something from headboard? As for having silver elsewhere, I would use a silvery lamp on hubby's chest and tone down the feet of the chest, maybe change the knobs. I think you need to decide on one aspect, say headboard or desk, and just do it. Then follow through from that point. If you can't do that, buy new furniture ( except for dh's chest).

zenhome Thank goodness for the "stop notifications" which I should have selected a long time ago. Forgive me again for being rude focused, but if you haven't resolved your design dilemma yet - you never will. All these ideas are just making you more confused.

Heidi Hunt_Kagarakis Please don't paint the claw feet . That piece is amazing. What about black or gray for the body and keep feet and marble. Something of the Deco in Paris idea. I would do high gloss black or brown but it will stand out.
Judy M.- My sister had a decorative painter repair her grasscloth by painting it to match the real thing. It was in many places but this might work .
So painting the desk and headboard in a silver that is soft but iridescent is my input. This is the longest discussion I have seen here. Enjoy your rooms.

bevballew Travis interiors... She has decided to keep the headboard and desk and the nightstand but will change the finishes of the side tables. Thought you should know she is pretty definitive on that based on your suggestion and it not being the first time.

focused bevballew, I think I have confused you. I did say that I would keep the headboard...but for potential use down the road. It is still possible that I will stain it and use it, but at this point I am leaning toward an upholstered headboard and just deciding on how to refinish the desk, chair and chest. The suggestions on this thrread are endless...comical, almost, in the number of diverse opinions.

As for the pretty faux bois fabric, everyone on this thread has said how neutral it is, and so has every person in every fabric shop when I brought in the sample, but after spending enormous amounts of time trying to find things that work with it, they have all given up. ALL of them! So, please believe me when I say that is is decidedly not neutral. Anway, that is a mute point, because the fabric is history now.

focused Question for Travis Interiors....What do you mean by panels on each side of the window? Do you mean flat panels of fabric stretched over a board? Do they slide over somehow to shut out the light or are they stationery? Behind my drapes I have mini blinds now and can't wait to toss them into the garbage. If I were ever to use blinds again, I would use wood blinds.

I need drapery that closes because I need to have a completely dark room when I sleep, so whatever fabric I use, it will be lined in a blackout material.

focused thedarlingsbecca...you are so right about the spreadsheet. I waded through the entire thread and the suggestions for the headboard alone are all over the map. Here is the summary.

Paint it white, paint it off white, or paint it charcoal grey.
Stain it honey or walnut - that's what some posters had to say.
Keep the carving, silver the carving, or remove it from the top,
Paint the whole thing silver to really make it pop.

Keep the banding as it is and upholster all the rest.
No, no - a fully upholstered headboard really is the best.
Perhaps a tufted headboard is the proper way to go,
But smooth upholstery is also nice - it's so darned hard to know.

My desk is another issue - should it go or should it stay?
Should it be stained or silvered, or lacquered white or grey?
Perhaps the ideal solution is to move it to another spot,
And replace it with a mirrored piece....that's another thought.

Most are not impressed with my chest - the story of my life.
Hey, doesn't personality count? (This is adding to my strife.)
Do I refinish it in shiny silver, or have it done in matte?
Should I change the knobs and change the feet, or forget about all that?

I no longer know what I should keep, or what items I should toss.
Should I remodel the old? Get everything new? I'm at a total loss.
So many opinons on topic and off - this thread almost started a feud.
I thought my dlilemma would be solved by now, but instead.....I think I'm screwed.

LB Interiors Re: the faux bois fabric, it is a neutral like everyone has said. Neutrals tend to work with many other colors, but a co-ordinate must have color and not try to match to another neutral. Sometimes that doesn't work. The difficulty with it working with other colors for you is that you haven't quite moved on to accepting contrast colors that are not neutral. That's my take on it. Or you don't like a lot of other colors that were suggested. I may be wrong. If so, I apologize.

LB Interiors P.S. Love the creativity of the poem. Great job!

focused I want a monochromatic scheme, so I needed other greys to go with the fabric - light or dark, it didn't matter. Trust me, the grey, while appearing neutral in the picture, was, in two words, im possible to work with. My pooor frustrated decorator sent me to her distributors who had thousands of samples and even they gave up. I don't care any more. I have moved on.

The only place I could possibly use it, is if I change the California shutter in the bathroom for a wooden blind and have a Roman blind made from my fabric. I am not that crazy about having fabric in a bathroom which gets steamed up daily so I am not likely to do that. And anyway, it's not a good idea to throw good money after bad. I wonder how a faux bois skirt would look? :)

Thanks for liking my poem. Are you a nighthawk like I am or do you live out west in an earlier time zone?

LB Interiors I'm in California, but love the evenings.
Monochromatic is right - lights and darks of 50 shades of gray. Good Luck and Good night!

focused I just came back from California last week-end- My son and his family live in Palm Desert, and my daughter lives in L.A.

bevballew So focused...with all the advice you have received I take it you have your answer what to do!! Haha!

2dogssashatess C'mon bevballew, she has only had three months

focused Hi bevballew - Maybe I should print out the entire thread, tack it up on my wall.......and throw a dart. Since all the suggestions are good, what could possibly go worng? (sic) :)

focused Hey, 2dogsetc. Not that I have to justify my decorating schedule, but I was away for 4 weeks, have been busy renovating my bathroom, and I work. Since I am not aware of a deadline for my project, (my husband would like to put it off forever), and since I can live very nicely with what I have for as long as necessary, what's the big deal about the time? Unless, of course, you are in a hurry....

Judy M Hey maybe 2 dogs would want to go help out the guy that can't decide which color kitchen aid mixer to buy and had to start a poll.

Now there's a design dilemma.

Really, 2 dogs move along, nothing more for you here. Go bully someone else.

Aja Mazin Of course, your husband "would like to put it off forever".

That's your problem!!

bevballew I was going to say that perhaps Focused works and has a busy life. Sometimes it is good to take ones time and think about something. Haste makes waste!!

focused Aja, it's wonderful to be an authority on so many topics - even on my husband. Exactly how long have you known him? It's remarkable - I have known him for almost 50 years and I never noticed that he was a problem. What a great snow job he has been pulling on me under the guise of giving me a free hand and not interfering. I have been so naive and trusting, and completely blind to his tactics. Thank you for kindly pointing that out to me and opening my eyes to a problem I never knew I had. I'll watch out for my husband in the future....never hurts to be on guard. I guess I owe you one.

focused Thanks bevballew. A refreshing breath of understanding and perspective.

judyg focused, late into all the suggestions, but I wonder if you had seen this pix? I love how the animal print has been incorporated with the French style…I love the two tones of color and then that unexpected mirror for some fun.



Watcha think? Any help?

handymam focused, I think you have written the best thing I have EVER read on houzz when you included your poem.
I enjoyed your humor in many of your posts in this thread, but the poem was genius! :)

focused Thank you handyman. You have no idea how much I appreciate that comment. Makes me feel redeemed after some of the flak I have received. I don't like to take things as seriously as some who have venured onto this thread. I enjoy a bit of tongue in cheek and writing has long been a hobby of mine. It seems to run in the family - my daughter is an entertainment journalist in L.A. - a chip off the old 'blockette'.

eztia Greetings, focused. I have read through all the comments this afternoon. You did a very good job with your poem. :)

I am not going to offer any advice at all. I am just watching and waiting patiently.

Judy M JudyG's pic is so pretty, but definitely in the beige family and you seem fixed on grey. As long as you are taking this in a new direction, having given up on the now dead faux bois fabric, maybe you'd be open to a different color direction.
Who knows how long Grey will be "in", beige done right never seems to go out of style.
Just a thought.

And you don't need to be redeemed, you didn't do anything that needs redemption, you were attacked by bullies, they are the ones to be ashamed.

focused judyg, having locked my gaze onto what seems like thousands upon thousands of pictures, mostly in the wee hours of the morning when I actually have time for this, somehow I missed that beautiful picture. Thank you. How prescient of you to have sent it to me just when I was about to wade through more pictures to see if I could find a quality piece of furniture finished in distressed white. I have been re-thinking the finish for my furniture, of late and am beginning to lean away from silver or brown. That's the advantage of taking my time. Whenever I rush into something, I am inevitably sorry. So yes, you did help and I thank you.

Most of the posters really helped, even when they voiced opinions which with I didn't agree. With the exception of a few personal remarks that didn't belong on a decorating site, all of the ideas, opinions and suggestions were useful in one way or another, helping me cull the relevant ideas from the mess that was going on in my head when I started .

I am getting closer to a decision, but need to have it gel in my mind before I commit. I'll post my final choices once I am sure of them.

focused dear handyMAM....I owe you an apology. I incorrectly wrote handman. Obviously my sexism was showing. I didn't even know I harboured that particular 'ism', but....there it was in black and white. Should have known better. Mea culpa.

michigammemom Hi focused, Making decor decisions can be difficult if you are emotionally attached to furnishings; especially when those pieces are well crafted and expensive. You should not have to apologize for taking your time to make a well-informed decision that will yield a beautiful bedroom that you will be happy with for years to come. I like your headboard, desk and chair. You might consider a dark finish on the nightstand for some contrast. I personally am not a fan of the marbleized and slightly shiny finish. Here's a lovely room for your consideration. I love the soft colored bedding and soothing robin's egg blue wall color. The dark rug and nightstand add some masculinity to the room. Best of luck to you!

focused Etzia, you must be a speed reader to have read through all the comments in just one afternoon! I hope you stopped for a coffee break....or three. Thanks for liking my poem. I like that you like it.

focused Hi Judy M, as one of my most loyal followers and staunch supporters, thanks for your kind comments. You are right. The others were the bullies, but we all have insecurities, and I guess mine slipped through my self protective fence.

The colouring in the picture sent by the Judy further up the alphabet, is beige, but the elegant feeing is there, and I lke the pop of an exciting fabric. I still want to go 'grey', fitting for someone my age, I suppose, but the concept was good. Loved the chest.

focused michegammemom, (hope I got that right), another lovely picture, and with furnishings in white. Interestingly, I am thinking of a similar paint colour as in that bedroom for my new ensuite. I'll make that decision this week.

As for my bedroom, my side chest, (is that what you mean by my nightstand?), is made of paint grade wood, so cannot be stained - only painted or lacquered. I don't know what will work with distressed white if I go that way on the other pieces. I had been thinking of silver leaf, but am wavering on that now.

That piece is a problem, but I am going to keep it - feet and all. I played with the idea of changing them to flattened balls, but I have eliminated that idea. I actually like the feet. I personally watched the different stages of carving them from solid blocks of wood, so I feel a connection to them. Final answer. They are staying. Colour of chest? Not a clue!

Judy M I know the grey in the bedroom will be a nice connection to your beautiful bathroom tiles.

That room (Judy G ) is elegant for sure, I hope it inspires. Once you have made choices, it will all come together and you'll be happy you waited to get it right.


Some of us understand the value of patience, we don't need everything done in a hurry.

focused Anyone have ideas for refinishing my side chest? (The picture was re-posted 4 days ago) Does silver go with distressed white? Doesn't seem right to me, but.....I have been wrong before...(not too often, of course).

LB Interiors Silver can work for the chest and the finishes on other furniture if you include a few more elements in silver like accessories or a lamp. Add silver small areas to chandelier (not the whole piece).

I haven't said this before, but I actually like the finishes of your bed, desk and chair. Another nitestand option is to paint it white to go with a white armoire that you like and want. Use those furniture beigy colors, gray, silver and gold and white throughout the bedding, fabrics, art and accessories

Lightmotifs My thoughts, based on your asides about your husband's health, are these: He loves that chest (with the key and tassel!) and maybe you may want to do what I have done regarding my husband's preferences since his close brush with death: let him win! The suggestion of a silver finish on the chest would make it quite wonderful, and painting the chandelier silver as someone suggested would give you enough silver in the room; you don't have to do a whole silver suite. I hesitate to think of gray for the room, since you say that it receives little light from outside, and if he should have an extended period of being bedridden, it could become depressing. I love your furniture! Best of luck!

focused LB, I would not have a problem with the pickeld pine or whitewashed finish, (whatever it is), on my furniture if the pastel colours hadn't been added. The pink trompe l'oeil ribbon was right for the chintz drapes and plaid chair, but I don't want that look any longer. Had the faux ribbon even been white or grey, maybe I could have lived with it, but the paint can't come off the chair without refinishing the whole thing. The chair has to work with the desk, and the desk has to relate to the headboard. And then the side chest comes into the mix.

The decorator with whom I was working, (I say "was working", because I haven't called her for several weeks while I have been getting my thoughts in order), said the finish was too country for my house. Frankly, I hadn't realized it was country looking until she mentioned it. She's not wrong. She suggested a colour palette of silvery greys, and I liked that idea immediately, especially since the new ensuite off the master bedroom has all that beautiful Calacatta marble.

I embraced the colour scheme wholeheartledy, and I am still in favour of it. The mistake I made, however, was to fall in love with the faux bois fabric and commit to it without a proper courtship. Now that the affair is over, I can see that it was just a crush, after all. It was an expensive tryst, while it lasted. Now I am commitment shy.

I do want to keep the room light and airy, and I think I can have that effect if I refinish the desk, chair and banding on the headboard, including the carving, in a lightly distressed white. (If I don't come to a conclusion soon, I will be the one distressed....and not lightly.) By the way, I am not sure if I mentioned previously that the carpet is white. I found a lovely silvery/grey panne velvet to upholster the flat part of the headboard, (either tufted or smooth), and I am still keeping open the possibility of making a new fully upholstered headboard. My present thinking is that if I refinish the banding, and upholster the rest as Judy M suggested months ago, and raise the headboard about 5 inches, it can be quite striking and will be unique......in a nice way. I also saw a lovely duvet fabric that was just released by St. Geneve, the down duvet people, in muted grey tones that works perfectly wit the panne velvet. Perhaps it is shown on their website. If you feel like looking, the pattern is called 'Hamilton'.

So what do I do with the chest if eerything else is white? Do I lacquer the front and sides white, and the top pale grey? Or silver the whole thing? Does silver work well with white? I have seen mirrored pieces with silver frames used with white furniture and they looked great, but silver furniture and mirrored furniture aren't the same. This all may be fodder for aother poem....

You are a great soundboard, but that's enough for tonight.

bumblebee728 I've read this entire post, and there are many things i could say...but there has already been enough thoughts, opinions, etc., all over the place. But... I just have to tell you, when you said "2dogswhatever", I busted out laughing way out loud! No offense to 2dogs, I'm not judging who was right or wrong. Just saying, after a long harrowing day, I needed that. Good Luck Focused, you have your own unique personality, hope your room comes together beautifully, before I go gray! Best wishes.

bumblebee728 Oh, and I enjoyed the poem too!

focused O.K. Bumbelbee728....cough if up. You can't tease me with. "....there are many things I could say". and then....NOT SAY THEM!!! Do you want me to sleep tonight? Do you want me to sleep ever again? I think this withholding of information would definitely be considered cruel and unusual punishment, if not actual treason. I could issue a subpoena, you know.

You can't be all bad, though......you liked my poem. :)

LB Interiors I have to add that I llke all the things you mentioned just above, velvet, flat upholstered headboard. I'd keep the finishes everywhere else on the furniture. My comment above still stands, however, I meant that you should re-upholster the chair, new beddng and drapes. Re-paint the nite stand main body only. White will go with silver. I think you're headed in the right direction.

Judy M I am a fan of keeping current headboard and adding velvet panel to it. But really either choice of that or new upholstered headboard will work equally as well.
That chest that functions so well for husband is a tricky one, I'm confident you'll work it out.
Once you start to visualize the choices for headboard, desk and chair, I think the right answer for chest will come to you.

handymam focused, no apolgy needed, it happens all the time, lol. I guess I could be called worse!

focused LB.....need clarification on your last post.....you said to "keep the finishes everywhere else on the furniture". To what white are you referring, then, when you said ,"White will go with silver"? The only white at this point is the off white faux marble on the chest that would be refinished in the silver on the main body. as you suggested. And if I keep the finishes, I am stuck with a) the pastels on the headboard carving that will defintiely not look right with greys and silvers, and b) with the pink ribbon, which will be out of place on the chair. The present finishes will go with creams and beiges. but not with silvers and greys.

As Rick said to Lucy..."'splain yourself please". (I am not sure he added the please....but I am too polite not to)

bumblebee728 Oh no Focused, lol! I didn't mean to tease or keep you awake! Just meant there were so many things going on, I wouldn't know where to start (and I was exhausted after a long, long day). I promptly went to sleep after I posted, again apologies :). Just wanted to compliment you on your sense of humor. Today I'm stuck with doing my taxes, yup, put them off till the last minute:( , but maybe I'll join in another time. Please no subpoena!

olldroo Focused - may I just come in with a different perspective on all this. From what you say, it sounds like we are of the same age so I can relate to your situation and the possibility of downsizing probably sooner rather than later. As much as we all want to live long lives healthily and actively, our bodies often decide otherwise. The thing is will this furniture move to a condo with you - will it fit, will it be suitable? If you can definitely and positively answer yes to that, then continue to muse over the problem till you find a solution. If, on the other hand, this furniture will not go with you for one reason or another, then what will you do with it?? You probably won't get any more money for it than you will now, so it is really worth all this angst and expense? Would you be better buying new furniture now with an eye to the future, rather than trying to hang onto the past.

Just a thought.

For those of you who lose long carefully thought out replies, type your response into a Word document and then copy and paste into the discussion. If anything goes wrong, you still have your original in Word to repaste.

focused Oldroo, my age is showing, is it? Ouch! My picture is from my most recent birthday so I can't hide anything. I was hoping everyone who read this post was both short sighted and lousy at math, but no such luck. I have been outed!

Anyway, back to the topic.....I think that other than the new unit I am going to build to replace the armoire, I think I will be abe to move to a condo with enough space to take a king sized bed, plus a desk and the chest. It is always possible that it won't fit, (I lost my crystal ball), but unless I have to move to a senior's home, (and please that it should never be), the worst that will happen is that one of the pieces won't fit.

Your thinking is the precise reason I don't want to start from scratch now and want to do this updating as economically as possible. I don't want to replace good things with cheap stuff and to pay a lot of money at this stage of being in this house doesn't make good sense. Whatever I buy for this house may not fit in too few years to have made the expenditure worth it. When I finally move, if I am not happy with what I have now, I'll replace it. But for now - I'm content to fix 'er up. Unfortunately, I am really bad at compromise, so I still have to love it.

That's a brilliant idea to type everything in Word. It happened to me again yesterday after my l-o-o-o-n-g response to LB, and had to start all over. When I re-did it, I highlited and clicked ctrl C as I went along to save what I had done thus far. Your way is better. Where were you when I started this whole thing a quarter century ago?

Thanks for jumping into the thread.

focused Bumblebee###.....just wanted to make you smile. No subpoena - honest!. But when you have a moment, feel free to offer your opinion(s).

bumblebee728 :) ! I'll be following along, thanks!

zenhome Honestly focused, without being rude don't you have enough opinions without asking for more.

karen paul interiors This is a chest from Lexington and it's done in two tones...a very creamy beige/off-white and silver tone. The success of it is that the entire piece is done without a contrasting top. You can use the same philosophy with your desk with a lacquer in two tones with the carving carrying the silver. Your chest could also be in the creamy hue with silver paws, hardware and a top that is in a marble that picks up these tones. The marble from a yard that gives away the material and charges for labor alone would be worthwhile.

This approach gives you a contrast to your white/off white carpeting and will also play well with shades of silver, several grays, white bedding and an accent color or two.

karen paul interiors Also, I might add that it is this sort of approach that will allow you to use your faux bois fabric that you are about to discard. The eye will not pick out one tone and find it wrong as the two tones will become a combined hue in the mind's eye. When you get to other fabrics, you pick up a paint deck and single out individual hues in your fabric. That will give you your range in addition to your white bedding. When you get the individual chips and put them next to your fabric your eye will be able to pick out fabrics that will work well. The eye gets very confused when there are subtle shifts of hue within one piece of fabric, so I'm not surprised you have had no success. Just a thought for you to consider.

judyg Kind of in a funk tonight…Boston. What, truly, is important in life? I love houzz and all it offers us, but really, what do we need?

bevballew We pray for all affected! Very very sad day! I am angry they intrude on the happiness of people who are doing good! The more who pray the less tragedy can occur. People have forgotten to pray.

olldroo You know when 2dogs came on and related the problems here to people starving, it did make me stop and think how self absorbed we can so easily become, and now I've just come online and read about Boston, I couldn't agree with judyg more - what is important in life? Why do our homes have to be decorated to perfection when our lives and the world around us is far from perfect. In any case when it comes to decorating - what is perfect? Who wrote the book on perfect when even the most experienced of decorators don't agree.

Focused, this most definitely isn't an attack on you personally, far from it, it has just been the impetus behind my thought of all the posts here and how much we sweat the small stuff, how much we can let insignificant things get out of proportion and take over our lives. Today let us all think about those who have lost loved ones, those who are still fighting for their lives, those who have lost limbs and will have their lives changed forever and then look at our homes and our lives and truly embrace what we DO have.

Focused, I hadn't looked at your photo, I was relating to the time you said you had been married and a few other things - obviously you were a child bride.

ukantok2 Have you considered painting all the pieces black, including the headboard? Or at least a coffee color? Then pale grey or gregge walls, white trim, and maybe some yellow in your fabrics or accents. Just a thought.

bevballew And that can go back to materialism. It is nice to want a nice home but we have to remember people are more important. Many people starving, etc. now this horrible thing again. Society needs to join in the right perspective and focus on caring and praying for those suffering. The U.S. has an enemy . We need to pray for those sick people who want to destroy us.

myidea4you I like this look for you. I would paint the furniture and then distress it. It's only paint and nothing that can't be changed down the road. Raise your headboard up and add to the height as done in this picture. Keep the room relaxes and comfortable and don't over think the design. That will allow you to make small changes like with the pillows and accessories to get a new feel to the room as your taste change.

myidea4you Ps you could also add posts to the side of your headboard to make it more substantial. Paint the headboard dark and all other furniture pieces a nice shade of off white. Recover the seat chair with a bold print and pair it with a matching pillow on the bed.

bevballew I looked at your headboard again. I would remove the flower if you don't do anything else to it.

Aja Mazin Yes,The U.S. has an enemy .

We just don't know whether it's foreign or domestic.

focused What can I say at this time? I was out all day and didn't hear the devastating news from Boston until late this evening. My stomach turned over when I heard about this evil and senseless act. It is so beyond cruel, that I have no words.

The child that was killed....no, MURDERED, was only eight years old....just a year older than my grandson. A poor man, just for being in the area at the wrong time, lost both his legs...his life irreversably ruined in a split second. Such unspeakable agony, and for what? No matter what will be done to the perpetrators of this sick and cowardly act, it will not be enough.

If only my tears could undo some of the damage. Boston will be in mourning for a long time to come, as will decent people everywhere.

mainstreetschool This thread is incredibly long. I would suggest medium stain on headboard, desk and chair. Use the fabric you had for the chair,and a couple small neck pillows. Once you select a 'color' for your room, you could paint the chest (it has already been painted In the faux marble) in a hue of the accent color. Leave the top as is. Find a built in in the same wood tone that you stain the desk and chair.

Nancy Reese Redesign The picture says it all.

LB Interiors this is a repeat from above - Silver can work for the chest and the finishes on other furniture if you include a few more elements in silver like accessories or a lamp. Add silver small areas to chandelier (not the whole piece).

Also a repeat .... I actually like the finishes of your bed, desk and chair. Another nitestand option is to paint it "white" to go with a white armoire that you like and want. Use those furniture beigy colors, gray, silver and gold and white throughout the bedding, fabrics, art and accessories

Just paint the carving on the headboard "silver" and "gold"

Also a repeat .... said above ... I llke all the things you mentioned just above, velvet, flat upholstered headboard. I'd keep the finishes everywhere else on the furniture. My comment above still stands, however, I meant that you should re-upholster the chair, new beddng and drapes. Re-paint the nite stand main body only. White will go with silver. I think you're headed in the right direction. ... answer to clarification question - White goes with the white unit that you want to build.

Lightmotifs I hate to bring up something that no one else seems to have mentioned, especially since you didn't reply to my last post, but I think the chair is the one item that seems out of place to me. At least, not right in front of the very delicate desk. It just looks too heavy in the pic. For your headboard flowers, I would recommend glazing, a product I use in some of my art paintings. You can add a dark brown or whatever darker color to the glaze and go over the flowers with an artist''s brush.

focused Sorry, Judith. I try to respond to everyone, but sometimes I miss someone. As for your last post, first, thanks for liking what I already have. I do hope your husband is in good health now.

In thinking about my chandelier, it doesn't throw enough light, so I think that rather than refinishing it, I will just replace it with a silver or pewter toned one.

I don't know what depth of colour I will put in the walls. First I have to decide on a furniture finish.

I just had an expert gilder here this morning and she said that my side chest has such a strong, almost plastic finish, that she could not guaranty that whatever finish I choose will hold, so I may either have to keep the off white faux marble colour on the sides and replace the top to be in keeping with the grey colour scheme, or live with it as it is. (Or talk my husband into getting a new one....that's a long shot.)

The picture of the side chair is deceiving. It may be the angle at which I held the camera. The chair is delicate and actually does go with the desk. It looks top heavy in the picture, I agree, but it is a standard run-of-the-mill shape, and the proportions are fine. It would make sense to get a new one, however, if it becomes too costly to refinish it.

I wish I had more consecutive hours to investigate everything, but I have to grab the odd hour here and there so it drags things out. That would be the advantage of handing everything over to a decorator, but, truth to tell, I enjoy the 'chase' and feel more connected to things I have chosen. My decorator gave me the initial direction, and I will likely go to her for help with final decisions and paint colours etc, but this part is mine. Houzz is a huge help, even with so many divergent opinions. It makes me think in new directions and helps me sort things out.

LB Interiors I've noticed a new approach to your dilemma when you stated a possible move? Also you've mentioned 'inexpensive' make over? That's why I suggested my previous comments. Re: the chest/nite stand .. at this point, the chest stays as is, I would choose all the colors that are in the top and marble body and work with those.

You would just need to add very small doses of the gray/charcoal colors seen in the top, in inexpensive accessories to bring it all together. Furniture finishes all stay the same (exception of painting the rose carving gold/silver). neutral bedding and wall color. the body of the chest colors are easy to live with and soothing.

Your faux bois still works, sorry to say, since you've scratched it. If your bedding was a soft beige/tan, the faux bois in pillows works with the chest/nitestand and the future-build white unit. All of this works with the carpet.

LB Interiors Aja, Thanks for all the likes

focused Hi again, LB. I didn't say I wanted an "inexpensive makeover", because I realize that makeovers never are, except on those annoying TV programmes that show a complete house makeover for $362.14. I did say that I wanted to do it as economically as possible.....meaning not replacing furniture, but working with what I have by updating fabrics, finishes and paint colours.

I am not planning a move in the near future, especially as I like my children and grandchildren to stay with us when they are in town, and I couldn't do that in a condo. Having been in my house for 43 years, however, (oldroo, you can turn off your calculator now, if you are listening), I don't expect to stay here for decades.

As much as I retired the faux bois, I yanked it out of its place of rest, and schlepped it with me again. No luck. I should have known better. It is so over now. Again!

I know you perceive it as neutral, but if you don't believe me that it isn't, please believe the legions of people who have signed on with confidence, (bordering on arrogance), each determined to be 'the one' to find companion fabrics, but who ignominiously failed. That fabric goes with cream. Period. Unless I want my headboard, duvet cover, bed skirt, drapery fabric and accent cushions all to be cream, (....and what kind of accent would cream on cream be?), it just ain't gonna work - no how - no way.

Anyway, I have some ideas percolating in my head right now, so I may be getting somewere......or not. :)

focused bevballew, you probably didn't read all of the posts from the beginning, and can't blame you for that unless you had a couple spare weeks to read up, but I explained near the top of this thread that a section of the headboard was cut out and the floral carving was inserted into the empty place, so it cannot be removed.

focused Nancy, great photo shopping.

LB Interiors focused ... you stated .... ' meaning not replacing furniture, but working with what I have by updating fabrics, finishes and paint colours.' Response - isn't that what I said above? Inexpensive ... vs .... refinishing all the furniture, replacing all the fabrics, adding new chandelier and accessories. I call that saving money. If the faux bois only goes with cream, doesn't cream also go with any other colors. Am I missing something here?

focused The cream is very 'yellowy' in the faux bois. The flash of the camera made it appear quite white, but that isn't the case. I prefer crisp white sheets and they don't look nice with the cream. True, there are a myriad of fabrics that will go with cream, but those others don't do well with the faux bois fabric. I took that fabric with me everywhere looking for companions - even when I travelled.

I thought you were trying to trim my costs by suggesting that I keep the finish on my furniture as it is, but I want to get away from the bleachy beige look entirely and go into the greys. When I say that I want it to be economical, I mean I don't want to spend lavishly. I want to get a "look" without spending a fortune, but I don't want to hold so tightly to my wallet that the room looks tacky or cheap. Someone I know suggested that I do my walls with a hand painted strie or linen finish. That's the type of thing I can do without. A nice colour using good paint will get a very nice look, without the extra expense.

To punch up the room, I think I either have to lacquer the desk and chair an off white colour, with possibly a pale grey wash and, if not using an upholstered headboard, do the same with my present one, and then use a medium to dark grey duvet cover for contrast, or conversely, use a dark pewter coloured wash for the desk and chair and headboard and go for the Restoration Hardware crisp white Hotel look with the deep grey border stripes. I am not sure which option will look better on a whte carpet.

If I do use my headboard, I don't want to emphasize the floral carving with silver or gold. If anything, I want to diminish it's presence by painting it the same as the rest of the headboard.

I have been weighing the different approaches to the headboard, and because the band is quite wide, and the floral carving is so prominent, I think that a padded middle will look patchy as there won't be much of it. Also, I like padding to be luxuriously thick, and if I do that, it will protrude too much from the band. I believe at this point, that to get a truly updated look, a new upholstered headboard will better accomplish it. I still want a domed shape, but am vascillating (big surprise!) on whether or not to use tufting. I am a bit partial to straight or smooth upholstery, although I saw an interesting form of tufting on Houzz today. It was done with wide vertical tucks.

My chest has become a new problem. The furniture finisher who came to see it today would not take it on because of the hard shiny finish that is on it now. I think several coats of lacquer were used to preserve the finish. I'll call in someone else for another opinion. I hope I can paint it.

Lightmotifs Thank you for inquiring about my husband's health. I'm grateful for each morning when he first comes into my studio and I greet him with a drum roll and say, "There's my life and my lover! Give me a kiss!" I can understand why the furniture refinisher refused to take on the husband's chest. Lacquer ruins furniture for any future refinishing. It is completely irreversible. I'm still cheerleading for the husband getting to keep it. You have such wonderful furniture that it might be worth much more than you think. I have Eames bent plywood chairs and noticed that one identical to mine sold for several thousand dollars at auction recently. Have any of your children shown interest in them? Think carefully before you change finishes or alter such as cutting out the piece to insert the flowers. More than 20% change on an item removes its value. Tufted headboards are going to hold and breed dust mites. We can't have them in my house or we get sick. I stick with my opinion that your desk chair, even though delicate in scale, puts a visual stop to the room because of the upholstered back. I hope that your room will come together and you will have a happy ending to this saga. I noticed you mentioned telling your clients to remove wallpaper. Are you a real estate broker?

focused Hi Judith. It is an unfortunate fact of life that we rarely appreciate enough what we have until it is gone or we almost lose it. I am happy for you and your husband. I can empathize with you....my husband had high grade metastatic cancer twice and consequently had two major surgeries. He has had no reccurence for two years, thank goodness. Every day is a gift.

Unfortunately he has been suffering with back problems, which while not life threatening, do compromise his quality of life. Monday he is having decompression surgery on his spine. It is day surgery only, and he is supposed to be up walking and home the same day, but still, there is a general anaesthetic involved and there is always risk. As of today everything is on hold here until after the surgery.

I had similar concerns about tufting, but was only thinking about dust - not mites. Thanks for mentioning it. That is the deal breaker for tufting. Do you feel the same about smooth uphostered headboards too?

My kids live in California and even if they lived here, they wouldn't be interested in my furniture. My daughter has a teenie apartment and my daughter-in-law's taste is vastly different than mine.

Yes, I am a realtor. What I find so surprising is that so few homeowners have given any thought to their bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms get renovated frequently, and any rooms seen by friends and family are put together beautifully, if the owners are so inclined. But even among those who pay attention to decorating and detail, their bedrooms are very often haphazard affairs. This even goes for houses priced in the millions. I can honestly say that very few master bedrooms have lent me inspiration. Many do go to town when they purchase a new property - condo or house, but the ones on the market are disappointingly dated and dull.

I am not clear on what you meant about thinking before cutting out the piece to insert the flowers. I wanted to do the opposite - cut out the flowers and have a piece inserted to match the rest of the headboard. It was originally cut out in order to insert the carving at the time it was made.

Yes, 'name' furniture does retain it's value, but mine was made by someone who was not well known, except among decorators, and he has been out of the country for at least a dozen years doing who knows what.... I am afraid that it is just what it is - used furniture.

My chair doesn't bother me. I usually keep it tucked in at a bit of an angle so the seat is visible too. The only problem with the desk/chair combination is that the desk doesn't give me storage - just two shallow pencil drawers, and I don't need a desk in my bedroom. In fact I have never used it as a desk, but it is pretty and I have no other place for it, so I am keeping it where it is.....for now. Who knows, by the time this is over, I may replace everything. And I only started this thread to ask about a headboard dilemma. If my son would take his bedroom furniture that he left in my basement bedroom, I'd have a place for my own things. He left everything with me 'temporarily' while he 'tried out' California for a year. That was OVER EIGHT years ago! This may turn out to be one of the longest trials in history.

To start from scratch I would need a much larger budger than I have alotted. I lalready blew the budget for the bathroom. 'nuff's enough.

Aja Mazin "It is an unfortunate fact of life that we rarely appreciate enough what we have until it is gone or we almost lose it. ''

Speak for yourself.

focused lightmotifs...twice I have said Judith when replying to you. Sorry about that.

focused Aja, obviously Joni Mitchell didn't write "They Paved the Parking Lot" for you. I guess you are perfect. How nice for you.

Aja Mazin Sarcasm is not becoming.

We obviously have different values.

focused Sacrcasm??? You mean you aren't perfect? How disappointing.

I don't know you, so I can't comment on your values. I only know my own, and they'll do just fine, thank you.

Aja Mazin So you could not spare 1 minutes and 40 seconds to watch "Morning Has Broken" - your loss.

And I have no need to be "perfect".

Judy M I don't understand the need to debate anything that is said here except what pertains to decorating issues. If you've offered your decorating opinion to Focused and it is not of help to her what is the point of quoting her statements and objecting to them?

focused Aja, I have no idea, whatsoever, to what you are referring with your " 1 minutes (sic) and 40 seconds" comment. I doubt that it pertains to decorating, since your previous comment was not only unrelated to the topic in this thread, but also was rude and uncalled for. My conversation was in direct response to a posting from someone who directed it to me, and as such, was of no concern to you. It is fortunate, indeed, that you have no need to be perfect, because you have demonstrated that you fall short of such a pursuit.

If you wish to have a 'conversation' with me about decorating, I am all eyes and will happily respond as I do to the well-meaning posters who have generously spent their time to advise and help me with whatever decorating issues I have posed. If, on the other hand, you wish to persist in being rude and unkind, I have no interest, whatsoever, in corresponding with you. It is a waste of my time.

focused Thank you Judy M. You expressed my sentiments, but with considerably more patience.

Lightmotifs focused, you were correct in calling me Judith. I have changed my
profile to more accurately reflect my experience, which is one
semester short of a Bachelor of Arts in Design (all because of
Algebra:I simply refused to sit through that!). I am a retired
realtor and have been in thousands of homes. As you say, the
bedroom is usually a big mish-mash with heaps of unfolded laundry
piled somewhere.

I misspoke in reply to your quote making it appear
backward to what I wanted to say. You said, "I am not clear on
what you meant about thinking before cutting out the piece to
insert the flowers. I wanted to do the opposite - cut out the
flowers and have a piece inserted to match the rest of the
headboard. It was originally cut out in order to insert the
carving at the time it was made." Since the flowers were
inserted at the time the old European carver made the headboard,
it would be original. Removing the flower carving and inserting a
piece is what would make it not original. Even though the carver
has moved back to Europe, I would attach a card on the back iwith information about the artisan, the date and the story of the piece. I gave my 1960's furniture to my daughter and she sold it for amazing prices,I just considered it "old,, not valuable.

Several posters have suggested getting more silver into the room.
Would you consider a silverleather insert just in the section of the headboard with the vertical boards? It could be stitched to make a diamond pattern.before being attached. It would be easily cleanable and dust mite free. It could have nailheads or some such at the points of the diamond pattern. That should leave only a few puncture marks if you later want to return to the vertical board look. Or maybe it could be just be rolled under at the edges and glued and not even leave puncture marks. I'm not conversant on re-upholstery.

I tried to find pic of a chair like I visualize for your desk, but so far I haven't found the exact one. I would examine the backrest, which seems a little too tall, to see if the fabric could be removed and just the frame of the backrest left.

Is there enough room to put the desk at the foot of the bed and put the chair, (intact) into the corner by the head of the bed?

I know well what you mean about kitchen and bathroom remodeling busting the budget. We had granite put everywhere last summer. After last year's drought, our patio cracked and needs a complete redo and replacement of all the trees and shrubs that were destroyed.

We will be thinking of you and your husband during his back surgery and recovery. It is amazing how quickly the physical therapists get one back up and running. We wish him the best of all outcomes!

focused Lightmotifs, thank you for clarifying the change of name on your post. I thought I had been sloppy and replied to the wrong person. I scrolled back and saw your new name on the earlier post too, and wondered how I could have been either so unobservant or so careless...not just once.....but twice!

The silver leather insert is really very clever. If I did such a thing, maybe it wouldn't need nailheads or diamond stitching with everything else going on above it. I had a refinisher/restorer at the house yesterday, and he thought that I could upholster the centre portion very nicely and that it didn't need thick padding to look good. Apparently he does work for several designers and antique stores. I didn't know that. His name was passed on to me by a person whom I had found on the internet when I was looking for someone to do silver leaf. It turned out that she only gilds picture frames, not furniture. This man doesn't just do leafing - he does lacquering, distressing, and washes as well. He seems like the perfect person for me. I hope his prices are even a little bit reasonable. I had one up to the house who must have thought my name ended in Gates or Buffet.

Interestingly, the one who came yesterday knew, (and highly respected), the man who made my furniture. He told me that the cabinet maker and his wife were no longer together and that his wife, the artist who did the faux painting on my chair and armoire remained here when her husband went back to Europe..

I will go to his studio to see his work as soon as my husband is on his feet. In the meantime, he is going to strike some samples to show me the finishes he thinks would look nice and be appropriate for my furniture styles. I was totally impressed with him, and I don't impress easily.

As for moving the desk, I don't have room at the end of my bed, even for a narrow bench. I am afraid that if I keep the piece, it must stay where it is. I think you are trying to see if I can change the back of the chair to a balloon back style, but the balloon back doesn't have the ridge on the front of the frame that a frame meant for upholstering has. Honestly, I like the chair dimensions, so if the desk stays, I will either refinish and re-upholster it, or if the cost doesn't warrant it, I will replace it with a similar style. If I do that, I might go with different legs.

Having met with the refinisher yesterday, I feel as if I have stopped marching in place and am beginning to move forward.

Thank you again for your contributions to this thread. I really appreciate your time and hope you stay with me.

Lightmotifs Focused, every once in a while an idea rattles through my head! Will be watching for your updates!

karen paul interiors Focused: Now that you have a new refinisher you might want to ask him what he can use to refinish the chest. I do know if you lightly sand (if it's real wood), then apply a liquid deglosser, followed by a bonding primer, you can put any sort of finish coat you wish. Nothing will peel as the deglosser and bonding primer will create the perfect environment for a final finish. I don't know how expensive it would be as there are a number of steps that have to be taken before the final stage. Your husband really loves this particular piece so it might be a worthwhile expense just to please him, which we all try to do with our loved ones.

Aja Mazin Touchy....

focused Aja, I tell it like it is. We're done.

focused Hi Karen,

Yes, this finisher said that he could definitely change the finish on the chest. He is going to send me some quotes for doing the various pieces.

It isn't that my husband loves the look of the piece so much, but he loves the drawer with the skeleton key lock, and he particularly loves the size of the drawers. Large storage spaces are like nector to a small time hoarder. He could easily make the big time, but he has a wife who holds him back from attaining that status.

About 15 years ago I decided that it was time to look through some of the boxes he had brought to the marriage decades earlier, to see if anything could be eliminated. He said everything was important and he doubted that anything could be discarded. Well, the first thing I saw in that precious box of goodies was a repair bill from a 1953 Pontiac. I could go on, but I think you've got the picture.

zenhome Hallelujah focused, is it possible you have actually made some decisions with regards to your design dilemma??

Aja Mazin Ouch!

2dogssashatess Zenhome, do not get excited until the quotes are accepted:)

Judy M Childish.....

karen paul interiors
. I'm thinking you might want to consider having the center of your headboard finished smooth, thereby eliminating the vertical board effect. What ever finish (silver, etc.) you should decide to have, the overall effect will be flawless. I don't feel you really want an upholstered headboard and I can certainly appreciate your wanting to avoid upholstery for obvious reasons. At least with this treatment, your finish will be consistent top to bottom AND you can control the "warmth" of your finish, whether it's silver or something else.

karen paul interiors I would then lacquer the chest white and do silver "drop" pendant hardware with a marble top such as this one. It is essentially, gray, silver, lavender and white.

focused Karen, the vertical boards are not really consistent with the style of the rest of the furniture, I agree. There are many things to consider, but right now I am dealing with a very sick father, a husband facing surgery in a few days, and clients all of whom are vying for my attention. I'll let everything percolate and maybe I'll have a eureka moment when I least expect it.

karen paul interiors I wish you and yours well. I'm so sorry you are going through all this with your loved ones. I'm sure everyone's prayers are with you and yours.

focused Thank you, Karen

Aja Mazin '' all of whom are vying for my attention."

Aja Mazin I think sweet noor gave the best advice:

"sweetnoor,

focused, You are an extremely intelligent, well educated lady.

With all due respect, I suggest your "decorating dilemma" is a metaphor for the issues you face as you journey through one of life's passages and the unique challenges and opportunities presented.

Often such challenges can be more easily met by seeking the experienced , understanding counsel of caring professionals.

Best of luck.
You are in my thoughts and prayers."

3 weeks ago

karen paul interiors OK, here's another route to consider, using wood tones. Your desk can be in a medium, warm wood tone (chair also). Your chest can be like the one I posted many moons ago that had been silver finished with a wood top. The current marble top can receive a faux bois treatment so it looks every bit similar to your desk, which can also receive some "graining", fly specking or whatever would appeal to you.

karen paul interiors This is the chest from many moons ago in an antiqued silver finish and a walnut top.

karen paul interiors A photo from your bedroom idea book. You can do a new headboard with fabric all white on white, or you can do your current bed, painting the frame white in a lower patina (not lacquered) OR with ever so slight silvering of flower detailing (optional) and upholstered flat (no tufting in a textured) fabric in something of a different patina (white again) than the headboard. Now you can pick up the white for the armoire (same patina as your wood frame of headboard). You can then establish the other hues you want in the bedroom with painted walls, lamps, art and accessories. I would leave the bed in white (several shades) with no color on throw pillows. In fact I would let the bed linens speak for themselves.

If you have enough visual room, you might think in terms of doing the armoire in a wood finish, drawing a color triangle between the desk, chair, chest and armoire.

I would also consider doing the windows in white and focus on the look and hand of the fabric, so as to add even more texture. I would do no detailing, no contrasting anything. It would be a 3-1 fullness, fully lined (in bumph for a luxurious look, and backed up by 3-pass that has a black membrance) and weighted for a very rich and deluxe look. I would mount the draperies on rods that are of an outstanding design that become jewelry in their own right.

I would upholster the chair in a fabric, skin or something very unusual. I would concentrate on the geometry, texture and hand of it, and again, it would be in a white.

focused Hi, Karen. I went over my idea book collection and for the first time showed them to my husband. I had brought home a white hotel series duvet cover with a deep grey border stripe from Restoration Hardware, but my husband thought the white was too stark. I showed him my collection of ideabook pictures so he could see that with the addition of lovely cushions and possibly a throw, the room would look elegant either in all whites or in a combination of whites and greys. The accessories, (or as I call them - bed jewellery), made all the difference. He wouldn't have prevented me from getting all white, even if he hadn't seen the heavily decorated pictures, but I wanted him to be on side.

I like the white and pale grey bedroom in the picture you included here. I do find the headboard a bit too dramatic for my taste and prefer a softer shape. I'll look for my favourite ones and see if I can figure out how to include them in this post.

I don't have the quotations from the refinisher yet, but I will go to his studio as soon as I have some time and then I hope I'll be able to make a decision. I have begun to stray from the medium brown wood finish on the desk and chair, and am presently headed more toward either some type of white finish on the desk and chair with a medium/dark grey upholstered headboard or dark toned silver leafing on the desk and chair and a pale grey upholstered headboard.

You are right, I originally did not want an upholstered headboard, but was being strongly pushed in that direction by my decorator. Now I am no longer against it and may even be leaning toward that look. Too bad I can't refinish the wood headboard and also make an upholstered one so I could change them around from time to time.

I like that silver chest with the brown top. That shape relates better to the style of my desk than the chest that I have, (oops....my husband has), now, but changing that chest ins't on the table right now.

I'll try to post 2-3 of my favourite rooms. if you don't see them shortly after this post, please feel free to tell me how to do it.

karen paul interiors Focused: Whatever you decide (direction) will be good long as you keep the balance between the pieces on the either side of your bed, hence the wood tone desk and chair and the wood tone top on the chest. Also, drawing a color triangle in an essentially all white room is equally important, hence the wood top on chest, wood desk and chair and wood armoire. This can work in a variety of combinations. Balance is of utmost importance, even more so than actual colors you use. Mazel! :)

focused Karen, Thank you for the decorating advice and tips.

I couldn't figure out how to post the pictures here of the three bedrooms that appeal to me the most. If you want to see them, have a look in my ideabook at the following:

4th Picture - 7th row (McCormack and Etten Architects)
3rd picture - 11th row (Tiffany Eastman Interiors)
1st Picture - 13th row (Linda Burkhardt)

The first is a bit dressy, but without being overly formal. I like the shape of this headboard the best. The pale colours in the second look so pristine and are very inviting. The third is soft and relaxing and elegant in its simplicity. I think, however, that the latter will not look as good after being lived in for awhile. I love linen, but would not be happy with the mass of wrinkles that would show on that duvet cover.

I am not sure what the colour triangle would be in an all white room. If the built-in is an eggshell white, do the desk and chest have to be the same for balance? Can they be a grey lacquer with a white wash, (or vice versa), with darker grey showing through for contrast, or even lightly distressed white? I was going to have the built-in made with MDF, so I can't have a distressed finish on that piece. Does it matter if a built-in has its own finish?

karen paul interiors When referring to a triangle for balance, it generally refers to color. In an all white room, then one would use wood tones as reference...and yes you do need to draw a triangle. It can be an isoscles as well. So in this instance, if you want to reference the bed as the point of your triangle then you can think in terms of whatever else will go on either side of the armoire to finish the triangle. You can do whatever combination you wish as it doesn't matter, long as you create three points of reference within the room that either draw a correct triangle or even an isosceles. The eye will require that in order to be always comfortable. Otherwise, the eye will constantly search for what is missing which creates a negative tension in a space if it is indeed missing. It's a little thing and yet a big thing to be considered. So think on this and see what combinations you can conjure in your mind. It's a fun exercise and yet it's so useful to know and to understand.

focused Thanks, Karen. It's an interesting concept.

focused Since some of you wished me well in regard to my husband's surgery, I want to let you know that he had the operation this afternoon. It appears that things went well, but we won't know how well the procedure worked for awhile yet. He is home already, but is in a fair amount of pain. He isn't keen on pain killers, but the nurse convinced him to take the medication, so I hope he'll have a good night.

My husband asked the surgeon if he could golf once his surgery has healed and the doctor said that there was no reason that he couldn't. I asked the doctor if the surgery would help my husband putt better........alas, the answer was negative.

bumblebee728 I'm glad it appears to have gone well Focused, hope he's up and playing golf soon.

Lightmotifs it sounds like the good outcome we hoped for. He sounds like a humorous guy! Good luck with the physical therapy. It is hell!