I’ve been working on the bed for the Beacon Hill.
The bed in its unfinished state.
After two coats of pecan stain, I think. I added one more coat after this.
It came with a piece of foam for the mattress, which I covered in a light flannel. I won’t show you that – it’s covered the same way I would wrap a package, but it works.
I had this idea in my head for the bed cover. I wanted something that really took center stage. Simple, but striking. Also, it had to be relatively easy to do because I am not a seamstress. Maybe I had a piece of fabric somewhere, a scrap, an handkerchief, something. Then I thought of a drawer that held some scarves. And I found the perfect fabric, which picks up the color of the flowers in the wallpaper.
After some measuring and cutting and yes, some stitching, I came up with this:
I wanted something that looked like fabric the owners bought on a trip to Asia. And I thought I would casually drape it across the bed and let it puddle on the floor.
I remember friends covering their beds in saris. I was always so taken by the beauty of that look.
I don’t have pillows yet (perhaps they’re stored in that little cubby to the left during the day?) I pulled the bolsters from my stash. They came with the sofa in Dove Cottage, but I don’t use them there.
I was so excited with this idea and so thrilled when it actually was realized. I even asked Don to come upstairs to look at it!
I always think of the owners of this house as collectors. I try to keep that in mind as I choose what goes into each room.
I’m removing some of this wallpaper today and replacing it with more of the same pattern. I don’t know what happened when I originally applied it but it’s been buckling, for lack of a better word. I put this off but because I was ‘in’ this room so much yesterday, it really got to me. The wall the bed sits on is fine, but the other two walls must be fixed.
Too much wallpaper paste? Not enough? I’m not sure.
I’m still shopping for a wardrobe for this space.
On another note: I can’t give you details as Joe wants to keep this quiet, but the reason his heart stopped during the beginning of his surgery was due to medical error.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around that. I’ve seen his discharge report.
It’s a miracle he’s still alive.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
It looks spectacular. Just spectacular! (The little bolster is perfect there!)
I “like” your resident family! It gives you such a fun bunch of stories to create.
And wow on Joe. That’s a mind-bender.
I know! I can find little things and give them a history. It’s fun.
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
i know people make mistakes and i’m not implying mal intent, but wow. a very sad wow about what happened to joe, all he’s been through, is going through. thanking God that joe made it through and is home, and hoping joe is getting second opinions and talking with a good lawyer. prayers will continue.
i like your approach to decorating the beacon hill, having homeowners in mind that guide your choices. and i like your choices.
my sister and i have spent a lot of time online and at garden/landscaping shops in search of true red brick chips (not the “lava-look” or other fake stuff). very hard to find; i guess brickmakers have found a different way to make bricks (???) that doesn’t leave remnant chips or damages to use in landscaping. well, we finally found some yesterday and bought a lot, put it in place this morning in nearly-90 degree heat (it looks good). just took some pain-reliever and a shower. think i am done for the day. :)
happy, safe friday to you, don and everyone else.
kathy
If that hadn’t happened, his cancerous growth would be gone and he would be back to work. Instead, his heart stopped and it took 45 minutes to revive him. He was in the hospital and rehab for weeks, has difficulty walking, and doesn’t know if he’ll ever be able to play the organ again (which is highly physical.) I’m very angry at what happened to him. And if you read his chart, you’d be stunned.
Sorry. Just had to blow off steam.
I’m glad you found the brick you were looking for, Kathy. Rest up!
Stay safe.
sad for all joe’s gone through. i hope they can remove the cancer and i will pray for that burden to be lifted off joe, too.
thanks, claudia. the red brick chips were needed to supplement what was put in the space between our driveway and the neighbors’ driveway, and beside the little sidewalk to the front door, when the townhomes were built thirty-one years ago (a noticeable amount of which had been packed down or lost to snow removal, etc.). because it was hard to find a match (we’re not using the fake stuff) and also didn’t cost too much money, we will probably pick up some more next week for “just in case”.
kathy
xoxo
Wow, scary news about Joe. Hope he can find out what really happened. Your 4-poster bed and coverlet are stunning. You did good. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Elaine
You wouldn’t believe how scary. He knows what really happened. It’s in the discharge report.
Thanks so much, Elaine.
Stay safe.
I had to catch up on your blog. A friend’s husband died in the hospital and she always blamed the cancer clinic. Said that art didn’t die of cancer.
I have a new very small garden by the fence in the corner. I planted a little rose there, and its come back to life. My new tree leaves perks up, then they fall depending on the temperature. I want so much for it to live!
I’m painting flowers on the old fence. I put Love, Peace, Joy on the top boards. It looks playful and young.
Pray for my tree
Sending positive thoughts, Irene.
Stay safe.
Hello Claudia! The bed looks gorgeous! I knew you would surprise us… and that red is a luscious surprise! :) The fabric is really beautiful… and the bolsters are a lovely accompaniment! Your “collectors” have great ideas! As for the wallpaper issue, I sometimes think it is the humidity of summer vs. the aridity of winter… the wood can expand and shrink quite a bit causing the bubbles to appear. I don’t use much wallpaper but have had some problems with the trim on one of the rooms I do use it… the wood on that cabinet definitely expands in summer humidity. I would be inclined to wait a while before fixing it in case the fall air changes it… but I could be mistaken too! :)
I fixed it, but I fear I’ll have to fix it again. For now? I’m not touching it again!
Thanks, Betsy.
Stay safe.