The bed is pretty. I like the brown finish the best, but that's me. Any fabric or bedding that I would like would work really well with the brown. But you said you are heading into pale blue or green, so you may be happier with something else. I like the Boathouse Floral too, but if it's dark and doesn't do anything for you, then, scrap it, return it, and start again. For my part, I think several of the finishes are very nice, so I would probably go looking for bedding at this point and then work my finish from there. I know it makes more (common) sense to go with the one unchangeable thing, the bed, but it seems that your ultimate goal is more cottage garden, so look for your fabric. I have no idea what you mean by east african/west indies, so cannot speak to that at all. I just do what I like and let the style come along on it's own.

If you don't much care for golden accents, as you say, I think it will make it all easier really. The gold sends things in a little different direction.

Red

Thanks, Redbazel! I tend to agree.. I definitely think the brown will show off the bed and bedding the best. I guess a part of me wants something a bit more unique and feminine.

Yup.. I will pass on the gold. I do love sparkle and metallic but as you noted it takes the room in a different direction.

My mom votes for the RL green for me-- but her choice for her would be to stick with a finish much like the original. I LOVE the RL green but is SO "me" that I am afraid it will be lost rather than showcased in the room. Mom says pick the bed you love and then select a wall color to showcase it.. she may be right but what color could I stand all over my walls that would showcase it?

I like the RL finish or the finish that you think may be a bit too shabby chic. I don't think it's your typical SC style. It's more frenchy distressed. I have a Charles P Rogers bed that I got from eBay. It is a cream distressed finish. I love it! I change my bedding constantly, although i have a distinctly cottagey style. Everything works with it.

Below is a link to a picture of my bed.

BTW...if you are looking for a gardeny/cottagey type of look, you should check out Pine Cone Hill bedding. It is so great for that style. My quilt is made by them. Just recently picked up matching shams on eBay.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Bed

Beausoleil, I LOVE your bed-- it is beautiful and I totally get what you mean about being able to switch out bedding. I do change bedding often so it is important to be able to do so without detracting from either the bed or the bedding.

I have fallen in love with the pine cone hill designs-- even the bright kid-like designs. I have never had any though-- does it wash well? Is it soft and luxurious? Does it make you want to sleep? I have trouble with insomnia so I really love a luxurious bed to entice me to sleep. :)

I only have the quilt and I haven't washed it yet. I put it on for a couple weeks and then change out the bedding, so I probably should wash it before I put it back on the bed. I have a front loader washing machine which is much more gentle on your clothing and I think it will be just fine in there. The quilt is super soft cotton.
I don't know if you have animals that you let up on your bed, but I wouldn't let my dog sleep on it cause I paid too much for it. (and I got it half off...I'm a cheapskate, LOL!)

Also...the paint color on my BR walls would really set off that RL finish. It is Windham Cream by Ben Moore. It ranges from soft cream to soft yellow. I love it. My room faces due south and it is so warm and cozy that I go up and read in there during the winter.

Keep us up to date on your decor decisions!

Here is a link that might be useful: My Home

Beausoleil, I just had to come back and tell you that your home and everything in it is just so beautiful and light hearted. It is inviting and so clearly you (though I dn't know you ha). It is perfect! I could get lost in your link for days! Thank you so much for sharing it!

Ditto me on the brown as being the most versatile and complementary with your other furniture while not being overly matchy. It would set off and be set off well by light-colored bedding and a light wall color, sort of a British Campaign (as opposed to British Colonial) kind of vibe. While the RL green finish is pretty I think it is too light and may make the darker dresser with its dark hardware look a little bit out of place.

To be a picky PITA :-) it is an exceedingly pretty bed and I'm looking forward to seeing it in its expanded version, but I don't think I would classify it as "Craftsman" style at all. It strikes me as being more classic Late Victorian, perhaps with some Art Nouveau elements, although I can't get a closeup on the detailing to be 100% certain of the latter. (I also would guess you mean 1890 rather than 1809?) A Craftsman style iron or brass bed would be much chunkier, usually squared-off (or with simple curved corners), and very plain with few to no cast decorations.

I am so not the person to say if this is a craftsman bed or not. I did question them because it was so different than the other craftsman beds but they insisted it was.. albeit an unusual design (particularly the castings on the internal verticals). It doesn't matter to me.. but it would be nice to know.

I just realized that the green that is haunting me and calling my name would look great with my current birds eye maple set. argggggg. I only wish I had found the bed before I had bought the chest. Maybe I should see if I can change my mind on the new dresser (it was clearance-- still $1500, but clearance nonetheless). It is breaking my heart to give up the birds eye maple after 20+ years.

Why were you getting rid of the bird's eye maple? Pics would help.

BTw -- I liked the brown finish.

funkyart,

I feel for you as you try to make up your mind. I know what you mean about "too much me", because I always seem to take what I love and then tone it down a bit. On the other hand (you needed an on the other hand, ha!), I know that what works best for me are the pieces I love and am drawn to. I don't tend to think about matching things as much as some probably think I should, but when I'm truly done with a room, the pieces all feel right.

I think you should get the finish you love on the bed. the craftsman piece you got is great, but you know, it might end up in another room! Or it might end up feeling just right, because of other elements you bring into the room.

Just my two cents, but I do love the green finish. it's funny because the main issue you're having is a matter of it popping off the wall, which is something I'm struggling with in another room. I used to do those contrasting colors, but suddenly I find I've done a more monochromatic thing. I say go with it in your mind and see what you really picture when you close your eyes. I love your taste and would hate for you to water it down any! The things you love will work together in their charming, original way.

Sarah - my birds eye maple needs some repairs. It needs to be firmed up and I need to replace the veneer on one of the chests. Mostly, I was ready for a change as I've had the set since I was 18 (and I turned 44 today.. eek). I thought perhaps it was time for a "big girl" room but I do totally love the birds eye maple.

Decorpas - wow your post REALLY made me smile .. we definitely have similar tastes and I appreciate your thoughtful perspective and encouragement!

This is almost (if not) exactly like my low boy birds eye maple chest. I also have a tall chest and a vanity/chair with a tri-fold mirror.

Here is a link that might be useful: birds eye maple low boy like mine

Doesn't look craftsman to me. In my mind, craftsman is like THIS.

I like the green finish that's in the big picture on the left. Always did since the first time I saw it.

Wow... is there a way to put this delicately?... I guess not... is that headboard going to be coming under a lot of pressure? Just something to think about when you pick out a style. lol

funkyart,

oh, that's a nice piece. the lines are very much like the bed you've picked out. I can actually see all of the elements you've talked about in your various pieces. maybe you're not doing a defined look, but rather FA Fabulous:-)

I'm so glad I made you smile- here's a little story. There's a store I love that sells French stuff. The other day, I was working on location in a home that was decorated RIGHT to my taste. It was a mix of things that just worked. and some of them were things I love but wouldn't do because it's just too much (here's a secret- it was my favorite color, apricot-- she had it everywhere and I deny myself apricot because it's too much. no more!). Long story short, turns out this home is owned by the owner of the French shop. She had scrappy bits here, elegant bits there, artwork hung in a hallway with no matching frames or matching anything...It was so beautiful-- and so her. Modern mixed with frou frou, you get the idea.

her home just reiterated for me that the things we love work well together and we can create our own styles if we are so inclined!

Too funny-- because I secretly like an orange too and I am seriously considering scattering it throughout too. And you are right-- I absolutely love rooms that are a collection of styles, textures and colors. Elegant with primative.. serious with whimsical. I do the same with my appearance too. I bought my mother a beautiful bracelet with silver pearls and snowflake quartz (I think that's the name). She gave it back to me last month because it was too elegant and she doesn't dress up all that much anymore. I wore it the next day with a jean jacket and tshirt--- and I loved it and felt like a million bucks all day. I like my surroundings to have the same fun and unexpected contrasts.

Thank you so much for your thoughts.. and your wonderful story.

Ha! here's to creamsicle interiors. yum. let me know if you put orange throughout! I'd love to see it! I am so glad you share this, now I know I am not alone in my love of all things apricot. this woman had a tufted bed out of apricot silk that was a good 4 feet high! Oh, I wanted to pass out from the beauty and outrageousness of it. I took pics, but they are only cell phone pics and won't work here. darn it.

I appreciated your story about the bracelet-- I love juxtapositions like that (jeans with elegant jewelry). It makes sense to me in the way that matching sofas never will. you put it perfectly: serious with whimsical. helps me keep it real, so I don't take it all too seriously. Oh, that is what it was-- you knew this woman by being in her house. it was a real person's house, but it was gorgeous. It was definitely personal and gutsy.

Decorpas, I just love apricot! Is there any snowball's chance that you could post pics of her place or talk her into posting them? Or just send some to me? I would love to see it!

Funkyart:
Thanks for the compliments on my lil house. I love how it has turned out so far. I have most rooms pulled together and now I'm starting to crave some change. My style has evolved a bit in the last 7 years.

I have to say that I love your birdseye maple pieces that you speak of. I tend to be drawn to curvy furniture because the details in my house are quite linear.
Funny how you like juxtaposition. I seem to like it as well. My former hair dresser would always comment on how I was dressed...sometimes I'd show up in pink and green polo...the ultimate prep and the next time I'd be wearing motorcycle leathers and have a doo rag on my head. My official "mom" uniform of tees and capris or jeans is not quite as snazzy.
I seem to be just as conflicted with my "stuff". I have a cool collection of tin snips ranging from small to huge. I'm dying to find a place to display them. I also love old tools and toolboxes and china flower posies. My husband thinks I'm insane.

I can't wait to see your stuff in place!! It needs to get here already.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Home

Oceanna,

I'd love to share. I will def go to her shop ( I need to get paint colors from her anyway) and ask her if she will post, but in the meantime, maybe I can email them to you? It wouldn't be cool of me to post her pics anyway, esp since I was there for work, but I 'm sure I can share them privately.

Is your email addy on your home page?

I'm going to have to figure out how to do this (true enough, my phone does everything but it is limited by operator ignorance-- LOL). Oh, I know- I'll have you email me your cell number and I can send you the pics...Would that work?

I'll only send the apricot ones- her chaise and bed-- that way you won't be inundated. I just went through them again. Sigh. So pretty!

Hey! I was checking out your home page to see if you had an email addy and saw that today is your Birthday! Happy birthday:-) I hope you're going to indulge yourself on behalf of your birthday and let yourself decorate with whatever you most want. Hee hee.

AWWWWWWWWW thank you, decorpas!! I admit to being a kid at heart and still loving birthdays.

And yes.. I gave the go ahead for the RL Green about an hour ago. :)

I tried to update my account with my email address.. but it doesn't seem to be displaying.

ok.. it's there now. Email away!

beausoleil, I just posted a comment to your picture. I love the iron bed so much. I love the headboard's height, the creamy distressed finish (my headboard I like a lot also but I wish my headboard was a little bit less busy and more creamy like yours... mine is a rustic ivory finish Wesley Allen Maywood headboard that has a gray cast to it rather than the creamy color I had wanted but is still nice), the delicate slim iron rails, the cottage style, and the adult look due to the height of the headboard and the distressing finish.

I also love everything about your bedroom. It is very interesting, stylish and looks so comfortable and pretty. I love the wall color that goes perfect with the cottage look. What color is on your walls? I love your lamps with the shabby chic adorable lamp shades. I also love your bedding that is not matchy either but somehow goes nicely in your bedroom.

I also have eclectic taste and never dress in the same style and my rooms are all different in my home. My family room is modern while my bedroom has a cottage look. I also love the traditional look and the shabby chic look. I really like different looks in furniture and different looks in clothing.

Let me now also look at the link to your home.

First.. THANK YOU ALL. I won't apologize for selecting a different finish than most of you suggested .. but I will say that even the suggestions I didn't take helped me to firm up what I really wanted. I had also selected the brown finish originally but I my heart wanted the green which is why I stopped the production process to rethink the finishes. You are right-- brown goes with the chest the best but I looooooove the green and I know I will make it work. (Even if it means using the new chest elsewhere and sticking with the birds eye maple)

Oceanna - I didn't see your post until this morning. The entire bed has been refortified. I don't anticipate any issues with repetitive strain or the occasional god solid yank ;) .. I should test that out though, huh?

I definitely had the same questions about this being a craftsman bed-- as the company goes into a fair amount of detail in describing the different styles (see below). This bed doesn't easily fit into any of the styles though. I suspect that JohnMari (I thnk?) is correct that it probably straddled victorian and craftsman eras.. as it isn't quite either style. I suspect that is why I am drawn to it.

An interesting aside, the bed was made in a foundry just a few towns over from the town in Western PA where my grandparents and great grandparents grew up. While it isn't a family heirloom, I like that it has a connection to the area where my family lived. I discovered this after I selected the bed.. so it was a nice confirmation that I had selected the bed I was meant to have.

Here is a link that might be useful: Iron Bed Styles at Cathouse Beds

Yea green! I'm looking forward to seeing it all. Interesting to note that there is a connection between all of the things you are drawn to...All the more reason to follow our guts.

You've got mail, too.

Your bed is so pretty! I am sure it will look good, no matter what you do to it. :)

Here is my daughters antique iron bed. I put a brown, textured, spray paint finish on it!

{{!gwi}}

Decorpas - Sometimes I have to laugh at computers. I went to my page to try to get my email addy up there but I don't think it worked. I wanted to post a different one than it has, and I don't think it liked that. Then I decided the year of my birth wasn't their business, so I changed it to 2007. It came back and told me I didn't meet their age rules to be a member. lol. So I changed it to 1905, which was the oldest it would let me go. Well, anyway, when it was all said and done not one single thing had been changed. Gotta love it, huh?

So if you wanna email me the pics, Decorpas, which I would love (!) try Iris054 AT yahoo dot com. Thanks! Oh, always be sure and remind me if you email me there as I don't remember to check that addy hardly ever. You are so sweet!

Funkyart -- oh yes, you should definitely test it! :)

Newhomebuilder - lovely bed. Nice castings! Isn't it great that it is so easy to change the color on the iron beds? I saw a beautiful violet one on ebay a few weeks ago. Are those paperdolls on the wall? I so loved paperdolls when I was little. :)

Oceana - yes, yes, a test is called for! I am not eager to add a double sink or start cooking for two though!

I'm so glad you chose the RL green finish. I think it would work with pretty much everything. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together! Happy Belated Bday, btw.

Lynn:
Thank you for compliments on my home. I decorate it to my own taste, but it is so fun and rewarding when someone else likes what I've done! The paint on the bedroom walls is Ben Moore Windham Cream. It's gorgeous any time of day.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Home

"Are those paperdolls on the wall? I so loved paperdolls when I was little. :) "

Yes, my mother-in-law designed, colored and cut them out herself, when she was a teenager many, many years ago.

Shortly before she died, MIL gave the paper-dolls to my two girls. They were pressed inside a journal type book. She had cataloged all the outfits!

We thought that the dolls would look good in a display case and that's where they have been for the last 10 years.

Aww.. that's so special and such a wonderful thing to remember their grandmother with. They look great on her wall but that pales next to the memories passed down to your girls.

Thank you Beausoleil for letting me know the color of the paint on your walls. It is a very nice shade of cream that I really like. It is warm and goes so well with your bedroom furniture. I just love your taste. I still wish I bought your headboad instead but mine is OK. I Love my Durham Royal Cottage furniture still so much.

The more I look at the two-toned RL Green, the more I think it is the right finish for your bed. I really like it a lot and it is calling to you.

Funkyart, I can't wait to see this all put together! I think it's going to look fabulous. When do you get the bed?

Thanks, Oceanna.. me too. I am anxious. I should be getting pictures of the finish on my bed.. soon? I'll have some input on the color and then once done it will ship to the east coast (it's in LA now). I hope it arrives late next week.. I must work out of town much of the following week.

"Aww.. that's so special and such a wonderful thing to remember their grandmother with. They look great on her wall but that pales next to the memories passed down to your girls."

Thank you! There are many more paper-doll clothes still in the book. We used just a few to display. Look at the detail on the clothes!

Can't wait to see your bed!