Pretty bed and room! How about changing the art above the headboard with something larger-maybe a big splashy abstract? Then, I would buy some new bedside tables and lamps. There are so many options there and it is a small change that could totally change the feel of your room if that is what you want to do (understandable after 20 years). Your bed could be the centerpiece of almost any style from traditional to modern to glamour (mirrored side table?). It is the perfect bed-simple and clean. It really could be used with any accessories you like. I personally like the white bedding and would keep that!

What a perfect bed choice you made so long ago. I would buy that today. I love it! I am not sure if I have bought in to the popularity of grey, or the fact that you said you might do a grey carpet, but I could really see that bed in a grey room. I would do a different night stand too, or maybe just paint the one you have if you are so inclined. A color from your pillows would be intereseting, but so would black or white.

I know this isnt a bedroom, but i think it has that rustic (pine is sort of rustic in my mind) but streamlined look you re talking about.

I just love that bed and can't wait to see what you do with the room.

I love your bed! Another vote for gray, I'd say fairly dark, like your fifth inspiration picture (or darker if you dare, I'm in love with Farrow and Ball Downpipe at the moment.). Your colourful accent pillows would look wonderful with dark walls. I like the look of a gorgeous fabric for the wall behind your bed, rather than the small pictures, perhaps pulling a colour from those accent pillows. That fifth inspiration pic is my fav i think, but all are lovely.

Thank you for all the feedback. Once I get my camera back, I will post more pictures. One of the nightstands (right) has already been replaced with a white nightstand, and the skimpy prints will definitely have to go.
I love blues and greys but am worried about jumping on the grey bandwagon. Because the ceilings are so high on one side,it will be hard to change the paint color. The funny thing is that I also picked a solid grey carpet 20+ years ago.

I am echoing CYN427's post- I like the idea of a large splashy abstract and leave the room white. Very pretty and timeless the way it is-just change some of the assesories and the lamps and you are good to go.

Definitely the 5th inspiration picture. It classes above the rest if you ask me. I prefer darker bedrooms.

Some more inspiration pics.

Lovely bed! FWIW, our bed and nightstands are similar tones and our walls are Restoration Hardware's silver sage. I know it's an "old" color but it works like a neutral in our room. Right now I have bedding in cream and soft yellow/gold tones with a bit of muted green, and I like the look. There are lots of other color combinations that work with the SS and wood tones, too -- e.g., white with accents of lime green, navy or gold; coral; deep red and cream for the holidays; aquas and soft greens. You can switch it up by just changing a couple pieces of bedding. I've found it to be a very versatile color. By the way, I love the nightstand.

nosoccermom, I noticed these common things in most of your inspiration pics:

--Fabric hangings on the bed. All but 2 of the pics have fabric of some sort on the bed itself.

--A mix of furniture. Mostly clean lines, but a mix of wood and metal or of different woods. Gives many of the rooms a slight eclectic feel.

--Mostly lighter colors, with some darker colors in one or two spots--an accent wall, the flooring.

--Some of the rooms have cool-looking statement lamps next to the bed.

So I'd explore the idea of putting some curtains on the bed. Or a treatment like that in photo #5--the gray room. That's a simple hanging, pretty easy to make yourself and it's elegant.

Then change out your nightstands. Maybe a small, round table to balance out all the rectangular lines of the bed. A bench at the foot of the bed.

I'm hopeless at advising people about color. It could be all these rooms have lighter colors because those are the only pictures you can find with beds like yours. Maybe do a search for inspiration pics for bedrooms with colors you like, regardless of what type of bed is in the room.

Lamps--get some larger-scale lamps that can stand up to the statement that your bed makes.

Camlan, thank you so much for your feedback and pulling out the common characteristics of the bedrooms. You're right that I haven't found any pictures of four poster beds with darker paint colors.