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tjf78

Bedding dilemma!

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago

We've got pistachio colored walls with a rose decal over our beige bed frame. All of our other furniture pieces are white.Other accents around the bedroom include a floral (dried flowers) theme. I was attempting to go for an "English Garden" theme. What colors should the bedding be? Print/solid?

Thank you~!

Comments (77)

  • 11 years ago

    Perhaps you can get the headboard slipcovered in a lighter or more neutral shade- an off-white linen texture or a small print or pink and green stripe or plaid. If the sideboards of the bed are also the taupe shade, cut up an old tablecloth and cover the sides with a dust ruffle of the lace (the taupe will disappear as a shadow). Then use white linens with a pink edging or trim, then a throw pillow and/or a folded blanket or duvet cover for the foot of the bed in a smaller print using the colors of the decal. Also, change the scale of the bedside lamps- they should be larger and perhaps pick up a color for the shades. Check around your house and see if you have any side tables that are larger too- they don't have to match. Someone mentioned Ballard Designs, and they have collapsable plywood tables that are stunning as bedside tables with a tablecloth (they have those too!) thrown over (to the floor). Then use a dresser or console table on the opposite side. Place one of the little white chests next to a reading chair across the room. If you really want to go nuts, try a floral throw rug over the carpet picking up some of the the colors- I have in mind a needlepoint design (doesn't have to be real) rug,

  • 11 years ago

    A man and woman are sharing this space. I'm sure English Lord's had masculine headboards and highboy's to detract from all the feminine flourishes. Enjoy your bed. It's a nice mix of
    male and female furnishings.


    tjf78 thanked Ann Smitt
  • 11 years ago

    This theme always conjures images of multiple layers for me. You might play with a bed skirt, floral bedding, additional pillows in different sizes, a throw blanket at the foot of the bed, and an old fashion colorful rug. You could mix patterns for a lush, comfortable look. Also, adding some other pieces like ornate picture frames, a display tea set, or the like might be fun.

  • 11 years ago

    Painting both lamp bases black, and making the shades dark green like the big leaves in the decal would be nice. The side small bureaus are beautiful but dull a bit white. Paint them a yellow ocher. Bedding could be SOFT colored stripes matching hues in your decal. A yellow ocher throw, and maybe a skirting with pink roses it on would be fun

  • 11 years ago

    Thank you all again for the ideas!

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I'm not a fan of the decal but you can totally rock this room WITH the decal. My suggestion for bedding would be to use some shades of green as a base and then, as someone said, pick up some vintage bedding to layer on top. If you're sharing the room with a male, lace might push him right over the edge, but there are lots of options other than lace. You can add some rose colored pillows to tie in with the decal. I wouldn't get too carried away with the floral prints but you could certainly do some pillows in a print. The night stands seem lost with the tiny lamps. I'd go with something a little bit bigger and try to get some with some color. Hope that helps!

  • 11 years ago


    Vintage French Silk Comforter Rose Pattern · More Info


  • 11 years ago

    Sorry, but that decal would give me nightmares! The scale of the flowers makes everything else seem Lilliputian.

  • 11 years ago

    I like people's comments about getting larger, matching lamps possibly with green bases. I think you could get a nice white duvet cover, which is super versatile and then accent wth pillows using the accent colours from the decal. Very creative! Excited to see what you decide!

  • 11 years ago

    I love the decal. I think the reason some think it is "off" is because it's the only real decor in a fairly basic room so far, so it stands out too much. Once you get your English garden theme going, it won't scream "look at me" but will blend in and just be pretty! I personally feel the bed and headboard don't quite feel right for this space. I agree with the idea of a green check bed skirt and re-covering the headboard into something softer...more "gardeny". If I were purchasing a new bed frame/headboard for this room, I think I would consider wicker. It's going to be a lovely room!


  • 11 years ago

    lucidos has the right idea. Those antique spreads are perfect. You can go either solid pink or pink roses on white for the sheets and pillows. Pink throw rugs would also pull some much needed color in. Cannot see the drapes but they should also be either white or pink. You could also pull some yellow out of the decal but I would not make that the main accent color because it is too close to the green.

  • 11 years ago

    And add many more throw pillows to the bed.


  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    If you like matlasse and the fluffy comforter....use them both. Tri-fold the comforter and lay it across the bottom portion of the bed. Add a pari of pillows and cover them in the companion maltose. You could add some color by a small square pillow...with a monogram .....five pillows in all. Fluff up the bed

  • 11 years ago

    I know you don't want to hear this but the size or scale of the decal is too big...it is overpowering everything in the room including the bed. Bigger lamps will help some but the scale is wrong. It would be fun to put some crown molding around a smaller decal but not much can be done with this size. Sorry.

  • 11 years ago

    I think the decal is too big because it's just sitting there alone in a room with no specific decor. Once she's gotten the rest of the room done, the decal will fit in better. I like the decal particularly because it's unique...not just the ordinary what everybody else has framed art work or wall hanging.


    tjf78 thanked organizedsarah
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    solid yellow, any shade. Bright would be best. Get shams and other euro styles to build up the texture of the bed. Use white toss pillows in different textures - and fabrics for more depth. Look for solid layered look pillows (yellow white or pink)

  • 11 years ago

    I would paint over the decal. It's just the wrong look and too large. The green walls are fairly neutral so you can put a pretty bed spread in plain white with texture, and some colored patterned pillows, or go with a patterned spread and solid pillows and a soft blanket at the bottom of the bed to give it some layers. The lamps are also small, but then again your nite stands look a little too small also.

  • 11 years ago

    We all have different taste is style and that makes us all unique. Everyone keeps commenting on the decal. That wasn't her question. She likes the decal and wants to keep it, so she should. I would try to softly incorporate some of the color from the decal into some accent colors whether it be lamp shades, toss pillows or a throw. I definitely like the idea of going with the textured white cover.

    tjf78 thanked jankitch
  • 11 years ago
    Chenille?
  • 11 years ago

    Everyone has very strong opinions! I still think the pic I posted is something that would work nicely with the decal and give the room a balanced, cohesive look. English Country is a definite look and I think you have a great start. Every room needs unique to make it yours. Go for it. It you play safe then you end up with a whole house of safe and wonder why you want to keep changing you rooms, when you really should do something outside the box in each room to reflect you and your Hubs. I think it is wonderful that your husband is supportive and likes what is going on.

    Oh if the whole bed is upholstered, then just have the whole thing redone in a pink linen like fabric with the color taken from the floral for the curtains. Having fun?

    I remember when I was a teen, my best friend went to Hawaii with her family. they had a wonderful time and when they got back her Mom painted the entire room hot pink, put down gold carpet, painted the insert for the headboard niche gold, and bought this hawiian inspired floral bedspread for the huge king sized bed. She re did the hearboard and a lounge chair in a deep blue in the bedspread. It was amazing more so because the rest of the house was East Coast Colonial/Traditional. But 50 years later I still remember that vivacious room.

  • 11 years ago
    http://www.lampsplus.com/products/kearny-celadon-green-table-lamp__5f874.html

    I'd get bigger side tables or chests. I saw these lamps and thought they might turn your crank.
  • 11 years ago

    Theresa Holt...I wanna go shopping with YOU! I particularly like this bedspread you posted which would be very pretty with her decal.


  • 11 years ago

    I agree with organized sarah and Theresa Holt, this spread is very nice and would be a lovely choice. perhaps use a solid pink quilt first and then the floral folded back a time or two. I look forward to seeing your final choices. Also larger lamps will make a big difference.

  • 11 years ago
    Pale pink, white , and green stripes for bedding to tie things together visually. Use toss pillows in coordinating fabrics, such as check, polka dots, and plaids
  • 11 years ago
    The headboard may be too dark for the English garden theme you want. Is it possible to slipcover or reupholster it?
  • 11 years ago
    organizedsarah, I've been sick so I peek at things all day after feeding the dogs.
  • 11 years ago

    Your choices are lovely so far. Just get what makes you feel good and don't worry about scale or any of that. An English garden is a riot of color and blooms, so if that is your inspiration, then go for it! Every time you see something pretty that makes you smile just get it if you can afford it and don't worry about what others think. The bedroom of all places should be your own PERSONAL space that makes YOU feel happy. Flowers are beautiful so how can you go wrong with that, right? :)


    tjf78 thanked sensiblegal
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I agree with lucidos. A simple neutral color can be used over a variety of bedcovers or sheets to allow for seasonal or "when you have the urge" changes. Simplify, simplify!


    A light cover like this is also an excellent choice for adding or removing a layer with our recent changeable weather!


  • 11 years ago



    Garnet Hill: Eileen Fisher:http://www.garnethill.com/eileen-fisher-seasonless-silk-comforter-and-throw/eileen-fisher/eileen-fisher-home/14378?&defattribvalue=main

    Then add pillows with your decal as your inspiration in a small pattern like stripes, texture and/or solids.

    Adding LARGER lamps would blend with the drama of the decal.


  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I would take white bed with some light pink or bedge sheets and beedcover. And i would put some white roses in vase on table with light;)

  • 11 years ago

    Oh definitely order Sarah's picture. Beautiful!

  • 11 years ago
    Would you consider moving the decal? I'm just afraid it's out of proportion to the headboard. And very high. Any chance you'd either movie the decal to use as another focal point in the room? Or remove your headboard and lower the decal so that it IS the headboard?
  • 11 years ago

    Oh! Small repeated florals are the thing! I would love to see the soft yellows and some coral from the decal. I love the decal. Don't forget to tie in the cooli-sh colors of the headboard for a more peaceful look. I would mix a group of very small flowers with a slightly larger print or a stripe in the top blanket or throw. Some bigger soft down-filled pillows with texture to keep it all from looking too formal.


  • 11 years ago
    1. I like going with your gut feeling. Stick with your decal since you love it. It is large in relation to the bed, but not really for the large wall on which it is placed. First, since it is on your list, replace the lamps with a style and size that do justice to your decal. The lamps as you have sensed will sort of widen the bed/night stand "base" on that wall and anchors the art decal.
    2. I love your green walls. Simple is sometimes best. Pick colors right out of the decal. I would tend away from a lot of pink, since there is plenty of warmth in the decal. I am thinking about you using pinks in small pillows as a pop of that color on the bed. Somehow I am wanting to "ground" the remainder of the room as a "background" for the decal starting with your pistachio, with some coordinated variations of a cooler but soft color...green the color of the leaves or mauve, which would look nice with the color of headboard. The accent bedding, pillows or night stands( but maybe not if it matches the rest of your white furniture) could be made a medium darker green that the pistachio walls. The upholstered headboard does have a different style and feel, but reupholstering in one of the new colors would minimize the style difference. But when you find the perfect color light weight "throw" it can be stategically draped, askew, right over part of the headboard for a quick simple softening of the headboard (lace, similar to contributor "lucidos" photos or open weave throw in a pale one of your colors). Tie in a couple of lacy pillows too. You said you had chosen a quilt, which I would love to see. Multiple patterns can totally work. Just coordinate colors and choose different sized pattern...dots, tiny flowers, gingham, even simple dual colored stripes (a la Laura Ashley) in the same colors. Also depending on how you went with your quilt, if you went solid color, you can do TWO coordinated patterns layered...one shorter, one longer on dust ruffles...or vice versa. When in doubt, put a solid with a pattern for accents. You can always add layers to soften and coordinate.

    This is my favorite idea that might suit your desire to use your decal as a focal point. Attach a picture frame/molding around the decal (you could do 1" molding in sections on either side of this, too) painted white to tie in the night stands and any white in your bedding or green to match painted night stands. I can picture a shaped molding around the decal, perhaps straight on the sides and an"ogee" shape top and bottom which would follow the lines of your headboard, tieing in the two shapes, although that might be more French country than English. I might be tempted to pick a small patterned fabric (two colors, probably) to insert in the molding to the right and left of your "framed" decal. Especially if you could use the same fabric for the "insert" to the molding areas as throw pillows or dust ruffles. Good luck.

    tjf78 thanked careclare
  • 11 years ago

    Pale green.

  • 11 years ago

    I am really excited to see this room finished!

  • 10 years ago

    I'm not sure if anyone still remembers this post, but here is the finished product thanks to all of your help!! (sorry for the delay!)

  • 10 years ago

    Very pretty

  • 10 years ago
    Are you married? How does your husband feel about such a feminine space? I'm sure if you love it, he loves it. My husband would not care one way or the other as he rarely notices anything I do around the house, but this I think he would notice, and not approve of, lol.