I would like the bed in black. . . probably in a matte finish. Think it would be more masculine too that way.

If it were my bed, no way would I part with it. It's too special. But, like I said, I'd paint it black. What an accent piece it would be then...:)

What a uniquely beautiful piece! You could paint over the headboard and footboard panels (just the part that have the flowers) in the same green that's just under the stained wood.

Generally I like black but it would be way too harsh for your room. Hope your hubby's happy now!

Agree with MaryAnn. Black is best. Inspiration pictures

OMG. . . I knew I would love it. It is so elegant.

I love to re-do ---change colors---update appearances…. But, I hesitate promoting any change to your bed. It is what it is and it IS very stylish---in it's own style…

I suggest you keep the bed unchanged… It just seems wrong to make it a "less good" something else, when it is such a splendid "what it is."

Please, sell it or keep it as is… : )

Just my opinion….

Happy Decorating!

Did you see those pictures of a similar bed painted black. WOW!

Change rug to coir or other natural fiber...maybe banded in black if you opt to paint bed. Also replace curtains with matchstick blinds in a natural color. All of this will help make the room less feminine.

MaryAnn, I agree with the WOW, but I still hate to see it painted… I don't know why. An emotional reaction… Like painting over art work… It just seems wrong to me. Not because the original look is better, but because it seems "special"…. I just respect the original intend of the bed… (What is this---I'm usually more practical and love to make over)…. Oh, we'll...

Thank you everyone for such great suggestions! True, it would be beautiful in black, however, I neglected to say that I am moving from a very large home into a new townhouse with my master bedroom off my family room/kitchen. So black would be too overpowering for the size of the room and I feel it should blend in with my family room and kitchen since it will be visible. I cannot show a picture since It isn't finished yet but my kitchen cabinets are white with dark brown granite, room will be golds, reds and warm wood tones.

I am thinking painting over flowers with same beige color or upholstering head and footboard? I did try selling it but would get hardly anything for it.

I agree the bed is beautiful as is, however if you really need to paint it maybe you could try a DIY kit like rustoleum cabinet paint with a glaze over it. Chocolate and cocoa look nice. Have fun decorating:)

http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/colors.php

You could also leave the bed posts and Trim pieces and just paint the head and foot board where the flowers are with a coordinating color with a glaze over top:).

Hi! What if you played up the blue in the flowers and got a more solid, masculine comforter so that you don't have to paint over it? Here is an idea:

http://deciture.com/shop/bed/bedding-style/full-bed-in-a-bag-manor-hill-cleo/ (comes in all sizes)

Hope this helps!

Since your bed has a classic style to it, & you're going to be sanding everything down anyway, then why not just stain it?
The look will be completely simplified & enduring, and it allow you to use any accompanying decor you and you husband would like.

The headboard would look beautiful with a padded panel over the flowery part. Alternately you might consider applying fabric to both pieces (liquid starch soaked fabric, wrung nearly dry and applied like wallpaper) - the fabric can be easily removed down the road when you change your mind and want another look. Paint is so permanent!

I love the idea of applying fabric to head and foot board, I am not sure i can do myself though. I love tufting but would have to get a professional to do unless is easy enough. Sanding and restaining the whole bed is a great idea but I already got a price which was almost as much to buy a new bed.

I like the fabric idea too:). Just a note the DIY rust oleum kit does NOT require sanding, it is really easy to use:).

I've made a fabric headboard but it gets dusty. . . so I would stick with the black. "glitznglamme" I'm going to try that paint. I've got to do my night stands and a bookshelf in my bedroom too.

The bed is beautiful and not too feminine. Please don't paint it. I think you need to change the bedding.

Love this site!!! Thank you to everyone for all your great ideas ..... So many to choose from, I'm not sure which way I will go yet.

There is more to increasing the masculinity of this room than the bed. Remove the frilly pink curtains, the skinny, feminine lamps and the needlepoint pillow and neckroll. Looks like there is a lot of a good masculine green in the painted parts of the bed. I'd pick that up in the room with more masculine feeling pieces. If your night stands don't match the bed, paint them in that green. Get some more masculine lamps, less antique/feminine pillows, heavier more manly drapes and add some art he can appreciate. Here's a bed with some feminine curves and floral chairs, but the vibe has some masculinity about it. I think the flowers might set a woodland tone for your room, so try some art with woodlands or landscapes for subject matter. And the Nantucket one does a nice job of adding some solid manly feeling accessories and some neutral art with a flowery bed.

Get rid of the spindals. Upholster the head board and the footboard. Use a neutral fabric. So easy. All you need is foam, batting ,material, adhesive, glue gun and the staple gun. Use a finishing fabric on the back. It would be stunning ,

Save the bed! Toss the husband! (Just kidding...sorta.)

Do you have a guest room where you could use it? If not, store it somewhere and find one that you and hubs both like. You may regret it later if you don't.

If you posted it for sale within driving range, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

I think if you remove the tall posts from the 4 corners it might look a lot less feminine. Those posts just scream "girl" to me.

I agree with Rachel H. That bed is wonderful but maybe you could sell it and get a new one with the profits

Paint the interior of the headboard and footboard. Keep the dark framing. Maybe a little darker beige.

What about a light driftwood finish inspired by Restoration Hardware? http://www.restorationhardware.com/rooms/rh-fall-sbr.jsp?slideId=279083&id=284003#/279083

It's a shame to cover up that lovely painting. If you don't want to replace the bed, how about using one of the colours in the flowers, or in the carpet, for a bedcover? What about teal blue? You could have a paler version for the linen.

Deco has nailed it. More masculine curtains, pillows and lamps. It is all the tassels that makes this room overly fem. your bed has great lines.

I agree with Deco, dark would look elegant and more masculine. But instead of black I would do a dark glaze that allows the flowers to show through albeit dimly. And drapes and lamp shades without frills or tassels would look more masculine too.

I would try removing the bed posts, change the rug and curtains to something not frilly or flowery, and maybe paint. That may help without a huge commitment.

I love it as it is, wish I had it! It's lovely.

It would be a terrible mistake to paint it , if you don't like it sell it and get yourself a black bed with that money .

Pamela53, I think the idea of upholstering the footboard & headboard is a very good one. I am guessing the posts just screw off and the the fact that the panels are flat and recessed mace them perfect for this. I would however have this done by an upholsterer. Not a difficult job for them but you do want it to look just right!

I know you said you tried to sell it and felt you weren't getting enough. Well sounds to me that after all the expense of these transformations you would be better off taking what you can. Buying what you are looking for and enjoying your new home

You are all responding to a 2+ yr old post. I'm sure the bed is either gone or painted by now.

If this was my bedroom is leave the bed as is. I'd change the frilly curtains to, incorporating a dark colour from the bed, immediately making the room less feminine. I'd get new bedding and fewer pillows, eliminate frills completely. That bed is beautiful, let it be the star of the room and let all accessories tone down the room, balance is key.