Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Curtain Call

A few years ago, a slight obsession started brewing. It happened gradually, so much so, it took me a while to realize that it always lingered in the back of my mind as I dreamed of redecorating E's and my bedroom.

It started when this space was featured in Domino...

Then this one came along...


As I glanced at this photo and thought on the other, I began to entertain the idea of curtaining off our bed.


There was something so appealing about imagining the curtains drawn, enclosing us in a cloth cocoon where we could shut out the world and escape the daily stresses of life.


Envisioning the cocoon almost felt like picturing a grown-up version of a fort, a thing we've made a time or two on lazy Saturday afternoons- sheets strung above our bed- transforming the space into a secret hideaway perfect for napping, laughing and feeling a bit like kids.

I could also picture the curtains pulled back, exposing the bed to the rest of the room, yet still creating a cozy nook where evening reading and breakfast in bed would be equally welcomed.



Open. Closed.

Cozy nook. Secret fort.


I decided that whenever I next revamped our bedroom, perhaps even when we moved to another house, this idea was one I would keep at the forefront of my mind.

And, with that, a small obsession was born.


My collection of images has grown slowly, gradually, and, over the past few months, as I've contemplated a new and future home for E and I, a good number of images have joined the collection.


The images I've saved aren't all exactly like the ones that first ignited my infatuation.


Some are looser interpretations, cordoning off an entire section of the room, and others envelop the bed even more with the addition of canopies above.


While the collection differs in style, some suiting us more than others, the images are all saved to serve as my reminder.


Undoubtedly like many of you, what I fancy in design waxes and wanes at whim. Sometimes it changes with the seasons, sometimes it changes only as earth completes an orbit of the sun, and sometimes what I fancy lingers much longer.


When the time comes for me to finally decorate a new space for us, where will my interest lie?


Will I turn to these images for inspiration or will I find my final inspiration somewhere else?

Tom Scheerer

That question will surely not be answered until a new space is actually tangible in our lives...

And, until then, I am quite content with secret forts built on lazy Saturday afternoons.

18 comments:

niartist said...

Love this blog, and the way you write, like poetry. Very nice. I hope for you, that when you do get a chance to re-vamp a room, or start fresh, these images play a part. They're all so beautiful! Great blog. I'll be back.

Jane Flanagan said...

Love this. I collect inspiration images like crazy. It's always nice to see a pattern emerge, to pin down a style and, of course, to daydream!

please sir said...

Oh I love this! I say go for it! Such a sweet, lovely place to sleep and rest.

alice said...

What an amazing collection of curtained beds you put together...I love each one! So cozy and pretty...

vicki archer said...

These beds are all so delicious looking - any one will do thank you, xv.

studioJudith said...

Just Do It!!
There's nothing like a canopied bed to make life a bit more like a fairy tale. I made the leap several years ago have never looked back ... .
Judith

Anonymous said...

Given my light sensitivities, I know I'd love this. We'd need a much larger bedroom though, to pull it off!

Joanna Goddard said...

so fabulous!

Unknown said...

This is just such a romantic idea and I love it--so great that your guy is into it too! Really loving that all white space. I have a sloping super high ceiling--I wonder if this might be just the thing to make the room have a more intimate feel.

thanks btw for stopping by tys today!

xo mary jo

Designers' Brew said...

holy cow, what a great roundup! I love that they all feel modern, not fussy... excellent picks!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, I sleep in a curtained bed every night and you are correct...it's wonderful!

perfect bound said...

obsession indeed! I love cozy forts like these. i fear I would never emerge. beautiful post!

Haven and Home said...

I have been collecting these images too, they seem to keep popping up. I love the idea. Please let us know if you do this!

Michelle said...

wowozers lady, you are making me want one, that is hard to do, b/c I like a spare room

Courtney said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by!

J..de Santa Fe and Pamela- I am so glad to hear my suspicions are confirmed!

Mary Jo- Err, I don't know actually whether E is into this idea or not... I am not sure I've ever run it by him! lol. When I get closer to figuring out our next space, I will have to find out how he feels! And a high sloping ceiling is exactly why I started contemplating this look for our current room.

Haven and Home- if I go for this look, I will let y'all know!

summer said...

oh!
bed curtains!
I forget about them sometimes I think.
they are so gorgeous- great collection!
i also love that wallpaper from the first image. so pretty!

c said...

"what I fancy in design waxes and wanes at whim."

what perfect words you wrote, it really captures those floating inspirations that some of us ((the best of us ;)) have, i just loved that sentence you wrote.. also have loved curtained beds since i visited the chateaux in france years ago, i collected all of the post cards of the luxurious curtained beds..though i must say the image that i could most see myself in now, was the Twig Hutchinson bed, simple, (practical) and inviting..

well anyway, nice work!! x c

Anonymous said...

By far, this is my FAVORITE post by you, EVER. I could not agree more about this - remember the cover of Elle Decor a few months ago .?. also, a bed draped in this fabulous way. Oh, I love it! Take a peek, you may want to save it in your inspiration file!! http://www.abcddesign.com/?p=282