Sweet Dreams are Made of These

I have always loved canopy beds. In fact you could say that I am a little obsessed with them. When the opportunity comes along to design a bedroom where a canopy bed is appropriate, I am always hopeful that the client will as enthusiastic about them as I am. I feel they add instant drama to the space and that they almost become a room within a room.

Canopy bed styles can range from feminine and romantic to masculine and modern. More traditional canopy beds with curtains and pelmets allow you to use an endless variety of fabrics and passementerie while the simpler and more contemporary examples feel more architectural.

I have included some of my personal favorites in a variety of styles.

A custom steel canopy bed by Stephen Sils. Sils created a unique pelmet by repurposing an antique runner. I love the juxtaposition of the traditional and modern elements.

A bleached oak "Perrault" canopy bed by Ironies in a perfectly tailored and elegant bedroom by Houston designer, J Randall Powers. 

In a guest bedroom I designed for the 2010 DC Design House, I wanted to make the David Iatesta "Crone" bed the focal point of the room. So I concealed the center window with curtain panels, which created a soft backdrop for the bed. 

One of my favorite bedrooms of all times features a custom polished chrome canopy bed by David Netto. I love the contrast between the classical scenic wallpaper and the simplicity of the bed. 

A romantic and utterly feminine guest bedroom by Howard Slatkin. The metal canopy bed is embellished with hand blocked silk fabric and passementerie. A perfect example of the bed being a room within a room. 

Daniel Romualdez designed this chic and modern bedroom featuring a sleek canopy bed with a channeled upholstered headboard. 

To recreate the look that won't break the bank I love the "Architecture" metal canopy beds from Room and Board. They come in an assortment of snappy colors that will give instant pizazz to a bedroom. For my own Room and Board bed I flipped the bed around and had my upholstery workroom fabricate a custom upholstered headboard that we simply attached to the bed taking it to the next level. 

A Moghul inspired canopy bed by Michael Smith draped in a hand embroidered fabric. 

The Bunny Mellon bedroom at Le Clos Fiorentina, Hubert de Givenchy's exquisite home on the Cote d' Azure. 

Swedish Art Deco Furniture

When we think of Art Deco style furniture we immediately conjure up images of the famous designers in Paris who participated in the 1925 Exposition Des Arts et Decoratifs including, Émile- Jacques Ruhlmann, Edgar Brandt, Sue et Mare and Jules Léleu. In America, we think of the Chrysler Building and Donald Deskey's interiors at Radio City Music Hall, which epitomized the Art Deco style in the states. Although it has gained more popularity in recent years, many people don't think about the beautiful Art Deco designs that were coming out of Sweden around the same time.

Scandinavian Art Deco, otherwise known as "Swedish Grace" style (1920-29) produced an exquisite range of furniture and interior design that rivaled the work of French and American designers. Swedish Grace was a counter reaction to the earlier "Jugend"free flowing, Art Nouveau style. Just like the Louis XVI and Directoire periods were a reaction to the excesses and splendors of the baroque and rococo periods in France, with their simplified lines and lack of excessive ornament.

Swedish Grace furniture is characterized by its streamlined classicism, simplified forms, refined and delicate inlays and contrasting veneers. There are also strong influences from the German Biedermeier movement in the early 19th century. The most notable Swedish Art Deco designers include: Alvar Andersson, Axel Einar Hjorth, Carl Bergsten, Otar Hokerberg, Carl Malmsten and Förenade Möbelfabrikerna Linköping.

There are a number of dealers who happen to specialize in Swedish Grace style furniture including, HM Luther, B4 20th Century Design and Gallery Bac in New York.

Commode with contrasting inlays from HM Luther. A definitive example of the Swedish Grace style. 

An extraordinary desk by Förenade Möbelfabrikerna Linköping. Note the contrasting woods and veneers. 

A graceful daybed by Carl Malmsten. 

A jewel like lantern with crystal drops by Elis Bergh.

A red lacquered and gilt mirror by Axel Einar Hjorth.

I love the simplified neoclassicism of this desk, also by Hjorth. 

An unusual tall cabinet by Hjorth. 

Set of "Klismos" style chairs. 

Note the refined detailing of the arms on this sofa. 

Cabinet on chest. Another definitive example. 

Armchairs by Otto Hokerberg.

Caned dining chairs by Axel Einar Hjorth.

Live Q & A with Jura Koncius

I am delighted to be participating in the Washington Posts "Live Q & A" with Jura Koncius this Thursday at 11am. I will be taking your design questions through your emails live so please join us. I look forward to hearing from you.