Thursday, January 5, 2012

Winter's Nest



Shortly after Country Living was here for the photo shoot, I told Mike that I'd like to dismantle our antique four poster bed and put the mattress on the floor. Never did he think I would utter such words, but I explained to him that it was a precaution because I was worried about the babies tumbling off the bed now that they were becoming much more mobile. 


With the stark room that was left after removing the bed frame, the side tables and the bedside lamps, it wasn't long before I started to think of ways to spruce the space up a bit. At first I asked Mike to 'whip up' a headboard that we could upholster, but that involved more spare time than we had. 

Then I remembered reading a post on Little Green Notebook about pelmet boxes that Jenny had made to go over her girls' bedroom windows. They were so beautiful and added such lovely detail to the room. Plus, it only took her two hours, and the materials were so simple...foam core, fabric, duct tape! 

So I basically used her tutorial, except I made one large pelmet box on the wall at the head of the bed. 


The upholstered foam core was attached to a large metal curtain bracket mounted on the wall. The linen drapes hang behind the pelmet box, suspended from a piece of surplus wood trim also mounted to the wall. Behind the linen drapes, we also tacked up quilted padding as another baby precaution.

In the spirit of the season, we hung the boxwood wreath in place of the heavier artwork that hung in the space previously. 


I love that it's baby friendly, and that it was an 
affordable solution to dressing up our placement of the mattress on the floor. 


This man helped me a lot! We often laugh about the Country Living article which stated, "Mike can build or fix anything." He thought that was ridiculous but I think it's really very true! For this project, he did all the math and measurements necessary to make the pattern for the cutout. Then, after we "upholstered" the foam core (with duct tape of course), he made sure the installation was centered, straight and level on the wall. 


He was also in charge of the exacto knife (with a steady hand) to cut the pattern from the foam core. 

It was a team effort which we were able to work on in spurts (often when my mom was visiting) over the course of TWO MONTHS! I often muttered, "I can't believe Jenny did all this in two hours...she's amazing...I can't even sketch out a pattern...how do you upholster this?...I can't cut a straight line..."

But I assure you - it could be accomplished in several hours if you have the spare time.

Our materials list: 
Thick foam core 
Duct tape (white of course!)
Metal curtain bracket
Linen fabric (50% off from Joann's)
Wood trim (or you could use a smaller metal curtain bracket)
Quilting to pad wall (optional)

I washed the linen, sewed six foot-long drapes, and then pressed them before hanging. 

77 comments :

  1. This is lovely. Fresh clean start for a fresh new year. :)

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  2. You two never cease to amaze.....love,love, love your new headboard!

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  3. Congratulations this looks great! Thanks again for your beautiful blog.

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  4. it looks so beautiful!!!! Good sleep alltiem:-9
    Elma

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  5. Very beautiful. . . and I completely understand about wanting to lower the bed. We did the same thing a few months back, except not for our precious babies (mine are grown), but for our precious puppy - who had a torn ligament. Love comes in many packages and you are certainly blessed with two perfect little bundles.

    It goes without saying (although I'll say it anyway) - your home is stunning, your family beautiful, and your blog a joy - as always.

    eli

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  6. Trina,
    That looks amazing. Safety turned stylish.

    Another benefit of having a lower bed is it makes a room look larger. It's a great trick is you have a tiny bedroom.

    Cheeers,
    Steve

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  7. Beautiful. Simple, serene, and toddler-friendly!

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  8. Love the new look. Also I am wanting to change the comforter in my bedroom. I love what you have on your bed. It it a bedspread? Do you mind telling us where you got your bedding? Love reading your blog.

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  9. So lovely--calm and spare, but also comfortable and luxurious. The boxwood wreath is a perfect touch.

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  10. Impressive! I don't think I would have taken this on -- my DIY skills are limited. I love that you share your frustrations and admit that it didn't happen in two hours. Thanks for your honesty! Your new bed looks beautiful.

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  11. This looks great! I loved your article in Country Living by the way. My husband surprised me with a subscription this year and yours was the first issue that I received. I was so excited to see a house that I recognized because I have admired your blog for a long time!

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  12. You are a "team" for sure . . . lovely indeed and safe for the little ones too . . . very nice!

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  13. Looks stunning!! What a great alternative to a regular headboard! Looks like your bed isn't just sitting on the ground!!

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  14. How stunning! I think you both do such a splendid job of everything and whilst raising twins. I am impressed. I know the amount of energy it takes.
    Sleep and food always seem to give me more energy and that bed looks dreamy!
    pve

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  15. Hi Trina! What a cute little nest. I love white in decorating. Your home looks so beautiful and peaceful in pictures, I really enjoy them. On the other hand I know how messy little kids can be so I'm sure you are saving us from some of the truth :)
    I have to ask you something: what kind of base does your mattress have? My mom put their mattresses on the floor for a summer...and they started to mold on the bottom. Just checking if you thought about it...if you have room for air to circulate under the mattress it should not be a problem.
    Happy Blogging!

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  16. Beautiful!! So serene and a wonderful solution to "babyproofing" your bedroom. Everyone's happy and you didn't have to sacrifice style. Your bedroom is still "eye candy"!
    am

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  17. very impressed....never have I seen a mattress on the floor that looked so good!
    in fact, it looks so good, that I really couldn't tell it was on the floor.

    So, all four of you sleep in the bed together? and, it's not a king size bed?

    you know that needs to be a follow up post! we're all wondering! :)

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  18. Wow! You have done it again. I loved it before, but this is such a peaceful retreat now - and baby friendly to boot.

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  19. Trina, this is beautiful! A fantastic solution I am having with a blah bedroom that in my case I want to make senior dog friendly because I know my pup gets on my bed when I'm gone but he is an old man :) by the way I lived the CL article. That's how I found your blog.

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  20. What a great idea! Your bedroom looks so serene and beautiful. I'm saving this post for future reference.

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  21. Wow Trina (and Mike;) it turned out beautifully! I didn't even realize that the mattress was on the floor until I read it in your copy. Y'all did an amazing job, and I for one think Mike CAN build and fix anything!! I think two months is a perfectly acceptable time frame;););) It' so serene, so lovely! Beautiful job!
    xoxoj.

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  22. Love the pelmet box addition. Everything looks great and I am sure the babies will enjoy!

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  23. This is awesome Trina- great job! I've been fussing with our non headboard wall in the master this past week and might end up pulling something like this together instead of the large frame I hung above our bed.
    xo~
    T

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  24. You ge my vote...Mom of the year! The room looks great too. :)

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  25. It looks lovely and now it's kid friendly!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  26. It's absolutely stunning! It looks custom made!

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  27. If you don't mind sharing, where did you find your beautiful bed spread?? It's amazing!

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  28. Between You and Me,
    No we don't all sleep in the bed together but there is lots and lots of snuggle time there. The bed is a queen.

    Henna Maria,
    The box springs are made of wood (they came into two so we could fit them up the stairs) and mold never occurred to me. I don't think we'll have that problem but I'll keep an eye on it!

    Anon,
    The quilt is an old pinwheel quilt. It's over a white duvet cover from Martha Stewart.

    xoTrina

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  29. h a,
    The antique bed spread can be found in antique stores. They are fairly common sightings although their condition varies. You can also search for them online (Ebay, Etsy). They are called pinwheel or popcorn quilts.
    I love ours and it came from Maine.
    xoTrina

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  30. wow - this is SENSATIONAL

    Bethany
    www.powellbrower.blogspot.com

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  31. Love it all. I'm a fan of white beds. That's all I'll ever have. I really like the tufted pillow. I go back and forth between adding color to my bed or keeping it all white. I think you've helped me decide white makes me happy.

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  32. Wonderful job...ya gotta love a man that can do anything! What a sweet reasoning for this project....what we do for our kids...it never stops...its as fresh when they are 2 as it is @ 22 ...the best!

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  33. Trina it looks great! When our children were babies we had our bed on the floor too, now we have the tall 4 poster. It's so much easier on your back to hoist babies only a few feet, and as you said, much safer too. And I have a quilt that is almost identical to yours, my grandmother made it.

    Happy New Year!

    Kat :)

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  34. STUNNING!!! I have been looking for a solution for a headboard in our room other than making an upholstered one and this is a perfect solution! Beautiful photography too!

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  35. This looks amazing and lovely. What a great solution.
    Karen

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  36. Trina, I love your new bedroom look but your four poster bed was my favorite along with the artwork you had hanging. I agree you need to make it safe for your children but I sure hope you kept that wonderful bed. I often refer to your "old" bedroom as I redo mine. I have commented before, your blog is my favorite of all. I love the white in your house, you make it so cozy but elegant. Happy New Year! Please don't ever stop blogging. Mickey in PA.

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  37. This looks amazing! I just found your blog through Her Southern Charm, and after simple (and still adorable) projects like this, I think I'll be sticking around.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Allyson
    http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com

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  38. Hi, I love how your new headboard turned out. Amazing the things we have to do for our kids, but I can honestly say, your project turned out so great and classy! Hope you, your husband, and babies had a great New Years.

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  39. You are officially my hero. That is stunning.
    The loveliest thing I've seen in ages.
    xo Terri

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  40. I love the beautiful bedroom linens and white crochet bed cover. Stunning, crisp and restful.

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  41. Your new look really is wonderful. I love the linen hanging to add softness.

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  42. This is such a great idea! I love the look! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  43. Wonderful idea and beautifully done, Trina! Everything you touch turns out so incredible. :)

    xoxo laurie

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  44. Oh my Lord your house is an absolute slice of heaven. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. xxx

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  45. The look and feel you created for your bedroom is beautiful! I also have the popcorn quilt....I got it from my grandmother. She had it on her bed as long as I can remember. I so enjoy your posts!

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  46. I like this idea - it's very old country English looking with the lace bedspread. And you made it sound so easy to to.

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  47. very much like this blog, hope to be able to enjoy it this new year as well as we all could last year, all the best for 2012,

    kind regards

    http://www.ruedigerbenediktshopping.com/english/

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  48. I am curious about the Jeanne d'Arc sculpture. What is the history on that?

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  49. The Joan of Arc bust is a family piece that used to belong to my Great Grandmother. I grew up with it as my Grandmother had it in her entry way. So she's an old friend!
    Trina

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  50. Wonderful teamwork you two...there most likely has never been as clever or as beautiful a solution for mattresses on the floor! It's all so pretty, soft, and perfectly baby friendly...well done (that math does come in handy every now and then, doesn't it)!
    We've had our mattresses on the floor since moving in because we keep thinking we're moving back out again soon, so why haul the massive bed frame out of storage. The set-up *has* served as the perfect 'safety precaution' for Miss. Ginger though...along with an ottoman scootched up to the foot so that she doesn't have too far to jump...it's better than those plastic doggie stairs!
    Love the wreath...
    xo J~

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  51. Love the stunning look of your bedroom! Definitely safer for the babies as well.

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  52. I forgot to comment and tell you how excited I was to see your home in Country Living. Even though I saw your post about the shoot months ago it still gave me a surprise when I opened the magazine up! I know this is a bit late but congrats! I couldn't help but show people and brag that I have been reading your blog for quite a while.
    I just redid my blog's look and would love your feedback... You have such great taste!
    Thanks,
    Greer

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  53. Trina, Mike and Children: Restful...love it! Cindy

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  54. I'm a new follower and your bedroom is gorgeous!Where did you get that beautiful bedding?

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  55. What a marvelous idea. I love the white draperies and the cornice board gives the room an elegant touch. Nice job!!!

    Have a great weekend!
    Theresa

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  56. I had to laugh when i saw this post..we are like minded! My husband also found me loony for wanting our mattress on the floor. Next week we will finally be "putting our room back together." What a mother will do to protect her little ones, my baby proofing went to the extreme this past year, but all to soon those days end and an independent little one sprouts<3 I always enjoy your posts! xXx

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  57. I am always impressed with your ideas! The coverlet on the bed is amazing! As a knitter I am curious of its history?

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  58. Trina,
    Oh my...I LOVE this look!!!! You have sure got me thinking about where I can do this. LOVE your blog too:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  59. Red rover, Red rover
    Please send Mike right over!!
    Love it!

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  60. What an amazing project! I hope you enjoy the changes!

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  61. Your bed looks really beautiful! I love the clean pretty lines of the upholstered board.
    Cindy

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  62. Oh my gosh! How truly beautiful and simple! Hands down my favorite to date! Thank you for posting!

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  63. Oh my goodness! This is gorgeous! I LOVE how it turned out and I also love the simple boxwood wreath. What a great idea to just put your mattresses on the floor while the twins are little. I am starting to get so nervous about Lola rolling off the bed now that she is starting to crawl and climb.

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  64. Wow, wow... what a beautiful house you have.

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  65. I am beyon happy to see a family publicly speak about co sleeping!! Thank you for "making" me feel normal!!!

    Have you seen this product?

    http://www.gobedbug.com/GOPAGES/beddivider.htm

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  66. Where did you get that beautiful tufted pillow? I've had this image pinned for a while and I have to have it!

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  67. Emily,
    The tufted pillow came from Target. I bought it several years ago on sale for five dollars! I wish I purchased more because it's a wonderful shape and look.
    Trina

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  68. I have that very crocheted bedspread :) Beautiful!! Along with wooden bowls they are my favorite thing to seek out at sales and thrift shops!! :)

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  69. Honestly it really is tough to locate a worthy blog worth commenting on these days, the internet is genuinely too flooded. Love this post, adore your blog. Just thought i would let you know!

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  70. Love love love your house! Its my ideal house and what I want my house to look like...when I finally own one! :) Just breathtaking simple and beautiful!

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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