Oh the Luxury of the
Canopy Bed!
For some people, bed time is just a necessary evil -- a time
for re-energizing yourself for another long day tomorrow.
Others, though, prefer to make sleep time a time for pampering.
And for most ladies especially, young or old, the ideal for
bedtime sophistication and elegance would be a canopy bed
with all the images of luxury it would conjures up; velvet
curtains, rich fabrics, warmth and comfort. Here are some
suggestions for making your bed a truly luxurious place to
be.
First,
for the ultimate in romance for you and your partner, we
suggest adding the luxury of the aroma of freshly planed
wood. Do this by adding a bed sized boxed section into the
space above the bed using four 1” x 8” of lumber.
Then
you can make decorative changes that will co-ordinate not
only with your bed, but with the rest of the soft furnishings
in the room too. Think of the original look you could create
for your own or for your little girls or boys room! The
possibilities are endless, and most of the work can be done
using just fabric, glue, paint or staining varnish.
Using
a fabric of your choice, perhaps rich and warm toned for
your room or a bright pink or blue for a child’s,
carefully cut the fabric to match the dimensions of the
lumber 1” x 8”. Again with care, working from
one end of the plank, glue the fabric over the wood removing
any creases and covering all the wood.
If
you like the look of natural wood, try staining the lumber
mahogany, oak or walnut to bring out the grain and maintain
that fresh smell of just cut wood.
Next,
you need to measure out four 18 inch wide panels that measure
to the floor. This allows for a 2” hem and space to
fit a 1” opened-ended loop at the top for a tension
rod.
Then
you will need strong wood glue and 2” finishing nails,
wood putty and sandpaper to construct the box. To provide
extra strength the nails must be driven in at an angle and
to add to the finishing countersunk with the holes filled
with the putty. Once dry and sanded even neither the nails
or the putty will be seen.
There
are two ways the curtain fabric that will surround you canopy
bed can be attached.
The
first method is to use a staple gun. Begin in the corner
of the box that can not be seen from the doorway. Fold the
fabric to create a 2” hem and place the first staple.
Pleat the fabric and staple again continuing around the
inside of the box at regular intervals. This can be finished
off neatly with a small width of fabric stapled along the
top to create a valance effect.
The
second method is to run the open loop of each panel through
a tension rod that will fit the length of each of the 8”
panels. Using four rods around the inside of the box carefully
gathering the fabric will create the hanging curtain so
typical of the luxury of canopy beds.
The
options for fabrics and colours are endless and quite personal.
You can experiment with anything rom soft chiffons and lace
to dark, thick velvets. Pinks, purples and soft browns to
favourite football team colours. The possible looks are
endless and can be adapted and personalized every time you
decorate or simply want to try something different. Eventually
you 'll find that look that works for you--but half the
fun is getting there!