Still searching...

...for an antique headboard that fits the queen-size bed! I brought the bed with me from San Francisco, as it has a really firm mattress, yet is wonderfully comfortable. This corner of our bedroom is reflected in the mercury glass of a French giltwood mirror, circa 1830. Obviously the mirror needs sympathetic restoration, but I'm reluctant to relinquish it for the month or more it will take for the work - and I rather like its worn look. The room doesn't always look like this; I change the duvet cover, pillows, etc. to create new looks a few times per year.

Yes, that ugly box-like thing between the mirror and the linen cupboard is a heater. The church candlestick on top of it was the first antique I bought at the Marche aux Puces at Porte de Clignacourt, Paris.

Am posting this photo in response to Sophie Honeysuckle, one of my favourite UK bloggers, who has requested stories about beds. Niki of Nostalgia at the Stone House also has posted a lovely photo of her bed. Check out their sites for more bedtime stories.

Comments

[Willow Grace]

I love this glimpse of the most personal room of a home. It's exactly how I would picture your bedroom to be like.
-sorry so late in my posts and visiting. I'm catching up since my trip and I always start from wherever I left off. I've missed a lot I see!

[Nickey Forster]

I love your play on reflection...suites the mood, colours and general ambience of the room...Hope to emulate this myself with my own project.

Nickey

[Tina]

Tara,
I only recently discovered your blog and enjoy the antiques and your decorating very much. Could you tell me more about the church candlestick on the top of the heater? You said it was your first antique purchase in Paris? Are such pieces common? I have been searching in vain for even reproductions of the prickets used in churches.

[AnnieElf]

I love your soft and restful color choices and the perspective you chose by shooting the bed's reflection rather than the bed itself.

[meredith]

I think I am about to inherit your mirror's twin from my MIL. It belonged to her MIL and to that woman's MIL et etc...I'll take a photo when I get it.

[rochambeau]

Dear Tara,
Your room reflected in your mirror is so pretty!
Old imperfect thing call me.
Rf: your headboard. Would it be possible to use something
else you could find at the flee as a headboard for it potentially?
A door, a fence, a old screen mounted like a triptych?

Thanks for stopping by Rochambeau. You make my would brighter.

[pam aries]

Ooohh...sweetdreams! I like lisa's idea of using a couple of old doors as a headboard or you could hang antique fabric on the wall.!.(uh..by the way...a mirror at the foot of a bed is very bad feng shui!)

Pam, the mirror is very very heavy and originally designed for a fireplace mantel. It cannot be hung on the wall, so the only solution in our current apartment is its present location - leaning against a bedroom wall - good feng shui or not! :)

[Sophiehoneysuckle]

Oh Tara-it's fantastic-thanks so much for posting this fab photo!! I LOVE your bedroom- especially the shabby green cupboard!! And the glimpse of your bed looks so lovely!! Did you notice that I have almost the identical old mirror in my house?!!! Mine is in my sitting-room on the wall!! But mine is MUCH shabbier than yours! I'm not going to restore it though-I like its signs of age!!!

[Amy]

I really like what you can see about your room through that photo, the bedspread, the mirror and especially the way you've painted the dresser sort of distressed :-)

[robyn]

You have great taste Tara. I like the ideas about doors for a head board.
I've always had padded head boards because I like to change things up as seasons change. So I slip cover them.

[Blue]

We are in the same boat. Still looking. It has been over two years. I am like you, and change the accents to my mood or season.
Maybe you could upholster something with antique fabric. Do a tryptich (sp?) of panels covered with fabric that you could change to suit your mood too.
xo

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

I have just realized how long it has been since I've commented here(I do read)....I have no excuses. I also remembered I owe you a postcard and will get on that ASAP. No excuses there either! Bad me.
I would not touch that mirror.
As for a headboard, what about doing something with a couple of old doors? I love how the room looks, very peaceful and it has all the charm I just know the whole rest of your place must have as well.
XOXO

[Mary Timme]

You decorate in a wonderfully soothing and restful palatte. I admire the way you do that. I'm never too restful. People tell me my house is welcoming and warm and loving, but never restful. I enjoy the difference and delight in seeing someone's life textures and colors. Thank you. Charming, totally charming!

[Tammy]

I love the French Country decor, now to get my desk to look like that dresser. I love that phone! lol

HUGS

[My Melange]

Can I some for a sleep over? I rather like the look of the mirror as is! I love the shabby, worn look! I once saw a piece of a wrought iron gate hung on the wall over the bed and functioned as a headboard. I loved it!

[Colette]

Lovely!
And I wouldn't touch the mirror. I think restoration would strip it of its charm.
xox

[eb]

These colors are soooooooo soothing

this is the palette

in my mind's eye

and I love the mirror

just as is

xox - eb.

[marita]

the mirror looks amazing, tara! love the weathered closet also and your bed linen matches perfectly with it.
concerning the headboard; have you thought about an antique door panel? i'm sure they can be found in france.

[chiefbiscuit]

A lovely corner of a lovely-looking bedroom. The colours are very pretty, and as usual your taste in antiques shows.