You've been very patient:
Here is a picture of our spectacular bed. It definitely feels like one of Ikea's sturdier pieces, in solid birch.
In the end we decided to go with lighter woods to continue the idea we have of using lots of images and materials that look or feel sort of like being in a tranquil forest or a meadow or something like that (ugh, that makes us sound like such hippies!).
It was great timing because the bed that we bought a few months ago, also a Mandal, was honey pine with black drawers but before we built it (and while it was still within our 90-day return window), they replaced it with this birch and white version we liked so much better. The headboard is from the Brimnes line but is so new that it is not even on the website. Unlike the solid birch bed, it is made of particle board and cheap white plastic, but it matched the white of the drawers and was a perfect solution to our problem of finding something that could be flush to the wall and to the bed and not interfere with the baseboards. The cats like it too, because they can cross behind the bed in a perfect cat-sized tunnel. The shelf on top of the headboard is perfect for some reading lamps, too. I still want to put up a little hanging nightstand, so the tissues and clock can be within reach, but this is a great solution for everything else.
The next big issue to tackle is the mattress. We love our current one, which is a Simmons Beautyrest, but we are keeping it downstairs in the guest room. We could try to buy another one just like it, though even then there are about a dozen of varying firmness, so I'm not sure we could get an identical mattress (I can't find any useful details on the label). We've also heard good things about latex mattresses, and Ikea makes one for about $900, which isn't bad. If you've ever had an experience with one of them, please leave us a comment.
Our crowning glory is our Hunter ceiling fan. We got really lucky when we took down the old light fixture to find an electrical box that claimed to be rated to hold fans. The installation took a couple of hours but was a lot easier than either of us expected:
The next steps are to slowly acquire the rest of the furniture we need to complete the room. I am planning to buy a big comfy chair and pretty floor lamp to create a little sitting area across from the bed. We also need dressers in either white or light wood (birch, maple, bleached oak all seem to be useful keywords). Dressers are surprisingly expensive, so we are relying on Craigslist. None of the current Ikea models appeal to us, though one from the 1990s (called the Kurs) would be a perfect fit. We almost managed to snag one used but I guess another buyer got to it first. Don't you think it would have made a perfect match?
Sometimes I feel like this blog is turning into a giant Ikea ad....
9 comments:
The room looks great. I love the color. And the fan/light looks amazing. You are both getting to be pro's in home decorating and repairs.
GOOD JOB.
Signing Off as M or R
I really love the color! And the fan. The room looks really great.
I've been looking for the Brimnes headboard because I want to get the Brimnes bed frame, but I haven't been able to find any trace of the headboard anywhere, except for the Ikea Singapore website, of all places. Since it's not on any of the North American websites, how did you manage to get ahold of it?
I just happened to be wandering around an Ikea store when I saw it. I've noticed a few things lately that are marked "new" in the store and are not yet online. Hopefully the website will catch up soon.
Are you still looking for a KURS dresser like in the picture above? I happen to be selling mine and is that identical model. It's on Craigslist.
Thanks, Richard! I don't think we need one anymore.
The headboard - how have you found it? What is the quality like? When leaning your head on it is it sturdy enough? We have a Kingsize bed (150cm. Would that be a problem? width wide).
We have cats as well and know how they love to climb into things. Is this a problem for you or not?
I was worried about the quality too, but so far we are impressed. The cats jump onto the top and it still feels sturdy. I usually have a pillow propped between my back and the headboard for reading and that feels fine.
We have a queen-size bed and the headboard exactly matches the width of the frame. If they don't sell a king-size version of the headboard, you'll have to center it in the middle and decide if it looks ok.
We've been doing more work in the bedroom and tweaking the bed/headboard arrangement. Check back on the blog soon and I should have updated pictures and comments.
Oooh, you’re such an inspiration. I love this blog!
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