Under the weather

Being under the weather will mean different things to those living in the tundra that is currently the United Kingdom, as clearly demonstrated by this satellite photograph. Many other parts of the world are as badly affected with unusually harsh weather, including our northern neighbour China. My own "under the weather" scenario is the usual common cold, which happily is nearing its end.

It has meant retreating to my monastic cell, to loll around on the daybed, and to catch up on some reading. Thankfully, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have completed the magum opus that required a fork lift truck to hold and read.

The retreat of a spartanly-decorated room is a soothing mixture of moody blues, (and greys) in silk, from Jim Thompson, interspersed with a black and white squiggle of a daybed, (fabric also from Jim Thompson), and black and gold Thai silk cushions from Shinawatra Silks.

On either side of the bed, above the blue and white porcelain lamps, are pair of antique blue and white bowls and lids, resting on a pair of gilded wall brackets, which I had made here, as copies from an original. Antique, because I wont hazard a guess on the actual age, but they were left to me by an old banking colleague. If they turn out to be more important than I truly believe, then that will be an added bonus, if that pension plan needs to kick-in one day. The white granite floor tiles are partially covered in an assortment of Oriental rugs. 

In the bookshelves opposite the bed an African carved zebra sits and takes duty as a book monitor. The picture behind the daybed is 1920s, of a forest scene, from an estate sale in Paris, and which I wrote about here.

Tempting tentacles

Top: Daybed covered in "Atoll" (coral), linen/cotton, by Manuel Canovas. Fabric wardrobe panels "Samphire" linen, by Arctic. Image from House & Garden.

Middle: Tablescape by CC, resin coral mounted on perspex. Armchair & sofa fabrics by Jim Thompson.

Bottom: Wallpaper "Lavezzi" (coral) at Pierre Frey. Image from House & Garden.

The combination of green and burnt orange continues to be a favourite of mine, and these recent images prove the concept rather well. I have used the same colour mix in my sitting/dining room. A pale blue-grey would also work as a good alternative to the mint green, and may be where we're headed with the makeover.

A touch of the vapours

Louis XVI-style Fruitwood Lit du Jour, the cushioned and bolstered seat flanked to either side by a padded and domed end, each end with a floral-carved crest and flanked to each side by a freestanding fluted circular upright, the whole raised on fluted, tapering circular legs ending in peg feet, h. 39", inside w. 32-1/2", l. 74-1/2", outside w. 36", l. 77".

Louis XVI-style Fruitwood Lit du Jour, the cushioned bolstered seat flanked to either side by high padded ends, each end with a stop-fluted crest and flanked to either side by a freestanding stop-fluted pilaster, headed by a pineapple finial, the ends joined by a fluted rail, the whole raised on fluted, tapering circular legs, h. 55-1/2", inside w. 39", l. 77", outside w. 42", l. 79".

Both of these day beds are up for auction this weekend, and I assume by "Louis XVI-style" they are copies, and possibly by the same furniture maker, but I can't help feeling that the top piece is much more in proportion than the lower one. "Louis XVI-style" is perhaps a bit of poetic licence too, as furniture of that period was more elaborate.

Using a daybed as a room dividing device is quite useful, but you would be hard pressed in the case of the latter.

Showcase

If this room looks like a showroom that's because it partly is. The owner is a dealer in essentially neoclassical pieces, displayed enticingly on the Mies van der Rohe table, which is paired with Le Corbusier armchairs. Bathed in the light afforded by the loft's large windows is a Biedermeier daybed, which mixes so easily with the modernity of the armchairs. And then another favourite, the architectural prints hanging above the dark lacquered Chinese screen, with its gold painting, capturing the golden hues of the entire room.

My only complaint, (and yes, I do have one), is that it would all come together much better with a rug of some description, which would define the sitting area and the dining area, (the latter with its Knoll 'Saarinen" table and Hoffman dining chairs).

Oh, and I would hang the blinds in a linear row, because I like things to be symmetrical. Of course.

Seating in bedrooms

There's something very inviting about having seating in a bedroom, and this daybed at the foot of the four poster is a good example. But a sofa there, or an end-of-bed stool would do just as well. If you have plenty of space, positioning these in the other areas of the room is also very effective.

I particularly enjoy the colour scheme used in this room, all brought together by the Persian rug, and the depth in the large oil painting. These ideas all enhance the sanctuary idea of a bedroom, which is essential if there is more than one of you living in the same house; even if just one other.

It's nice to have your own space occasionally. And occasional rather than frequent is better, otherwise check the property listings, and have a good divorce lawyer!