I went back and forth when trying to decide what type of bed to get our daughter. We ended up opting for a double – which seemed seriously extravagant at the time, but I admit I’m so happy we did. I love getting to lie with her at night before she goes to bed. I still haven’t decided what type of headboard to make, but that will come. Whether you go this route or choose a toddler bed or even something built-in, there are so many options for kids rooms. Maybe too many!
Below: Bed featured in Rum Magazine. This piece would work just as well in my room as it would in my daughter’s. I love the nook for books.
Below: Ubabub’s Nifty bed is another option designed for kids, but suited for any room. The Australian company markets their products as being ultra-safe, durable, and eco-friendly. Their products aren’t yet available internationally, but it sounds like they might be soon.
Below: Italian company Nume makes beautiful and unique products for kids. I’ve featured their toddler bed before, but here it is again along with a seriously fun canopy.
Below: You really can’t go wrong with Ikea for a kids room. The Malm bed does the trick quite nicely – it’s modern, simple, and the price is definitely right.
While I would choose straight lines for a headboard for my room, I’m likely going to add some detail for my daughter’s room. Here are some bits of inspiration:
Above: Photos care of LivingEtc., New York Magazine, and Serena & Lily.
I tend to keep loads of books and magazines by my bedside. To keep things neat, I’m inclined to opt for nightstands with drawers. The truth is, I probably won’t even use those drawers and will continue to keep everything in plain view. But you can’t blame me for trying. So here are some picks:
Below: Molteni&C 3030 series nightstand and dresser
Below: I love the walnut used for these pieces by Formstelle.
Below: You can get the best of both worlds with the Clooney nightstand by Meridiani – it’s nice and open, but still has a single drawer
Below: Dado bedside table and drawers by B&B Italia. I like the little black and white unit in the photo below – it’s simple and I really like the contrast between the colours and materials.
Below: Crate and Barrel and Room&Board offer some solid options without breaking the bank. Because, really, it’s just a table by the side of the bed. Right? Linea table from C&B and Copenhagen table from R&B
When it comes to choosing lamps for the bedside, my tastes seem to be a bit all over the map. I’m as equally drawn to the Cherub lamp from Ochre as I am to Arne Jacobsen’s AJ table lamp. Very different looks, but both gorgeous in their own right. I think I’ll wait until the rest of the room shapes up before making any sort of decision.
Below: Ochre Cherub Lamp
Below: Arne Jacobsen Table Lamp
Some other top choices:
Below: Barber & Osgerby Tab Lamp by Flos
Below: Excel Desk Lamp by Roll & Hill
Below: This “Pip” stained ash table lamp is from Habitat in the UK – too bad they don’t deliver here. At 25 pounds, it’s a steal.
I’m kind of into lower profile bed frames these days – but of course we bought ours a few years back and it sits nice and tall. It doesn’t really matter, I suppose. I think a room comes together with a nice bed frame – upholstered or not, you take your pick.
For years I avoided buying a bed frame and had my mattress and box spring stacked on one of those standard metal stands. When we bought our linen upholstered headboard and frame I felt like I’d reached a new stage in life. No joke. No more futons or student digs. My apartment suddenly felt real! If I were to do it all again, I’d choose something like those shown below:
Below: The Molteni High-Wave bed not only looks fabulous, but it’s also functional. The headboard houses a mechanism that pops out so that you can lie down and read comfortably. It’s also available with a fixed headboard if that isn’t your thing. There’s also hidden storage below the mattress.
Below: I’d choose fabric upholstery over leather any day, but I can’t deny that the Poliform bed featured directly below is seriously sexy. I also love the simple, clean design of the bed featured directly below.
Below: I clipped an image of this bed by designer Mark Cunningham from Elle Decor years ago. It’s simple and elegant and the choice of bedding really brings it all together.
Below: Lovely mid-century vibe with the Case Study Alpine Bed. Available at DWR.
Below: I’m not sure who makes the bed below (possibly BDDW? Is it the De La Espada bed in black walnut?). Who knows? But thanks to designer Kate Lydon, it looks fabulous.
I’m Katherine Yaphe, the founder and designer behind Oliver Yaphe, Inc. This business was an idea in my mind for a long time. I knew that I wanted to build something, I just didn’t know how. I worked in the corporate world dreaming of what to do next. Then one day I decided to just start. I launched with rugs. Branched off to artwork. Paper came next. We’ll see what’s to come. What I do know, is there will be more.
Oliver Yaphe Blog
I love being inspired to create. It doesn’t matter how big or small the undertaking, it’s more about this feeling that drives so much of what I do. This blog is my space to instill a bit of that energy to my readers. It’s a lofty goal. I might fail horribly. But every once in a while, something might click (or at least I hope so).
Maine seashore
Fresh cut grass
Vermont air
Wooden tennis racquets (a la Bjorn Borg)
B&W photographs. Real photographs
The Brooklyn bridge
Central Park Roller disco
Picasso Museum in Barcelona
Moleskin notebooks
Rhodia orange writing pads
Globes
Magnum Photo
Letterpress stationery
Coffee table books
Farmers markets
Great packaging
Typography
