Wish List: Home Textiles from Bandit Queen Designs

Irwin Weiner ASID - I think it's good to have a "legend," a mystique. And one of the most intriguing comes from the textile workroom Bandit Queen Designs, Mumbai. The combined brainchild of Sudita Namjosi and Valerie Barkowski, BQD produces divine bed, bath, and table linens as well as fashion accessories. I've included a few of my favorites below; click on the company's link to see the few select retail outlets they manufacture for (lucky stores). Long live the Bandit Queen!

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Classics in Contemporary Bedroom Furniture

Neville Johnson

Irwin Weiner ASID - Many visitors come to Design2Share looking for design help with the bedroom. We spend a good percentage of our lives in this single room, and nowadays it's become the new living room and an adult retreat center. Contemporary bedroom furnishings add sleek, modern elements to the bedroom, whether it be a guest room or a master suite - or as one frustrated wife labeled in the architect's plans for a new, separate room designed for her husband, the "Snoratorium."

With contemporary furniture of any kind, good designs rarely date. I like fresh, clean lines and sculptural forms on any piece, and they don't have to be hot and of-the-moment to catch my attention and merit a recommendation to clients. So here are a few random modern bedroom classics you'll want to look into further.

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Bed and Mattress Tips and Trivia

Mary Kay and Johnny, Dumont Television Network

Irwin Weiner ASID - So what TV sitcom couple were the first to sleep together in bed? Most people think it was on The Brady Bunch. Others vote for The Munsters or Green Acres. Most agree that it was in the 1960s, after the long censorship on opposite-sex couples sleeping together on television programs and movies loosened up. Many viewers remember Lucy and Ricky and Rob and Laura sleeping in the same bedroom, but in separate, twin beds.

Forces of Geek

But you'd be wrong to think it was in the 1960s! It was actually in 1947, in the early days of television, on the very first TV sitcom called Mary Kay and Johnny, based largely in the real-life married couple's own Greenwich Village apartment! Click here to read more.

Bernett Research

Want more scoop on beds? Here's a Better TV video with recommendations for layering your mattress and bedding from designer Jennifer Adams. Sweet dreams!

BONUS: If you need a new bed, visit our friends at Dreams who have great offers on all types of beds. See more now at www.dreams.co.uk.

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Update on March 29, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

Vintage Vera Neumann Linens

The Vera Company

Jay Johnson - Our Design2Share interior design expert Irwin Weiner is away in Venice with a client, and we can't wait to see photos of the resources he'll bring back. Meaningwhile, Irwin told us about some wonderful fifties-and-sixties bedding and kitchen linens he grew up with in Cape Town, and we did a little research into New York's own Vera Neumann. A huge hit in the fashion world - she originated the designer silk scarf and introduced a pop sensibility to clothing - she's widely collected today. Check out the Vera Company website for bits and pieces that are produced today, as well as Vera's book. This video is from Vera devotee and collector, fashion designer artist Francisco Medavog.

It's clear to see that style elements like Vera bedding and linens in Irwin's childhood home played a big role in influencing his future design career. "I never forgot how bright and crazy they were," says Irwin, "and now I'm jaded. I don't like boring, pale bed linens. They look too washed out to me." Check out these Vera eBay offerings, including the Vera Forbidden Fruit plates (fantastic)!

eBay

 Click here to subscribe to our daily design videos.

Update on March 5, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern.

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Paintedheadboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

 

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.