12.27.2009

Christmas Crush: Flexible furniture plan for extra guests

When you live in a city like New Orleans, especially if you live close to the route of a major Mardi Gras parade, you tend to get guests. Lots of guests. Lots of guests at the same time. While I love having a houseful of people to feed and entertain, it can sometimes be a challange to find a bed for all in a smallish home. One thing I did do was use a furniture plan that was popular in the 1950s (I first saw it used in the bedroom of a couple of career gals in "That Touch of Mink"). I placed two twin beds in a corner to use as an ad hoc sectional in our upstairs den/tv room--(I don't think its quite grand enough to quailify as a media room--if I had more room, I'd place a large square table in the corner to serve both beds. I then dressed them as a large divan with lots of cushions and pillows. Of course, our den is decked out in a high Victorian Orientalist fantasy theme with lots of stenciling and jewel tones, but the same idea could be adopted to a wide variety of styles. Using the sleek simple frames from west elm or ikea and a bunkie board instead of a bos spring could easily take this look to a contemporary style.
With the cushions and an ottoman used as cocktail table (the burlap on the sides hides the evidence of my cat George's unhappiness) and the curtains drawn, it's a perfect and cozy place to lounge around and watch a movie.


Our staff on quaility control duty.
But when it's needed to serve as a bedroom, within 15 minutes, it can be arranged into a room for two, with floor cushions serving as headboards.

The end table is large enough to service both beds as a nightstand.
This arrangement offers a ton of flexibilty and would be great for a kid's room, or a small apartment. For a more tailored look, you could order a custom slipcover or a mattress cover. These are available on line. Even with mattresses, frames, and covers, it would still cost less and be more comfortable than most sleeper sectionals.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

A great look - but dangerous. I would have difficulty leaving!

Maria Killam said...

Yes I second that! So cozy, my favourite kind of space!

Riviera Boardwalk said...

As a teenager I did the same thing. My grandmother bought me what we called 2 Hollywood beds and I did not have the table between them but put them up aqainst one another and when I had a friend sleep over she had her own bed. Otherwise unfortunately you could not see the top of the extra bed because I threw every imaginable on top of it. I don't know what kept my mom from evicting me! Thanks for sharing. nancy

Maria Killam said...

I agree with you (on the comment you just posted) her interiors are starting to look more like museums and her style is unique and fab!

*Chic Provence* said...

Love this post and it reminded me of what I went through to get enough beds for this Christmastime, too...although I don't have the two twin beds, this is charming setup!

Anonymous said...

nice post. thanks.

Anonymous said...

Easily I agree but I think the collection should have more info then it has.