My Year of Rest And Relaxation: But Where?
I will take you on my journey of sourcing the perfect bed
My dear Internet Friends,
I hope you are doing well. I had fun this week: I got back into buying on eBay which I haven’t done for centuries. When I was studying, my friends and I bid on each others favourites, I also still remember passwords and usernames (@surcherin, shoutout to IYKYK). I bought a vintage leo jacket, the iconic Chevignon Cosmos jacket from the 90s (which wasn’t right sadly) and, inspired by Bally, a black leather belt with cows, which looks great. Will show you next time!
Photographer Jeff Mermelstein released a series of photographs he captured of other people’s messages in the streets of New York City in 2020 and I think it’s really good. Here is the article from New York Times. The texts in Mermelstein’s pictures range widely, from tragic - “IF I COULD I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO SAVE YOU. I AM SO SAD AND FEELING HELPLESS”—to horny—“I want to fuck my trainer…”—to comical—“I had a nice pee in a Starbucks. I asked the young lady if I could use the restroom if I purchased a banana. Her answer confused me initially. ‘0852’ ”—to melodramatic—“I don’t think any of us ever thought the day would ever come for an admission of this kind. I am in shock.”
I like writing articles on topics that are on my mind in that very moment plus I love digging very deep into a certain topic for a limited amount of time. At this very moment all I think about are beds and I want to share my research with you which spans everything from IKEA to vintage to auctions and Mario Bellini. I really want to understand a topic broadly before I make an important decision such as buying a bed - am I a control freak, answer, yes I am. I have had my current one for about 10 years, it’s a 180cm dark-grey boxspring bed with a big headboard. Nothing wrong with it, it’s fine, but after ten years, I really need a change. So I sourced the internet deeply, I looked through the weirdest online shops - because most furniture shops aren’t inspirational. Something I really won’t understand ever, as furnishing a home is all about inspiration. Furniture shops, call me, if you need help in the creative department!
I usually start my research on Pinterest. We have to state of course that this approach can be tricky, because often all it does it to make you realise that all you need ….is a new apartment, or maybe better a house with wooden ceilings, terrazzo floorings or concrete walls lol. But anyways, this realisation aside, it’s good to think about the vibe you want, so that’s why I go there. I also looked at interior magazines, but I felt like they only post certain brands for affiliate links, so that was not a good source.
Back to Pinterest, I found these amazing round, long pillows like on the images below which was great! On Etsy I found these kilim bolster pillows that I liked or also this striped one with red is good. And both blankets, the green and blue is perfect, of course I also love the ceiling. But here we are again, I don’t live in a modernised country home.
My main issue: I can’t decide for the vibe in our bedroom. I just like too many different ones - I like it all white! I like it a bit bohemian! I like it sculptural! This is generally my problem with interior - I have too much inspiration - which is also why I sometimes exchange my entire furniture every three years (to the horror of my husband). As soon as I get the ick and also have a better idea I have to do something about it in that moment. Anyways. I found nice beds, maybe you are more decision-friendly than I am.
Note: If you need to ship something from another country and the shipping offered is too expensive, you can try Shiply. Only use well-rated shippers, who have experience, and use insurance for more fragile or expensive products.
Wood Beds With Integrated Shelves
I love wooden beds that come with integrated shelves and/or nightstands, which make the piece of furniture the centrepiece in the room. I prefer dark wood in a mahogany color, but oak is good too. Of course, these beds take up quite a bit of space, so that’s something to consider before purchasing. Additionally, with older beds, we never know if they creak….
There aren’t many new versions of these kinds of beds; the ones I found for you are all vintage. The only new one I came across is by Philippe Starck for Cassina, but since I’m not a fan of his designs, it cannot be in here.
From Whoppah: Wavy headboard shape in darker brown, 850 Euro
Have you ever seen a bed like this? LOVE! 820 Euro.
Gio Ponti bed via Pamono from the 50s, don’t forget you still need to get the slatted frame and mattress. Looks squeaky, but beautiful. 2.500 Euro.
Wooden Beds
I generally like wooden beds, as they are like a canvas that offers all options of going all bohemian, clean, or alpine even. The below bed is a beautiful one made of walnut wood, L4 Chesa Laria by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, 1960s, 1.600 Euro
I also liked and also visited the bed from Objekte Unserer Tage at their store- it’s called Zians Bett and costs 1.790 Euro. Obviously much more modern than the one above, and it’s lower than other beds which in our household has not led to an agreement. But the wood looks really good.
And wow, this bed is incredible! Bed by Mario Ceroli for Poltronova, Italien 70s. But maybe also material for nightmares? Not sure. 9.385 Euro.
I also found this interesting bed, it seems to float above the ground and offers lots of storage. B54-SK, you can choose the wood - I would definitely go for walnut or wild oak. 1.735 Euro.
Stunning beds
This is my favourite category: Unfortunately this category of beds are either unaffordable or on auction in the US. But I haven’t given up and I will share my favourites for inspiration, as this is also important. As these are usually from auctions and archives, it’s also always the question…Do I buy something as intimate as a bed from someone else…Maybe I would if we are talking about a Mario Bellini bed, would I?
Below is the Le Mira by Mario Bellini, 18.400 US-Dollar via 1st Dibs, the creme de la creme of the vintage heavens where nobody can afford anything
Bed „Bambole“ also by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, 1970s, also 1st Dibs
Oh my god, I found this one now on an American auction platform, sold for 7.000 Euro. Also Bambole by Mario Bellini from the 70s. I am dying, I really want this. I found the Bambole also in white, buuuuut I feel like white is not ideal for a piece that is over 50 years old, lol. If you want the new version, you can find it here, I think pricing starts at 5.000 Euro.