When I was shopping for a kingsized bed frame a few years ago, one of the features on the wish list was a high, padded headboard so it would be comfortable to sit up in bed and read. This bed definitely checked that box! The one downside to having a taller headboard, especially one that is curved, is it can be a challenge to figure out what to hang over it. A rectangular piece of art or even a grouping of rectangle or square art and photos also looked slightly off. After leaving the space blank for a while in our last house, I hung a fabric bed crown to frame above the headboard. You can read about that HERE. In this house, I wanted to do something different
I ended up finding inspiration from the collection of antique transferware plates and European antlers I hung in our living room. And that was inspired by a design by James Farmer (you can read about that HERE.)
I have a pretty nice collection of antique from my favorite source, , so I pulled out a few that would work together in an arrangement. I also pulled out some pale blue and cream transferware plates to play around with and see if I liked the look. As I do with most gallery wall projects, I placed the objects on the floor so I could arrange and rearrange them, trying to envision the one that would look best.
Of course, the kitties were helpful as always. They wanted to be a part of the arrangement, but I explained that just wouldn’t work.
(use code MISSMUSTARDSEED for 75% off) |
I ended up with a simple arrangement of five antiques, four small plates, and one platter to act as a centerpiece. It adds just enough over the headboard to fill the space and make the room feel more finished.
I’m often asked how I hang plates on the wall and I don’t have any secret weapon in that area. I just use plain and simple wire plate hangers like . I have tried other methods over the years and I find those are most reliable.
With the rest of the house being a bit of a mess, it was nice to spend some time making this room pretty for photographing the arrangement over the wall and the bedding for last week’s blog post.
I even clipped some branches from the mock orange bush I recently discovered in our yard. Oh, it is such a pretty bush and I loved bringing a few blooms into the house. They were a bit “over-ripe”, but I was able to keep them for a day. Next year, I’ll have to trim some just as they are blooming.
Once things settled down in the rest of the house, I have some more work to do on our room including installing quarter round, painting the window frames and some trim that I missed a few months ago, and some other fun things. I find myself itching to decorate, but working on this wall will hold me over for a little while…
I had to laugh at the pun of all those antlers over your bed. Love your content!
Oh my mind went there, too, Colleen!
It’s a great look but I too do not dig the animals. Everything else is excellent and I do not think the animals are needed but if you enjoy them that’s all that matters. Blue and white classic dishware is very special and can go it alone. Sometimes less is more. I always enjoy the posts.
Me personally – I would take those two amazing frames holding the antique baby linens and place them side
by side over the bed. I don’t know how you could sleep with a piece of animal over your heads, haha – but that’sjust me. I could never. I hate the frames are hidden by lamps and such – they are one of my fav things you’ve created!
As far as design, though – you hit it spot on, as you usually do. Just antlers, though. Not a fan.
Hanging them over the bed would be pretty, but they are too tall! Yes, I do think they are hidden by the lamp shades and might move them to another spot.
And yes, I get it with the antlers. My Opa had a deer head hanging in his den and when I slept on the sofa bed in there, it would give me nightmares. It’s funny that it’s sort of a comforting thing now that reminds me of him.
I totally agree with Michele. The baby linens are just so precious, but hidden behind the lamps. I’d like to see them above the bed as well. And though I understand why the current design works, I am just not a fan of the antlers!
Yeah, they would look sweet above the bed, but they are too tall. The space I’m working with is pretty small, so the options are limited.
I think your arrangement looks nice it just would not be for me. I would have nightmares of heavy plates or worse yet antlers falling on me while I slept. Too many memories of when I lived where there were earthquakes.
Yeah, I haven’t lived in earthquake country since I was very little, so I don’t really think about that. There is about a 3″ gap between the headboard and the wall, so anything that fell off would fall in that gap and not on us. Just in case!
I love the plates and antlers…I too have some at our home! I know that not all that come to our home find them as delightful as I do…but it’s my home and I would be disappointed if they dared to comment negatively. Our homes are our sanctuary and should tell “our” story!
I love everything you do, so much so that I have created your style throughout my home. Colors and all. In your MN house, you had the mirrors behind each nightstand, I really liked that. I love the framed baby gowns too, but they are a bit hidden. I understand that they are too tall for above the bed. I think you said you sold those mirrors, but maybe you could find another place for the baby gowns and put mirrors there. I love what you have above the bed. It fits with the rest of your style.
I love the antlers with the plates and platter! You have me thinking about buying some. My husband did find a beautiful set of antlers in the small wooded area in our front yard. I haven’t done anything with them yet. Your wall looks great. Can’t wait to see more.
I visualize antlers in the treetops, some song long ago and I don’t remember the composer.
I love the look with the plates and antlers! Stunning!
Antlers are hideous anywhere. The plates are out of place in the bedroom. I prefer something cosy and serene. I liked the crown much better, like royalty.
Have you the courage to post photographs of your bedroom walls on the internet for any random person to criticize and critique? Just curious…..
I think it looks lovely and unpredictable!
Surprised myself! I generally am not a fan of any kind of taxidermy, but antlers are the exception since the vast majority are “sheds” ( fallen off the stag as it grows a new set each year. Not sure if these are sheds or trophies from hunters, but I’m going with sheds!! That said, I LOVE this arrangement over the bed. It’s the right scale and balance, adds a bit of color and a lot of depth. So winner, in my book. And I also don’t mind the shadow boxed baby linens peeking out behind the lamps ( in my mind, they aren’t hidden, just a bit shy) they draw the eyes forward and once again it’s the depth that captures me. I don’t think everything should be a focal point, too many in a room can sometimes be chaotic. In your room I think they are hung where they look sweet and the nightstands as a whole feel layered and complete. And I agree with you that, squares and rectangles don’t always play nice over an arch. And since the ceilings are lower, even if with just enough space to hang them, I think they would look unbalanced and not quite right. Your photographer’s eye means your vignettes have, texture, balance and depth… and they are very pleasing!
Aren’t the antlers attached to skulls ? So, not shed? I love almost everything Marion does ( but this ) and I knew this had an emotional tug on her heart and that would be the reason to do it. So, it makes me smile for her.
I’m really careful about what goes above the bed just in case anything happens and down it goes. And this has inspired me to frame my mom’s baby dress in an existing shadow box – so I’m pretty happy about that !
I don’t understand why it’s become necessary to hang something over the headboard. Couldn’t that area qualify as a space for the eye to rest? So often there are nightstands, lamps, accessories on both sides of the headboard. Doesn’t filling that space seem to be nothing more than a bad habit? I wish this would get some thought and qualify as a clean slate.
Perfection, as always. I have collections of plates hanging over all three beds. Keep it as is as well as the framed baby gowns. I look forward to your posts. Thank you, Marian.
I loved your bed crown. The fabrics looked beautiful together. I also love this arrangement of transferware and antlers. I have a silver plate platter that weighs about 5 lbs. and haven’t found plate hangers that say they will hold that much weight. Some say the hook part will hold that much weight but not the entire assembly including springs. I’m afraid to hang it over my hardwood floor. Any ideas?
There are plate holders that don’t have the springs that might work for a heavier plate.
In the English country side there many homes filled with taxidermy. The English are hunters for various reasons. I absolutely love the juxtaposition of the antlers and plates. I have the same items in my home. The framed baby clothes are lovely. Maybe moving them up higher will show them off better. Beautiful as always. Marion, there is a thought process you go through and you are spot on!
This look is fantastic and very interesting. Love the idea of a shadowbox w/ baby clothes, so sweet!
Hi, Marion. I put an arrangement of tea cups over my bed and have received so many compliments. I live in an apartment and you can see from the front door all the way through the apartment to the back wall of my bedroom so that everything shows if my bedroom door is open. Certainly induces me to make the bed first thing!!!!!!
I too needed a high headboard for my bedroom. In my new (to me) house, the master is large so I did a king and ordered a custom headboard from Ballard Designs, which is a great resource. I decided to use plates above it and went about collecting Rose Famile, I now have 18 up there and they are perfect against the blue/gray walls, filling the empty space nicely. It was pretty inexpensive to do and collected over about a year as I came across them. Wish I could attach a photo. Anyway, I love what you did with your collection, it’s a great way to enjoy it.
I love the dishes but hate the antlers. Probably because I’m from Oklahoma and every home has at least one set of deer antlers mounted over the fireplace. I realize there’s a difference between mine and yours but just sayin’…..
This looks great! Would you mind sharing where you found your bed frame? It’s beautiful!
Antlers and plates in the bedroom? Not a fan at all but you do you Marian
I was so happy to see this post! I also have a high, rounded king size headboard, but ours is white wood w/ a more defined arch. Combined with the LOW ceilings in our bedroom, I am at a total loss! I don’t have a plate collection that matches (husband doesn’t like plates over the bed) but am on the lookout for something that will do. I’ve hunted for round framed botanicals or anything in naturals or browns. This has stumped me for the 3.5 years we’ve been in this house! I do love your look and idea though! No antlers for me!
Just wanted to thank you and let everyone know that your rug source is wonderful! I ordered some I had in my Etsy account bcs they were pretty but I didn’t want to risk buying from Turkey. After your last 75% off offer I decided to chance it. Two sturdy wool rugs and two kilim pillow covers delivered by FedEx from Turkey to Alaska came to about $175. Less than a week in shipping. Beautiful and the owner was very accommodating. Highly reccomend it.
I love the contrast of the smooth, feminine plates alongside the masculine, rough antlers. I think the arrangement makes for a perfect balance and I love beautiful plates hanging anywhere in a home!