Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Finials (They Stay) & Art (Might Go)

Remember when we took Ed The Bed’s top rails off and mentioned needing some finials to finish things off? That’s where a finial fashion show comes in. Yup, I’m nerdy like that. I ran out to Home Depot and Lowe’s where I bought these four options and I gave them all a spin on Ed to see which ones we liked best. Here’s the spread:

Finials In Packages

The long wood “finials” on the top right were actually chair legs from Lowe’s, but I just wanted to see if something long and lean was the way to go. And you know we like to use “weird” things as other things. So legs as finials wasn’t that much of a stretch for us. Unfortunately once John suggested that they resembled “man parts” I just couldn’t get past it. What can I say, the idea of sleeping under four willies gave me the willies. So they were instantly eliminated before even partaking in the fashion show fun.

But here are the other three options in place atop one of Ed’s posts. The first option was a set of round finials from Home Depot that were actually meant for curtains rods, but the attached screws at the base of each one slipped right into the predrilled holes in the top of Ed’s posts.

Finials Round Show

They definitely could work (especially if we painted them white to match Ed), but I thought the basic round ball sort of looked like the top of a banister. You know, kinda “builder.” So although it mimicked the shape of our big dandelion-esque light and most definitely wouldn’t “not work,” we weren’t 100% over the moon about them either. Just because they felt like we got banister tops from the home improvement store and tried to play them off as four-poster finials.

These ornate curtain finials (also from HD) felt very heavy, formal, and almost pineapple-ish:

Finials Ornate Show

The reason we picked these up to begin with (since you might think they would never work with the modern lines of Ed the Bed) was because we plan to bring in a curvy antique-ish dresser to play off of the more modern chandelier. So we wanted to see if the clean lines of the bed would actually work with something a little formal on top. Of course the dark color threw us off, but painted white we actually thought they’d work. Especially because they sort of tied into the shape of our mirror above the sink in the background too.

These last curtain finials (also from HD) are kind of the compromise between the builder basic round ones and the super ornate formal ones:

Finials Winner Show

And they were already white (although not a perfect match) so it helped us visualize how they’d work without much effort. We liked how they still had round orbs within them (which subtly mimicked the light fixture) but they also had a semi-old-ish vibe going on, so they would tie Ed into a curvy and ornate leggy dresser if we ever get a hold of one of those (we’ve been stalking Craigslist like crazy).

When we stepped back, we knew we had a winner. They just felt the best to us after studying them all in person for a while and weighing our options. Here they are from afar:

Finials Wide No Art

It’s like they were made for Ed. Psst- Remember we’re contemplating a bedside lamp & night stand upgrade, we’re just working with those for now since we have ’em. So we packed up the other finials and back to the store they went. Thankfully I was able to slip one finial out of the top of the packaging without cutting or unstapling anything, which means I could slide each one back in and return them in perfect condition. In fact I remembered to take the picture of them in their packaging after putting each finial back in, so you can see how “mint” they looked. Yes, I’m actually proud of ridiculously random things like that.

Oh but actually adhering the finials was another little challenge. They each had screws that slid right into the predrilled hole on the top of each of Ed’s posts, but the hole was a smidge too wide for the screw (so they teetered ever so slightly if the post was jostled). And getting the screw out of the finials and replacing it with something thicker that might have fit Ed’s holes seemed like it might take a while. So being the impatient girl that I am, I decided we should try using a ball of poster putty to squeeze the screw through and beef things up, thereby creating a sticky-gum-like effect to hopefully hold things more securaly.

Finial Into Sticky1

Finials Into Sticky2

Finials Into Sticky3

And holy cow it worked. The finials didn’t waver back and forth anymore, they were stuck in place for good. Except not really for good, which is good. If we ever change our minds, since poster putty is easily un-stuck, it’ll just take a few firm pulls on each finial to remove them without any permanent damage to Ed or the finials themselves.

So there you have it. The easiest and most reversible Ikea Hack ever. Haha. Oh wait- and yes, we still have to paint the finials to match Ed because they’re not exactly the same tone of white, so I’ll just bring home a bunch of paint swatches to see which one looks most like the paint on the posts and then I’ll just get a test pot of it for a few bucks and paint the finials for a more seamless look.

Wait, did you think that was the end of the post? Well… (cue the confetti)… we still have some art to discuss. We gave the ram and two thrift store finds a spin above our bed (I know not everyone would want to wake up under a ceramic ram head but it’s totally my idea of a good time). But – sad face – we’re thinking they’re probably too dinky for that spot.

Finials Wide With Art

Finials Art Close

Finials Ram Close

Finials Art Vertical

Maybe once we add all the missing furniture and other art into the room they’ll feel a bit less teensy, but for now we’re not sold. But I like waking up under a ram so they’re still hanging there. We’re thinking about some giant canvas art or something for that spot down the road. Who knows where we’ll end up though.

Oh and here’s one of my favorite corners of the room that we realize hasn’t been pictured in a while.

Finials Chair Corner

How sweet does that chair and those curtains look through those finial topped posts? I love gazing at it sleepily in the morning. When I’m not smiling up at my ram friend of course.

Comments

  1. Terhi says

    Haha, I love Burger! He’s so smart, look at him wiggling under the duvet :D

    I really like the finials, amazing how something so small can make a huge difference.

    Reply

  2. Ariel says

    Hey you guys, I love your blog. It’s my favorite thing to check when I get home on weekdays.

    That being said, I miss the rails across the top of the bed. It’s your choice, but I want to see it go back to its original design.

    Reply

  3. LF says

    just noticed the box on the right for wallquotes.com advertises their product as wall art… should we sick bob on them too?

    love the room – really coming along!!

    Reply

  4. Faith says

    I recently found your blog and LOVE it! I’m a junky for stuff like this:) I am currently trying to decide on interior paint colors and I LOVE the color on your bedroom wall. Any chance you could tell me what color/brand it is?? Thanks

    Reply

  6. Lynn says

    The room is looking great! When I first saw the photo of the shelves above the bed, I thought how great they’d look painted a fun color, and they would. But I think the dark color above the bed provides some weight to that side of the room. I like the arrangement overall but I do think the ram would be perfect in the corner with the chair.

    On another note, when you paint ceramic animals, do you prime them?

    Reply

  8. A. says

    LOVE BURGER! did you teach him that or did he just do it one day?
    i’d like to teach my dog to be awesome like that.

    Reply

  11. Pamela says

    Oh, and Sherry – I failed to mention in my previous post that the magnificent & spacious blue sky, luscious green grass, soaring mountains, sparkly raindrops, fluffy white clouds, rainbows, intricate snowflakes, beautiful flowers, gorgeous butterflies (the list is endless…) are all “art” & can blow any art away that may be found in a recommended museum/gallery/pricey store. So…my point (I know you know this, but just wanted to reassure you after the comment about “art”) – display & enjoy any & all art that truly makes your heart sing & puts a smile on your face, because art comes in all forms, is a personal choice not dictated by price or consensus (thank goodness!), and the world’s absolute best art (as mentioned above) wasn’t even created by human hands! Now that’s “ART!” :)

    I love your blog – best wishes for you & John as you travel along your younghouselove journey…

    Reply

  12. Molly says

    Hi Sherry and John,

    I normally don’t visit your website, but have recently because I saw links to it from another site I visit. Anyway, I thought I’d share this with you since it’s generate quite a lot of “talk” about your art. I don’t agree or disagree with anything, but I thought you might be interested in reading. :)

    Reply

  14. Jennifer says

    lol. Your dog is so funny :) I love those videos.
    The white ones do look good (even those the black ones are pretty too)

    Reply

  16. Melody says

    Nice finials! I agree about the ram’s head. If only it were a little bigger…but then I’d worry about it crashing down on my head in the night! Maybe a big piece of framed art?

    Reply

  17. Chloe says

    The things on the wall looks a bit wonky and off-centre to me because they’re so small. Can’t wait to see the final product though! Burger is such a sweetie.

    Reply

  18. Meagan says

    I think the art above the bed is great. I think it only looks too small because y’all havent added the built ins you have mentioned. Once the other finishing pieces have been added to the room I think things will look balanced. I love your obsession for ceramic animals and the ram is totally you and should stay.

    ps I love the blog, I found it about a month ago and went back and reread every single post (sometimes I get bored a work) and now I am sad to be limited to 1 or 2 posts a day. I got spoiled reading a months worth at once. But I love everything about your old house and new one. Y’all make me want to fix up and old brick ranch someday when I’m not straight out of college poor.

    Reply

  19. Noel says

    You crack me up. Last night, I was actually watching the Friends episode where Joey gets his own apartment and starts a “ceramic zoo.” I totally thought of you!

    Love the Burger video- my cat does that too! Sometimes I go crazy trying to find her when she’s a lump right in front of me whole time.

    Reply

  21. Joanne F says

    Burger needs to take lessons from my cat Mystery. She weasels up the side of the bed without disturbing the covers. The only thing that gives her away is the suspicious lump under the spread!

    Reply

  22. Christine says

    This may be totally off-topic, but I saw a photo somewhere of bed finials made from old glass doorknobs. It was nice the way the glass caught the light. I think it was a little bit more of an involved project than what you guys did, though.

    Reply

  25. Sara says

    Love Young House Love and love it even more when I see how classily (is that a word? I think I just made it one)you handle situations like the one that came up with your commenter today. Thanks for all the inspiration!

    Reply

  26. Michelle N says

    Burger is too funny! Have you ever been frighten by him while getting into bed at night? Not knowing he’s under the blanket. It would freak me out!

    OMG the comments today got a little out of hand. You guys handled yourself great! A lot better than I would have. I will agree 100% you guys are the “chattiest commenters in the history of blogging.” That’s only one of the many reasons I love reading your blog.

    Keep up the great work!!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha we definitely fall into bed at the end of a long day only to be spooked by the wiggly chihuahua hiding under the covers. It’s actually hilarious. Poor Burger shoots out of the covers looking all freaked out. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  27. r8chel says

    Now that you took the top rails off of Ed the Bed, don’t you secretly wish that you had just purchased a “regular” bedframe so you wouldn’t have to deal with the posts? Probably not. I’m not a fan of the four-poster look, so maybe that’s just my bias showing through. :)

    Reply

  28. heartartz says

    Ok, I loved the post about animal/chess piece heads on the bed post. But how about just one of these cutie birdies…painted white of course!!!
    I’m sure you could find one
    http://jarreds.shoprw.com/product.php?productid=12353

    Oh and….wikipedia defines…
    Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items (often with symbolic significance) in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect.
    Wowzoo Your arrangement definitely qualifies!!!!

    Reply

  31. Janet says

    Gosh, that’s a tough choice. I think I’m a little partial to number #2 than #3 but it’s pretty close. :)

    Would you do the wardrobes on either side of the bed again? Or do you like to always try new stuff?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We like trying new stuff, but especially since this house has a nice walk in closet and room for a dresser across the room we no longer need that much bedside storage. The door to the room would swing open and hit the wardrobe on the right anyway, haha.

      xo,
      s

  32. Ali says

    I was searching around Etsy and saw a picture of this flower… if you google Allium karataviense, it totally looks like nature’s version of you bedroom light!

    Reply

  33. Kayla says

    Let me just say it….even the though thread was closed. Bob needs to stop reading this blog, since he is clearly far superiour than it. I applaud you for your grace. I would have deleted him far earlier than you even “closed” the comment thread. Love you guys! Especially Burger!

    Reply

  34. Stacy says

    Whew – lots going on with comments today!

    Anyway, I know that you guys didn’t choose them – but the unfinished wood finials look very modern and cool. I know that your intent was to paint them, but I thought they were wonderful (and even surprised myself) as is.

    PS. As always – love the blog!

    Reply

  35. Holly says

    Well then I don’t even know if my comment belongs here! I did not have a comment about the art. Although now maybe I should! I love that we live in America and can put whatever the hell we want on our dang on walls! If you want to poop in a box and hang it on the walls and call it art YOU CAN!!!!!!

    Moving on.

    I need to get a bench for our little Chi Lucy!! We have our glider foot stool at the bed now so she can jump on the bed and every single time she jumps up there it bangs on the bed. But otherwise she can’t jump up there!

    Reply

  36. Sibyl says

    Loving the room minus the finials and “art”. Less is more with the bed, the finials just seem out of place. And, lets just thank our lucky stars that a certain someone who’s name rhymes with mob didn’t see the scrapbook paper in your living room frames. That might have literally sent him over the edge.

    Reply

  38. Jen says

    I didn’t realize you removed the top of the bed!

    I think a big canvas or something would look great. I’m not feeling the items you have there now. But I’m getting a bit sick of seeing ‘heads’ (rams, deers etc) everywhere – too 2009! :-P

    Reply

  39. Dee says

    Your jute rug has an attractive pattern, but it looks really washed out and flat in that space. Your fluffy pillow makes me yearn for a super-sized scrumptious rug to wiggle your toes in when you get out of bed. Your whole room is beginning to look too pieced together and lacks fluidity. You need texture and large pieces to anchor things. Your other home was easier to design because it was smaller and cozier. Large rooms are very challenging to tackle. It’ll come together for you, though, because you’re great at stepping back and reevaluating your decisions. The first thing I’d completely and utterly detach myself from would be that bed. It’s too spindly and fragile looking and bland. :(

    By the way, the dressers you’re hoping to find are going to really overwhelm that bed. It lacks presence and substance, and those tall, skinny posts just seem incredibly awkward and without purpose. I love you guys so darn much, though, and can’t wait to see how things come together!

    And for some additional insight, you loved the bed at first. But when you took the rails down, that was step one in the process of reevaluation. And now the finials tell me that you’re well on your way (however reluctantly and stubbornly) to realizing the shortcomings and inadequacies of this bed. What’s next … repaint the upper third of those jutting white twig creatures? Chop off the top half and burn the discards as kindling in your fireplace? :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We love Ed! His posts make him special and we wouldn’t dream of making kindling out of him! Remember that we’re just getting started in our room (we’ve only been here three months, and our last house took us 4.5 years to complete) and we love that things evolve as we go and it’s not an overnight process! Who knows where we’ll end up, but our bedroom already makes us grin from ear to ear and we adore Ed and his sexy long legs, er posts.

      xo,
      s

  41. Michelle says

    I’m so surprised that with you telling us how much you loved waking up under the ram that you didn’t have a shot from under the ram!

    And Burger, totally impressed with his “cover skills.” Takes my dog ten minutes and then he still ends up with parts exposed!

    Reply

  43. Melissa says

    I have to confess that the ram is totally not my thang at all, but I really like the new look of the bed. The top rails really bothered me, though I tried valiantly to grow a liking for them. ;-) The finials really finish it off perfectly.

    Reply

  45. Tanisha says

    Here in Australia you can take a paint chip in to the paint store and they can mix up the exact same colour. Having two crazy children and renting means that we have used this service waaaaaay too often!
    You could just scrape a bit off an unseen part and It would make the bed look perfect. Hopefully you guys have the same service over there :)

    Reply

  48. Mary says

    So I think my dog is reading your blog. He has recently started wanting to go under the covers as well. Unlike little Burger, he is a 70 lbs pitbull and needs me to lift the covers for him. What a hassle! ha

    Reply

  49. Mindy says

    Woah! I missed the Bob saga! HAHAHAH! Great attitude Sherry. Doesn’t that guy have something better to do? I have an art degree and am an art teacher. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I also agree with (I forgot the commenter’s name) placing an open ornate frame around Ramsy! Love that.

    Unicorns & Rainbows ;) hee hee
    xo
    Mindy

    Reply

  50. Stacy says

    I dont know if anyone else has mentioned this or not, but have ya’ll thought about adding a frame around Ramsy & the other pieces??? Ramsy…. Sorry I just felt he needed a name like the other items in your house. LOL

    Reply

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