Yup, we finally gave Ed a little haircut. For over a year and a half we tried to work with the posts on Ed the bed, but the realization that we didn’t have a lofted ceiling or a floor plan that made sense of those big dramatic posts slowly worked its way into our conscious and we finally decided that just because Ed was born with long hair posts doesn’t mean that a little haircut is cruel and unusual bed punishment. So here he is before…
… during…
… and after…
This whole bed-trimming project was free, took about an hour of work, and we totally dig the more open look. It was just too much vertical stuff going on- especially with the bed right next to the window (with those floor length curtains going on). Ed’s totally crying out for a large fabric headboard so we can raise the mirror above the bed about another foot or two (like this poorly photoshopped rendering) and someday we’d love to stain the floors (and possibly the dresser) darker…
… but we’re getting there. And just because I can’t stop at one photoshopped headboard option, here are some more I had fun with:
But back to reality. You know we like to use what we have, and we love Ed for so many reasons. The height, the comfort, and the thin airy legs that he sits on which allow us to hang out be weird under the bed…
… so instead of completely scrapping him (ex: craigslisting him and buying a new bed) we devised a completely reversible plan to give his posts a little trim. How is it reversible? Well, while they don’t just screw off or anything, they’re solid wood posts. So we can always reattach them by adding a nice long metal screw to the center of each post that we could just screw back into the bed frame to attach them (it’s how a bunch of Ikea items are made, like how Lack tables have legs that can be screwed on and off). So although we don’t foresee any reason to put those suckers back on, who knows… maybe someday we’ll end up in a house with lofted ceilings and we’ll wish we could put Ed back together – and now, theoretically we can. Haha.
So after concocting our little Ed-tweaking plan, this is how it all went down (complete with insanely embarrassing not-meant-to-sound-perverted comments by yours truly):
For those who can’t watch the video (perhaps you’re at work, although it pretty much tells the story on mute) we snapped some photos for ya too. We basically just lined the Dremel up (we have a Multimax, and used the wood cutting attachment) with the base of the post and slowly sawed around it.
Oh and see how we put a piece of cardboard between the mattress and the post? Just wanted to make sure we didn’t get too chop-happy near the mattress (and moving our organic mattress takes the strength of ten vampires, so we just didn’t have it in us).
Thankfully we had no mattress casualties and each post came down after around five minutes of careful cutting.
We actually got much better at making super clean cuts as we went, so we’re glad we started on the two bottom posts of the bed (which will always be covered by the comforter anyway) and worked our way up to the top two posts, which are seen a lot more.
John even let me take a spin. I had to wrestle the Dremel from his cold dead tool-loving hands, but it was worth the trouble. Girls need a romp with a power tool every once in a while too. Especially because safety glasses are so undeniably sexy.
We were really surprised how nice the top posts looked when they were cut. See the circle detail that they ended up sporting (the bottom posts didn’t have those)? They made it look like a decorative design, so they looked convincing. Like they were meant to be this way. Total happy accident.
Then we just did some sanding to get everything smooth…
… and I used the Ikea-white paint (I did a little hunting to find the perfect white paint that matches Ikea’s white tone here) that we had leftover from another project.
Check out the top right post after cutting, sanding, and painting…
… and the top left post after the same rigmarole.
By the time the paint dried and we made the bed it totally looked like Ed was born this way. Cue the Lady Gaga dance-a-thon.
Here’s John breaking it down. Just kidding. He ran through the shot and kicked his leg up in some sort of weird victory cry and somehow the camera caught his ghosted karate move. Hilarious.
Here are things from another angle. Obviously we need nice large art where those botanicals are floating on that wall on the right of this picture (we’ll rehang the botanicals over a chair that we have in another corner), but we’re getting there. Especially once we build an upholstered headboard for Ed and move the mirror a bit higher, so it further ties into the chandelier.
I can’t tell you how much we like this hand-me-down dresser from John’s parents in the nook. It’s the perfect fit.
We already shared how it looks from the hallway in this morning’s post, but here’s that shot again, just to refresh the ol’ memory:
Although it definitely doesn’t match the wood dresser on the other side, there’s something charming about the little white nightstand in the window. And the fact that we have the same bedside lamps on each one sort of connects the two pieces, even though they’re very different.
Here’s a straight shot of the bed as it looks now. I’m definitely itching to get on that headboard project so I can bump the mirror up a bit higher so not everything will be in the same line (the art on the right and the mirror are so perfectly lined up, I think the bed will feel more special with a big fabric headboard and a higher focal point above it). And as for the color of the dresser and the white nightstand, we’re open to painting or staining something, but we’re not rushing into anything.
One thing is for sure, it definitely feels more homey and full than it used to look back when the bed was on the wall near the door.
And it’s so much nicer to walk into this view, instead of stepping three steps in the door and hitting the bed.
So that’s the latest bedroom tweak, but we’re probably a good dozen tweaks from being done in here. Haha, you know us. Inching along. But you know we’ll keep you posted when we tackle other things, like dealing with the bare wall across from the bed, making a giant fabric headboard and moving the mirror up, etc. Should be fun…
Oh and how funny is this? Every morning around 10am the sun shines through the window above the sink (this pic is from before Ed’s move and subsequent haircut)…
… and this shape is reflected on the rug:
Yup, the elongated shadow is pretty much exactly the same shape that’s on the rug itself. The weirdest thing is that when we fell in love with this rug and snatched it up at a local outlet, we made absolutely no connection that it had a similar shape to the mirror above the sink. Hooray for happy accidents.
What are you guys up to in the bedroom (decor wise, I mean – let’s not get saucy). Has anyone else altered their bed to make it work better for their room? Or straight up built one from scratch? Anyone else planning to make a headboard in the next few weeks? I can’t wait to go fabric shopping…
Briel K. says
Your bedroom is looking fabulous with all of these makeovers! I really love Ed’s haircut! You are making me want to change around my room too. :)
Sherry from BC says
Someone on the original link mentioned the distance from the bed to your lamps. I thought I woud “turn you on” (pardon the pun) to a product I found at HD. I use it for my bedside lights. It is the middle one in the link below.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&keyword=belkin%20conserve%20remote&Ns=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=SEARCH+ALL
Basically, it give you a remote to turn the bar on and off. I am able to plug both my bedside lights into it and can read in bed to my heart’s content and then just zap em. I haven’t wall mounted the remote, I just keep it on the side table at night and then put it by the door when I get up so I can turn them on as I come into the room. Hardly use the overhead light now. It is a bit more expensive than the regular bars but I find it really nice when I get sleepy. Love the new look by the way. There were too many verticals and this fixes that nicely.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that tip! So fancy!
xo,
s
Christine says
Just wanted to compliment you on the fantastic updates to the bedroom. It looks so cozy and is great bedroom inspiration!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Christine!
xo,
s
Jamie says
I love it! When I was looking at the entry before this one w/ with the new furniture arrangement I was wishing you all could cut the posts off and when I saw you mention maybe adding a headboard one day I knew it was just a matter of time before those posts were history!
torrie says
ok now, your “happy accidents” are just getting annoying! ;D of course you saw off the posts and you have a ‘design’ hidden INSIDE the wood that looks amazing after it’s painted and of course the sun casts a perfect shadow in the same shape as the shapes on your rug that also looks amazing! ugh! now we know not everything’s perfect in the petersik household as you very well try to remind your readers, but you two and your lovely house are a little more than ordinary and “imperfect” with all your “happy accidents”! it’s sickening! and you’re not doing such a great job at convincing us that you and your house aren’t perfect! ;) just stop it.
ps. i LOVE happy accidents like the ones you discover, though. that’s the nerd in me.
pps. and you guys do work so hard for your readers (hosting giveaways, your work ethic, your blog etiquette, keeping your integrity in tact) , so you totally deserve those happy accidents.
Erin @ The Great Indoors says
Wow, it makes such a difference having the bed moved and the posts gone! It looks like it fills out the space better, like it was meant to be that way. Yay for a homey bedroom!
Erin
Tiffany Constable says
This looks SO MUCH BETTER!! I’ve always thought the big posts were a little too much so I absolutely love it!
Amelia says
I’m no expert, but your feng shui is going to be sooooo much better in here. You can see the door from your bed, but it’s not a direct line… Love it.
Missy G. says
I love this change! And the mocha-colored photoshopped pic? Gorg!!!! Are y’all planning to put your horse canvases on the big wall? Where did those end up?
We have done zero in the master bedroom since hubby bought the house. I say that bc even though we have been married for 4.5 years, all of my stuff is in the guest room and closets. The master and closet is about the same size as your last house, and serious updates are needed. I’m hoping to get some wardrobes one day like y’all did. Maybe by our 10th anniversary? haha!
YoungHouseLove says
One of those is hanging over the chair in the corner and one is in the playroom but we have talked about them coming back in or even being re-imagined by us using the canvas for something else! Should be interesting to see where we end up…
xo,
s
Allyn says
Love another vampire reference. And John totally looks like one when he’s moving too fast for the camera to fully catch.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the improvement on the room. So much lighter and brighter. And you guys definitely have a nice pair of cajones when it comes to maiming your furniture, in the best way possible. Way to go!
John says
Great change, the posts I think emphasized the 8′ ceiling and would fit better with a higher ceiling. The view into the bedroom really is much better and the bed shows better. The wall niche looks like it was designed for your dresser.
cd says
Fun! Though, odd to have a four-poster to begin with then, I guess – but I get it!
Not that we get a “vote” here – but I’d say maybe wait on the upholstered headboard? They are sooooo everywhere. Be daring and go another way! I don’t know what way that is – but it seems like lately if it sits still long enough, all furniture gets tufted, with chevrons, and nailhead trim!
Joelle says
OH.MY.GOD. That’s it!! I can’t believe it. something felt off and i kept thinking your beloved chandelier needed to make an exit. but now i love the chandelier again. what an improvement. good job!
Erica says
Yes! So glad you did this. I like Ed so much better with less limbage. It looks so cozy now
Vicki says
WHOA! The sun is telling you what you already know: that rug was MADE for you guys.
Love the improvements you’ve made. It looked good before, but now it’s downright CHARMING. And nuking the posts on the bed definitely opens things way up in the room.
Angela L says
Love it! And I love John’s happy dance – at first glance he looked like he was dancing in his skivvies, a la ‘Risky Business’!
Looking forward to seeing the rest of the room for inspiration for my own stalled out master bed/bath redo!
Anna says
At first I was so afraid of Ed’s “haircut” because the original look is so charming. But I must admit I really like better how your bedroom looks now. More you…
kate C. says
Wonderful change! I always thought those posts looked a little strange/out of place! Horay for free changes that make a big difference!!
katie says
looks great! i love four-poster beds, but you have to admit, they’re pretty needy — as in, you need the right space and ceilings, or the bed completely takes over.
also, i’m sure you didn’t mean for it to sound dirty, but “Girls need a romp with a power tool every once in a while too” is making me giggle SO much… =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I definitely meant that in the purest of ways, but now that you mention it, I see what you mean! Haha.
xo,
s
Laura says
wow, it makes such a difference! it’s actually hard to believe that it’s that dramatic. you guys are so good at picking up those subtleties!
Maria says
Huge sigh of relief, those posts needed to go but never said anything because I didn’t want to insult you guys. But really, I think it increases the space. I cannot wait to see a headboard project.
maria says
OMG that is perfect! the room is so awesome!
PS i found you guys years ago when I was looking for a cheap alternative to a headboard, and actually did your headboard tutorial with the stretcher bars and fabric, and it was so impressive I made one for my sister too. My favorite thing about it is that I can take off the fabric and change up the look. I have had it up for a few years now, and I have been a faithful (this young house/young house love) reader ever since :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we love that stretcher bar trick! It’s a great option for a headboard that can hang on the wall (the one we make for Ed will attach to the bed in this case).
xo,
s
Emily says
I feel like your bedroom just took a nice, deep breathe. Perfect.
deb says
It’s amazing what a huge difference that little change made. I’m not sure I would have been brave enough to get started but seeing you do it give me courage for some of the things I need to change in my bedroom. I also so need a headboard so am looking forward to your next bedroom project!
Caity says
“Not afigurative pole, your actual pole…of wood. Oh god, it’s getting worse.”
bahahah I peed a little. Thanks for bringing entertainment into my otherwise dull Tuesday afternoon :)
YoungHouseLove says
That video could not have sounded more perverted if I was trying. Seriously.
xo,
s
Caity says
*a figurative
Angela says
Wow!!! Ed looks awesome…it always amazes me how a few tweaks in a living space can totally transform the look and feel of a room. I’m actually planning on cutting the side of my daughter’s IKEA Meldal day bed off soon – so, thanks for demonstrating that a quick “trim” can do wonders.
Carolyn says
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
caleb says
Maybe this already got asked, but is the dresser awkward as a night table (it looks like it is recessed back from the bed a bit making whoever is on the side reach out and back to put something on it). I hope it’s not, because this arrangement is classy ;o)
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully my 6′ tall hubby sleeps on that side and he and his long arms don’t seem to have any issues. The old side tables were low, so there are the right height- which is nice since instead of stretching down we just stretch over.
xo,
s
Twinsmom says
since you’ll be moving the botanicals to the corner with the chair, what are your plans for the black and white horse/beach picture? Have you done anything with the other horse print you took down? I admire how you guys are willing to make changes, even to things that you recently hung/purchased/etc. I get into such a rut…once something is up on my walls, it is a permanent fixture. This inspires me to change things up a bit. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We have definitely talked about how those could come back into the room! Or even be re-imagined with something else on those canvases, will keep you posted!
xo,
s
Coasting anon says
I love that you have ‘mismatched’ bedside tables now. I even wrote about being being mismatched in the bedroom….style-wise…over at FLOR a few months ago ;) Great minds…
http://www.flor.com/blog/are-you-mismatched-in-the-bedroom/
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Krys72599 says
I am a fan of post-less Ed! I never liked the posts very much… And the new arrangement? 100% terrific!!!
uzma says
Just awesome , everytime it looks so compelete and brilliant that cant think of more but you guys again give us a surprise , didnt think of it ….. my vote is also with full wall headboard or black and white geometric wall seen in last designing star’s episode of office designing..may be wallpaper??
YoungHouseLove says
Wanna know something funny about that wallpaper? Look for it in a project in our book! We laughed when we saw that episode since we used the same stuff for a project that we shot back in Jan for the book!
xo,
s
eRin @ growing up senge says
I love Ed’s makeover!! I have a soft spot for four-posters (some weird childhood fixation) but I think he definitely fits the new space better with his cleaner ‘do.
I’m so jealous of your headboard escapades too, I’ve been dreaming of building or DIY-ing a headboard for years, I just can’t find the time (or the right idea) to get started. We’ve also got weird windows in our bedroom and while I’m happy with our bed placement, I just don’t know what kind of headboard would work in the weird geometry. I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!!
Melissa says
I LOVE it without the posts…good eye! I wouldn’t have thought about that. Love the furniture changes too.
Meagan {Green Motherhood} says
I love this new set up! Although I want an Ed the bed because I dream of putting flowing white curtains around his canopy frame.
He’s so versatile!
Ann says
I totally lost it when Sherry started going on about wood and poles. Laughed out loud in my office and three heads popped up to look at me. Whoops!
The room looks great.
YoungHouseLove says
That video = train wreck.
xo,
s
Amanda says
LOVE IT!!!
So much better — I’m certain you both just walk in and smile now!
What are you going to do with the old night stands? Guest room?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’ll try to reuse them in the guest room or playroom and if we can’t find a home for them we’ll yard sale or craigslist them!
xo,
s
Bri says
I swear I was thinking as I read your first post “I’m really liking it, but the posts on the bed just seem wrong.” Then you follow up with this! Craziness. Maybe there’s hope for my decorating ninja skills after all! If I’m coming up with the same answer as you guys I must be on the right track. :)
Love it, the whole room is transformed with these couple changes.
Lesley says
Have you slept in the room with the layout like that yet? $5 says John rolls overtop of you to get to the washroom, instead of getting out on his side and walking around.
… at least once…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we have slept this way for a few days now and don’t really seem to mind it. Whenever I open my eyes I expect to see the mirror over the sink and don’t, but no rolling onto each other by accident yet! Haha.
xo,
s
Karen F says
re: the comments about the nightstands being so far away from the bed – I think you guys need to get “the clapper” – do you remember that? You could clap your lights on and off. LOL
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha, that’ll add a little retro flair.
xo,
s
rhonda says
I love it!
Kari says
Hmm no more horse art? Being the penny pinchers you are, doesn’t it drive you guys nuts to buy things (nightstands, art), and then realize that it was the wrong fit? :(
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully we have embraced the concept that we want our home to make us happy, so instead of being “married” to things that aren’t working out (and feeling perpetually frustrated), it’s freeing to allow the room to evolve and be open to moving the nighstands to other rooms – or craigslisting them if they don’t work out. We got those side tables for $10 at a yard sale, and I think we might be able to craigslist them for more now that we cleaned them up, so it hopefully won’t be a loss even if we end up selling them!
xo,
s
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
wow, that did a lot for the room. Gutsy for sure!! It would have scared the crap out of me to cut those off!! But I really like the effect it has made on your room. I bet waking up in there has been a fun experience.
I finally got started on my bedroom again. I have had all of the boards up for board and batten for, well, months. I finally have the energy and drive to finish it. It’s all caulked and patched and ready to paint!! I am so excited to see if I can pull off the look I am going for. And to see if I can actually get around to blogging about it, lol.
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Go Teresa! Good luck with everything!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Love the new Ed… Maybe it’s because I’ve always been a short hair kinda gal.
Kudos to you for taking that leap!
Amy @ For the Love of Georgia says
Love the new look! We actually just built an upholstered headboard a few weeks ago… well, not WE really, mostly my husband (I told him what I wanted, he built it). Anywho, we used a canvas drop cloth from the paint dept at Lowe’s- it was the right color and we figured it would hold up well to all the cat and 2 Chihuahuas that occupy our bed. And if it gets ruined somehow, we can rip it off and replace it for a cool $10 =)
Leigh says
I can’t believe you chopped Ed, but I love the new look. Man, that would have made me nervous!
We are also getting to make an upholstered headboard. Right now we are trying to decide fabric and color and tufted or not. Decisions!!
Nora says
Looks 100x better. That bed seemed cumbersome. Have you thought about building out that wall, effectively eliminating the nook altogether? Or you could build out the bottom half and leave a notched space at the top for built-ins.
YoungHouseLove says
We originally wanted to make built-ins and still might down the line but we love the dresser in that nook for now. We could build out the wall, but it’s a lot of work for something we don’t mind (the dresser in there just feels charming and sort of balances the window in a way, ya know? Maybe you have to be there in person though!
xo,
s
Julia @Chris Loves Julia says
This whole thing (especially with the upcoming addition of a headboard) is reminding me a lot of the bedroom in this house crashing post:
https://www.younghouselove.com/2012/04/house-crashing-john-and-sherry-plus-8/
I don’t suspect you’ll go the way of trout, but the arrangement feels similar and just as beautiful.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I loved that heron headboard but I don’t think John would go for it…
xo,
s
Alise says
When I saw Sherry’s initial post this morning my first thought was “Why don’t they hack off the posts?” I LOVE the after pics in this post. It’s amazing what losing those four thin posts does for the entire space. GREAT INSPIRATION!
Erin @ One Project at a Time says
Wow- I wouldn’t have considered that an option, but I think you guys made a brave, good choice! Its hard to admit when the new thing you bought just doesn’t do the trick, but you guys made lemonade out of lemons! I built a bed for our bedroom based off an Ana-White plan copying the West ELm modern headboard look. It was surprisingly easy! (And saved us hundreds of dollars. http://oneprojectatatime.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-built-headboard-part-2.html
YoungHouseLove says
Amazing! I love it!
xo,
s