DAYBEDS

RECUMBENT CHIC
Baby got no back...



THOSE FUNNY BACKLESS SOFA'S YOU'VE SEE IN THE HOMES OF AGING DECORATORS ARE SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE...AGAIN
HOLLYWOOD GLAMORIZED THEM.

MARIE ANTOINETTE SPENT HER LAST DAYS ON ONE.

NOW, YOU NEED ONE!

Personally, I enjoy a 20 to 45 minute "rest" in the afternoon, it recharges my batteries just enough to keep me going through an evening out, working late or entertaining at home.  I hate the idea of getting into - or lying on - my bed for my afternoon power-nap.
  
I've always wanted to have a specific "spot" to have this languid, quiet moment - sofa's don't cut it, I'm 6' tall and most sofa's don't accommodate someone my height.  


DAYBED'S 101

The French were the first Europeans to use daybeds... it makes sense... they're all about layin' around lookin' all glam an' stuff, right?



The English never really "got" the daybed thing...
These look way comfy, right?



Asia also employed daybeds - often with canopy's or curtains to keep the harsh sunlight and insects out.



DAYBEDS ENJOYED A HUGE RESURGENCE IN THE 1930's IN THE BAUHAUS ERA

The classic "Barcelona" daybed designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929.


How perfect is this daybed in this CPW apartment?


Ted Tuttle's  home in the Hampton's is rockin' eclectic with his Mies daybed.


A vintage Mies daybed is perfect in this retro-glam beach house by Courtney Fadness Hutker Architects.


Next to a fireplace is a great spot for rejuvenation on this Mies daybed Eileen Gray Daybed, designed in 1925(!).

Gio Ponti Daybed, designed in 1959.



OTHER MODERN DAYBEDS HAVE FOLLOWED SINCE


Brad Ford's  wooden base and French-style upholstered mattress = CHIC!


This casual, woven daybed is simple, handsome and clean-lined.


Tucked under the stairs next to the bookshelves this daybed makes a great place for reading.


Sleek steel with a single velvet cushion is HOT because it adds unpredictable snap to this stuffy London foyer!


Eclectic Modern totally works!  A cool barrier between spaces.

OMG how fab is this? 


Iris Apfel's  daybed is covered in her synonymous multi-ethnic textiles.


It's hard to find a masculine daybed, but I think this is it! It looks so tailored set into the niche.


Steven Sills'  own living room with a wide French daybed floating in the room.


In this living room the daybed has access from both sides - making it great for several reasons; a reading place, six seats at a party and a snooze-o-licious nap spot.


BUILT-IN DAYBEDS




These niche's each provide the perfect place for daybeds.


This narrow bay-window has a custom, built-in daybed with a French-style mattress upholstered in silk velvet...($$$)


In the master bedroom a built-in daybed accommodates several uses - a sitting area, reading nook and afternoon naps.


Courtney Cox's  Malibu beach house has this super simple daybed in an extra room. The French mattress, Hermes blanket and velvet pillows makes me just wanna git all up in it...


TENTED AND CURTAINED DAYBEDS


Another perfect room by Mary McDonald. She created a daybed with a full canopy which feels cozy and clean-lined.


This daybed has what's called a "pelmet" with drapes.


Shown here are daybeds with "valances" and side panels.


This daybed from the World of Interiors is truly something your grandmother might have had as it's totally outdated - however, this is the way daybeds were originally "set up" with draperies, skirts and bolsters throughout the past two centuries.


Again, we have a modern-day schmaltzy "get-up" with all the draping, etc., but it's just not what we want anymore - unless you're a hooker...


CUSTOM, FULLY-UPHOLSTERED DAYBEDS


These can be fabricated in any style you can conceive.


Katie Ridder designed this daybed for a teens room.


I love this upholstered gray daybed in this colorful room. A backless piece like this is a nice way to redirect traffic and add seating without obstructing sight-lines.


DAYBEDS FOR SMALL ROOMS

Sometimes small rooms aren't good for anything - BUT, add a daybed and you have a rocking nap'n & readin' room!


Michael S. Smith  fit an recherche' antique Russian daybed snugly in the end of this room, which looks perfect with the French gueridon(table).


In this very tiny room Stephen Gambrel added a French mattress and buttoned bolsters - I see rainy days, a pot of tea and the NYT's.


This old recycled metal bed enjoys a new life on this small sun-porch with all the Indian pillows and cotton throws.


FREESTANDING DAYBEDS


Designer Charles Spader perfectly placed this English Regency daybed next to the windows for hours of happy daydreaming about this blog...


Designer Sarah Story floated a faux-bamboo daybed deliciously in the middle of this very "That Girl" room. 


This posh bedroom uses a daybed instead of the ubiquitous sofa by the window.


Marie Claire Maison shows this French daybed with Moroccan textile pillows   Rustic + chic = gtfo!


Ann Getty  floated this daybed in the room and centered it with an old French garden table and two armchairs creating a cozy "moment" in this multi-purpose extra bedroom.


DAYBEDS USED AS BEDS


This daybed is perfect for the teen to use when home from college.


Reed & Delphine Krakoff  used this vintage steel and brass campaign daybed in a nursery for the nanny or wet-nurse.


Atlanta Homes Magazine featured this beautiful antique Jensen daybed which does double-duty: The nap room becomes the guest room!  No way? Yes, wayyyyy...


Archados de Decoracao  of Brazil shows when things get too frantic at your home office, you can just fall into your daybed for your power-nap.


Christina Sullivan Roughan used this full-size daybed which can host two nappers....  grrrrr baby.


DAYBEDS FOR PORCHES


(Source: Coastal Living)
An old iron bedstead repurposed as a daybed on a porch works perfectly. If you do this use an outdoor type textile to upholster the mattress and cushions.

(Source: Coastal Living)
LOVE-LOVE-LOVE these two daybeds!  What's better than an afternoon nap on a porch with a light breeze and a bottle of Tequila? Notice the swing on the right is extra deep/wide for more comfort.

I'm not sure if this swinging thing is a daybed or some sorta sex bed...  lets just say multipurpose, right? Either way - it's awesome!


Carlos Miele  used this modern daybed on this porch with the antique French sofa - which is totally what today's eclectic look is all about.


This glazed porch furnished with odd bits and pieces totally exudes chill.


OMG I'm sooo there!

You can do it, I'm here to help!