Bedspreads for your mid-century bedroom

In my view, the most difficult part of “doing” a mid-century bedroom “right” is the bedspread. This week we will talk about the other stuff — the furniture, the windows, the rug, the paint and wallpaper, the lamps, the accessories and good feng shui. But, the bedspread is the hardest, because I don’t think the choices are very abundant. #1 on my list: Buy vintage, if you can find the style/quality/size/cootie-free design you want. Above: Bates’ Martha’s Choice bedspread from the Bates Mill Store.

#1: Vermont Country Store — which has the greatest variety of choices, although they tend to the “colonial” or “kitsch” although you know I have no problem with kitsch. Their plisse, seersucker, gingham and rib cord (made by Bates, it appears) – perfect for the postwar era.

#2: Bates — The online Bates Mill Store sells traditional Bates bedspreads direct. We all had these, they’ve been ubiquitous since the 50s. A number of Vermont Country Stores’ bedspreads seem to come from Bates. And, I *think* I’m seeing that prices are significantly better straight from Bates: Take time to compare.

JCPenney’s gets on the list. The have some designs that *come close* and are worth checking out if you are in the market.

I really like this Forget Me Not bedspread from Country Curtains. It has the upholstered look that is quintessentially mid-century: Notice the seams along the edge running from the headboard to the baseboard — that’s EXACTLY what we want. This design is getting much closer to what I am watching for someone to manufacture new: a quilted, “tailored / upholstered” satin bedspread with seams headboard-to-base — like the one I luckily snatched up at a Country Curtains roller skating rink in 2002. Country Curtains is based here in the Berkshires. (I’ll show some of the decor from my bedrooms later this week.)

Finally, I need to say that: This is huge territory, bedspreads. I’d love to hear if others have found satisfying alternatives.

Vermont Country Store bedspreads here.
Bates Mill Store here.
JCPenney bedspreads here.
Country Curtains bedspreads here.