“Before”: A vintage wicker headboard, spotted at the Restore. I had an idea for it, for my tiki bar…
“After”: Repainted and turned into a canopy for my three Witco ladies.
The effect is not final… there will be lots more handing down from my ceilings over time… But what do you think?
The idea was to make these lovelies more of a focal point, all the more go given they are sitting in a dead spot behind the sectional.
Above: My attention to wicker headboards was reignited a few years ago, when I featured this bedroom designed by Ben Sander. DREAMY!
I repainted my Restore find ($25) up with brown spray paint immediately hit with hammered copper spray paint, and once dry, then some English Chestnut stain. I wanted some color dimension up there.
To hang it, I first tried with the legs. But that looked … even more like a headboard. So I hacksawed off the legs then hit the wicker with some hot glue so it wouldn’t unravel. To hang it, I put cup holder hardware in the ceiling then wired the the thing up there with floral wire; it’s really quite lightweight. I’m thinking I also may stuff some twinkle lights up there.
I know that 1970s Victorian-revival wicker headboards are not tiki. But, I’m all about mashing it all up, especially when Restore finds present themselves.
Finishing all the details in the Mahalo Lounge is goin’ slowwwwwwww. And now it’s summer. Gulp.
ineffablespace says
The Ben Sanders room is perfect. Maybe your next project needs to be a wicker/lacquer/Henry Link Bali Hai bedroom.
Vintigchik says
Not a fan
Scott says
After I saw it painted I can really picture it. My only thing is the top part looks purely ornamental and does not give it away its origins as a headboard, but the bottom section with the open triangles does just a little.
My thought to remedy, crafting something into those open sections (putting your master wreathmaker skills to use!) that resembles the upper areas, then add a big jewel or some type of exotic looking decorative ornament to the center of each segment… once that negative space becomes more of a focal point I think you’ll completely lose the bedpost and it will read just a fabulous decorative piece.
And because you can never have enough sparkle, if the jewels or ornaments could be backlit in some way, all the better.
Tom says
Has potential!
Can mask that it’s not centered using these large faux palm fronds tucked under the headboard with parts of palm fronds hanging down a little
palm fronds: https://www.pier1.com/faux-palm-leaf-fan-stem/3307044.html?scid=scplp3307044&sc_intid=3307044&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=google_pla&s_cid=pla0000003&gclid=CjwKCAjwsJ3ZBRBJEiwAtuvtlJylr6R-eXM0wRk16XaekTkzeK9O5_MpKTu5JL5hF1jTrc8gvgim9BoCP-wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMDP9_rS3dsCFYePYgodkr0Eyg
more fronds: https://www.etsy.com/listing/536282298/artificial-areca-palm-leaf-faux-palm?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_campaign=shopping_us_rymds_sfc_osa&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_custom1=0&utm_content=12599769&gclid=CjwKCAjwsJ3ZBRBJEiwAtuvtlIGceoCkMATbhsf70Gjg5mlwFhcn7DisCugI_NDaZr14Z5u2bQPWqBoC6sMQAvD_BwE
Pam Kueber says
Wow, those Pier One palm fronds!!!!
Jay says
Oh yes, this works very well with the ladies and compliments your wicker peacock chair in the opposite corner. But… except the lighting is throwing me off. The three ladies need some type of low level picture gallery lighting, maybe bottoms up instead of top down.
Robin, WA says
I see what you’re going for but it looks odd not centered between the two beams. I think, also, that it’s too flush to the ceiling. It kind of disappears from a distance. Honestly, it also looks too much like you stuck a headboard to the ceiling. It’s not quite pulling off the effect you were hoping for, I think.
Retroski says
The headboard is cool, and I think it needs something too hanging down, to “frame” the ladies. Short strands of wood tiki beads either side?
What makes the Ben Sader wicker canopy work is the green fabric hanging down the sides.
Tessc60 says
Whatever floats your boat, hon… But my visual tendencies would be driven absolutely bonkers by the wicker being so off- center in the space between the beams. Without the wicker, the ladies grouping doesn’t bother me, but the wicker makes the asymmetry as obvious as a flashing caution light.
So, if that asymmetry doesn’t make *your* brain hurt, go for it! Painted bronze and used as you have it, it doesn’t jump out as Victorian, it simply reads as ornate.
Joy says
I love it!
ineffablespace says
I am all for eclecticism or mash-up , my own furniture spans about 200 years and I think chrome chairs look great with antiques, but eclectic rooms make a point of being eclectic and there is usually some proportion or ratio of This:That which ends up seeming right, even in an intentional mix.
Here the room is mostly so strongly thematic that for me, the neo-Victoriana does not work. Wicker is not out in general, but I don’t think this is quite it. I think the room starts running the risk of looking –I dunno–first apartment-ish or frat party-ish/costumish if pieces start to veer too far from all-out period-appropriate Tiki.