“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.
Marta says
Ummmm, I don’t like it. Agree with Stacia that the ladies don’t need anything else. (Wish they were mine!) And for those of us who lived in the times of wicker headboards, we will know it IS a headboard!
Lexi says
It gets lost being flush against the ceiling like that, it would have to hang lower than the beams to have a canopy effect. And then you’d need to add more to it such as more focused lighting or curtains/hangings. As is, it looks like a random headboard on a ceiling.
Mary Elizabeth says
I like it. If it feels good to you in that space, do it.
Kathy says
I think it is too much and doesn’t align with the scrollwork and wire screen thingy to the left between the ladies and the curtains, and the whole assemblage emphasizes the lack of symmetry with the beams.
The screen looks like it extends behind the ladies and can’t be moved, unless you take out the whole thing. Without it, the headboard on the ceiling might work, but I think it is better used someplace else.
I like the “more is more” theme, but sometimes you do have to take it down a notch to have it all work together.
Pam Kueber says
That’s tapa cloth behind the ladies — with torches. Intentionally not photographed too clearly – as that’s a followup story!
Debbie in Portland says
I am not sure that I would put this over the Witco ladies, either. They are so amazing by themselves that I think having something over the top of them isn’t necessary. Plus the ladies and the headboard aren’t centered beneath the ceiling beams, and that’s a little distracting to me.
That said: painting that white wicker headboard another color really transforms it. It totally goes from girlish to sophisticated.
MJ says
Uncentered. That’s what was bothering me, too. But it’s not my tiki bar to fuss about.
Jennie says
Go for it! It will serve to frame and shelter the ladies
Gretchen in Greenwood says
I like this- a clever repurposing . Keep it!
Kat says
I love that it looks vaguely crown-like, and I think the coloring really complements the ladies, but yeah, I’m not sure about the placement. It may look and feel very different in person. I’m a fan of the kind of crowded, layered look that you get in an old bar that’s been around for decades, so it doesn’t look too cluttered to me. Like you always say, live with it for a while before you decide to change it!
Stacia says
I think the headboard is fine with the room… but somewhere else. I don’t like it with the pattern on the ceiling and you can only see what it is from directly underneath looking up. Plus those fabulous ladies don’t need ANYTHING to show how awesome they are!
Now if it was a true canopy like the one in the green room picture, where the decoration is on the sides instead of flat against the ceiling, then I think you could do it. However, I have some of the same OCD problems with things not lining up that others have mentioned.
meb says
I want to sleep on the wall now, but it’s too lumpy.