“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.
linda h says
Hanging down between the dining room and living room as a room divider?
Erica says
I think it’s a neat idea that doesn’t quite transfer in reality. You worked so hard on your ceiling, and it’s really beautiful, so why would you want the headboard to compete with it? I say try it somewhere else. It just doesn’t really add to the ladies and takes away from the ceiling.
Mary Beth says
I think the headboard is a transition moment … you had to try your idea out, live with it and ask all of us to weigh in! I agree that it doesn’t do enough for the girls and detracts from the glorious ceilings. I would spec some serious ‘art’ lighting – pinpoint halogen to put a glow on the girls. Since you are committed to hanging more ceiling stuff – I’d go for colored glass – orbs and the like that the the ‘art’ lighting can play off of. ps. the headboard will find its place – some day – it’s a great find.
Lori says
Not a huge fan.
JJR says
Get rid of it. Better lighting of paintings is needed.
Diane Miller says
From a distance it looks like a dark smudge on the ceiling. Photo from below makes me think of antique stores with too much crammed in. I get the vision, but think lighting would highlight the artwork better.
DJ Sparkles says
When I first read about your idea, I thought you were crazy (but in a good way). But after seeing the picture of the completed project, I love it!
You could also drape some beads or a string of small shells from it to add to the illusion. Or a couple mini Tiki heads. A Tiki bar is NOT about minimalism! 🙂
Laura Ainsworth says
Unless the photo is deceiving, it seems very dark on that section of wall with “the girls.” The piece on the ceiling, though beautiful (I love the finish you did), makes that area even darker. Can you get some more light there, to make the art more of a focal point? And do you have any other place to use the piece, preferably vertically? It doesn’t bother me that it’s technically not “tiki” — just that it adds clutter and darkness to that part of the room.
Karen says
Kinda like it, but it’s lost when looking at standing eye level.
Would kinda like to see it in front of a mirror behind a long bar, creating dimension. With lovely bottles on small shelves on either side or in front of it.
Good luck!
Joan Sills says
What Maddie & Coco said.