Canopy bed – Kristen Laird Design

Kelly Wearstler

As it turns out I am not the only admirer of the canopy bed. After getting many emails from readers admiring the canopy beds by David Hicks I was inspired to do another post on the topic. The canopy bed first came into existence as a way to give the lords and nobleman of medieval Europe some privacy and added warmth. Today it continues to be used by interior designers in new and creative ways despite no longer being needed for its original purpose. And what fun they can be! Below are photographs of canopy beds by some of the top interior designers of our time. Enjoy!

Tom Felicia

Miles Redd

Jonathan Berger House Beautiful July 2009

Melissa Rufty House Beautiful October 2010 (This months issue!)

Charlotte Moss Veranda Nov-Dec 2008

Celerie Kemble House Beautiful November 2007. I love the lavender scalloped edges!

Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill Southern Accents Jan/Feb 2008.

Vincente Wolf Elle Decor December 1995

Ruthie Sommers InStyle Home Spring 2007

Angie Hranowsky

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Daughter Apple’s Bedroom via Habitually Chic

Katie Ridder Elle Decor March 2008. This is one of my favorite bedrooms for a young girl!

Katie Ridder Elle Decor January 2009

Ruthie Sommers

Palmer Weiss from her website.

Phoebe Howard Atlanta Showhouse 2006

Phoebe Howard Detail

Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani Elle Decor December 2008

Gary McBournie House Beautiful Dec 2008

Michael S Smith Elle Decor October 2009

Elizabeth Dinkel Veranda

Barry Dixon Metropolitan Home June 2008

Noel Jeffrey from his Website

Jeffrey Bilhuber House Beautiful November 2007

Benjamin Noriega-Oritz ElleDecor.com

”My greatest contribution as an interior designer has been to show people how to use bold color mixtures, how to use patterned carpets, how to light rooms and how to mix old with new,” – David Hicks, David Hicks on Living — with Taste (1968)

Master Bedroom at Britwell House, David Hicks Home in Oxfordshire

Ever since I was a little girl I have had a love affair with canopy beds. In fact, the room that my mother grew up in had two canopy beds that I adored. When my grandparents sold their house, I insisted my mother store the two canopy beds in our attic until I have a house to put them in and children (hopefully for their sake little girls) who can sleep in them. David Nightingale Hicks was born on March 23rd, 1929 and is acknowledged as one of the most important interior designers of the late 20th Century. Along with his use of bold, modern colors, geometric fabrics, upholstered walls and painted furniture – the canopy bed was a David Hicks trademark. Below are some of my favorites from the David Hicks archives of photographs.