Bed Time
So it seems I have a thing for the Ikea MALM bed. I have used it in both my homes in a variety of ways but always customized – re-imagined, re-worked, primed & painted! The truth is, like it or not, we all operate on a restricted budget when it comes to designing, picking and choosing where to splurge and where to save.
Bottom line – this bed is an unbelievable design! Clean-lined, minimalist and priced oh-so-right! I chose to spend my coins on fantastic bedding and swoon-worthy decorative pieces to adorn my bed.
In the master bedroom of my Amagansett home, I wanted to make a statement in bold contrast to the pale room & chose to paint the MALM bed a strong graphite grey, complimenting the industrial ceiling fan and wall sconces. The bed adds a punchy presence to the space yet it isn’t the focal point.
In the guest rooms of my beach home and in the master bedroom of my DUMBO apartment I made a choice to have the MALM bed completely disappear. I wanted a serene relaxed atmosphere in these rooms. By priming and painting the bed in the exact color of the rooms walls, the bed essentially fades away – disappearing into a monochromatic canvas.
In DUMBO I struggled to find a bed for this space, almost spending far beyond my budget on a custom walnut platform bed. After realizing I was essentially sketching the exact design of the MALM, I made the wise choice to take a trip to Ikea and save my money. Instead, I splurged on luscious linen bedding, the insane grey hand-knit throw from Warm, and my dreamy Eric Cahan artwork that hangs above my re-imagined MALM. The key to long lasting & durable results is in the primer. Be sure to allow the primer to fully dry before applying 2 coats of your desired paint with a foam roller.
