Bed Saga

I told you I never learn.  After the bed of my dreams was shipped back, I have gone without one.  Until I saw this one at Soft Surroundings.  The 'Burgundy' headboard would solve the mattress and box springs problem and was a better deal.  Or, so I thought.  I've been a long time customer of SS and love them.  

So, I ordered and waited for the second shipping company to deal with.  They brought it, but would not bring it in the house, unlike the full set up by Anthropologie.  This weighed 111 lbs and the box was HUGE.  My husband and I dragged it in the house.  I moved everything and took down the pictures etc. and pulled the bed away from the wall.  Put it all back in place and left for awhile.

Upon return, the entire house reeked with the most horrendous petroleum, chemical smell.  I was worried there might have even been pesticide emitting toxic fumes.  WTF?  For the next four days I had to leave my outside bedroom door open, even at night.  My sister came to visit and narrowed it down to the stain on the decoration on the headboard.

Throughout the next several days, I was on the phone and computer with the Customer Care and Quality Assurance people.  Was this made in China, I asked (no, Indonesia).  They had never heard of such a thing. I tried and tried to explain to several different reps about this; that I was worried about the toxicity to me and my weenies who sleep with me.  Something that strong and chemical smelling must not be healthy.  I kid you not: I have never smelled anything this strong.  I could smell it in other rooms.

One guy said he'd credit me $30. back to my account.  No!  Another said $175. No!  I finally said to send another bed (that does't stink) and take this one back when they deliver the new one.  The next day, a lady from CC called and said she'd credit back more.  Because of all the hassle, I agreed - that and during all this my husband held a t-bar while his friend hammered it in the ground.  Yes he did - smashed his finger with a sledge hammer.  Bones were sticking out and pulverized and he won't be able to do much for a long while, but that's another story. 

 I am going to use a matte varnish to paint over the stained part to hopefully cover the smell, which has lessened, but is still there.  Especially since my head is next to it when sleeping.  

Anyway...  This princess needs to stick peas up her nose when she goes to bed.

Just A Folly

I am decorating my new city bedroom in country French.  I have looked high and low for a French caned bed.  I have found very few and the ones I have discovered are all very expensive.  Some are antiques and even more expensive than the reproductions.

I finally found this one at Anthropologie.  It is ivory with a fully carved swag of cabbage roses though this photo doesn't show the detail well.   It is the one I want - it is also expensive in my book. 

I don't buy jewelry or baubles that would cost as much.  Other than sunglasses and the occasional handbag, I don't spend much on clothes.  I guess I am trying to justify purchasing it.

My husband would just die and it would even be stressful for me buying it as I guess I am just plain cheap.  I don't like to pay retail without a discount.  I guess buyer's remorse would be the more appropriate phrase.  Oh, and I  forgot to mention I need a new dining room table and chairs and wood floors.  Those alone will wipe me out.  Since I haven't moved in such a long time, I hadn't thought about how my old furniture wouldn't go with the new house.  The former owner had a very formal style of decorating.  Me, not.  The first thing to come down were the curtains and swags she left behind.  Deep blues and green and burgundy.  I'm more whites and creams and pastels.

I'll let you know if I get up the nerve to buy it.  Perhaps if I wait long enough I'll forget about it.