Canopy beds give you sweet dreams

This handsome British colonial style bed with its barley twist posts needs little further embellishment.

Long an essential fixture in fairytales and girlhood fantasies - the canopy bed embodies the very spirit of romance. Sequestered in dreamy comfort, sweet dreams are practically guaranteed when you surround yourself in the luxurious accommodations of a four-poster bed.

History

Like all good ideas the canopy bed was born of necessity. In the 16th and 17th centuries ceilings often collected ash and cinder, which trickled down on those below. A covered canopy provided a layer of protection and allowed sleepers to rest uninterrupted.

In the earliest days of European castles the lord and his family slept in the great hall, along with all the servants. The noble family's sleeping area was separated from the rest by simple curtains. Originally, the curtains were hung from the ceiling, but as the bed evolved, a frame was added to support a canopy or "tester" from which the curtains hung.

In North America canopy beds were welcome additions to 18th century town homes, which weren't necessarily warmer than castles. And, as in matters of manners and dress, prosperous town-folk emulated the nobility in the style of furnishings used in their homes.

In addition, the canopy bed, also known as a four-poster bed, offered family members (who often slept three to four in a bed) plenty of room to stretch out.

Style

Although they have their roots in a bygone era, canopy beds today evoke a more sensual ambience than their predecessors. Where in the past, such beds were draped with thick, brocade curtains to preserve the privacy of their occupants; today's version is more often than not draped in sheer materials like chiffon or organza. Draperies or trimmings can be made from silk, satin, cotton or just about any material that complements the bed itself and doesn't overpower it. Fabric can be confined to the canopy structure overhead - sometimes with elaborate pleating and trims. Or, it can be hung down to the floor and finishing in a soft puddle. Of course, some beds are so beautifully executed they can do without drapes all together - allowing the elegance of the bed to speak for itself.

Whatever the era for which they are designed, such beds usually have one common feature - the tall columns at the four corners that hold up the canopy. The skillfully crafted columns of the beds rise to support the drapes or short curtains and it's these columns that most often dictate a bed's decorative style. Historic designs reflect foreign influences from the Netherlands, France, England and the Orient. British colonial styling (typically chunky reeded posts) is a perennially favorite choice that is complemented with casual stripes, handsome woods and wickers, and botanical prints. Ornately crafted beds with ornamented foot posts are an opulent look while the American "pencil post" style, with its clean lines works for more contemporary and folksy interiors. Even simple black wrought iron is used with great success today.

What's particularly noteworthy about canopy beds is their ability to work in almost any kind of interior. In formal and traditional bedrooms, exotic retreats, urban lofts, and casual vacation homes.

Canopy beds are enjoying a resurgence of popularity in private homes, hotels and resorts - where they are honeymoon suite favorites. Their talent for adding a romantic atmosphere to the bedroom makes them a highly coveted piece of furniture.