Post by Laura Cheng.

When I was 10 years old, I was obsessed with collecting Crayola crayons. I wanted to collect every color that existed. I sorted my collection by shades. My biggest dilemma at age 10 was whether Mango Tango went between Orange or Neon Carrot. Today, my equivalent is Pantone.

Every year, color warehouse guru, Pantone, will declare a particular color “Color of the Year”. There is a significance behind the color chosen that connects with the zeitgeist. (Die hard Scrabble players can tell you that the word stands for the spirit of the time, the mood of an era).2012 is no exception. The color chosen this year is Tangerine Tango.

After facing 2011’s roller coaster economy, “Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, [provides] the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward [with verve and vigor]”  (http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88) to read all about how Tangerine Orange was selected from Pantone.

Source: Designboom.com

There are many fanastic ways you can energize your bedroom in honor of Tangerine Tango. Pillows, bedspreads, accessories , curtains, flowers and walls can all benefit from this high-impact hue.

The popularity of orange can be seen in this bedroom by Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living. The varying shades of orange have been strategically throughout to avoid overwhelming the space. It incorporates the subtle yet striking use of orange in the functional and decorative pillows. The bedskirt ties the ensemble together perfectly by coordinating with the bolsters. I was not only attracted to the wonderful pop of color, but also the Grecian trellis headboard accented by nail heads.

Decorating with orange can also be as subtle and as easy as adding an arrangement of flowers to your nightstand. If you’re trying to mimic the look of the room, this should be the easiest trick. A triple dozen of orange roses will be sure to brighten any bedroom and any mood. For a little more variety, mix an arrangement with different shades of orange, hot pink or red spray roses.

Source: thelenoxx.com

If using the vivid pop of orange is not surprising enough, saturating the ceiling with the color should do it. Instead of using the same dramatic color on the walls, patterned wallpaper reduces the need for any other accessories in the bedroom. The rich brown of the branches adds depth and provides contrast for the vibrant orange.

Source: http://access.decorati.com/2011/05/orange-crush-hues-and-strategies/

And to close, I leave you with the most recent addition to my Crayola collection – Valspar’s Island Orange. I can’t wait to collect next year’s color!

Tags: bedroom, beds, Charles P. Rogers, Design, Orange, Pantone, Tangerine Tango

Post by Mark T. Locker.

Last week, I got a twinge of nostalgia for my favorite Saturday morning TV shows and decided, using my son as an excuse, to get my hands on some episodes of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, courtesy of my neighborhood library. (Support libraries!) The show is far weirder than I recalled it being, but my boy loves it. I actually love it (well parts of it, at least) but it got me thinking about Pee-Wee’s chef d’oeuvre, the immortal Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.

Now, if you haven’t seen this movie, let us all take a moment in silence for your sad, sad soul. If you have seen it and dislike it, the same goes for you. The premise of this very silly movie is that Pee-Wee Herman, eternal child, has the awesomest bike you have ever seen. When it is stolen in broad daylight, he goes on a crazy mission to find his bike. From scary truckers to ex-cons to spoiled children, Pee-Wee has an incredible, and incredibly absurd, adventure. It’s got comedy! It’s got action! It’s got a cameo by Twisted Sister! Seriously, what more could you ask for in a Friday night family movie?

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, Children, family, Movie Reviews, movies in bed, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

Post by Mark T. Locker.

We spend so much time here on the Bed Blog discussing a lot of great ideas, helpful hints, and offering fantastic recommendations. So I thought today we could look at some more…unorthodox approaches to bedroom design. Most of you may enjoy the spectacle but have no intention of transforming your bedroom into, say, a giant princess castle. For those who yearn for such things, you are welcome. Please enjoy the following alternative takes on interior decorating.

This brings a whole new meaning to the word waterbed. I don’t recommend this design to anyone with a propensity for somnambulation!

This little piggy made his bedroom out of straw! You may want to wear several layers of thick, soft pajamas if you are planning to sleep in the straw bed. In movies, they always put straw down to sleep on in a barn, so perhaps it’s quite comfy!

Don’t you hate the cumbersome activity of climbing out of bed, walking across the miles-long cold linoleum floor to get yourself a midnight snack? Save yourself the trouble by turning your room into your own little diner! I’m disappointed to note you don’t get to climb under the bread, but you can’t have everything.

…and if comfort and coziness are not your style, you can always move into a big stone culvert. In a field. Surrounded by a bunch of other stone culverts.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, Design, Weird Bedrooms

Post by Kyle St. Romain.

Do you sleep on your side or your back? Is the way you sleep affected by whether you share your bed with your significant other? Has the way you sleep changed over the years? Your answers to these questions can offer insight into your personality and relationships. It’s hard to fake body language in bed, as we are most honest asleep.

The most common sleeping position is the fetal position; whereby, you curl up in a ball on your side often hugging a pillow or other sleep comfort. Studies show that upwards of 40 percent of respondents indicate sleeping in the fetal position. Furthermore, women are twice as likely to sleep in this position than men. Psychologists believe that fetal position sleepers can be summed up as being soft on the inside with a tough exterior.

The second most popular way people sleep is on their side. There are variations of slide sleepers, the most common of which include sleeping with your arms by your side or sleeping with both arms out in front.  If you sleep with your arms at your side, a position called the “log”, you are said to be an easy-going, trusting extrovert. On the other hand, sleepers who put their arms out in front, called the “yearner,” are likewise open and outgoing, but can be suspicious and cynical.

The third most popular way is to sleep is on your back. In this position, sleepers either put their arms to their side or above their head. The “solider” position, where you place your arms by your side, is indicative of a quiet and more reserved personality. Back sleepers who put their arms over their head, a position called the “starfish,” tend to be good friends and listeners tending to avoid the center of attention. If you snore, you may want to avoid sleeping on your back, as the weight of your chest can burden your breathing.

Last but not least are stomach down sleepers, a position called the “freefall.” Freefall sleepers are the most sensitive of the bunch. They are characterized by a disdain for criticism and extreme situations. This position is said to be the best for digestion.

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to sleep; it’s purely a matter of choice. The best sleep position is the one that allows you to get a sound night’s rest. And while people are reluctant to change their sleep position, sometimes we have to sleep in new position out of necessity. If you are experiencing sleep difficulties, however, you may want to try a new position. A change in the way you sleep could be just what your body needs for the New Year.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, sleep

Post by Mark T. Locker.

A couple weeks ago we discussed a classic Humphrey Bogart detective movie, The Maltese Falcon. This past week I had the opportunity to spend the night at a house on the Oregon coast. While the day started out unseasonably mild and nearly sunny, the wild wet weather swept in suddenly and ferociously. So while the rain and wind lashed the windows, we stoked the fire, filled our glasses with whiskey and pulled off the shelf another great Bogart classic, The Big Sleep.

The most interesting I learned while watching this movie was that it was the inspiration for another favorite of mine, The Big Lebowski. Now, I am not a movie scholar, I don’t “read” the movies or anything, so I haven’t really figured out what the parallels are. Whatever Philip Marlowe and The Dude have in common, it certainly isn’t clothing choices.

I like this movie for a few reasons: William Faulkner co-wrote the screenplay; Raymond Chandler wrote the novel; Humphrey Bogart is, well, awesome; and finally, two little words: Lauren Bacall. Need I say more? Watch it. It’s dark, sinister, mysterious, and exciting.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, Movie Reviews, Movies