by Elena Banfi.
They are the soul of the sleeping area that light up with a special warmth, challenge time with solid structures but also know how to excite thanks to a harmonious mix of craftsmanship and design, versatility and poetry.
“Once upon a time there was a piece of wood.” Opening this column with the words of Carlo Collodi is no coincidence: wood is the warm, vital protagonist of the simplest (and most beautiful!) beds, artisanal masterpieces shaped by expert hands but also works of design with a high level of ingenuity. Contemporary wooden beds are synonymous with functionality and aesthetics together. They have solid, eco-friendly structures that last a lifetime. They hide ingenious containers, practical drawers, integrated benches. They even modify their structure based on space and needs. Yet, they maintain soft, sinuous, versatile shapes, designed to accommodate and be welcomed by any living style. And they create very intimate atmospheres.
Those who entrust their dreams to a wooden model can choose its essence, its nuance: each capable of telling a different story, of igniting a different emotion. And, also, to envelop the room with the embrace of the scent of woods and nature, barely perceptible, yet extraordinarily relaxing and, today more than ever, necessary.
1 – IT DRESSES ITSELF, IT UNDRESSS ITSELF
The Yelek bed by Gervasoni can be dressed and undressed: the headboard is, as desired, hidden by a padded fabric which, recalling the effect of a duvet, envelops the wooden core. A change of appearance that allows you to obtain two products: one softer, one more minimal. The removable bed frame is in natural or lacquered ash.
Yelek by Gervasoni, design Federica Biasi, 190/210x218x92H cm, from €4,863 – gervasoni1882.com
2 – SUSPENDED DESIGN
Shiro by Tomasella is more than a bed, it is an “all in one” functional piece of furniture. The material panel becomes a headboard: it is softened by two applied cushions and backlit by an integrated LED light. It can also be had with a bedside table suspended from a drawer and with a container, as well as being available in a wide range of finishes.
Shiro by Tomasella, 281.4x217x92.5/100H cm, suspended version from €2,700 – tomasella.it
3 – ALL IN ONE PIECE
The Natura 6 bed by Riva 1920 is made entirely of solid wood. The feature that makes it special is the headboard made up of a large single board, with a natural upper edge. Focus on the bed frame: no glue, but a perfect hand-made finger joint.
Natura 6 by Riva 1920, design C.R.&S., 110/210x218x90H, from €4,785 – riva1920.it
4 – SCANDINAVIAN & JAP
Essential and sophisticated at the same time, the Iro bed by Porro has two large headboard cushions covered in leather or fabric and an important perimeter in turned solid ash with a diameter of 80mm. Right here there is a unique detail: the supported corner joint that evokes mountain houses and Japanese joints.
Iro di Porro, design GamFratesi, 160/180×200, from €3,580 – porro.com
5 – LIKE A HUG
The Dominik bed by Conte, designed by architect Enrico Cesana, has a linear design but a soft character. The curved solid wood structure envelops the entire padded backrest; the bed frame has a micro-perforated solid wood rest surface to ensure maximum breathability. It is also available with container.
Dominik di Conte, design Enrico Cesana, 215/225x197x97H cm, from €4,233 – contecasa.it
6 – MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND VERSATILE
The Magic Dream bed by Morelato was born to amaze. It has a structure in Canaletto walnut wood and two practical bedside tables with drawers integrated into the headboard, in solid wood. The mattress support is made of wooden slats and, upon request, padded, detachable and removable cushions can be applied to the headboard to change its look.
Magic Dream by Morelato, design Giuseppe Viganò, 275x214x80.5H cm, from €5,366 – morelato.it
7 – EXTENDABLE IF NECESSARY
Single, queen size or double? It doesn’t take much to transform the Ikea Glamberget bed, which can be extended according to the size of the room and the occasion. Smart and space-saving, it is made of pine wood, adapts to mattresses of different sizes and is equipped with two large containers and as many trays.
Glamberget by Ikea, 160x200x80H cm, from €299 – ikea.com
8 – WOVEN AND MATERIAL
In ash, the Awase bed by Bolzan generates harmony and serenity, which take place between the wicker threads of the dense weave that defines the beautiful headboard, still made entirely by hand today. It is available in the natural colors sienna, ash grey, woad blue, dark indigo, natural, vine black and juniper green.
Awase by Bolzan, design Studio Omi Tahara, 176x214x103H cm, from €6,088 – bolzan.com
9 – ZERO KM
Sambuco Tessile Arbra by Vivere Zen is a geometric and essential bed in solid cedar wood. It can be equipped with a solid headboard with three horizontal strips, customizable with cotton inserts made by Parà, a prestigious Italian company. Arbra is, in fact, a zero kilometer organic furniture line that supports the environment and small local companies: the wood, for example, comes from the Susa Valley, from 5% of the trees removed during the annual maintenance of its forests.
Sambuco Tessile Arbra by Vivere Zen, 90/180x200x20/40H cm, from €1,637.24 – vivezen.it
10 – EXOTIC CHIC
This bed by Maisons du Monde is made with refined solid sheesham wood, also known as Indian Rosewood: its shades create elegant and welcoming atmospheres. The large headboard is made especially for sitting and reading before falling asleep. The oblique feet are reminiscent of the design of the 1950s.
Maisons du Monde, 167x215x85H cm, from €939 – maisonsdumonde.com
On the cover, Natura 6 by Riva 1920, all in solid wood.
