This bed is a sumptuous example of the proverb 'waste not, want not.' Christchurch craftsperson and artist-owner of Corporate Art Solutions, Amanda Clarke, has created a bedhead which rivals the look of any of those found in top-ranked hotels.

Because this bedroom opens opposite a poolside pavilion, Amanda was conscious that the room would also function as an afternoon living area during summer. The bed therefore needed to work as a couch, with comfy back-rest qualities.

Amanda used two pine sliding doors that used to be on an upstairs cupboard then upped the glamour quotient by choosing a fearless Resene-imported wallpaper, Indochine 21637, inside the doors' panels. Around the outside, she's darkened the pine using Resene Colorwood interior wood stain in Resene Deep Oak.

To tie in with the pool's reflective surface and visually enlarge the space, Amanda has used Resene Periglacial Blue from the Karen Walker Paints range on the walls, and Resene Pure Pewter from the Resene Metallics and Special Effects range to transform concrete blocks outside. Shelving was added to each side of the bed by chopping a solid oak cabinet in half.

words: Liesl Johnstone
pictures: Juliet Nicholas