A Bed Of Nails

There's something romantic about nailhead trim.

You can think I'm crazy. Nailhead trim seems like such a masculine detail and "romantic" interiors are usually pretty girly.

Maybe it's that connection of manly and womanly that seems romantic.

Seriously, try doing a search for "nailhead trim" in Google books. Usually when I'm looking for Google books information about a decorative style or detail, the results are all nerdy design books. Nailhead trim shows up in romance novels.

So, I say take a little nailhead trim into the bedroom. The Candler bed from Hickory Chair (pictured right) is a nice start.

Or try Henredon's Monroe beds, which combine masculine nailheads with feminine curves and curlicues.

But look out. Too much time in that nailhead trimmed bed and you'll end up with another one of these.

Seriously, though. How awesome is that leather and nails crib? It's from one of the (newly reopened!) period rooms at the Metropolitan Museum in New York (thanks, Peak of Chic).

If you still need more of a manly nailhead trim fix, here are a few other places to look:

• A classic leather chesterfield from Henredon with awesome nailhead trim
• Very sleek, modern use of nailhead trim on a contemporary chair
• Scroll down in this coco kelly post for a great example of do-it-yourself nailhead trim on an office bulletin board
• Wanda Shorten's blog post about trim has a great example of really bold nailhead trim
• This summer, Chic Coles looked at nailhead trim, including TONS of pictures, ideas and examples

One last thing. I love me some design history, so here's a little background. Nailhead trim started in 16th- and 17th-century France, when French country furniture was emerging because the middle class outside of Paris was getting more wealthy and powerful and wanted fine furniture to match their unique needs. So nailheads even have some French pedigree. Romance all over the place.