i.love.aspen.

Alright, it's decided. I am never leaving. If only I had a few million to spare, I would move here in a HEARTBEAT.  And this is why...

For the past week or so, I've been staying up in Aspen for the first portion of my summer studio.  Last week, my group spent four days working with the amaaaazing architect, Scott Lindenau who founded Studio B Architects.  We spent time working in the office on our designs for the Dancing Bear Hotel, but more importantly - we got to go see and tour some of his outstanding projects.  And when I say outstanding, I mean it.

Check out the pictures on his website...to DIE for. http://studiobarchitects.net/

Oh, and that picture above...that's the middle school. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. Seriously?! Only in Aspen do you get to go to middle school in such a beautiful building. I'm SO jealous.

A Twist on Traditional Headboards

If you're anything like me, finding the perfect headboard by flipping through furniture catalogs can be pose to be quite the challenge.  And not only is it hard to find something unique, but traditional headboards from big box furniture stores can cost a pretty penny.  So to kill two birds with one stone, below I've listed some non-traditional items you can use to make your own, one-of-a-kind headboard.

Okay, yes, it looks as if this wall was practically MADE for this bed - so those of us who are fortunate to have an exposed brick wall in our home probably aren't fortunate to have an arch centered perfectly over where you'd ideally like to place your bed.  Regardless, a brick wall by itself is a beautiful backdrop for your bed.

This bed uses different lengths of bamboo stalks - and for those of us that don't happen to have bamboo growing in our backyard (which I would imagine is most of us)...the same effect can be achieved with using any sort of logs of different lengths.

Staying consistent with our wood theme thus far, this beautiful headboard makes use of scrap lumber from an old fence.  Don't you just "love" it?! (okay, I admit it, pun intended).

Hmmm...can we all guess why I love this image?  Old shutters are another great item to use for your headboard.

An old fireplace mantle is a great way to frame your bed.

I bet you never thought of this one - hang a long pillow from a shelf mounted above the bed.  Pretty sweet.

I am obsessed with this headboard.  It was made by piecing together small black mirrors from Ikea. LOVE it!

This is by far my favorite for a few reasons.  First of all, most people avoid putting their bed underneath a window, but I just LOVE how the bed and headboard frame the window.  Secondly, I love the built in shelving that's incorporated into the headboard.  I think I may be having to make one of these sometime in the near future...

So, as you can see, there are many different ways to create a headboard as opposed to simply just picking one out of a catalog.  And in my opinion, these are far more fun.  Happy headboarding!