A Reading by HanaDaybed Cushions & Covers
A mauve daybed cushion on a carved French frame, and where the budget belongs
Hana reads a quiet bedroom daybed for what lasts and what does not. Spend on the cloth you touch. Save on what already works.
The quick answer
On a daybed cushion, spend on the cover fabric and the back support, and save by keeping a mattress that is still sound. A US buyer re-covered a 38 x 79 in (97 x 201 cm) twin mattress and added two L-shaped backrests about 20 in (51 cm) tall, which turned a spare bed into a proper sofa.
SavePinned by Hana: the mauve daybed cushion
Five pins, from the mauve box cushion to the linen lumbar pillow, the knit throw, the dried pampas and the carved leg.
- Mauve box cushion
Follows the daybed rectangle and stops at the carved rail.
- Linen lumbar pillow
A cream pillow at one end sets the lounging direction.
- Knit throw
Chunky knit adds texture against the fine weave.
- Dried pampas bouquet
Adds height at the low end to balance the pillow.
- Carved leg
Self piping keeps attention on the painted carving.
- Mauve box cushionFollows the daybed rectangle and stops at the carved rail.
- Linen lumbar pillowA cream pillow at one end sets the lounging direction.
- Knit throwChunky knit adds texture against the fine weave.
- Dried pampas bouquetAdds height at the low end to balance the pillow.
- Carved legSelf piping keeps attention on the painted carving.
Two jobs, one cushion
A daybed is sat on all day and slept on some nights. That is two jobs. Pay for the parts that do both.
The daybed cushion here is a mauve box, cut to the rectangle of a carved French frame. It stops at the carved rail. The painted wood still shows on every side. That restraint costs nothing, and it is the reason the room looks considered.
The piping is self piping, the same mauve as the body. It gives a clean edge and asks for no attention. On an antique frame the carving should do the talking. See self piping in the glossary.
Mauve sits between the pale walls and the faded rose rug. In pale morning light from the arched window it reads soft, not sweet. A dusty mid-tone forgives more than cream would, and this one is a performance weave, which matters on a seat used every day. The cloth is on the performance and pet-friendly shelf.
The props are inexpensive, and they work. A cream linen lumbar pillow at one end tells you which way to lie. A chunky ivory knit throw adds texture against the fine weave. A glass of dried pampas and strawflowers on the herringbone floor lifts the low end, so the two ends balance. Sheer linen curtains soften the arch. Nothing here needs replacing when the season turns.
Where to save: the frame, and often the mattress. If the mattress is still firm, a new cover made to its size gives you a new room without a new bed. Measure it with the daybed mattress cover pattern.
Where to spend: the cover cloth and the backrests. A daybed without back support is a bed. With it, it is a sofa.
Spend on what you touch. Save on what still works. Order the whole set once.
Have it made
Have this made — ask Hana’s workshop
Measure once, slowly. Write the numbers here. The workshop will go over them with you. — Hana
Leave your details and the workshop will call you to confirm measurements, fabric, foam and piping. No prices, dates or payment on this page: it is a request, not an order.
— Hana
