If you want a Japanese influenced bedroom, then Haiku Designs is a good place to check out. Found while googling for "modern bedroom" pics, Haiku Designs is a total resource for Japanese beds, bedding, furniture and artwork.
The website is a little cheesy, but what stood out to us were their beautiful tatami style beds ($800) and their organic futons ($995), made from organic cotton and natural latex. They also sell Shoji screens, Shoji doors, paper lamps and sleek dressers and media cabinets with modern Asian styling.
With a reader asking about futons last week and many people wanting to simplify their bedrooms and homes in general, Haiku Designs offers reasonable prices and super simple designs.
I've had my eye on their farmed mahogany edo period bed. I love the very unique headboard!
http://www.haikudesigns.com/edo-beds.htm
At under $700 it kind of sounds GREAT! I question the sturdiness of the slats, not being able to see and feel it in person.
Something a DIY truss job can improve if need be?
The low chairs from the same edo collection are way cool, too, and I think I'm gonna spring for the organic futon. (I've got organic sheets, but no bed or futon, yet. However the bedroom is nearing cmpletion.)
Funny how everything eventually makes it to AT:)
I own the Edo Bed! The slats are very sturdy, and there is a center beam down the middle of the bed for added security. I really love my bed; it's a nice warm modern look, not too sterile but still simple and low.
Please feel free to ask me any detailed questions you have about the bed. I was lucky enough to buy it from a showroom so I could sit on it and inspect it before purchasing.
WoW! Holly! Thanks so much for your feedback. I've really had my eye on this bed for a while and I'm really excited about buying it, although I'm nervous about getting such a big delivery in the mail. I'm so glad you're happy with it! I guess you got it out west somewhere.
Well you've answered the most pressing question. Thanks!
I just wish there was a showroom here in the nyc area. Alas.
It's the opening in the middle that has me worried about gashes to the back of the head.
Since writing the above, I went ahead and purchased the edo bed. Here's what happened:
I purchased and paid for a queen edo bed and queen organic futon mattress on April 13th, 2006. I am a very disatisfied customer. Below I explain why,
I am apalled at the disorganization and lack of concern for the way I have been treated after spending almost $2000 with Haikudesigns. I ordered and paid for an Edo bed and mattress. The bed arrived 4 weeks later, the mattress arrived 6 weeks later. (They state their policy is to ship within 1 to 3 weeks' time.) Not exactly prompt. The shipping company, Roadway, hires questionable local companies to deliver the product. The bed arrived damaged, with one box's top completely severed and the pieces delivered in the hands of the delivery man. (The matress arrived with one complaining surly delivery man and I had to do 60 % of the hauling of the very heavy futin mattress and he still waited for a tip!) Second shipment of damaged bed arrived damaged again, this time through UPS, because of insufficient packaging. When the third shipment arrived undamaged due to finally better packaging it became apparent that the replacements were sent from a different generation design of the bed.
The parts were side rails that had totally different materials joining the wood together (one had wood brackets, one had metal brackets -- the more current design) and didn't have a flush fit with the head and foot boards. The center rail drill holes didn't line up with the holes in the center metal bracket and one of the head rests was one entire inch off in the spacing of the legs attaching it to the bed and thus not fitting into the notches intended for it. The center metal bracket was screwed-in too high along the head and foot rails thus creating a slight rise in the way the center rail sits in the middle and thus the slats laying on top are not laying flush across the entire span of the bed, creating a bowed effect and hardness in the center of the bed. Unacceptable and uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, the damaged pieces from the original bed shipment fit even worse (this was me just trying to make it work any way I can, thinking I can perhaps use the damaged pieces since they came in the same shipment. The original center rail was too thick to even fit in the metal brackets intended for it and again the hole spacing didn't match, making me strongly suspect the design-to-manufacturing integrity of the bed.
Contacting the support person was not an expedient experience as he seemed to be out of the office a lot and no one else would get back to me. It is by then almost 2 months since Haikudesigns has had my money, since they did indeed precharge me and take my money BEFORE the items were ready to ship out. Unlike the stated claims of the website. It took a lot of work on my part to explain and make the support person understand what was going on, and he really tried, it seemed. I took all the necessary pictures and sent it to him. I have full documentation. I have spent an inordinate amount of time working on this problem, talking to him and taking and sending pictures, while sleeping on the floor and then after trying to work with the problems of the bed, after putting it together because I was sick of spending 2 months in a bedroom that had a mattress on the floor and bits and pieces of bed next to it. This while there is complete construction and renovation going on in the rest of the apartment. My bedroom was not and remains not a sanctuary to this day. The support person offered to ship me a new bed, not quite able to figure out how to solve the problems in any other way, but only if I donated the current configuration of incomplete bed and presented him with a receipt. This was unacceptable to me since that would involve even more hassle and still no guarantee of bed. I then emailed with an option to be sent a bed and upon it's safe arrival and fitting to then donate the currrent bed and send the receipt. This company has my money, but I do not have a satisfactory bed. I didn't hear from anyone for 3 days. Being completely exasperated, I had my business advisor take over the matter and after calling and inquiring at great length she was told that the support person, Bansi, whom I had been working with for 2 months on this was fired from the company!!!!!
No one called me, no one was concerned about my situation and when she was promised a follow-up that never happened, she called and was handed a new support person who had no idea about all that has transpired with my situation and was rude and dismissive, insinuating that I was lying and denying possibility of problems occurring with the bed. Not knowing anything about the case and not bothering to do the investigation into all the pictures that had been sent, he came off hostile and ignorant.
Now I am beyond furious. I found out about this website through 2 design blogs, Treehugger.com and Apartmenttherapy.com, and I will be forwarding this information to them as well as telling everyone I know about the haphazard nature of this company's business practices. The edo bed is available through a number of other companies but I decided to go through Haikudesigns because I was also purchasing an organic futon here. My experience has not been enjoyable but horrible. The packages arrived in flimsy cardboard boxes (and thus were severely damaged) and the worst thing is this complete disregard for solving my problems with this edo bed nor any concern for my wellbeing in suffering through this. Additionally, there have been mistakes along the way that needed me calling attention to them for resolution, such as overcharges, not alerting me to the free gifts on offer for spending as much money as I did and lack of attention to detail and follow-up.
Haikudesigns has had my money since April 13th and as of June 22, I am still without a proper bed as promised and paid for.
It's bad business practice on this company's part, I have spent a ton of time trying to help the company help me, and I will be disputing the charge with my credit card company.
Wow, sorry to hear of Olga's rant but appears justified. Our experience -
We recently ordered (May 2006)over $7,000 of Haiku Designs furniture to furnish an entire Condo (second residence) in Chicago.
Included was: Edo style bed, high chest, buffet, two zen chairs (s), three "coffee" tables, one nightstand, two silk comforters, one sleeper sofa and clock.
Our experience was entirely positive. We flew to Boulder to their offices to inspect what we wanted to purchase. Worked with their internet manager to ensure delivery during the single week we would be in Chicago. All e-mails were responded to same day. They revised the shipping invoices three times to update our contact info phones for Chicago.
The delivery was made the first day promised; everything arrived in undamaged and perfect condition; the delivery guys were great despite having to lug the huge single piece buffet up a twisting staircase in 90 degree heat/humidity (we tipped them $40 afterwards); furniture was easy to assemble with no missing, broken or mismatched parts. It looks great and we feel is a good value for the money. Room and Board had a similiar style high chest but wanted more than twice the amount.
We have nothing but praise for Haiku Designs.
I was a little skeptical after i read Olga's experience but Warren's and Holly's had been good. So, I went ahead and ordered Edo bedroom set along with High chest, dresser and also the 5 piece dining room set. The folks at Haiku designs were very nice to me and prompt in their response. I spent about 5 grand on the furniture and everything was shipped on time ( actually in less than 2 weeks). I got the furniture even before i actually moved to my condo and it was perfect timing.
My buddy and I put together the Edo bed yesterday and it is absolutely amazing. I haven't put together the Dining room set yet.
Overall, i am very pleased with Haikudesigns.com and would definitely recommend them as my experience with them was very positive. Thanks to Dan, Lavynder and Jessica's great customer service.
-Venu
I ordered a natural latex mattress and beautiful Kyoto platform bed from this company, Haikudesigns. Everything arrived in perfect condition and we've been sleeping on it for a couple of weeks and just love it. What a great mattress!! Our sleep has never been so good and the amazing thing is that my husband Reed no longer snores. Amazing and wonderful. I really appreciated the quality of the product and the quality of the service from haikudesigns.
From: orders@haikudesigns.com [mailto:ord
I have bought from Haikudesigns and been very happy with their products and service. One thing I thing I found helpful, is that you can actually get a person to speak with on the phone.
It seems most sites don't offer that anymore, so it was good to be able to speak to an actual person, when I had some questions about the beds and how they were built, and how delivery was going to happen.
Everything we ordered was pretty much as represented. I would recommend this company.
Don Hoe
Hello-
I have been interested in the Edo bed for 2 years now. Could someone tell me how comfortable (or un-) is the head board? Are they 90 degrees or less.
Thank you
Hi,
I am actually interested in the Raku Tatami bed. Does anybody have it? and would they be able to comment on the quality of the wood? Unfortunately I cannot make it to Boulder, CO to examine the bed frame in person. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks.
to wilson: the headboard is actually a little more than 90 degrees. they are also adjustable by height.