If you recognize this woman, then you will probably get the gist of this post. While shopping for some new bedroom furniture, I stopped by one store that had some really elaborate stuff. While it was definitely not what I was looking for, but it caught my attention for a few moments. I was drawn closer to the bed, lured in like a moth to a flame. It looked strangely familiar. I wondered who would buy this bed? I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to visualize what it was about this bed that made me stop. Then it dawned on me, "This is Norma Desmond's bed!" I exclaimed out loud. Some old man standing nearby jerked his head in my direction, made a quizzical face, then shook his head in what looked like a combination of disgust and confusion. By this point, John was way ahead of me, so I speed-walked down the aisle and told him about the Norma Desmond bed. Not being a fan of Sunset Boulevard, he just continued on his way. So I ran back and took a photo of this fabled bedroom set. So without further ado, take a look for yourself.
Above left: A scene from Sunset Boulevard. You can see the style of the house from the railing, the hanging torchiere lights, and wall coverings. Now take another look at the bed above right. Doesn't it look like it belongs in that house?
-Rick Rockhill
Yeah, I could totally see a bed like that in a former silent star's home. Overdone, obnoxious, but oddly compelling.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind a bed like that. Ok, it's a bit much, but it's pretty cool. If I had a bed like that, I'm sure I would also have three meter high ceilings.
ReplyDeleteI could not resist repeating these famous lines from Sunset Blvd:
ReplyDeleteJoe Gillis: "You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big."
Norma Desmond: "I *am* big. It's the *pictures* that got small."
and of course the infamous:
Norma Desmond: "And I promise you I'll never desert you again because after 'Salome' we'll make another picture and another picture. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!... All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up. "
Great comparison! You know my husband and I went shopping recently for a new bed and we noticed the same thing. Huge, ornately carved beds. Who the devil is buying this stuff?
ReplyDeleteI can hear Norma now...
ReplyDelete"My bed IS big. It's the mattresses that got small!"
Thank you for stopping by my blog! PALM SPRINGS HERE I COME!
ReplyDeleteOh Sunset Blvd. What more can I add or say about this terrific film? Actually, I only watched it for the firs time ever last year! And I was impressed!
Love the bed. Where's the dead chimp?
I'd buy a bed like that. The only problem is that my cats would have shed fur all over the velvet and satin, and the wood would be clawed by them sharpening their claws on the bed.
ReplyDeleteGreat Bed!!! Yes totally SB...Looks like a sturdy one for some good fun too! :)
ReplyDeleteperfect for your close up
ReplyDeletelol I love the bed. If I had something like this to sleep in, I am not sure I would ever get out..roflmao.
ReplyDeleteForget all that ornate nonsense. I'm all about timeless Scandinvaian minimalism in my furniture. I'm not talking Ikea either. Check out Scan Furniture House (http://www.scanfurniturehouse.com/). My wife and I recently bought a killer recliner there. They just moved showrooms and are now on Miramar next to the Pyramid. Ask for one of the Erics.
ReplyDeleteThat chick is all kinds of messed up. That movie scared me.
ReplyDeleteNorma's bed was like a "gilded rowboad", but
ReplyDeleteI could totally see that bed in one of the rooms in her house.