A Tale of Two Upholstered Beds: Isabella vs. Shannon

There are a lot of things my husband I would like to have to make our room more comfortable. Not least on the list is a bed, as our current sleeping quarters (also known as a box spring and mattress) are sitting on the floor of our room. While this is great for space because there’s no bulky headboard or footboard taking up valuable square footage, it’s not so great for style. So even though we have more important things to take care of at the moment (like finding a place of our own, for example), I’ve already started scouting beds I’d love to lay my head on for the foreseeable future.

I’ve always thought we’d wind up with a low, ultramodern platform bed. Thus, I’ve featured many eco-friendly beds with this profile here at GYD. But the more I think about it, the more I think I’d like something a little less modern and a little more sophisticated — like an upholstered headboard and frame, for example. The clean lines are still there, but the look is more transitional than it is modern. This will make it easier to change the style of our decor later without having to battle against our ultra-contemporary furniture. After all, we plan to invest in furniture that will last us the rest of our lives, so we’ve got to make a good choice.

The Shannon Bed and the Isabella Bed, both by R.C. Green, are great contenders for our (read: my) newly desired look. Both are sleek and sophisticated, extremely sustainable, and available in a variety of fabrics and solid colors. For the moment, I’m partial to Shannon’s tufted headboard, both for the Hollywood glam look and for the height, which would be perfect for reading in bed. But Isabella is a contender as well, because the lower-slung headboard is more neutral and would make for a roomier-feeling space, even in a small room.

What’s your pick? Isabella or Shannon? Leave your choice in the comments below.

Why It’s Green:

• Made in the U.S.
• FSC certified wood frame
• Recycled steel hardware
• Non-toxic, water-based finish and adhesives
• Natural latex cushions in organic wool wrap
• All natural upholstery options, including bamboo and linen

Price: Shannon and Isabella both start at $1950. Final price determined by bed size and fabric selection.