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Thursday, April 23, 2009

fainting room

pve design illustration for visual vamp, to present to bayou contessa
There seems to be lots of chatter about day beds lately.   I did a little research and found that during Victorian times, women sporting tight corsets would retire to the 'fainting room" for a little rest.  Can you imagine trying to wear a corset all day?  I feel faint just thinking about it and at the same time positively dizzy over the thought of having a little room to go to, perhaps for a little air, or a room to read in or paint.  Do you have a fainting room or a day bed?  

28 comments:

  1. I actually do have a day bed. It makes my tiny guest room look a little nicer!!!

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  2. I used to have a daybed as my bed. Loved the look but hard to make up. I'd love to have a fainting room as my own little resting place.

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  3. I do not, however friends do and it looks very cozy for curling up to read or take a nap.

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  4. Eileen,
    Alright, now if I feel the slightest bit faint, I will come to you.
    pve

    Kwana,
    Did you know that JP fainted several times, one at the sight of blood when he was cutting a bagel and accidentally cut his finger and the other time at "Sunnyside" on the tour inside the historic landmark due to extreme heat. I felt a little dizzy at the MOMA over all that art and creativity that has gone before. Love also can do that to me, cause me to feel a little light-headed in good way.
    pve

    Karena,
    Curling up with your work or a good book or your cat sounds divine anywhere!
    pve

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  5. No daybed, but a really comfy overstuffed chair w/ottoman for reading and sometimes napping. :0)

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  6. Looove this illustration! I wish I had a Victorian daybed but I do not.

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  7. No daybed, but a sectional in my studio that I sometimes have a little catnap....but nobody knows this! Beautiful illustration, love the neutral tones. I feel like fainting when I wear panyhose these days....cna't imagine a corset.

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  8. I haven't fainted in years, but I have done it several times. To wake up in this room...I think I'd take it up again!

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  9. Love, love, love that drawing! Makes me want to live there!

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  10. What a lovely illustration! The modern day equivalent of a fainting room I would think is a library/den and I have always wanted one. Not enough space here though. Someday in my dream home there will be! Oh, and I would never have survived wearing corsets. I had to wear "Spanx" over the weekend for a wedding I was in and even those were uncomfortable to me!

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  11. I have neither, actually. I am fortunate to have the luxury of wearing a bathing suit or loose casual clothes most of the time. I cannot imagine the pain of being squeezed by a tight contraption like a corset all day! No wonder those poor women didn't live very long! XO

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  12. Love that drawing!! I wish I had a fainting room. Even if I would have one, my kids would still find me. Oohh...it sounds so heavenly to have a little room to go to, that looks like your little illustration!

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  13. Will fainted on the train into the City when we visited years ago.
    I have never fainted but it sounds like fun in a weird way

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  14. My "fainting" room is my walk-in closet - shut the door - LOCK IT - regain my sanity, have a little cry and then come out with a smile on!

    Lovely illustration!

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  15. I had a fainting, napping, day-dreaming room years ago and now I nap, faint, day dream everywhere!
    The rendering you did makes me dream even more.

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  16. I love the way the fashions look, like when you watch an movie set in older times where they're wearing those corsets... but I think it's only nice to look at. Not to wear. I can't imagine.

    We have a Murphy bed in our guest bedroom... I guess that doesn't count.

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  17. When I was younger my parents almost bought an old house that had a fainting room. It was so gorgeous. It had a setee instead of a day bed, but one day I would love to adapt the idea and use a day bed and make it a cozy room to read.
    Best,
    Shani
    (aka "Camille")

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  18. I think that's great! Hillarious and sad and impressive all at once. Those were some tight corsets!

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  19. I dont have either, but they sound like something I should put on my list of wants in a future house- mostly the fainting room because I think its fun to say.

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  20. PVE- what a great illustration! I love the period look. Fainting is a relief- not so much fun when done in church- but it will get you out of a spot! I have a little french daybed in my upstairs hall that my cat curls up on and my 6'3" nephew sleeps in when we- as a family are at capacity. I could almost fall into it when I pass by going to my bedroom- a bit of a tight squeeze when in a hurry. G.

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  21. I could sure use one of those for am blood draws! Pshaw, I think it should be mandatory in every doctor/dental office across this great land!

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  22. During my colleges years, I worked as a Living Historian (or "Silly Lady in a Victorian Costume giving Tours of Old Mansions") and the one home still had it's original "swooning couch"
    ...strategically placed next to the enormous staircase. I don't know how those woman could wear those corsets AND be expected to climb stairs!!! Poor women!

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  23. I tagged you on my blog-The question is 5 things you love about motherhood.

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  24. No fainting room or day bed, but I would love to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea under a fluffy comforter.

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  25. funny post - faint & dizzy - love to have a room of my own...all my own...

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  26. This is such an interesting fact. I love little facts - very helpful for a first date or trivia game.

    xx,

    Sam @PrettyLovely

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  27. I agree, day beds are everywhere!
    Functional and pretty. I love that you can place them smack dab in the middle of the room!
    It's warm, very warm in Lexington today so i must close before i faint!
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Lisa

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  28. Patricia - what a charming illustration! I don't have a daybed, but plan to include one in my guest room.

    –Lana

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