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:

Eileen said...

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

Kwana said...

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.

Karena said...

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

pve design said...

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

Purple Flowers said...

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

littlebyrd said...

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

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

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.

jae said...

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!

Mrs. Limestone said...

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

Jackie said...

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!

annechovie said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

Liz said...

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

gina said...

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!

Brillante Interiors said...

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.

inkWELL Press said...

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.

Shani said...

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")

Julia said...

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

LindsB said...

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.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

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.

Summer is a Verb said...

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!

Jaimee McClellan said...

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!

Jackie said...

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

Joyce said...

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.

Marnie said...

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

Pretty Lovely said...

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

xx,

Sam @PrettyLovely

Lisa Porter said...

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

Topsy Turvy said...

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

–Lana