well it was an accident and you are trying to figure out how to not let it happen again ... please do not beat yourself up!
and i would love to see pics of the bed (before and after)...EA furniture is not cheap so i am thinking it is going to be kind of hard to do but you will figure out whatever is best
and if you or your BF is handy, i bet you will make it look great
and i have never slept without a box spring either now that you mention it...i did not think of that lol...however i can fall asleep anywhere (airplanes, those uncomfortable airport chairs, in cars, etc) so i think it will be okay hehe