How to Restore Antique Iron Beds : Preserve the Patina or Start Fresh?
Learn how to restore antique iron beds, from preserving original distressed paint and patina to sandblasting, priming and creating authentic crackle finishes.
Which Country Made the Best Antique Iron Beds — America, England or France?
America, England and France all produced beautiful antique iron beds, but they didn’t build them the same way. We compare their tubing, castings, joints, engineering and design to see what made each country’s iron beds distinctive.
Transportation and Shipping of Antique Iron Beds Over the Years
Long before antique iron beds reached a bedroom, its weight influenced where it was manufactured, how it was constructed and how far it could economically travel. From horse-drawn wagons and railroads to modern freight carriers, transportation played a surprisingly important role in the history of the American Iron Beds.
From Twin to King: How America Outgrew Victorian Antique Iron Beds
Why were Victorian antique iron beds so much smaller than today’s beds? Explore the history of twin, three-quarter and double iron beds—and the fascinating changes that eventually led Americans to embrace queen and king sizes.
Scrolling: Where, When and How Did It Begin—and How Did It Find Its Way Onto Antique Iron Beds?
“Discover the ancient origins of scrollwork, from Greek and Roman ornament to Victorian metalwork, and how scrolling became a defining feature of antique iron beds.”
Antique Iron Beds – Finials: Their History, Purpose and Victorian Designs
Why do antique iron beds have decorative finials on their posts? Explore the history, purpose and remarkable variety of cast iron and brass finials used by Victorian bed manufacturers—and why these seemingly small details can tell us so much about the quality and design of an original antique iron bed.
How to Coordinate an Antique Iron Bed Finish with Your Bedroom Décor
Choosing the right finish for an antique iron bed doesn’t have to start with the bed. Wallpaper, fabric, chandeliers, artwork and even antique copper can inspire a custom finish that brings an entire room together while preserving the character and history of the original bed.
Resurrecting Double Size Antique Iron Beds With King Conversions
Victorian antique iron beds were never made in today’s king sizes. See how Cathouse Antique Iron Beds resurrects original double beds through carefully crafted king conversions that preserve their proportions, castings, character and original design.
Antique Iron Beds Tubing: Does Size Really Matter?
about antique iron beds. From economical 3/4-inch beds to elaborate Victorian examples with heavy 1 1/8-inch tubing—and the enormous 2-inch beds of the early 1900s—size matters, but not always in the way you might expect.
Why Were Antique Iron Beds So Heavy? How Weight Went From a Liability to a Sign of Value
The tremendous weight of antique iron beds could make them expensive and difficult to transport in the 1800s. Today, that same heavy construction, ornate casting and rarity can make the finest surviving examples especially desirable and valuable.